You're right about Wes Bentley, Mari. He's bound to get a *real* nomination come Oscar time, and the McTeer thing will get sorted out when they drop all those other favs. About Tobey Maguire. He is so absolutely nothing in Cider House Rules, it's hard to describe, but then again so is the movie - a big, huge nothing. Maguire barely changes expressions and just floats through the story even though he's the main character is supposed to be propelling some form of self-discovery. argh Now unto Michael Caine. He's ok, not great. Everyone comments about his American accent. Well, he didn't speak with a Maine accent, but (a) no one did, (b) no one did and (c) no one did. And we all know Maine accents are v. distinctive. He was a kindly, manipulative ether-addicted god-like doctor. Yet you would probably like him, if (big if) you were sympathetic to his leanings. Last year, he got the award for Little Voice, but that was same-old, same-old Michael Caine.

Of course, I may still be rambling after the three-hour Magnolia. At this point, all I can say is PT Anderson (writer-director) aspires to be the heir apparent to Robert Altman. There's a lot to digest, and the role Cruise had, you can understand why he pursued it. btw, that guy from Laugh In (Henry Gibson) plays a character named Thurston Howell. That should give you some idea of the kind of humor. ;-) more later...

And, at a certain point in the movie, it will hit you like a sledge hammer: this is the ultimate Diaper Drama! ;-)

And I also thought Tobey Maguire was quite good in Pleasantville, too. I haven't seen ANY of the movies listed. Well I did see Being John Malkovich and can I say that I loved it. I never laughed so hard in my life (okay, I laughed at The Full Monty). I loved the 7 1/2 floor and "I'll meet you by the New Jersey Turnpike". Poor John Horatio Malkovich;)

(Karen) that guy from Laugh In (Henry Gibson) plays a character named Thurston Howell. Tell me he says "Luvvy.."! Hubby is off next week and we've decided to catch up on current movies. I wish Magnolia wasn't 3 hours long. Karen, does the time go fast (as with Titanic) or drag (as with Thin Red Line)? I think all the editors in the business have been assigned only to ODB's films lately. (Mari) Ok, let's list all the people who got screwed Well, they had to make room for those bastions of talent, Julia and Hugh. *cough* Last night ET made a big deal out of the omission of all the big moneymakers (Phantom Menace, Sixth Sense, etc.). Leonard Maltin said the GG noms usually follow the money; if that's the case (frankly, I've never paid that much attention) then perhaps this year's noms are a step in the right direction.

(Eileen) Leonard Maltin said the GG noms usually follow the money ...and the hors d'oeuvres. IMO, the GGs are only one step above the People's Choice Awards. does the time go fast (as with Titanic) or drag (as with Thin Red Line)? Since I didn't see the latter, can't rate on your scale. ;-) It's an engrossing movie and the first couple of hours are filled with really funny and bizarre things. There's also this wildly bizarre (cannot miss for the world) scene toward the very end, which I'm betting is supposed to have biblical significance. I hardly looked at my watch, maybe once. To offset the humor and drive away audiences in droves, Magnolia is about characters whose lives are revealed slowly, perhaps like the petals of a flower. Julianne Moore is going to get a lot of praise for her role, but IMO her character's motivations were the least believable. Afterward people were sitting there talking. IMO, it's a movie worth seeing, especially if your other option is Bicentennial Man. ;-)

In a statement, �Notting Hill� star Hugh Grant deadpanned, �I am very flattered. The readers of Horse & Hound will be delighted.�

(Karen) IMO, it's a movie worth seeing, especially if your other option is Bicentennial Man. ;-) Have already resolved to stay as far away from that clunker as possible. As for TRL, rent it only if you suffer from insomnia. ZZZZZZZZ (Hugh) The readers of Horse & Hound will be delighted. Good answer! (Karen) the GGs are only one step above the People's Choice Awards Hearing the TV noms, you'd never know the difference. I think Ray Romano is a talented comedian, but best actor? No way. He went to the Jerry Seinfeld acting academy.

Am I the only one who feels The Winthrow Boy was also screwed....what a cast! Rebecca Pidgeon was certainly as good as Meryl Streep in that music thing..

(Eileen) As for TRL, rent it only if you suffer from insomnia. ZZZZZZZZ A friend who went to see it (early on) said he was among the last people left in the theater, as most people walked out. He walked out as well. That could've influenced me, as well as the description of a shot involving a blade of grass that went on interminably. *hee hee* (Evelyn) Am I the only one who feels The Winslow Boy was also screwed Face it, Ev. TWB is going to be overlooked by everybody. Hardly anyone saw it and there are always an overabundance of male candidates for the best actor and supporting actor. IMO Rebecca Pidgeon was OK, not all that great. Besides, the movie was in the summer...might as well have been another century.

(Eileen)As for TRL, rent it only if you suffer from insomnia. ZZZZZZZZ I'd read such excellent reviews for this film, that I'd decided to see it. I don't think I've ever looked at my watch as often as I did then. I kept on thinking "now, that's a perfect scene to end this film! *hoping hoping* This IS the end, right?" and then it would go on and on and on.... I suppose it's a nice nature documentary.

Sorry, what's TRL? I'm not making any associations.

Another Henry James movie comin' up... From Premiere Mag, Dec. THE GOLDEN BOWL by Henry James is the latest-and most torrid - Merchant Ivory production. Directed by James Ivory(Howard's End).Has a budget of $15.Mil being filmed largely at Syon House [of TTOTS fame]. Stars Uma Thurman, Nick Nolte, Jeremy Northam and Kate Beckinsale. ~~~~~~ Looks like the 12th Duke of Northumberland, the lord of the manor, is gonna make a killin' this year.

