Always wanted to be either #1 or #1999 on one of these things, so here's my chance. Sorry to hear about your car, KJArt, but at least you had ODB to comfort you. Just imagine yourself and CF in rain after your car died, with CF wrapping his raincoat protectively around you. Now there's an image to warm your cockles--and some other parts as well!

Yes and I am sure you weren't " Ever so slightly less elegant under pressure." either Moon. Hope someone retreived your headscarf;-D

(LouiseJ) Just imagine yourself and CF in rain after your car died, with CF wrapping his raincoat protectively around you. Now there's an image to warm your cockles--and some other parts as well! Yes, I believe it was something like that... My cockles are truly toasty!! Thanks, Louise! ;-) KJ

A piece of advice: If your cockles get too overheated, rub them gently with dry ice! ;-) KJ

Sorry about your car KJ, and having to brave all that discomfort. I hope you get a new car soon. Only a Toyota - or a Rolls - would live 24 years anyway ;-)

Well, I had a serious BJ moment yesterday - I just got a new cellphone that has a clippy-dealie that you can use to clip it on your waistband or whatever. I had it clipped on my pocket as I was leaving work; I had to get home, grab some stuff, and drive up to SF for a concert. As I was quickly walking down the street, with my regular bag and bag of cellphone paraphenalia and remains of my lunch, the cellphone kept on slipping around so it would get sideways on my pocket. I felt so needlessly pretentious trying to arrange my cellphone and everything, and "Shut up please, I am very busy and important" kept going through my head. :)

I was hoping there'd be BJD calendar this year from the folks at calcom.uk.com (they make those huge UK calendars) but I just got this reply: I am sorry, but I don't think we will have a Bridget Jones Calendar or Colin Firth for 2002. Our preliminary lists from the suppliers do not include either of these titles. We have never had a Colin Firth calendar on our listings, but do keep an eye on the website once the new products are added (a little later in the year), just in case something is added to the list as a late arrival. V. sad. I had high hopes for this one. And it looks like this will be the last week for BJD in its last 2 theatres in Edmonton. On the bright side, I'll save money going to the cheap theatres; or not save money and see the movie twice as often!

(Bryonny)I'll save money going to the cheap theatres; or not save money and see the movie twice as often! I know what my choice would be! Actually, for me, it isn't so much about how much money I'm spending to see BJD, it's the ridicule I have to take from my friends. My DH is very patient about this, but I think he'll be glad to see BJD leave the theaters. However, he does expect that I will be glued to the TV as soon as the video/DVD comes out! I think BJD is at the end of its run in NJ, too. It's in very few theaters, with only one or two showings each day. I live in an area of huge malls and multiplex theaters, and I don't think there are any "second-run" theaters near me to take BJD through another viewing cycle. (My sister-in-law says that the second-run theater near her already has Pearl Harbor, but not BJD. I'm not sure what that means, though.)

And about calendars--I doubt that ODB would go for that. He has a jaundiced view of fame, and I think he'd feel strange knowing that he was on a calendar. He might be willing to be part of a BJD calendar, as it wouldn't be just him (OK, so for us, it is all about HIM). Actually, he might not have a choice about BJD-related merchandising. Can't the movie producers can do what they want with anything from the film??

he might not have a choice about BJD-related merchandising. That's right, bring on the MD, BJ and DC dolls! And make them anotomically correct. ;-))))))

BJD is still at number 4 in the UK Box Office and still showing at almost the same number of screens as a few weeks go. At �38.6million it seems set to overtake "The Full Monty" as the most successful British movie ever. BJD the Book is still at No 1, and TEOR is up to No 4 (nice to see that a lot of people are discovering that TEOR is a very enjoyable read...it got undeservedly poor (jealous?) reviews when it first came out. The soundtack is also, I think, number 1. For once, we're actually supporting our own. "The Mummy", by contrast, has only taken �18 million.

Congratulations Bethan.I bet Renee is really smiling away. After all the early whining from the press ,who could have guessed that the UK public would keep that film up there. Incredible.They should be commended.

I think BJD is at the end of its run in NJ, too. What part of our fair state do you live in, Kate? Or should I say, what exit? Yuk, yuk, yuk, a little Jersey humor there.;-) Down here, it's still playing in 15 theaters; the only difference from last week is that a few that were showing it on 2 screens are now down to one. Still getting decent crowds. Bethan, those UK numbers are phenomenal. I think it's close to $70 million here, which is considered very very good for a film of this type, but proportionately those UK figures are stratospheric. Let's see, that's about $130 million or so combined so far--on a film that cost in the mid $20 million range to make. It has to be one of the most profitable films out there this year, if not *the* most profitable. I hope hope hope CF does more Working Title films--for the most part, they make good, smart movies that the public actually wants to pay to see.

