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.

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.

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 ....

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.

(Lucie) I would love to see him do A Man For all Seasons. Now you're talkin'!

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?

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.

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.

(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.

(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.

(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. :-)

Am carrying this on over at Part 6 as per suggestion.

(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....

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.

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)."

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

(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.

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!

(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.

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?

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.

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....

As a special favor, will y'all please comment on the poems of Dorothy, the newest topic in the poetry conference?

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:)

I did, Terry. Thanks for reminding us!

Thanks, it will help encourage a budding artist.

(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.

Yippeee! Bedrooms and Hallways is playing here. Will definitely see it sometime during the week.

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.

Wot?! I specifically ordered Mari for dessert - NOT Maria!! Get me that ****ing waiter! Happy Birthday Mari!!

What a feast, Mari! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Mari, Happy Birthday to you

HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY MARI.

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

Yeah, I understand Mari and Harve are like this - XXXOOO - Happy Birthday, Mari!

Happy Birthday, Mari!

Oh, Foo! It was supposed to be animated....

It is animated, KJ - at least it was for a bit then wore out. ;-)

Happy Birthday, Mari! So glad you joined the pond :-).

allo

hi

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!

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.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARI.

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.

Happy Belated Birthday, from Houston, Mari.... IOU a Chardonnay ....a month from today in Londinium!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARI

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http://www.compcovers.com/ccupics/nycovlrg.gif

I give up. What was that, Eileen?

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!

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.

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.

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

Happy Birthday Mari, sorry i'm late. Hope you had a wonderful day!! :-)

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.

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.

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!

(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!

I'm sorry I'm late, Mari.

(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. ;-)

TH was my favourite character in B&H. Still, I found it filled with clich�s. And, I waited too long for JE. Tineke, is that stop from one of your visual projects? Cute!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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?

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.

(Cheryl)what exaclty is the significance of Boxing Day? Five bucks says Marcia knows. :-)

I am leaving for Italy tomorrow and would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas And a firthfilling 2000!

And make sure you are all YK2 ready. ;-D

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

... 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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

RH and Richard Burton? Sounds v. interesting. Perhaps, PBS should tape a performance currently on stage that WILL be a classic? ;-)

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.

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.

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!! :-)

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".

Was this best actress Hilary Swank the girl in 90210?

Just checked at the IMDB (as I've never watched 90210) and, yes, she appeared on that show for one season.

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")

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�t 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")

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.

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 ;-)

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.

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.

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? ;-)

(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 :-)

(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

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.

(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. :-(

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.