I haven't discounted Denzel. I think he'll get it. To me, Farnesworth is the dark horse to watch. For suppporting, while I may want Jude to take it, he doesn't have a prayer. But Supporting is always a difficult category to call. I'd go with the kid or Cruise, but Caine has to be a sentimental fav, especially in view of last year. But last year, they gave it to an oldster (Coburn in a role no one saw), so I'll stick with my first two--the kid and Cruise. BTW, I'm not at all surprised about Emily Watson being left off. There was nothing notable about her acting in AA. The kids were the main attractions.

(Moon)These people are on drugs. Yeah, hopefully Stelazine and they'll forget all about it.;-) (Moon)For the rest, frankly I can only quote Rett Butler. "Mammy, is that a red petticoat you're wearin'?" ;-) Karen, thanks for getting the list on so quickly. AICN was wrong! Harry's excuse this morning: "Hey, it came off the Academy server." Whatta schlub.;-) (Karen)Big shockers: the Jim Carrey and Topsy-Turvy (I'm sure the great unwashed have not seen it) omissions AND the Cider House Rules inclusion (tres boring and tres trite)!! Poor Jim Carrey; I don't know what else this guy has to do. And I guess I'll have to see Cider House now. Topsy-Turvy: it came out way too late in the year for people to have a chance to see it. Poor marketing/planning. Other shockers: relatively poor showing by Ripley, and great showing by Sixth Sense. Glad and surprised for Toni Collette, whom I've always thought would make a fine BJ! And Shyamalan is a homeboy so I'm happy.;-) The kid, Osment, is very deserving--he rocked. I must admit, however, that the ending is so awesome that it leaves you thinking it's a better movie than it really is. Still, it's a smart film, and proves that a blockbuster success doesn't have to be dumbed-down. Interesting that the 6 non-American acting nominess all played Americans.

(Eileen) he made his bed years ago...It's gonna take him years to prove himself I agree. Also, his comments at the GGs didn't help. In fact, they also signaled to me that he wouldn't be nominated. His situation is far worse than Spielberg's was for the longest time.

Re: Solomon and Gaenor It hasn't played here yet, but I remember the reviews were not good. From The Evening Standard: Set in a Welsh mining village in 1911, Paul Morrisson's Welsh-Yiddish/ English-language film starts miserable and goes downhill from there. Oh, all right. There are some lovely bits in the middle when sparky Welsh girl Gaenor (Nia Roberts) conducts an illicit romance with Jewish Welsh lad Solomon (Ioan Gruffudd) and they roll about in the hay to erotic effect but when Gaenor's resulting pregnancy and her discovery of her lover's real ethnic persuasion come to light, the film descends into the murk of melodrama. Set against a backdrop of miners' strikes and local political unrest, it charts the rise of anti-Semitism in The Valleys with respectful skill and the two attractive leads momentarily lighten the load of a tale whose Hardyesque burden is finally too much to bear.

Thanks for the info on Solomon and Gaenor, Karen. It has played here at a few Jewish film festivals (Philly--alas, I missed it, Boston, etc.) I'm happy it got nommed only because now it might have a chance to get a distributor here and I can see Ioan on the big screen.;-) What I don't suffer for art.;-)

Actually, I think I read a couple of days ago that S&G was picked up...maybe by Sony Pictures Classics.

Since then the site - on the corner of Islington Green and Essex Road in North London - has become derelict and is now a carpark park. (Karen)Now, let's see, we were on the corner of Islington Green and something! ;-) "The very one"...we were on Islington Green which is where Upper Street separates & Essex Road begins.Don't remember a car park though.

You do remember construction, don't you? I do. We walked under the scaffolding on our way to Colinsdale Estates. ;-)

Have just come back from seeing American Beauty with my sister and two friends and I have to say we were all rather under-whelmed, don't not quite what we were expecting but I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. There were some nice performances but it definitely dragged in places, in our humble opinion and yet all the reviews have been universally great, here and in the US. Back to Valmont...

(Moon)the Firths will be able to sell their townhouse at a fantastic price What's a fantastic price in your estimation? You can't get anything reasonable in Islington below �500,000.

(Arami), What's a fantastic price in your estimation? You can't get anything reasonable in Islington below �500,000. Try to buy the equivalent of their Islington townhouse in Chelsea and you get the figures.