(Mari)Or should I say, what exit? I HATE THAT JOKE!!!! I generally have a sense of humor about being from NJ (northern), but I really hate that particular joke! (Moon)That's right, bring on the MD, BJ and DC dolls! And make them anotomically correct. ;-)))))) Hmmm. I forsee a whole new round of Hugh-bashing. We might have to forgo the nickname "Huge"!!! ;-)

Who could have guessed that the UK public would keep that film up there. Incredible.They should be commended. Evelyn commends the UK public! Never thought I'd see the day ... but it is interesting - if you assume no repeat viewings, ONE IN TEN of our population has been to the cinema and seen the film, not just the 18-24 year olds who normally make up 50% of the cinema-going public but the whole population (babies and grandpas too). Maybe that 50% demographic will be different for 2001. Obviously the stars and the director and producers take credit, but I seriously think that this audience has been "earned" most by HF, who infiltrated BJ's character into the national consciousness over several years. The character, like the film, has been more of a word-of-mouth hit than a promotional coup. And that whole word-of-mouth thing builds up into a snowball effect. Here in London, in many circles, people have to "confess" to NOT having seen the film, and explain why!

(Mark)Evelyn commends the UK public! Never thought I'd see the day .. ROTF, Mark. See how fair 'n square I am??? But watch this space when TIOBE is released;-))

(Mark)Here in London, in many circles, people have to "confess" to NOT having seen the film, and explain why! Bridget Jones, already a legend! :-)) Checked my paper this AM to find that BJD is still going in NJ, but on fewer screens. No theater in my county or any adjacent county still has it. Summer's here, kids are out of school. Atlantis, Shrek, and other such kid-friendly films are pushing r-rated Bridget out. Still, my newspaper still has the capsule review and a small ad. This week's ad says "THIS WEEKEND, GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR INNER BRIDGET." the photo is just RZ, which is a good thing, because if they reduced the photo of the three stars to fit this ad, ODB's mother probably wouldn't recognize him!

No ad, no picture, only one theater in our medium city. Sigh.:-( A girl could get used to seeing his picture in her newpaper every week.

6/22/01 No. of times seen BJD to date: 8 v.g. but must make resolution NOT to see it again until out on DVD ;-) BJD has now moved to the 32 seat theatre in my cineplex. Was actually a lot of fun, (since I seem to have memorized the f$%^ing movie ;-D) to observe audience reaction "up close" and personal. Theatre was reasonably full, and many patrons enjoyed it v. much and got caught up in the movie. Especially the guys. Many audible gasps during finger snapping episode. There was one "oh sh*t" from a female patron when DC showed up at birthday dinner. V. funny. I do have one observation and question: Doesn't MTV give annual awards for things like "best screen kiss" and the like? The ending snog in this movie absolutely would win hands down! Since I'm in that over 40 CF demographic, I am not up on MTV, so would appreciate a heads up from you younger folk, so that I can tape the awards show. ;-D

(Mari) Or should I say, what exit? Yuk, yuk, yuk, a little Jersey humor there.;-) Stoppit. You are making me homesick. ;-) DH went moping off to see Pearl Harbor tonight. I refused (alas, BJD is no longer playing at that theater or I might have struck a deal with him). I saw absolutely nothing in the movie listings I cared to see--that is, down here at Exit 33 off the Beltway. ;-)

Meredith, I think the current MTV awards are "awarding" earlier films like Gladiator. Maybe next year for BJD if that kiss has staying power for the MTV generation. I know it does for the VH-1 generation. BJD's been out of my area for 2 weeks now though it's still in one theater in the next county. Movie pickin's are very slim outside of the larger cities.

