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

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?

Karen check your e-mail I have posted my remembrances of MLSF ending on it. Anne H

OK, will post *other* ending for MLSF on 121. Thank you, Anne.

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!

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.

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.

Ann, we'll do this in Springfolks. Have just sent out the notice.

Karen, is March 6 the U.K. video release date for SLOW, or U.S.?

Karen - VHS too or just PAL?

Yes, the UK video release date and would be PAL (but that's no obstacle, you know) ;-)

From the This is London site (was written after the preview): Outside of the Dome itself is the Skyscrape � 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.

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!

he seems to be a very nice man ;-)

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 �10m; 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 Miramax, is part of the Disney empire. But its status is now "floating" and its seems unlikely to get a British cinema release. Woolley says: "I think it was problematic in terms of the expectations of both the audience and the financiers... It was more disappointing than if it had just been an unknown producer, an unknown director, and four actors who had done a TV mini-series." Nevertheless, Woolley maintains the film is very good and it got some encouraging reviews. He says that, if he had still had his distribution company (Palace), he would have released it. He has lost touch with Radford. "Somebody said he had made a small-b dget film in Los Angeles in a bar somewhere, but I don't have the number of the bar." In late 1996 the Scottish Arts Council approved a �1m lottery grant for World of Moss. The story of a boy growing up on a Scottish estate between the wars, it was based on the memoirs of Sir Denis Forman, the Granada TV executive whose eccentric inventor father developed moss as a dressing for wounded soldiers. The film seemed a natural candidate for Scottish lottery support. But the Scottish Arts Council was merely rubber-stamping a recommendation from the Scottish Film Production Fund, of which Forman had been chairman just a few years earlier. Bill Forsyth alleged the system was open to charges of "cronyism" and it went through a major overhaul. Miramax put up the remainder of the �5m budget and World of Moss was shot in Scotland in 1997. The intention was to premiere it at Cannes in May 1998, but the film got caught up in what Steve Norris, head of the British Film Commission and one of the producers, describes as a "long and complicated post-production period". Again Miramax tried it out on audiences in New York and decided it was not quite right. The first thing to go was the title: the aim had been something slightly mysterious and downbeat, like Dead Poets Society, but it did not work. Miramax opted for My Life So Far. The cast was recalled for extra shooting and testing went on for a year. Miramax is famous for the time it spends fine-tuning films and Norris is not alone in seeing this as a positive process. Hugh Hudson believes some films are rushed too quickly through post-production: "Chariots of Fire came out two full years after it was made," he says. 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. Buena Vista had intended to release it in Britain last autumn, but put it back to May 2000 to secure a slot in the Curzon in London and avoid competing with some major arthouse titles. It may seem strange that a film with �1m of British taxpayers' money in it should be tested in the US and released there almost a year before the UK. But at least British audiences will see this one... assuming the distributors do not change their minds.

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?

(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 �1m 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.

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...

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

Great news re vid date Karen. Thank you.

Re Birthdays...Just Lidya on the 10th...but she does not expect anyone to post anything... (I'll make up for it somehow =)

We shall perhaps have to use the springfolks vault to congratulate her.

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

Let me try again. Murph

Test test

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.

I ber you would like to test THAT Elena!!

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�ve tried to send you a message without success.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Mary: Nothing on Xoom or Tripod can be linked to outside sites.

Cool collection, Murph! But the magazine ANNA is not Swedish but Finnish.

Karen: Thanks re Xoom and Tripod. I wondered about that, and Elena, thanks as well. I'll correct it. Murph

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.

As good as he is in his profession, I think he wouldn�t have managed to create such an utterly fascinated look in his face if he hadn�t 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.

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?

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�t have managed to create such an utterly fascinated look in his face if he hadn�t 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....:-(

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.

Evelyn: Here is Lizzie reading Jane's letter: Murph

"(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?

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?

(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

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!

(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.

(Evelyn)unless we can talk Livia into an acting career....they might be gone Hehe, I wouldn�t be so sure about that, men are men after all. Remember Ingrid and Falling In etc. ;-)

(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).

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 ;-)

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.

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!

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".

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):-)

(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.

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.

Erm....Cheryl, or anyone....just WHAT exactly is it in Playmaker that�s so embarassing/disappointing/sickening? Is it just a lousy film altogether or does Colin do something specially disgusting in it?? I�ll probably never see that film so could you please elaborate.

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.

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.

(Elena)Erm....Cheryl, or anyone....just WHAT exactly is it in Playmaker that�s so embarassing/disappointing/sickening? Is it just a lousy film altogether or does Colin do something specially disgusting in it?? I�ll 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.

Take Evelyn up on her offer, Elena. A picture is worth a thousand words. ;-)

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.

Good news re weather for anyone London bound. Fine , dry and no snow for weekend!

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#

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!

(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�t 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�s the kind of book you tend to read very quickly, can�t help it. Btw I�ve 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.

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#

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.

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.

*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.

(Elena)Btw I�ve 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...

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.

(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.

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!

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.

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.

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*

Marcia and Heide--I'm with you--just sitting around drooling, sending mental smooches, and waiting for the reports.

I'm also sitting at home, feeling envious but waiting anxiously for reports from the traveling Firthettes!

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.

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:-)

Actually Gi, I think Antonio would enjoy The Real Thing!

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?

(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.

When are the awards presented? Is anyone going to the reception?

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!!

(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?

No Olivier nomination for ODB! Pooh!!! Hope he has the lead in the next project.

(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! ;-)

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.

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

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!

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!

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)

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 ;-)

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.