Long column about Bonnie Hunt's movie "Return to Me," the one she filmed next door to me. Mentions the location shooting, among other things. ;-) http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/columnists/grove/index.asp

What a thrill for me. All the actors were very unique. They each had very, very different approaches to the work. And you just had to adjust your directing style to each person." That sounds like a nightmare to me. A director should have their vision straight and be decided on what they want to do. You may take a suggestion once in a while but to adjust your directing style each time sounds like no directing style at all to me. Thanks, Karen. I have seen the previews and I can tell you that Bonnie loves close-ups. I hope we get to see a lot of Chicago.

The Razzies "Dis-honoring the Worst Film Achievements of 1999" are in.They are listed on their website: http://www.razzies.com/PRNominations00-2.html Scroll down to the middle... don't miss Kenneth Brannagh as Worst Supporting Actor for "Wild, Wild West". Which has also been nominated in the Worst Movie of the Year category. The Golden Raspberry award will be presented the day before the Oscars. Quite a come-down for ole Ken :-D He shudda stuck to Shakespeare.

*hee hee* thanks, Evelyn. It really boils down to a contest for worst between TPM and Wild Wild West. Everybody associated with those appears to have been nominated. Thank goodness, I didn't bother with them. NOMINATION TOTALS by TITLE: STAR WARS: EPISODE I, THE PHANTOM MENACE and WILD WILD WEST - 8 EACH BIG DADDY, THE HAUNTING - 5 EACH END OF DAYS, SHOWGIRLS - 3 EACH THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, ENTRAPMENT, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH - 2 EACH

(Ann)I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. I want to suggest what the fuss around American Beauty is is all about....it�s about the fact that this film contains some good ideas and a little exceptional approach, in other words, it�s an ok movie. That�s enough to make a great fuss around a film in the western world these days. But if Shakespeare In Love was the best picture of 1998, American Beauty must the best of 1999!! :-D Ps. if Annette Bening is the best actress of any year then something is very badly wrong with this world. Probably is too.

(Ann)I'm not sure what all the fuss is about (elena)....it�s about the fact that this film contains some good ideas and a little exceptional approach,... Ann, "American Beauty" is a satire. The story is not mean't to be taken at face value.It is a spoof on suburban life, values that people hold, apsirations that they have, behavior patterns....a critcal view of today's life. Each character is a prototype.I found myself in some of it...and I know most people have. Like Elena said....lots of food for thought.IMO it was brilliant. And a seamless production. Ann....don't see "Magnolia"; you'll hate it.Another "new wave" film. Three hours, and it doesn't even have a plot.

(Evelyn) and it doesn't even have a plot Hey, if they filmed a "day in my life," it wouldn't have a plot either. ;-)

I saw American Beauty last week and loved it! I think it deserves to win for Best Picture. And I couldn't help but love Kevin Spacey.

(Evelyn), Another "new wave" film. The original "new wave" film from France (1960s) is greatly missed by me and most cinephiles. Those current films have nothing to do with it. I would call them pseudo-modern films.

I don't think anyone as posted the DGA (Directors Guild Award) nominations. They are generally a pretty good indicator of which film will win the Oscar for Best Picture. They have an over 90% accuracy rate; although, last year "Saving Private Ryan" won the DGA and "Shakespeare in Love" was the Academy's choice. The nominees are: "American Beauty", Sam Mendes "Being John Malkovich", Spike Jonze "The Green Mile", Frank Darabont "The Insider", Michael Mann "The Sixth Sense", M. Knight Shyamalyn(sic)

(Evelyn) Three hours, and it doesn't even have a plot. Hey, who needs a plot when you have frogs?;-) One of my faves last year was Limbo, which didn't have an ending. Conventional film structure is *so* overrated. ;-) ;-) Mari 8:18 P.S. Cheryl, thanks for the DGA noms list. I see they've corrected the Academy's oversight and have nommed Frank Darabont for The Green Mile. This guy takes the audience inside a claustrophobic prison corridor for three+ hours--and makes you feel grateful for it. Very good movie.