Well, BJD is still in our big theatres even though more recent movies like "Evolution" have already been moved! I know I've seen BJD too much because I now spend most of my time watching all the background to see if I've missed anything. I laugh out loud during the "book launch party" as Natasha asks Salman Rushdie if his books are autobiographical. He says something along the lines of "What an interesting question. No one has ever asked me that before." I'm sure he's been asked that plenty of times. He's either humoring her, or trying to hit on her. And I'm obviously desperate to find even more reasons to see the film again. ;-) Plus, I rented "Nurse Betty" the other day, and the Olivier "P&P"! I'll watch any obscure connection now to CF and BJD. :-)

(Bryonny)I know I've seen BJD too much because I now spend most of my time watching all the background to see if I've missed anything. I'll bet there are still *some* scenes where you haven't spent much time on the background! I'm thinking newspaper delivery, I'm thinking omelets, I'm thinking snogging in the snow... ;-)

I'll bet there are still *some* scenes where you haven't spent much time on the background! I'm thinking newspaper delivery, I'm thinking omelets, I'm thinking snogging in the snow... ;-) LOL! This is very true. I can't wait to be able to rewind with a remote control!I've been watching the 'good' parts of RV lately, and that rewind button is very handy. :-) Also, the fast forward during the rest of it!

I visited my local Olsson's bookstore today to kill time, and what do I see as I'm leaving but a huge (no, not Hugh--*huge*) cardboard cutout advertising the BJD soundtrack. I of course promptly turned around and ran (no joke) back into the store. The clerk was quite helpful when I asked if I could claim it, until I said that I simply had to have it because Colin was on it. She then promptly burst out laughing. You would think that a person who works at Olsson's would appreciate ODB, as it is kind of the "thinking person's bookstore" of the DC area--or so I'd been led to believe. At any rate, the cardboard cutout was successfully claimed, so the whole experience was well worth it.

From Ananova: Nominees announced for Hollywood movie awards Bridget Jones's Diary, Pearl Harbor, Shrek, Moulin Rouge, Memento and Blow have all been nominated for the Movie of the Year Award at the Hollywood Film Festival. The winner will be decided by the public who can vote online at the Entertainment Tonight website or Variety online from July 1. For Actor of the Year the nominees are Johnny Depp, Colin Firth, Anthony Hopkins, Ben Kingsley, Ewan McGregor and Guy Pearce. Kate Beckinsale, Penelope Cruz, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Renee Zellweger are all nominated for Actress of the Year. The winners will be announced at the Hollywood Movie Awards Gala Ceremony on August 6.

Yippee! I knew our ODB should be tops! Now, if only the everyone else thinks so as well.

What a line-up! He's gonna win it hands -down. Hollywood Movie Awards Gala Ceremony on August 6. Oh,Oh...he won't show -up..he'll be on vacation.

Hurrah! Well-deserved recognition at last. Mark your calendars for July 1 and get out there and vote. Or as they say in Jersey City, "vote early, vote often."

Hopefully, we'll be able to vote often, if they haven't been smart enough to detect the multiple votes!

Am making plans to reroute my driving patterns to go by the only Hollywood Video I know, plus I have some quality time coming up at a cable-modem-connected house. ;-)

(Kate)Or as they say in Jersey City, "vote early, vote often." I HATE THAT JOKE! Kidding!!!!! LOL! Full press release posted on 143. Evelyn, you took the words out of my mouth; he's just going to have to come back sooner from vacation.;-) We have to get the vote out for this one, gang. It's not a slam dunk.

The winners are notified in advance and they do show up for this one. Can't imageine him winning this one and begging off because he's lollygagging around Italy. Of course, cannot imagine him winning this anyway. ;-)

"vote early, vote often." Since when did Jersey City appropriate the Chicago city motto (is embroidered on our flag, you know, beneath the three stars)? ;-)

(Mari)It's not a slam dunk. Karen) Of course, cannot imagine him winning this anyway. ;-) I do. IMO his big competition is Johnny Depp. And he consistently plays weirdos .

Can't imageine him winning this one and begging off because he's lollygagging around Italy. Of course, cannot imagine him winning this anyway. ;-) Someone's finally got himself a publicist! I will be in Italy when this thing happens. I don't see him going to LA early in Aug. for this especially since he will probably accompany Will back home after the Holidays. He can always send a tape from beautiful Umbria. Since when did Jersey City appropriate the Chicago city motto (is embroidered on our flag, you know, beneath the three stars)? ;-) Something to be proud of, right, Karen? ;-)

(Moon) since he will probably accompany Will back home after the Holidays. After what holidays? Labor Day? Don't the kids start school before that? Besides, the kid has probably flown by himself quite a bit. (Moon) Something to be proud of, right, Karen? ;-) Absolutely, from the city that gave the country JFK as president! ;-)

(Karen)Since when did Jersey City appropriate the Chicago city motto (is embroidered on our flag, you know, beneath the three stars)? ;-) Trust me, The dead Democrats vote in Jersey City, too. There aren't as many as in Chicago, though. I just hope that the voting at the video stores doesn't invove punch cards and chads.