TRL = Thin Red Line Have not subjected myself to this one based on the reviews of the girls from Drool. I'm not sure I want to spend 3 hours with a retrospective on the nature of a blade of grass ;-).

TRL? Isn't that last year's film?Seems to me it was trying to compete with Saving Pvt. Ryan. ~~~~~~ This was Matt Damon Day on ABC. He was on GMA this AM and on Oprah this afternoon with Gwynnie...plugging "The Talented Mr. Ripley" which opens Christmas Day....as if it needed more publicity.That's all the magazines are talking about.They also had a filmed comment by anthony Minghella. Gwynnie commented on Harvey re: her spread in Talk Mag..."You know, how he makes you do things." Harvey is pushing this film like he did SIL at this time last year. No longer can actors and directors walk away from a film when the director says the last "cut".In fact,it seems that's when their sales job begins.

In case anybody's interested, "The Very Thought of You" just came out on video. This was originally titled "Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence" and stars the simian-faced Fiennes brother, Monica Potter, Rufus Sewell, Ray Winstone and Tom Hollander (Mr. Platform Shoes and leopard jacket from Bedrooms & Hallways). It only played in NY for about as long as FP did - or less. I'll let you know how "bad" it is. ;-)

The Golden Globes are pretty much a joke insofar as awards are concerned. Their only purpose seems to be making money for the tv show's producer Dick Clark, (yes, it is he who would seem to be the Dorian Gray of the television), and the NBC network. Last year Peter Travers wrote a hilarious piece for "Rolling Stone" on the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Golden Globes. Not one of these alleged journalists is from from France, which is rather surprising since the French have largely shaped f lm criticism as we know it, although there is something of a backlash against established forms of film criticism in France, but I digress. It would seem that most of these, ahem, reporters, spend most of their time attending hollywood parties, and would never consider going to the movies, much less actually, horrors! writing about them. Now on to some prestigious film awards -- those given out by the National Board of Review. Their 10 Best Films of 1999 are as follows: 1. "American Beauty" 2. "The Talented Mr. Ripley" 3. "Magnolia" 4. "The Insider" 5. "The Straight Story" 6. "Cradle Will Rock" 7. "Boys Don't Cry" 8. "Being John Malkovich" 9. "Tumbleweeds" 10. "Three Kings" The best foreign language film was Pedro Almodovar's "All About My Mother". The best screenplay honors went to John Irving for adapting his novel "The Cider House Rules", and Anthony Minghella was cited as best director for "The Talented Mr. Ripley". As for the acting awards, Russell Crowe won best actor for "The Insider", the best actress prize went to Janet McTeer for "Tumbleweeds". The supporting category was quite interesting, Philip Seymour Hoffman was a winner for both "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "Magnolia"; while best supporting actress Julianne Moore won for 3, count 'em 3, different performances in the films "Magnolia", "A Map of the World" and "Cookie's Fortune". She must have a really good publicist. Yes, she is talented, but lots of pe ple are talented...they just don't work as much and get noticed for it.

I'm so remiss. I almost forgot to wish everyone Happy Start of Winter Holidays. I'll start with HAPPY WINTER SOLTICE, followed with MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY BOXING DAY, JOYFUL KWANZAA, HAPPY RAMADAAN, and not to be left out HAPPY SATURNALIA. Seriously I do hope that all of you have joyous holidays, no matter which ones you celebrate.

Re: Julianne Moore...She must have a really good publicist. Yes, she is talented, but lots of people are talented...they just don't work as much and get noticed for it. Saw her on GMA plugging "The End of the Affair". She goes after roles like a cheetah.She said she had heard of this role, got hold of the script, wrote to the director (Neil Jordan) and pleaded for an audition.Apparently she just doesn't sit around and wait for'em.

Yes, Moore does pursue roles, and good for her, but it can backfire. The most obivious example is Sean Young, who relentlessly solicited director Tim Burton for the role of Catwoman in the second Batman movie -- she didn't get it. In fact she alienated Burton, who probably would have hired again if she hadn't been so dogged. Granted Young is a bit, umm, flaky. Moore still needs a good publicist to help her in the awards' derby. Case in point, Don Cheadle is one of the finist actors working in film, b t as far as I know in the awards sweepstakes he hasn't won jack squat.

Did anyone else notice ODB in the picture of the director talking to two people in the TEP part. He was just to the left of the director who was waving his hands. Giving directions I would imagine.

(Evelyn) This was Matt Damon Day on ABC. He was on GMA this AM and on Oprah this afternoon with Gwynnie...plugging "The Talented Mr. Ripley" which opens Christmas Day And Jude Law is scheduled to be GMA on Thursday. These kids are out selling--good for them for supporting their movie, their studio, and their director. Huge Ripley article in the new issue of Time--very good review, but a bit of grousing that Ripley is drawn more sympathetically than in the book. Didn't realize that Patricia Highsmith was an expat American herself. I also liked Rebecca Pidgeon in TWB, Evelyn, and Nigel Hawthorne also. Just a really well-done film. And Entertainment Weekly has (somewhat) avenged Northam's MIA status by listing him in their "Great Performances for '99" section in the new issue. Gorgeous pic of him in bed, rolling in the sheets. Yikes! Says he was the true standout in AIH, and also cites his work in Winslow. Wes Bentley is also in there. RE: Julianne Moore--she's not only talented but she pursues her roles with intelligence. She just doesn't make dumb choices, and she's been quoted as saying she tries to seek out the best direectors and then just places her trust in them. And unless you're one of the very few at the top of the A list, they all have to chase for the best roles. Kate Winslet chased James Cameron for months before he'd audition her for Titanic. Cheryl, thanks for posting the various "best lists" from the critics groups. I like Don Cheadle also--hasn't he won an Emmy? I think he's been nommed at least once, but will have to check. Karen, I'd love to hear more on the Magnolia performances. How was Cruise?