(Moon) Try to buy the equivalent of their Islington townhouse in Chelsea and you get the figures. No way - Chelsea is not quite the right place for a left-leaning celebrity. She may scream her beautiful head off and stamp till her little feet are blue, but he ain't going there, I can safely bet on that.

So much for my Four Feathers hopes. From the "when you're hot, you're hot" department: HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Jude Law, Oscar nominated for his role in ``The Talented Mr. Ripley'' has committed to star in ``Four Feathers,'' which begins shooting in July. The Paramount/Miramax co-production is a remake of the Zoltan Korda tale that Hossein Amini (''The Wings of the Dove'' ''Jude'') will adapt from the 1939 screenplay. Shekhar Kapur (''Elizabeth,'' ``Bandit Queen'') will direct. ``Feathers'' centers on a British officer who resigns his post just before battle and is given four white feathers by his friends and fiancee as symbols of what they believe to be his cowardice. Law is also eyeing the lead in ``The Good Shepherd,'' set up at MGM, which will be directed by Robert De Niro. Law recently participated in the table read of Eric Roth's ``Shepherd'' script in Manhattan. The story follows a CIA agent who is recruited fresh out of the Ivy League at the agency's inception after WWII, and the toll his work takes on his life and family. Sources familiar with the talks indicated that the two projects would not present a scheduling conflict for Law, given that ``Feathers'' would begin lensing this July, and that De Niro's acting jobs will have him tied up until early 2001.

Thanks, Mari! I am happy to see Jude being offered these roles instead of the usual Matt and Tom. He truly glowed in TTMR and I hope he takes the Oscar for it. I do not see why a little boy on his first acting job has to be the favourite. Tom Cruise should have won for the 4th of July, but this one should be for Jude. :-) (Arami), Chelsea is not quite the right place for a left-leaning celebrity. I remember when Kings Road was. There are plenty of left-leaning celebrites who live in Chelsea.

So he plays an American again in the second one. ;-) He's hot and doesn't look like he's going to squander it. And he's expanding his scope now, doing that war picture, Enemy at the Gates, giving him a semi-action role for his C.V.

From the Picky-Picky: Let's be Pure department: So I log on to #80 expecting BJ stuff and I get High Fidelity...how come it isn't on here? ;-) ~~~~~~~~~ (Arami), Chelsea is not quite the right place for a left-leaning celebrity. He shudda stayed in Hackney. RF lives in Hampton Heath and he's an agnostic ...is that the same? ;-)

RF lives in Hampton Heath and he's an agnostic I know lots of New-Agers that live in Hampstead Heath. I guess they balance his agnosticity. ;-)

CIA agent who is recruited fresh out of the Ivy League at the agency's inception after WWII Picky-Picky Dept, part deux: CIA *officer*. An agent is someone recruited to help spy, as Guy Bennett, that is, Burgess, became a Soviet agent; an officer is an employee of the agency which I assume is what they're talking about here. Who will play Allan Dulles? Ed Harris?

There are plenty of left-leaning celebrites who live in Chelsea. More money than sense. Not Colin's scene. :-)

(Evelyn) RF lives in Hampstead Heath and he's an agnostic Would that then make him a Hampstead heathen?;-)

Careful with generalizations: HH also happens to be famous for gays.

(Arami), More money than sense. Not Colin's scene. :-) My cousins have lots of sense as do my friends that live in Chelsea. A Burrough I love and know quite well. I suppose I am a Royalist so you may despise me. :-) I believe Colin must have friends in that area, so it must sometimes be part of his scene.

Jennifer's new flat is also in Islington...and she is not a Leftist.Although Labor. So that borough must be a mixed bag.