Our cemetaries have their own precincts. ;-)

(Karen) Since when did Jersey City appropriate the Chicago city motto Uh uh uh, Kate, Karen's right about this one. Though JC has plenty of its own charms about which to boast. ;-D (Kate) I just hope that the voting at the video stores doesn't invove punch cards and chads. *Heehee* (Karen) Don't the kids start school before that? Depends on the region. In the northeast they don't. In the south and midwest they do. Am not sure about LA--Jana? Winter?

Per their web site, classes in Los Angeles Unified School District start September 5 (day after Labor Day), but I suspect CF's son is in a "private" school, which may not follow the same schedule.

Even if it's public school, it may not be LA. Friends of ours just moved to Southern. Cal and their kids go year round--3 weeks on, 1 week off, 3 weeks on, etc. Apparently more school districts are pushing for this, as they're finding that they lose too much time trying to bring the kids back up to speed after the usual 2.5 month break, which was really designed to accomodate the agrarian society of days long gone. Must make it tough for working parents to have to arrange child care that way, though. Our cemetaries have their own precincts. ;-) LOL! Same here. We have voters (generally Dems, I must admit) who haven't had a pulse since the Coolidge Administration.;-)

Also, the Malibu/Santa Monica area has its own school district. From what I remember, Meg Tilly lives in the Malibu area, so they are likely not to be LAUSD (which is in big financial trouble, BTW).

I received this info by email, but no source as to where it came from. The Bridget Jones' Diary DVD will be released October 9 at $29.99. The disc will contain a commentary by the director, a Featurette, Music videos, deleted scenes, original diary columns and more.

Thanks, Karen. Sounds credible to me (don't fall over onto your keyboards, everyone ;-P).

Karen, do you know if the video will be the same as the DVD? ie will it have the same bonuses?

Videos generally don't have any *extras*. You have to get the DVD to see all the extra stuff, that's part of the popularity of them, plus the higher quality picture and sound.

ack - that means I have to buy a DVD thing. Sigh. Anyone think of any (legal) ways to make some extra money? Preferably not the way the wee boy suggested in MLSF? ;)

One can rent one, can't one, from Blockbuster et al? I dunno, I always went over to my friends' places to use a DVD player, until I sneakily moved in w/ a boyfriend who had one. ;)

You obviously have high standards in men, Laura. Good for you! My DH already knows that I intend to buy a DVD this fall. I recently told him that I would get a DVD for Bridget. He wasn't a bit surprised.

Kate: BJD is what is going to prompt me to get a DVD player too. By the way, is there any advantage to getting a multi-regional player, and if so, where does one purchase same?

Oh, Toyce, you're asking the wrong person. I'm just starting to research this--after all, I have until October to make up my mind. If I didn't spend so much time at Drool, I'd be checking out manufacturer's websites. ;-)

I saved this from RoP board: Elaborate on region-coding or on the P&P R2 set? Written by keeba (5/14/2001 10:32 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, Region 2?, penned by Haley [Back to Board] DVDs are coded by region, [Are you new?] North America [except Mexico] being region 1, Europe - region 2, Asia - region 3, Australia - region 4, etc. DVDs coded for one region will not play on players coded for another region. If you have a multi-region player you can get around this hardware restriction. But you also have to deal with PAL vs. NTSC. The cheap Apex player that I told people about last year is both multi-region and multi-format. You can no longer get this player but there are others on the market. The R2 P&P set includes a making of documentary and apparently, a much better DVD transfer than the existing R1 set. But A&E is expected to remaster the R1 set, presumably to match the contents of the R2 set.

I've been told to try Circuit City, although I'm sure it would have to be special ordered. I want one, just like you, to get all the extra goodies on BJD.

RE: multi-region DVD players - it is apparently now illegal to sell or purchase multi-region DVD players in the US. (This is how much power the movie-makers have in this country!) It didn't stop me from buying one, of course. If you'd like to do some research on multi-region DVDs, one of the best places is at DVDcity.com (http://www.dvdcity.com/codefree/codefreeindex.php3) where they are referred to as "code free DVDs". I went with the SMC DVD330s for a number of reasons. It's the least expensive It plays PAL on NTSC tvs, NTSC on PAL tvs, and all region DVDs It's 110/240 so I can take it if I move overseas It got great reviews It has been working great for me since I got it about 6 weeks ago. If you'd like further info, please feel free to email me (click on my user id above).

it is apparently now illegal to sell or purchase multi-region DVD players in the US Not quite true. The only ones that are illegal are those which disable anti-copying mechanisms. Being multi-format in and of itself is not illegal.