I have been over at Lady Viola and the same thing is going on that went on last month now Anthony andrews is getting Racking up the votes. I talked to Paul last weekend and he said they can be rigged, he wanted to know if I had any site in particular in mind but I put him off. He comes back next week, right now he is in Orlando for at least a week. I wonder if I should have him check it out. I hate to do that, if she isn't doing anything.

Everybody's on the shows and will be making appearances until (1) the AA noms are made and then the nominees will be parading around on all the shows until balloting is finished. Emily Watson was just on Letterman and Alan Rickman is on Conan. (BTW, I recommend Dogma, but you have to like Kevin Smith movies as I do.) Mari, I'll write something up about Magnolia for tomorrow. Cruise does a credible job, but it is The Role vs. Him Playing the Role that makes it. He plays a real huckster type, which are always colorful and scene stealing. What makes it even more appealing is that his character Frank TJ Mackie is the Guru of Maleness. Most of his scenes are during a seminar he runs for men who are losers with women. He's slick and you'll love the chapter titles of his manual. Stuff like "How to Pretend to Be to be N ce and Sensitive to Women." He's rude, crude and socially very unacceptable. Until the end, he is basically projecting a role, not playing off other characters. He does this very well, strutting around like a peacock and gyrating those hips while only wearing jockeys.

Karen, I think you'll enjoy The Very Thought of You which played in the UK as Martha Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence. Quirky rom-com stuff, plot slightly too coincidence-driven, but sweet overall. Yeah, I liked Monica Potter too. Talking of London-based rom-coms, my daring 2000 prediction is surprising success (in the UK, at least) for Londinium (given any kind of decent release). I think it has all the ingredients for a hit here - especially renowned comedians and a feelgood look at London. Also, I would like to add to the accolades for The Winslow Boy, which was my find of the year. Driving by the cinema, saw the poster in a corner, barely attempting to compete with Phantom Menace and other tosh, and swept my wife in to impress her with my knowledge of Rattigan (which worked right up until Northam's entrance, after which I lost her interest). As I will be offline after today until next century, I would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and New Year with thanks for the entertainment afforded. Looking forward to seeing those who make it here in January.

(Mark) my daring 2000 prediction is surprising success (in the UK, at least) for Londinium You have no idea *how* daring that is!! ;-) We can hope, pray and offer up burnt sacrifces to help out. Have a very happy holiday and don't spend all your time on that ferris wheel! See you in January. :-)

Very amusing article in the Guardian about the differences in attitudes toward seeing/releasing movies in December. http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk/Column/0,4541,116358,00.html A few tidbits: It would not occur to the average British film-goer to visit a cinema over the Christmas period any more than it would occur to them to volunteer for root canal surgery. Or, for that matter, to set foot inside a church. Christmas in this country is a time for bolting the door, unwrapping a chocolate orange and bedding down with a star-studded Dickens adaptation, the ubiquitous Carol Smilie and the terminally irritating Chris Tarrant. In fact between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day most of us would not vacate the sofa unless it were on fire. ******* While this time of year is a tense one for movie executives, it is certainly a joyous one for film fans. Americans plan their Holiday Season movie trips with Operation Desert Storm precision. They study show times in the same way we study the Radio Times. What's more, in many US cities, cinemas are actually open on Christmas Day.

(Mari) Kate Winslet chased James Cameron for months before he'd audition her for Titanic. Saw her on GMA while plugging T. said James Cameron did not answer her letters...so she got hold of his cell phone number and called him while he was driving on the LA freeway (yikes!)He pulled over, took her call and said "Yeah, I'll give you an audition".(Gywnnie had just turned the part down to do sliding doors)The rest is history...as they say. ~~~~~~ (Karen)Americans plan their Holiday Season movie trips with Operation Desert Storm precision.....What's more, in many US cities,cinemas are actually open on Christmas Day. Oh, Karen what a hoot.Part of my Christmas present from my son is a movie marathon the day aft Christmas. We see as many as we can crowd in....buns hurt by the end of day. ~~~~~~~ (mark) Re: Londinium I think it has all the ingredients for a hit here - especially renowned comedians and a feel good look at London. Mark! What a nice gift you have given us. But tell me...have you ever seen a film with these "renowned comedians"? Don't!!You might change your mind. See ya on the 15th. Details in email shortly aft the New Year. Happy Hols to you and your wife...and hey...we wanna meet her too.( Tell me, Santa...is there such a person???hmmm?) :-D

Forgot to mention that GMA Joel Siegal said "Man on the Moon" with Jim Carrey is a real turkey. "What got into Milos Forman to do this".

(Karen)[re:The Very thought of you] I'll let you know how "bad" it is. Please let us know if the presence of Rufus is worth having to endure the simian face. (CherylB)... solicited director Tim Burton for the role of Catwoman ... who probably would have hired her again if she hadn't been so dogged. Ha,ha,ha,ha! Dear Firthettes and Firthians, I have had the great honor and pleasure of being admitted to your company for just over three months now. They have been ones of fascination and joy. I have seen films I would not have known of and read books I would not have picked up. I have learned a good deal about the ways of film, theater, and the PR industry. And I have enlarged my acquaintance with some of the pleasantest and most interesting people with which it has been my pleasure to consort and been on the receiving end of your knowledge, it, and generosity. For all of this I have to thank the manifold attractions of OVDB. And so I do thank him and each of you for making life even more interesting. Likewise I wish him and each of you the happiest of holidays, whatever they may be. And may we all gather again in good health on the other side of Y2K.