Long article in The Times by Benedict Nightingale about the Oliviers. Here's the ending [no mention of a play some of us liked or an actor...]: But the prime reason for awards is surely to acknowledge excellence, set standards and proclaim the strengths of British theatre. They can also accelerate the careers of individuals like Imelda Staunton, who was unknown before she was named best supporting actress in Ayckbourn's Chorus of Disapproval at the 1985 Oliviers. Janie Dee's parallel victory for a minor role in Carousel in 1993 partly explains why she got the major role that has already won her the Standard and Critics Awards for 1999. But will Maggie Smith or Jennifer Ehle beat her for their performances as, respectively, a genteel tramp in Alan Bennett's Lady in the Van and the creamy, dreamy heroine of Stoppard's Real Thing? Will the Olivier panel find a new play worth honouring from a list that includes Lady in the Van and Martin Sherman's monologue, Rose? Will the National Theatre, whose unprecedented 21 nominations vary from Roger Allam's supporting performance in Summerfolk to John Napier's costume designs for Candide, break existing records for winners too? Well, at least the competition remains fierce here. New productions on Broadway are so few nowadays that the Tony shortlists often contain critical and commercial disasters, just to make up the numbers. But in just one category this year the Olivier panellists have felt able to overlook Cate Blanchett, Juliet Stevenson, Helen Mirren and others I thought eminently rewardable. And what of Mark Rylance's Cleopatra? But that would, I suppose, have needed a category all its own.

Grocery chain screens films Who said the drive-in is dead? U.K. grocery store chain Asda has announced plans to show movies in the parking lots of its outlets. Asda, recently bought by U.S. retail giant Wal-Mart, will charge customers �1 ($1.61) a car to park in front of a large screen showing Disney classics. Usherettes on roller skates will deliver popcorn, hot dogs and ice cream to customers who can listen to the movies on their car radios or sit in a tiered seating area. The project will tested at Asda's 24-hour store in York next month before being extended to 50 stores by September.

OLIVIER AWARDS; Best actress: Janie Dee Best Actor: Henry Goodman Best New Play;"Goodnight Children Everywhere" [Are they kidding??] Best New Musical: "Honk!The Ugly Duckling" [So , why is" Lion King" selling tickets til October 2000? Preverse nationalism!!] Whole list of winners: http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/index.cfm

Hardly a surprise about the first two. Benedict's article today said they seemed to be shoe-ins. Sorry about Jennifer. But she's got the nominations, is firmly etched in reviewers/voters minds, and will have much better shot at them next time around. Sounds like they definitely have to earn their stripes. No awards for first-timers.

I read Benedict Nightingale last night in the TIMES, which Karen posted... so I knew.The guy was probably on the committee!! Anyway, JE & SD are off to B'way whose tickets are going like hot cakes. I have never seen Janie Dee, but I did see Maggie Smith !!... and I can tell you I've seen Henry Goodman in Summerfolk and the guy couldn't wipe Colin's shoes....or SD's.Pretty decrepit. And how about the new play and musical that won...who heard of them.? *evelyn who is off to go to post- Olivier therapy* (DQ better come today)

I hope you get well soon, Evelyn! ;-) Onegin is on tonight on Starz at 8pm. I no longer get it. Eileen, you and your million channels? I wonder if it will be out for rent soon?

FOR THE TREATMENT OF POST-OLIVIER TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: 1. Park your sanity at the door. 2. Keep repeating, "What an Honor and a Thrill and a Privilege and a Delight it is just to be nominated with such august company." 3. Try to remember who was nominated and lost in previous years. 4. Failing that, fill out application for membership in old boys/old girls network. Lie about your references. 5. Ayckbourn: with a "y" or without? 6. Hum those snappy tunes from "Good Night Children Everywhere." 7. Failing that, Hakuna Matate! 8. Check Barrymore Theater site for nearby parking. 9. Argue with husband over whether 47th Street runs east or west. 10. Handicap the Oscar race.

(Moon) Eileen, you and your million channels? Heehee...yep (FYI we only kept Starz, HBO and Encore :-P). Saw Onegin a couple of weeks ago. Rafe's OK, great cinematography, but Liv...*shudder*. I wonder if it will be out for rent soon? I was very surprised to find it on cable so soon. That issue of EW I referenced a while ago presented it as a theatrical release, which I'm sure it is in some markets.

(Eileen)Re: Kissing ...They had similar unflattering comments from several other female costars. Ruth's comments aside, let's hope we never anything like this written about ODB! (I brought this over from 129....aren't I a good girl?) I would rather a leading lady spoke about what a great kisser ODB is...than talk about "his professionalism in kissing". Apparently, Kevin Costner is a real winner in kissing ~~~~~~~ Thanks Mari....or rather...Hakuna Matate! Anyway, she won on the Albemarle website....so did SD and 3 DOR. http://www.albemarle-london.com/vote.html No remarks!