Sarah: Thanks for the info. My gosh! Are there players that do both VHS and DVD? Did I read your post correctly? If so, I'm buying one within the next day or two.

As we've all done so brilliantly on the BJD campaign, I think we should toss our names into the mix: Miramax veteran Granata leaving top publicity post NEW YORK -- Miramax Films president of publicity and corporate communications Marcy Granata on Monday announced plans to exit the company after seven years to "dedicate more time to her family for the next year." Granata, who said she will continue to maintain a "close relationship" with the mini-major, joined the company in 1994 from Columbia TriStar, where she had served as vp publicity for six years. Los Angeles-based senior vp publicity Janet Hill will act as head of the department during the company's search to replace Granata, who will depart Miramax after Wednesday. Miramax said Monday that its publicity activities will continue to be headquartered in New York once a replacement for Granata is found. "I've traveled a very satisfying road for the past seven years, and I cannot imagine a better professional experience or a more talented group of people than those I leave behind in Miramax's publicity department," Granata said. "Harvey and Bob (Weinstein) have been wonderful in understanding that I've recently started a family and want to devote full-time attention to them now." Added Miramax co-topper Harvey Weinstein: "Marcy revolutionized the Miramax publicity department and led some of the most successful campaigns in the company's history, including 'Pulp Fiction,' 'Il Postino,' 'The English Patient,' 'Shakespeare in Love' and 'Life Is Beautiful,' through our recent boxoffice success with 'Bridget Jones's Diary.' She is one of the most talented publicity executives in the business." The development comes after a flurry of staffing moves within the Miramax publicity division, including the recent promotion of Matthew Hiltzik to vp corporate communications (HR 6/21), and the appointment of Daniel Scheffey as senior vp publicity (HR 6/28). Elizabeth Clark will remain as head of publicity for Miramax genre arm Dimension Films, which recently tapped former CBS executive Emily Bear as a vp publicity.

Posted this on 150 too � Sam West�s replies to a questionnaire his fans sent him: If you had been offered a part in Bridget Jones' Diary, which role would you choosen? Haven't seen it. Umm... Anything that Colin does is probably worth coveting. (He's doing Hamlet next, which is nice) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SamWest/message/4508 His answers are very amusing.

OK, the BJD DVD info for the US has been released at a DVD website, and remember that VHS tapes are typically released on the same date. Note, that we're going to get to see the UK ending too!! Keeping up with the Joneses A true sleeper hit at the box office this past spring (to the tune of over $50 million and counting) Buena Vista will release a DVD special edition of Bridget Jones's Diary on 10/9. Features include an anamorphic widescreen transfer, English 5.1 surround and English and French subtitle tracks, an audio commentary with director Sharon Maguire, a making-of featurette, deleted scenes with optional commentary, two music videos, the international end credit sequence, the original Bridget Jones's Diary columns, and trailers. A very nice package, and retail is $29.95.

I don't want the UK ending.Sounds gross. Why, oh why, do they do this. I *hate* the US CD soundtrack too. Can't get it to work on my CD ROM. Can't wait to buy the UK version.

Excellent news, Karen! I'll put that date down in my calendar. the international end credit sequence... Is that the 'Have you met Miss Jones?' sequence that we saw in the US or the vignettes as seen by our friends in England? If it's the vignettes then I'm with Evelyn and will skip over that segment. However, I'll be ready to purchase my BJD as soon as it comes out!

Don't you think that "international end credits" means as an optional bit, the US DVD will have the UK credit sequence. Like a featurette, trailers, etc. If they only knew, that in a smallish corner of cyberspace, they could charge LOTS more... Just tell me where to pre-order ;-) Off to watch SLOW, which I recorded this AM.

Thanks for the info, Karen. I don't mind seeing the alternate ending, as long as they also include the paddling pool end credits as well--that was in the original script, after all. I dislike the idea of the film ending with yet more of you-know-Hugh. Wonder why they did that--maybe they thought the original that we saw here was too cute. "Cute" plays better in America than elsewhere, I guess. The paddling pool brings it full circle, explains what we've previously heard in earlier scenes, and puts the focus back on the central relationship--BJ and MD--which apparently was a love match from the start.:-) I don't want to complain too much though--am delighted that they're putting in some extras. And what $50 million? Try $70 million here and well over $50 million in the UK--and still counting.