Here, Here Cymbeline. Happy Holidays to everyone and a wonderful New Year.

What a wonderful sentiment Cymbeline. May you have a happy holiday and here's to your enlightening and joyful company again in the New Year. And to everyone else, whatever you may celebrate and wish for yourselves.

Happy Holidays to all the denizens of drool! You all add a much-needed spice to life.

I want to wish everyone here a safe Holiday and a wonderful new year.

I'm still cyber-clueless about how to do images, but hope everyone will accept my plain but sincere wish of Happy Holidays to All! And now, on this the anniversary of his birth, let's all join in a chorus of: "Happy Birthday to Rafe, Happy Birthday to Rafe..." C'mon, Karen, I can't hear you singing;-D

(Susan) C'mon, Karen, I can't hear you singing;-D ha ha!! Listen carefully, as I've strained my vocal chords trying to make some subintelligent lifeforms, who work in the financial industry, do what I tell them to do!! Laura, get me the SEC's rules and who I complain to. Now, must watch that simian-faced one (who I did like as Shakespeare, Cymbeline) because tape is due back shortly. :-( Happy Holidays everyone. You've all been great friends, providing countless hours of amusement and support (CF support group activities) and I hope we continue into the next, the last of this millenium! ;-D

(Susan)"Happy Birthday to Rafe,Happy Birthday to Rafe..." C'mon, Karen, I can't hear you singing;-D You have more courage than I,Susan.:-) FYI ; His list had a Chat Room party yesterday.Fans dropped in all day and left messages. No animation though....it's an e-group like Springfolks. I don't know of anyone who has the facilities we have...THANKS TERRY.

Chalk The Very Thought of You's failure at the boxoffice to the idiots at Miramax. It's a really cute rom-com as Mark said, and Monica Potter (I swear) is an incarnation of Julia Roberts, that is, without the extra teeth. She speaks like Julia and has all the same mannerisms. I've never seen her before (or just didn't notice her in Con Air), but that's what stuck out. How can anyone not like a movie that has Dusty Springfield singing "I Only Want to Be with You" over the end credits. This is get up and dance in front of the TV time. (OK, I rewound it a few times) The title should never have been changed to the innocuous The Very Thought of You because it means next to nothing. The original title at least describes what goes on. Martha meets Tom at the Minneapolis airport enroute to London. He likes her, but doesn't really hook up with her in London. She meets the other two--series of many coincidences, although I disagree with Mark about believability (she does know about the park bandstand)--and immediately falls for one. The story is told in a nonlinear fashion and narrated by Joe Fiennes character, Laurence. (BTW, Cymbeline, I do like JF; he can express emotion/passion unlike the other one and he has a good chest.) He tells his neighbor his troubles a la the Elizabethan psychologist in SiL. Kept waiting for him to say he was trying to pick a lock with a wet herring! ;-) Rufus and Tom Hollander are comic foils for each other. Rufus is a self-absorbed actor without money and Hollander is a self-absorbed record industry exec with money. All three are friends since childhood, but its obvious that Laurence (also called Florence) is the only one who knows what being a friend is all about. Thumbs up. Especially for Joe and Monica and Dusty!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ONE AND ALL.

(Karen)BTW, Cymbeline, I do like JF; he can express emotion/passion unlike the other one and he has a good chest. And definitely a more believable love object than Fiennes the Elder--maybe b/c he's a better comic actor?. Too skinny though.

A MUST read. There's a two-part interview in Indiewire with Mark Gill, president of Miramax. They discuss what indie films are, what Miramax is and how it's changed from the early years. No mention of MLSF but in part 2 Gill talks about a major emphasis on "clearing the shelf" after winning the Independent Spirit Award for keeping films on a shelf. http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Gill_991222_p1.html

...and there's much more. Indiewire has interviews with all the major players in this retrospective of the decade. Very interesting stuff about how certain films were positioned and marketed, the problems of distribution at the *arthouses*, how the indie spirit and filmmakers have been absorbed into the studio system. Here are the urls. Read at your leisure. October Films: http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Ray_991210_p1.html Fine Line: http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Manne_991213_p1.html Sloss Law (company that reps indie films to distributors): http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Sloss_991214_p1.html John Pierson (author of book on indie films): http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Pierson_991215_p1.html Reid Rosefelt (High Priest of publicity for these films): http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Rosefelt_991216_p1.html Strand Releasing: http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Strand_991217_p1.html Sony Picture Classics: http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_SonyClass_991220_p1.html Sundance Festival Director: http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Gilmore_991221_p1.html

(Evelyn) TRL? Isn't that last year's film? Yes. I brought it up as the 'standard' of excruciatingly slow movies selected for view by one's husband, throughout which one searches in vain for the ejection button on the armrest. (Mari) Jude Law is scheduled to be GMA on Thursday I saw this on Tuesday (maybe it's a two-parter since it was definitely taped). Thought he looked great and was well spoken. Mari's right, Cheryl. Don Cheadle won an Emmy last year for his portrayal of Sammy Davis Jr. Thanks for that Indiewire article, Karen.

Thanks Karen for all the Indie films URLs. That seems to be the industry side ODB gravitates to in starring roles..so we should read.And it is definitely changing...daily. So maybe he should read them too!! ~~~~~~~ MLSF lasted 5 days in Okla. Waddaya expect? Never a n'paper review.

More reading matter ;-) An interview with Anthony Minghella - hits on why he keeps changing the original material (as in TEP), and has a more professional answer for the question of whether Matt Damon was his first choice to star (Misan Sagay, please read!) http://cnn.com/1999/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/22/minghella/index.html

Thanks for that link, Karen. Minghella's a class act--thought so ever since he thanked the principal cast (*all* of them, unlike Harvey at last year's GGs) in his TEP Oscar acceptance speech.