Very funny, Mari, but them theater people don't know beans about the Oscars! ;-) (All puckered up Evelyn) Apparently, Kevin Costner is a real winner in kissing So is Pierce Brosnan. Everytime one of his leading ladies is on TV, they mention it. He has lots of references; probably doesn't have to lie or make them up. ;-)

(Moon)My cousins have lots of sense as do my friends that live in Chelsea. A Burrough I love and know quite well. (Oh, shhhh...) I suppose an invite is out of the question, then? ;-)

I've found this in one of the UK papers today: Michael Caine revealed he had not taken any chances over this year's Oscar nominations - as an Academy member he is able to vote for himself. "I voted for myself," he said, "because I'd kick myself if I lost by just one vote. I've got all my friends to vote for me too." [...] "The Academy Awards have real respect. They are voted for by people in the industry and not rigged."

A couple of paragraphs in the Sunday Times (AA Gill's TV column) about the South Bank Show that Lizza mentioned: Melvyn Bragg and Sam Mendes A lot of special people were looking forward to seeing Sam "Orson" Mendes on The South Bank Show (Sunday, ITV). We are a committed and long-suffering gang of fans who used to be called his friends. We like to keep up with how he is. Modern communication is fabulous. We can stay in touch via the television. "Saw Orson today," we say. "Channel 4. Put on a bit of weight." Through Melvyn's incisive interviewing, we heard what an unspoilt, unstarry person he is, completely unfazed by mega-celebrity and fawning adoration. Funnily enough, that's exactly what his PA, secretaries and assistant always tell me when I leave numerous unanswered messages. Right, I thought. We'll fight mass media with mass media. I'll tell them how fame and success hasn't changed him. It's jolly well transported him like the Buddha, Golden Globes and all, right off this mortal stage . . . and then, just when we were getting to the bit where Kevin Spacey said with tears in his eyes that Orson only had one shirt, the phone goes, and it's Sam. Would I like to go to the flicks this weekend? Typical, typical. He doesn't call from one year to the next and when he does, it spoils my entire bloody review.

Bigger profile article on Sam/Orson in the Britain section of the Sunday Times. ********************************** This is the final week in which votes can be cast for the Bowmore Scottish Screen Awards. You have until Wednesday to vote for the Scottish Film of the Year and the Scottish Film Personality of the Year. You can also call our hotline numbers or vote by email: scotfilm@sunday-times.co.uk FILMS The Acid House: Raw and brutal Irvine Welsh adaptation. Call 09015 624141 The Big Tease: Hair salon comedy. Call 09015 624142 The Debt Collector: Billy Connolly plays a killer turned sculptor. Call 09015 624143 Entrapment: Connery's big-budget thriller with Catherine Zeta Jones. Call 09015 624144 Gregory's Two Girls: Follow-up to the classic of teenage angst. Call 09015 624145 The Match: Romantic comedy. Call 09015 624147 Hold Back the Night: Scottish road movie starring Sheila Hancock. Call 09015 624146 Orphans: Peter Mullan's first feature film as director. Call 09015 624148 Ratcatcher: Lynne Ramsay's poetic film set in 1970s Glasgow. Call 09015 624149 This Year's Love: Scots' London relationships go full circle. Call 09015 624150 PERSONALITIES Ian Bannen: Huge success with Waking Ned, but died at end of year. Call 09015 624171 Trisha Biggar: Dressed the big names in The Phantom Menace. Call 09015 624172 Robert Carlyle: From cannibal to Bond villain to Angela's Ashes. Call 09015 624173 Sir Sean Connery: Came home to film Entrapment and get a gong. Call 09015 624174 Craig Ferguson: Produced and starred in The Big Tease. Call 09015 624175 Laura Fraser: The best thing about Virtual Sexuality. Call 09015 624176 John Hannah: Supplied the comic touches in The Mummy. Call 09015 624177 Douglas Henshall: Bereaved son in Orphans, also in This Year's Love. Call 09015 624178 Ewan McGregor: Most impressive in Little Voice. Call 09015 624179 Peter Mullan: His latest film, Miss Julie, was well received in America. Call 09015 624180 Lynne Ramsay: Her debut film Ratcatcher was shortlisted at Cannes. Call 09015 624181 Ray Park: Darth Maul, face of Star Wars prequel The Phantom Menace. Call 09015 624182 Siobhan Redmond: Stars as a journalist's wife in Beautiful People. Call 09015 624183 John Gordon Sinclair: A gawky teacher in Gregory's Two Girls. Call 09015 624184

Gregory's Two Girls: Follow-up to the classic of teenage angst. This is a wish of mine come true! I loved Gregory's Girl! I saw it in Scotland when it came out eons ago. I wonder if it will come to the US? Thanks, Karen!