Don't you think that "international end credits" means as an optional bit, the US DVD will have the UK credit sequence. Like a featurette, trailers, etc. Yes, I agree, Meredith. It seems they listed the things that are "extras," meaning in additon to what we've already seen in the theaters.

Right, all those things are *extras* The movie will be just as we saw it and then you go to the menu to watch the other stuff.

I think BJD has just crossed �40 million in the UK, making it *the* most successful ever British film. Has easily beaten NH and 4 Weddings.

(Bethan)I think BJD has just crossed �40 million in the UK, making it *the* most successful ever British film. Has easily beaten NH and 4 Weddings. And just wait until the DVD comes out. Those things will fly off the shelves! They better do a huge batch (whatever the DVD equivalent of a press run is).

Re the total box office of BJD: the following quote is from the Box Office Mojo site, which predicts that the foreign box office will be over $100 million. That, together with the U.S. $70 million and the DVD/video sales should make quite a tidy profit for somebody (wasn't the cost about $25 million?). I wonder if HF has a percentage? It looks like Bridget Jones's Diary should pass the century mark by the end of its foreign market campaign, with huge thanks to the U.K.'s $54.8 million (and still going strong) and several other markets. In Spain, it eased by 22%, retaining the top spot, and penning $3 million in 10 days. In Poland it has an excellent $1.1 million in 10 days and $1 million in 11 days in The Netherlands, where the market is falling.

I wish we could get some of the foreign reviews.

And translated too??? BJD has only opened in The Netherlands, Poland and Spain. There's been quite a lot in the Australian press, as it opens shortly. I'm sure either Ann or Cathey will post the relevant reviews from Australia. And, in terms of box office, wait until it hits Japan; it should do boffo business as they say. ;-)

(E)I wish we could get some of the foreign reviews. (Karen)And translated too??? Am I asking too much of you?? ;-)) Anybody see "Bridget"last night in Philly reading The Declaration of Independence? I missed the british accent;-)

I watched it last night, Evelyn. I thought it was moving and unique. Kevin Spacey in particular is a wonderful orator, isn't he? If he were advocating a coup, I'd *still* follow him.;-) And tell the truth, who had better fireworks, Philly or NY?;-)

.;-) And tell the truth, who had better fireworks, Philly or NY?;-) BOSTON!!!! hee hee:)

BJD is still at number five (or six?) in the UK Box Office charts, after sixteen weeks. BJD the book is still topping the charts, selling about 25,000 copies a week. It's not going away.

Just saw BJD for eighth and probably last time in regular theater. It was a good crowd--mostly women. Several (including self) knew all the "in" jokes. Heard several more chatting afterward about how good it was and how they wanted to read the book. One of them hadn't heard about it until her friend asked her to go tonight. I wonder which rock she's been hiding under? I suspect that many more "literarily and cinematically challenged" will discover the film on video, which bodes well for the sequel. One of the more subtle references to P&P2: I still love BJ's line to MD during the ruby wedding heart-to-heart: "you should seriously consider changing the length of your sideburns". Too funny. Sept 18th can't come too soon ("only" 75 days).

(Louise)One of them hadn't heard about it until her friend asked her to go tonight. I wonder which rock she's been hiding under? I ran into one of those at about week 7, and had the same thought. I really had to bite my tongue--wanted to say "Durr! Where have you been all this time, sieving your gravy or cutting up beetroot cubes?!?" I think I've already seen BJD for the last time. I had hoped that it might return for a stray week in a theater near me, but I could find it in only one theater about 2 hours away. And my local paper has no ad at all for it, which is disappointing, as I'd hoped to see them do something cute with the ad for this weekend, to go up against "legally blonde."

OKay, I have a really stupid question, Karen, I think you can answer it for me. I have printed out from archives all of the BJD weekly installments, but it ends in Sept. '98. Now, didn't it go until December of '98? How do I go about printing the next three months? AND no, I threw mine away when I did major house cleaning... Oh, am proud new owner of 1984 528e BMW (auto), that b/f bought for me yesterday!!!! (Ford Taurus that I had for one month died...)