Happy Holidays to All!

And as the year draws to a close, a special to our hostesses, Heide and Karen, for all the effort you put into making Drool such a delightful place.

I'll second that, Eileen.

Amen to Eileen's thank you for making Y1.999K a great one for me. Happy note--found TVTOY just sitting in my video store today plus they had their old copies of SIL on sale. So my Christmas Eve viewing pleasure is assured.

I got SIL on sale too...$5., pre-viewed. ~~~~~~~ The JE website editor went to see "Waiting in the Wings"on B'way. Said the play and Lauren Bacall were better than the reviews. As the curtain rises a group of actresses are singing around the piano and when RH turned around the audience burst into applause**.Nice that audiences remember stars even as they get older and in her case she has not been on stage for five years. **Just wait til I go see TRT on B'way in May...guess who's gonna lead the applause when JE comes on stage:-D (It's a custom in the US...Judi Dench loved it!)

Aw shucks, ladies, we don't do anything special. We don't have to. If you're all here, then it's a piece a cake. :-) Re previously viewed vids, Blockbuster will be having another of its clearance sales in which you take $2 off. SiL is currently at $9.99, so you would get it for $7.99. Sorry, can't beat Evelyn's $5. However, I am working on a free DVD of MLSF. Have racked up $14 for correct trivia answers at reel.com. Should have that baby nailed soon!! (if anybody wants to join in, let me know 'cause I'll get credit for referrals)

Forgot to tell you the dates: Jan 10 through Jan 31

(Murph) OT: Any discussion of Mr. Ripley going on anywhere at Spring? If it occurs within Drool, it would be here, at our OT board. I haven't decided on my movie picks (two) for tomorrow yet...must wait for the times to be posted...then will decide on the theater. It's a tossup right now between the one around the corner, which is/will be playing: All About My Mother, The Cradle Will Rock, The End of the Affair, and Sweet and Lowdown. One of my other places has Ripley and Man on the Moon and the Green Mile, but I have to drive there. Oh the pain of decision-making! ;-(

Mele Kalikimaka,

(Karen)I haven't decided on my movie picks (two) for tomorrow yet I don't know about the others, but I think you will like All About My Mother.

FELIZ NATAL to all FirthFans in Spring!

The Green Mile is excellent, we are still debating whether or not John Coffey is an angel

Time to close the centering tag. ;-) Hmm if everybody's going to see Ripley today, guess I'm going to have to too! Must check the times. I will definitely see "All About My Mother" Gi, but perhaps not today. It is destined to be best foreign film or so say all the critics.

Are you Y2K compliant? This website might help. It analyzes your programs, tells you if you are compliant and then gives you links for readiness. You may find the executable available for download about 3/4 of the way down this page: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/year2k/pca/pca.htm Simply choose the English Language (or whatever language you are comfortable with), and click the download button. ~~~ Hey, if I did it anyone can...I'm a cyber-klutz. This is my New Year's gift to everybody....

Murph here -- Mari said I should post my feelings about TTMR here, so here goes: The Talented Mr. Ripley.... Offbeat, beautiful and menacing at the same time...young cast terrific. Best Jude Law, Gwyneth, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, playing to perfection one of Holden Caulfield's boorish rich classmates in a bit older version - or one of the characters in O'Hara's Appointment in Samara. American rich -- knowing, sarcastic, with voice and sneer to match. Law's Dickie Greenleaf filled the screen with life and beauty. What man or woman could resist him? Charm, talent, unreliability and nastiness combined. The scene in the jazz club where he wears an adorable pork pie hat and plays sax and sings is worth your ticket. His is a character seen over and over again in fiction and film, but O, how full of life he made him! Damon too was good, but to me he was always playing at playing a part. Hard for him to look scary, no matter how hard he tried. Though that grin at the end was becoming skeletal-like. Gwyneth is an actress with a face so luminous that it can break your heart. She more than held her own with the two men. If Dickie was to have a girl friend, Paltrow's Marge was the perfect choice. To me Cate B. came off less successfully. Her role was thankless, added for the film. She was not in the book. She played it a bit too mannered for me. I thought the movie lost a lot of its life when Law left the scene, but watching Damon's Tom Ripley keep a step ahead was entertaining. You wondered what he would think of - or do - next! Film went on a bit too long at the end, but not so much that it took away from the enjoyment. The music is a real part of this movie. I was of the character's ages in the 50's, the time in which the film is set, and I remember the Blue Note and Birdland on 52nd street. The jazz was cool, and so exciting then. I didn't catch what recording of My Funny Valentine they played, but it was a good one. And as for scenery - all the Italy you could want. Good for Minghella to show he has what it takes to make another big picture. Harvey and Miramax have a hit on their hands again, if the crowd at the earliest showing on Christmas Day is any indication. It was packed. Go see it.