I seem to recall the reviews were not so good. But you know reviewers. ;-)

Interesting article in today's L.A. Times, entitled "An Unresolved Border Conflict: European Films Get A Warmer Welcome In The U.S. Than From Neighbor Countries" http://www.calendarlive.com/calendarlive/movies/20000220/t000000087.html

(LA Times article) Paris-based Richard Covington Is an Occasional Contributor to Calendar Maybe the occasionalness is due to his need to get a map. Last I remember, Australia (Cate Blanchett) was not in Europe. Good article, Mari.

Interesting article....the French are always belly-aching though...like we have a duty to show their films.

The French are just so...French. I can say that, as I am partly French. I have I friend who was complaining about one of his co-workers named Luc. He complained that Luc was arogant, opinioned, obnoxious, and French. I told him he just could have said Luc was French, and that would have pretty much covered everything. Well maybe not obnoxious.

But Covington (the writer) is not French. He is only based in Paris and apparently a stringer or freelance journalist, not from the LA Times' Paris bureau.

True Covington is not French, but he did interviews with some French people, as well as other nationalities. He's just reporting the standard line the French give concerning the French Film Industry. A few years ago there was a French film called "Irma Vep", it was a satire of those make and write about French films. I thought it wonderful, but it's one of those movies you either really like or can't stand.

Covington is not French...but the article says: "Despite the surprise success of a handful of French films in the US, the French distributors and officials complain that the imports would reach still larger audiences if they had wider releases.....'Our films have to compete for the same screens as the other independent American film makers', grouses Daniel Toscan du Plantier...."The American public is ready for French films ,but the American distributors are not" says, Philippe de Chaisenartin. ~~~~~~ Maybe it's because they don't make any money...distributors are funny that way...they like to get a return on their investments cause they don't get government handouts and tax incentives like they do in Europe.

Sorry, but I don't see why anyone is focusing on the French re: Mari's article. It was about European films and stated that many European films have reached more Americans than their neighbors, which films have crossed borders well and which haven't, with some attempt to understand the reasons. period.

Sorry, but I don't see why anyone is focusing on the French re: Mari's article. It was about European films and stated that many European films have reached more Americans than ...." Sorry...did I make up those quotes? The French input comes towards the end of the article :-D

(closing tags) and there were lots of other quotes at the beginning by others...Germans, Australians (oops, sorry wrong continent); discussions about Italian and British films, Danish films, etc. Everyone carps. Everyone tries to rationalize why their films don't get the audience acceptance they think they deserve. Sounds like stuff we do all the time here over CF's films. All I'm saying is that the French quotes weren't the major focus of the article...to me.

Elena's Birthday is the 21st of February.. Y'all come!!!

So as not to interrupt tomorrow festivities for Elena, thought I'd post this now. Wish there was an accompanying sound file. ;-) For non-Americans, tomorrow, Feb 21st, is also Presidents Day, a Federal holiday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELENA

Happy Birthday, Elena! From the new man in your life... I'll leave it to another to find a dreamier picture of our favorite dreamer.

No birthday cake but since this year you share your birthday on the US President's Day, here's a piece of symbolic cherry pie... and a candle to stick on top -

Oops! Candle didn't want to light. Better quit while I'm ahead. ;-) Hope you have a happy day, Elena.

Happy, happy birthday, Elena. Nasty computer crash has eaten my Netscape, so can't post a graphic :-( but the sentiments are there, nonetheless! *Imagine a nice pic of 'Donmar Colin' here* Caption: Where is the lovely Scandanavian lady with her camera? I want to wish her happiness on her birthday!

Looking for that Ace Photographer from the Donmar lobby... ...to wish her a Very Happy Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELENA!!!!