Go to the Bucket's BJD site http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdcols.html and you will find links to the rest of the columns. The Telegraph changed its naming system and somehow these are out in limbo, but available if you know how to find them. ;-)

muchas gracias, Karen. I knew I could count on you! All my friends are clamoring for them. (I should start charging!);)

you should seriously consider changing the length of your sideburns That reminds me, I was home sick, and The Pretender was on TV, and that phrase kept on going through my head. I swear, why do otherwise attractive men wear extremely strange haircuts and facial hair (cf the guy in The Invisible Man on scifi)? However, to bring this back on topic sorta :) CF has never had what I'd call bad hair, and in BJD I thought it was lovely. Perhaps cause he gets his hair done at that fancy salon mentioned a while ago. :)

CF has never had what I'd call bad hair, and in BJD I thought it was lovely. Too dark. I prefer light brown , his natural color. Like in WOF.

(Louise) I still love BJ's line to MD during the ruby wedding heart-to-heart: "you should seriously consider changing the length of your sideburns". That line was always a sure laugh-getter. I find it amusing too that Mark didn't take Bridget's advice. Sideburns are just as long when he returns from NYC. And after I just gave that spoiler away ;-), I hope it won't be much longer before all of our overseas cohorts have seen the film and will jump in. Gi, any hope?

You know you've seen BJD too many times...when you are curious about the tiniest detail, such as: What is it that the "urban family" is drinking when they meet to discuss the "just the way you are" episode. It looks a little like beer (or perhaps lager), but they are drinking it with straws. Some bizarre foreign drink? ;-D

Heide: I find it amusing too that Mark didn't take Bridget's advice. Sideburns are just as long when he returns from NYC. Interesting. . . I always thought Bridget meant that Mark should grow them even longer so that he would look even more like FD in P&P2! This was the only reference I could find in the film version to BJ's literary obsession with Darcy in P&P2. Does anyone else have any others?

BJD is still showing at 272 screens in the UK , not very much down on the 400 plus for blockbusters, and holding on to the number 5 spot. Hughie was in the news today, attending an Elton John charity bash. Hughie was in the company of Jemima Khan, and his new girlfriend, somebody Lauren. He moves in very starry circles! Would expect the DVD to do very well if it includes extra scenes!

Trust me, this has some relevance to this topic. ;-) From the Sunday Times: Costume dramas 'failing Britain' Richard Brooks, Arts Editor KIM HOWELLS, the new films and tourism minister, has called on movie-makers to make fewer period dramas because they fail to present the right image of modern Britain. He wants more realism, with film-makers addressing subjects such as the foot and mouth crisis rather than the bonnets and country houses of Jane Austen. In his first interview on the film industry, Howells said: "I'm not a fan of heritage movies. We're still cashing in too much on our heritage in our movies. It's the easy option." "Heritage" films have been a hallmark of British movie making for the past 20 years, with productions such as Sense and Sensibility, Mrs Brown and Howards End either winning or being nominated for Oscars. However, Howells, a former art student and ex-Communist but now an enthusiastic supporter of new Labour, said film-makers needed to look more at society today: "That includes political issues in the widest sense. When are we going to have, for example, the first film about the foot and mouth crisis? "I just heard on Friday morning a repeat of Jack Lemmon on Desert Island Discs. He said his best film was Missing - the one about a father's search for his missing son in Chile. It is political, but popular and well-made - the type of films we should be making." Howells also believed Britain was making too many "arty-farty" films. He said: "Too many film writers are allowed just to be literary. There is too much reliance on what I call the Cambridge Footlights and Rada school of film-makers." The MP for Pontypridd said he could not think of a British film he had really admired since The Commitments, which was made in 1991. He was not a fan of The Full Monty, which he called "clich�-ridden", nor of Four Weddings and a Funeral or Notting Hill. "I suppose I did quite like Bridget Jones, though," he said. Some tourism experts warned that his criticism of heritage movies, a genre made popular by the film-makers Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, could be counterproductive. The British Tourist Authority (BTA) said overseas visitors still regarded our heritage as the prime reason for coming to Britain. English Heritage said visits to Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, where Queen Victoria stayed, increased by 25% in the year after Mrs Brown. Visits to Kirby Hall in Northamptonshire also went up when it was a location for Mansfield Park, the 1999 film version of Jane Austen's book. Kenwood House in north London, another English Heritage-owned property, which was used in both Notting Hill and 101 Dalmatians, also saw a rise as a result. A gritty modern film such as Trainspotting, however, will not have brought visitors rushing to see the seamier side of Edinburgh. Both the BTA, which has been trying to counter adverse publicity from the foot and mouth crisis, and English Heritage said Howells was entitled to his views. Both bodies report to the culture department where Howells is a minister. "Britain is not a heritage theme park," said Sandie Dawe, marketing director of the BTA. "But tourists do enjoy our heritage, Americans in particular." Dawe said he thought the problem lay more with screen versions of "class issues" rather than heritage. "Too much of that has given the impression that we are a snobby society." Howells is expected to outline his views on the types of films Britain should make at a meeting tomorrow with Alan Parker, the film director and chairman of the Film Council. Howells, like Parker, is proposing that money should be directed towards better scripts and mini Hollywood-style companies. "I once went to Hollywood to look around and was hugely impressed with the way that their writers forgot about their egos and just wrote, rewrote, rewrote and rewrote again until it was right," said Howells. "What I admired was the factory idea. An industrial process, if you like." Later this week the Film Council will announce funding for seven film companies, which already have proven business and creative records. ~~~~~~~ All of which proves that communists have no financial sense. I can see them queuing up to see films about foot and mouth disease. ;-)