The Talented Mr. Ripley is definitely worth seeing, but mainly for Jude Law. This is what is called a "breakout performance" and has to get him a best supporting actor nomination and a huge amount of recognition. He's wonderful, as he's been in everything I've seen him in (eXistenZ, Wisdom of Crocodiles, Wilde, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Gattaca). And he can do American accents with the best of them!! I have to agree with Mary about the jazz club scene. I never thought anyone could do th t "L'Americano" number better than Sophia Loren did in "It Started in Naples" but, wow, that was a killer performance. Initially, I didn't think much of Gwyneth's performance. There's this little scene where Tom Ripley surprises her and she gives a little fakey startled jump. However, she definitely improved. I too don't think very much of Matt Damon's acting abilities. You don't sense an undercurrent of evil within him, which I think must be conveyed beneath his "pretty" fa�ade. While I didn't read the book (but do know that Blanchett's character was added), I thought hers was an interesting character and she did a rock solid job as an naive American heiress who lacks self-confidence. Am really wondering how the book ended if that character was not present. (Someone is going to have to tell me in an email.) BTW, could Philip Baker Hall be in more big big films this year than Julianne Moore? I think so. He's in this (the private eye), Magnolia, The Insider, and Cradle Will Rock. It's a good film, but not a Best Picture. It is too cliche-ridden. How many times in good old-fashion thriller style did you want to moan and tell the characters they were too stupid for words. You know, like "look out, the monster or slasher is right behind you!" It lacked believability IMO. It will be nominated for all sorts of awards and might even win a couple, although it has serious competition in all the technical categories. So I wouldn't bet on it. So far, IMO nothing can touch American Beauty yet (and, you know, I've seen a lot of them already). It alone has given off that Best Picture aura.

Oh yeah, one of the other cliches was Peter Smith-Kingsley being British and his relationship with Ripley. ;-)

Karen: Tell me more about Peter Smith-Kingsley. He is new to me, I think. He has that dark full Colin Firth type voice. I agree about American Beauty being a top film, though I would pick The Insider as my best. I just e-mailed you on the book's ending. My husband and I were just talking more about the film, and he made the point the Tom Ripley really was boring, as Dickie said. Even later, with all the money, he still lacked charm. Was that Damon, or his part? The scene with Marge outside the apartment door where she says he (Dickie) broke her heart? That was very well done I thought. Murph

Whoops! Peter Smith-Kingsley is the character, and Jack Davenport is the real person. I just looked it up at IMDb. Sorry. Murph

Peter Smith-Kingsley When I said he was a cliched character, it referred to the fact that, since he was British, he would be the one to have a homosexual relationship with Tom, not Dickie, the golden boy American. Aren't all public school boys presumed to have those leanings? ;-) Like I said cliched. Tom Ripley really was boring, as Dickie said. Even later, with all the money, he still lacked charm. Was that Damon, or his part? It's not lack of charm, but he was out of his element with those moneyed types. He had bourgeoise tastes. Remember Freddy's comments about the apartment's decor. He said Dickie couldn't possibly live there because it wasn't furnished in Dickie's taste/style. It was too bourgeoise. Besides, Ripley isn't supposed to have any charm. That's Dickie. He's the charismatic one.

Thanks, Murph and Karen, for your thoughts on TTMR. After reading your comments, I'm thinking I should head to The End Of The Affair tomorrow instead. At least that one has Rafe's bare bum! Hmmm . . .come to think of it, I'll stick with Ripley.;-) Please keep going . . .

Lady viola has taken charge of her site and locked it down. She dumped . Go and see for yourself, I say bravo to the lady.

Mari: If you want bare bums -- go see Ripley! Jude Law gets to show his again (aka Wilde). The End of the Affair is my next "want to see." It hasn't come to our neigborhood yet. I'd love to discuss that one. Glad you pointed me here. Murph

Bare bums you say, well, with Law you get a bit more! ;-) Damon, on the other hand, only drops his towel (for a rear shot) for one sec.

(Karen) Bare bums you say, well, with Law you get a bit more! ;-) Is that why they call him Dickie?;-) Ok, you two convinced me--Ripley it is! I'll be back in a jiffy.;-)

Go here to listen to selections from the Talented Mr. Ripley Soundtrack. I recommend especially Tu Vuo' Fa L'Americano: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000034CZA/103-1081427-0543850

This clicks right to the song: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/eras/B000034CZA001001/103-1081427-0543850

except that it says this when you get there: "We're sorry. The track you requested isn't available."

Guys: I just made a web page for Jude Law. I have the songs in midi versions. Not the same thing, but it gives you the flavor of the real thing. The Talented Mr. Law Feast your eyes.... Murph

RE: Mr. Ripley--two big thumbs way up from moi! I really liked this one. In my next life, I want to be a rich, spoiled expat American hanging around jazz clubs in Italy singing drunken renditions of Tu Vuo' Fa L'Americano.;-) I think you've way underestimated Matt Damon's performance. To me, he was chilling *because* he seemed so normal, charmless, and yes, a bit boring. Beautifully understated performance from Matt, I thought. His Ripley was not only uncomfortable in his own skin--he couldn't even find his own skin. He was only at home when being someone else. Recall the laughs and appreciation he evoked when doing the (spot on) impressions of other people. As himself, you actually felt uncomfortable for him around Dick e's crowd. He is the quintessential outsider--he'd never fit in with this group in a million years, despite the new clothes, the trappings, etc. Jude Law was awesome in the much flashier role of Dickie. What a juicy part and he nailed it. Talk about matinee idol good looks! He was perfect. I also thought Gwynnie did a good job. I agree about Cate, Murph--a bit mannered. Phillip Seymour Hoffman--what a little gem of a performance. So smug, so sarcastic, so self-satisfied. I thought Minghella's screenplay was terrific; I didn't find it cliched at all. Great line: "I wanna f___ this icebox, I love it so much!"--the perfect personification of Dickie. Murph, what did you think about how his written adaptation compared to the book? Also, how does the book end? In the film, do you think he sticks with Meredith? I confess to being disappointed --but not surprised--when things didn't quite work out between him and the Brit musician. Yes, I actually felt sympathetic for him nd wanted him to pull it off. Is this book the first in the series?