I know he's not Don Quixote or even Donovan Quick, but this knight has some roses for you, Elena But if you close your eyes and make a wish before blowing out the candles on the cake above, you might get this:

Thanks so much girls for all your gifts, I�m so happy for all this! I practically forgot about the B-day myself, maybe intentionally because I don�t want to be #%�%&% 37. Who does?! :-) (Karen)Feb 21st, is also Presidents Day, a Federal holiday. Wow, I�m impressed! I chose the day well it seems. And Karen, thanks for that lovely DQ picture, it belongs to my favourites. (Eileen)Where is the lovely Scandanavian lady with her camera? Hehe, thanks for that lovely caption but I�m sure Colin has had nightmares about me and my camera. The flash is so efficient that it made the poor guy blink!

Happy Birthday Elena! xxooo

I do not understand what happened to the graphic, it really is not rated X! Enjoy your day, Elena. :-)

Is this the one, Moon?

Hapyy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Elena, Happy Birthday to you. I have a horrible feeling this is not going to work, haven't done it for ages.

HAUOLI NA HANAU, ELENA (Dendrobium orchids and resebuds)

This is a response to a old message above: Since I have seen Private Ryan and the TRuman show I would like to say that they are both good movies but: Private Ryan was a blood bath and very depressing. The Truman Show was all Jim C. a lot of hype and tech stuff. Once you have seen Private Ryan you would want to watch it again. I wouldn't anyway, but SIL is fun, fun ,fun and it put portrays women in a good light in some ways. The determination of GP to be an actress and Queen Elizabeth so brillant. I am really find her intriging. She was amazing. Donna

Happy Birthday to Spring's ace photographer! Have a lovely day, Elena, and I wish you a happy, healthy, Firth-filled year! Mari

Happy B-Day, Helena!

(Ann)I have a horrible feeling this is not going to work LOL! Thanks for the song Ann, it worked for me! Dear Marcia, thanks for the dendrobiums, I love them and that colour too. I even have d�s here at home because growing orchids and making them bloom is my mum�s rave hobby. (Mari)healthy, Firth-filled year! There�s nothing like Drooling to keep the doctor away :-D (Arami)Happy B-Day, Helena! Thanks pal but eeek! don�t blow my cover ;-)

Cutting in: Milos Forman has said that the reason Jim Carrey did not get an Best Actor Oscar nomination is because he is so good that you do not see the sweat of acting, you see Andy Kaufman. That must go for CF in Valmont too when you think of JMs in your face performance, ugh! Milos knows. :-)

A BIRTHDAY, ELENA? Here's a big Birthday Hug from Across the Big Pond: I got so excited when I discovered it was your birthday... I just had to shop for some gifts worthy of you. A lovely bouquet... And this... It's Magic!! So make a wish... I think I know what the wish is, too!... May he always be in your picture... ...And you in his ... [besotted, I tell you!! *Hee hee*] HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELENA!

(Elena)I don�t want to be #%�%&% 37. Who does?! :-) Anyone who's over 40?; to wish Elena A Very Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,from me too Elena. Of course you don't mind being 37. What is the alternative.

KJ, now you almost managed to make my eyes wet. That creature with the globe is what I often feel like when thinking of you. Thanks for the flowers too, beautiful. (KJ)I think I know what the wish is, too!... Oh god *blush* I bet you do ;-D Gi, thanks much for remembering. Lucie, a good question. I�m trying to think positively: that I�m now younger than I�ll never be again!!

Here's a link to Entertainment Weekly's preview of High Fidelity. Interesting credit war and Frears' comments about the location: http://www.ew.com/ew/moviepreview/0,3971,152,highfidelity.html And here's the official site for Return to Me (my movie next door). There are some pictures and three videos (including one of outakes), but I haven't viewed them yet. Looks interesting and will be pushed as a big date movie. http://www.mgm.com/rtm/index.html

Since only cinematographers (as such) can vote in this category for the Oscars: "American Beauty" director of photography Conrad Hall took top honors in the feature film category at the 14th annual American Society of Cinematographers Outstanding Achievement Awards Sunday night. Overall, it was an evening of perennial favorites, with Hall notching his third ASC statuette (following "Tequila Sunrise" in 1988 and "Searching for Bobby Fischer" in 1993) -- a benchmark in any one category.

