(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?

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.

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!!

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

(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.

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.

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?

Thank you Chris...best bet for me is a short wave.

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!

Anyone gonna tell me how I can re-activate this topic again?

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.

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."

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.

Thank you, Karen, for your help. I forgot to include that in the message above.

Duh, there is a remember button right at the top and at the bottom!

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.

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?

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!!

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----!!

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.

Yippee!!!! Good News Indeed Lidya!!! :) *Dance of Joy commences*

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.

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.

(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.

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".

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!

Bethan, thanks very much for the info.

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.

Don't know why "News" is highlighted...what did I do wrong? ***** Off to Phaedra!!

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.

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.

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!!

Here's some more: Another version of Jack London�s 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�s taste for big action flicks should contrast nicely with Boorman�s 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�s taste for big action flicks should contrast nicely with Boorman�s preference for character and story and Columbia Contrast nicely??? hmmmm

Bethan, my thoughts exactly re C.G Great part for her, shame about the drama! But then it was ITV!

(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?

Evelyn, I believe the AmFAR benefit is on the 20th May, but I'm not absolutely sure. Karen do you know?

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.

We won't hit youBefore 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!

Yes I agree Karen.

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!!

(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.

Besides,his good friend, Kristin Scott Thomas is the Cannes MC this year.

Evelyn, there is now also a reason why both Rosemary Harris and Jennifer should be there.

(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?

Sorry Evelyn, that should be Eileen. I guess your on my mind because of all the photos I keep seeing of OK.

(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".

(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!

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

(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!!

(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.

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.

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 :-(

(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.

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?).

I have a feeling we will see him on David Letterman and Jay Leno this summer as well. He seems ready for it all!

(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).

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.

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!

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!!

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!

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)

his harem is/was looking for him Hee hee Happy to hear that Ben is OK Laura, I was beginning to worry!

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:-)

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. :-)

Oh, and Laura, thanks for your welcome! I didn't know you cared... ;-p (Yes, I was away for a while).

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!!

(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. ;-)

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?

their end of turn papers What the? I meant, "end of term papers"

Can you see ODB as a Star Wars character.

Winter, I had the same problem, just go to the top of the page and click on REMEMBER. Voila, it works!

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.

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....

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.

(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� 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!

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.

Oh, great! A typing error! The top line should read "than that." My, how cumbersome this can get!!

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.

yawn...let me know when class is out. ;-)

...or (intended in a more constructive way) why don't you start up a "Language" discussion board at Spring?

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

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?

I second.

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. ;-)

No commenting on the typo, please!

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.

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!

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.

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?

Karen/Heidi - I am having trouble posting here. See comments on #107.

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....

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...

Will he attend the premi�re? 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�re is a big word.

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...

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.

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!!