Hate to tell you, Mari, Meredith was Minghella's creation. Wait until you hear how the book really went. Check out the review at Salon mag. Boy oh boy, do they hate what Minghella did. It starts out with this line: "It must be hard to misread the tone of a book as single-minded as Patricia Highsmith's "The Talented Mr. Ripley," but Anthony Minghella manages somehow. Here's the url: http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/1999/12/24/ripley/index.html I'm glad I didn't read the book or any reviews beforehand. However, as I said to Murph last night, if as the Salon article (and Murph's husband) say that Ripley planned everything, then Minghella has made a major change. Evidently, in the book, he's a real psychopath.

Wow, Karen, what a slam review. People who are purists about novels made into movies always go on a bit too much about what was done to THE book. I agree that Minghella made Italy so beautiful it is hard to picture evil happening, but in some ways this made the evil more startling. Dickie's murder was more gruesome when we pulled back from the boat to see a beautiful sea, with two entwined bodies covered with blood. The contrast was chilling, I thought. The same with the religious celebration and then the dead girl's body. I agree with the reviewer about Damon's looks and that he was made more touching in the film. He is a real psychopath in the novels. I haven't read them in years, but I remember in one he casually kills someone who comes to his door when Ripley is living as a married man in France because that person remembered him. He then proceeds to turn on the charm for his wife. I still recall him as charming and fascinating. Mari, Damon's performance was understated, maybe too much so. Law had the meatier role, but so much vitality went out of the film when Dickie died. I totally agreee with Salon about Hoffman. He did steal the film. His little jabs about "peeky boo" to Ripley on the boat really went under the skin. More later... Murph

But Minghella is notorious for changing his source material. This is major ego at work here. He turned the focus of Ondaatje novel into something entirely different. Yes, I liked what they said about Hoffman, a rich, frat boy. But, didn't you want to scream at him when he came back to the flat? That's what I mean about stupidity. I expected far more from characters of that caliber. They were not high-schoolers from Scream XX. Damon was "too understated" is spot on. Minghella makes it look as though Ripley commits his acts on impulse, when cornered, instead of being the planner that he is and what would be consistent with the book's character.

and btw, I generally do like Salon's reviews.

Salon can bite me.;-) Why does Minghella have to stick closely to the source material? Ripley is no less a psychopath just because all his actions are not premeditated. I think it's more interesting to watch because he *is* unpredictable. Part of the character's interest, to me, is seeing what bizzaro self-preserving actions he'll fashion on the run when he's cornered, and it's fun to see him think fast on his feet and escape the noose--just barely--each time. You know he's a nutcase and a pathological liar right from the tart--his whole identity from the get-go is a sham. The way he tells Meredith why his baggage is with the Rs, for example, or the way he studies and appropriates Dickie's taste in music. He's creepy. I don't think Minghella needs to telegraph it. Just my opinion. Yes, I knew that Meredith was Minghella's invention, there solely because he wanted Blanchett in the movie. Can someone tell me how the book ends? One more thought: if Ripley were played as a blatantly boo-hiss psycho, would you feel sympathy for him? I probably wouldn't have . . .and it's a bit disturbing to realize the extent to which he's reeled you in with his aw shucks demeanor and seemingly endearing naivete. I'm not saying the film is perfect--it's not. I would have liked more exposition in the beginning, for example. We see Ripley's drab existence, but a lot of people live drab existences and they don't turn into head cases. Minghella doesn't tell us what's pushed Tom over the edge. And the last half hour does drag a bit and should have been trimmed. But still, I did enjoy it a lot.

Me too - enjoyed the film a lot. Anything that can make us think and inspires discussion, as this film does and will, is good. It did well in the ratings too. Any Given Sunday was tops, but TTMR opened later and had a better screen percentage. The ending of the book, Mari, has Ripley getting the letter from Dickie's Dad and then, happily wealthy, heading off the Crete - alone. He has met some new friends and hopes to link up with them there. Murph

Got to see Mr. Ripley yesterday and agree with pieces of what everyone said. Yes, Murph, it did drag a bit for me...esp once Jude Law was killed. Boy, if you don't like Matt Damon you better not see this film...the guy is in every scene...got tired of that smile after a the first hour...but he does pull the part off that Minghella invented for him...apparently not Patricia Highsmith's psychopath. Jude Law and Cate Blanchette have the best American accents and mannerisms I have ever heard/seen. (David Morrissey take note!) I felt that Minghella's script was weak (as was my other film..John Irving in Cider House). But the real star of this film is ITALY!Would it have been as good without the scenery and filmed on location dripping with all that Italian culture. Wow...in the credits I noted he even roped some of his relatives in! Good entertainment...Best Picture? Best Actor? Nah. ~~~~~~ Also saw "The Cider House Rules" by John Irving.I had not read this book, but I like him as an author. First time screenplay for him...needs a little practice. I liked the film...written on many levels...Very pro-choice....you wanna discuss a film, Murph? This is it....

(Mari) You know he's a nutcase and a pathological liar right from the start--his whole identity from the get-go is a sham. From the beginning scene, when he tells Herb he went to Princeton, all I would conclude is that he is a liar (not necessarily pathological) and an opportunist. Neither makes him a nutcase, as defined in the medical books. ;-) Separating this movie from the novel is advisable as it usually is for a Minghella work. He sees between the typed lines and makes a movie out of them. He saw Ripley as a poor shnook who gets caught up in the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and, when Dickie tires of him, he [Ripley] gets so caught up in his emotions and passions (for the lovely Dickie) that he kills him. It's all an unfortunate accident. Tommy didn't mean it. I'm guessing (based on the Salon piece) that the Ripley character is a lot darker. Minghella knows what plays well on the screen and the original character would not have fit in with his lovely movie. To me that is a shame. However, you do realize that I liked the film, don't you? ;-) Discussion question: Do you think Ripley killed Silvana?