I just saw American Beauty this past weekend. We ended up discussing it and other things for hours at Neal and Jans. Good choice. Great film.

The trailer for High Fidelity is up. I haven't downloaded it yet; a friend says it's a huge file but well worth it. http://www.hollywood.com/trailers/highfidelity/highfidelity.mov

I can't find the # for RF board...so here goes: it hasn't been released yet, but RF will be here to perform Coriolanus and Richard II with the Almeida on the following dates: Richard II date are Sept 6,7,13,17,19,23,24,26,27,30. Coriolanus dates are: Sept 9,10,14,15,16,20,21,22,28,29. The tickets prices are $75.00, $45.00, & $25.00 and will not go on sale until April. The shows will be in the Harvey theatre at B.A.M. So get ready! If you purchase a package that includes the RSC's Midsummer Night's Dream & RII, and Coriolanus, you get a 15% discount. " ~~~~~~ If Rafe comes...can Colin be far behind??

If Rafe comes...can Colin be far behind?? Let us ask Kristen Scott-Thomas. ;-)

Happy Birthday Elena. Hope it was lovely, have a great year.

Moon, you know I love to read your postings -- but I'm aghast! Heresy, to mention Colin Firth and that person from "Man in the Moon" in the same paragraph. Absolute heresy. Jim Carrey (please note seperate paragraph) is not nor ever has been a good actor, or even actor for that matter. He didn't get an Oscar nomination simply because his work is not good enough.

Happy Birthday Elena. Hope it was lovely, have a great year.

Having refused to see most Jim Carrey movies, where they needed Brink's trucks to haul away the daily box office take, I did break down to see The Truman Show, and I thought it and him were very good. A major pleasant surprise, although I did know it was not typical Jim Carrey fare. Having seen The Man on the Moon, Carrey is incredible. The movie itself is not. As everyone knows the Oscars are not solely about "the best" in a category. Impressions, reputations, the past, etc., all play a role. If Sarah Bernhardt had thumbed her nose at the Academy the way Jim Carrey has been doing, even she wouldn't get a nomination.

Moon, you know I love to read your postings -- but I'm aghast! Heresy, to mention Colin Firth and that person from "Man in the Moon" in the same paragraph. Absolute heresy. Heehee... Cheryl, I am not at all partial to JC, although, I do think he did a good job in Truman Show. I have not seen MOTM yet, as much as I like REM. ;-) I thought it was interesting that Milos Forman would make excuses for JC and wondered if he might not have done the same at the time of Valmont for ODB. And while we are on the subject of acting. Has anyone seen Sean Penn's extraordinary performance in Woody Allen's Sweet & Lowdown?

IMO, what Jim Carrey has done to tweak Hollywood is nothing--small potatoes-- compared to the stuff Sean Penn has pulled over the years. Penn is the ultimate bad boy, and yet they've nommed him twice that I can recall. The guy is unbelievably talented. That Best Actor category is a very high caliber one this year--who would they have left off to make room for Carrey? Spacey, Washington, and Crowe were all considered shoo-ins; Farnsworth and Penn a bit of a surprise. It helps when your film has gotten good reviews, which is the case with all of these guys (somewhat less so with Denzel/Hurricane as the film's veracity has been called into serious question). Anyway, here's the latest from the Kingmaker department: Harve told Newsweek he blames himself for the relatively poor showing of Ripley in the Oscar race. "I was the captain of that ship and I was, unfortunately, convalescing in the hospital when I should have been out there campaigning for it. I would have made sure that the right people saw the film. I feel like Matt Damon and Anthony Minghella got robbed because I was away."

Thanks Cheryl for your kind wishes! :-)

Was Harvey ill when MLSF was being shown in the US?

Yes, Gi, go back a few posts. I did not think Farnsworth's performance anything much. But I am probably the one person that thinks his film was overrated. If Karen says JCs performance was so good in MOTM I trust her (eventhough she liked The Straight Story). JC could have taken his place. Mari, Marlon Brando, I think is the ultimate Oscar bad boy and he has been nominated a few times (way overrated actor), although I once had an acting teacher who thought he was God). Matt Damon? I don't think so Harvey.