Evelyn: Re your Y2K check thank you. Sorry for the OT, but VERY important. Even with all these fancy programs, though, your computer (covered all over with Y2K Compliant stickers) may still fail -- due to a simple oversight by MS in their certification process. To check is elementary, my dear Watson and the fix is easy. (I checked my offc computer and it wasn't, so surprise, surprise!!) To check: 1: click START 2: click SETTINGS 3: click CONTROL PANEL 4: Double-click on REGIONAL SETTINGS (the globe icon) 5: click the DATE TAB on the top right. 6: Look where it says SHORT DATE SAMPLE. If the year is shown in 2 digits (12/27/99) it is set incorrectly (format "m/d/yy"). 7: to adjust, click on the button across from the SHORT DATE STYLE and select an option ending in "/yyyy" instead of "/yy" 8: click APPLY below (your year date should now show as /1999) 9: click OK Every windows , 95 or 98, or NT installation "as distributed" is defaulted to fail Y2K rollover!!. Pass this on to your PC buddies ... no matter how much of a guru they think they are, this may have escaped their notice! ( Just passing on what looks like an important "forward")

Dear KJ, I got this same message that you described about changing the date format in Windows. It certainly sounded legit, so I checked it out with the technical support guy at work. He is very sharp and I trust his opinion. Anyway, he said that this message is a hoax. The date format in the control panel settings is merely for display purposes and does not impact whether or not your computer will operate correctly under Y2K. Of course, this is just one person's opinion so you can disregard or not. He did sa that changing this setting in the control panel won't hurt anything, so it might not be a bad idea to change the setting.

OK, Mari, I want to hear you defend Ripley's day-glo swimming trunks!

Ripley's day-glo swimming trunks! On the Oprah Show they blew that picture up on a huge screen..... quite" revealing". Gwynnie roared laughing and MD blushed , threw head back, put hands over face!!

Thanks, Jana. Glad you had someone to contact. Not being a "guru"-type, I wasn't sure how legit it was, but I passed it on because I knew it wouldn't hurt anything, and it ?MIGHT? help.

(Karen) OK, Mari, I want to hear you defend Ripley's day-glo swimming trunks! Even *I* can't defend the indefensible.;-) Still, I think Matty (he likes when I call him Matty;-) showed a *very* nice physique. As for the frontal peek of dickie, er, Dickie--too quick. I wanted to holler to the projectionist to back it up and freeze.;-) I don't think Tom killed Silvana, Karen. Which brings me to another point: Italy in this film. Knowing this is Minghella's roots, it was probably unintentional, but I thought the country came off as a metaphor for the characters--pretty enough on the surface, but underneath. . . A pregnant single girl feels she has no recourse but suicide, it takes an hour to get an ambulance, and you can't get a phone line. I realize it was the '50s, but still . . . I do agree with you all that this is not the "Best Film" of the year--but then again, I don't think I've seen the Best Film yet. Much movie-going work to do this week.;-) Though I liked it very much, I do think that American Beauty has flaws, and that the door is open for something else to beat it. Any reactions to that? (Evelyn) Jude Law and Cate Blanchette have the best American accents and mannerisms I have ever heard/seen. I agree with you on Jude. Minnie Driver also does a flawless one--ever seen Grosse Point Blank? Who else does an especially good--or bad one? I have a few in mind . . . My self-imposed choice for next movie to see this week is The End Of The Affair or Being John Malkovich--help me choose.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNIFER See ya' on your West End Opening Night..Jan. 13th!

Sorry about the whole advert....thought only image was suppose to appear. Believe me...I am not leading the "Stephen Dillane for the Olivier" balloting!:-D

Nice program cover, Ev! I see what you mean, but the picture might be deceptive. Will be at opening night with bells on! ;-) and neither am I...you can be certain ;-D

I see what you mean, but the picture might be deceptive. You mean about being thin? She really is...Looked like that in June...and I just saw her last month in "Summerfolk "and the period costumes just hung on her....Gone is the little round face...but the ping-pong cheeks are still there:-)

Happy day to Jennifer! Is this one the big 3 oh, or did that already happen? Looking forward to seeing TRT and the second best male performance this year;-) There's a big article in the December Playbill on Rosemary Harris and Lauren Bacall re: Waiting In The Wings. Several pics of Rosemary, including one from her younger years. Jen is her spitting image.

(Evelyn) You mean about being thin? She really is... She does appear very thin in this picture, and seems particularly smaller, shall we say, "above the waist". Sorry, I don't mean to be rude- I admire Jen and thinks she's beautiful! I just wonder if the smaller appearance up top is due to actually being smaller or did she just appear more endowed in her P&P corset than she actually was? Haven't seen Chamomile Lawn, so can't verify ;-). (Mari) I agree with you on Jude. Minnie Driver also does a flawless one--ever seen Grosse Point Blank? Who else does an especially good--or bad one? I have a few in mind . . . Jeremy Northam in The Mimic. I think that's what it's called anyway - it was the one where he was battling the giant cockroaches with Mira Sorvino. Poor boy was trying so hard to get the accent right that the acting came off wooden. OK, I know it's hard to act when you're pretending to battle a giant cockroach, but there you are. I saw a bit of JN last night in the remake of Gloria with Sharon Stone. He wasn't very convincing as a NY gangster type either (neither was SS, BTW). Much prefer JN when he speaks in his natural voice as in Emma or The Winslow Boy.

So Gloria is a "thumbs down" too? Have been debating whether to watch it. Mustn't forget Kenny. He does flawless American, with or without a southern accent or NY neuroticism. ;-) Remember, Dead Again? Emma does OK, but she loses it every once and a while. Noticed that in Primary Colors.

...and his other ex-something: Helena B-C. She did a good (i.e., acceptable) American accent in Fight Club.