However, Howells, a former art student and ex-Communist but now an enthusiastic supporter of new Labour, said film-makers needed to look more at society today: "That includes political issues in the widest sense. When are we going to have, for example, the first film about the foot and mouth crisis? We spend our lives coping with the problems of "society today". Most people go to the movies to be entertained/amused/transported into other worlds. There's certainly a place for docu-drama, social reality, political commentary (perhaps more on television), but don't expect the crowds to queue up. Perhaps TIOBE should include some background shots of sheep culling, or how about the odd dead cow?

"The British Tourist Authority (BTA) said overseas visitors still regarded our heritage as the prime reason for coming to Britain. " Oh yeah...:-))))) "A gritty modern film such as Trainspotting, however, will not have brought visitors rushing to see the seamier side of Edinburgh." How about Hammersmith??? I dunno...I plan to take the BJD tour ;-)

Closed....sorry

There are some of us who want to see something inbetween glossy blockbusters, literary adaptations and arthouse films. BJD isn't deep, but is much more ... real than the likes of NH and Four Weddings even. The Full Monty WAS cliche ridden and patronising where the likes of Brassed Off was genuinely affecting and reflected Britain's social history. Literary adaptations have their place, but it is really an easy cop-out for filmmakers as they know the films will have an audience (unless they make a very poor film) and sell internationally. The class thing is a big deal especially over here. RZ being prepared to look less than her best wouldn't have happened in an American blockbuster. I don't mean weight either... look at Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich. Poor and tired white trash, essentially, but she was a glossy version thereof. Designer rags, perfect makeup etc. Not worn down by the kids, poor skin, cig hanging out of the mouth and so on. You wouldn't see her shaving her legs unless it was eroticised in some way. CF in FP - scruffy, not designer scruffy, looked like an ordinary football fan. That's good. Not gritty social realism, and should have been *more* popular. But why is it the UK produces reams of literary adaptations and gritty rubbish (usually made by patronising posh Tarquins and Tristrams anyway) and poor gangster films (bored already, and why glamorise it?). Look at me, I've delurked and probably annoyed lots of you :( Oh well, I've been reading for ages. I was waiting to post until I could say something proper and it's all long and rambly.

Welcome Penny, you have not annoyed anyone I am sure, keep posting. Do I take it that you are from the UK as I am myself, and I agree FP should have been more popular and I can't quite understand why it wasn't as it had great reviews and on the 3 occasions I went to see it at the cinema the cinema was full and everyone seemed to enjoy it!!

I am indeed from the UK :) Thank you for your welcome

(AnnW)I agree FP should have been more popular and I can't quite understand why it wasn't That's news to me. I was lead to believe that FP was v. popular in UK. A hit. Welcome Penny.I like your social- conscious films... Billy Elliot, DQ. I have a hard time understanding some of the Scottish accents though. (Penny)The class thing is a big deal especially over here. We don't understand that mode here...find it boring.

Fever Pitch did okay at the box Office but not brilliantly but made up for it when it went to video where it did quite well but no it didn't do as well as expected at the Box Office.

Penny!! I've delurked and probably annoyed lots of you You haven't annoyed me, as probably 99% of the people who participate here agree about the sorry state of films. I go to many films and very few of the blockbuster variety. However I would disagree with you about Julia Roberts and her designer look in EB. She's an actress who is not afraid to do without makeup and I've seen it numerous times. Granted, she didn't gain the weight for her upcoming release "American Beauties"??? but I don't know how much of the film actually deals with the time when her character was supposed to weigh 60 lbs more. In terms of the flashy trailer trashy look for Erin B, all you have to do is look at the real woman she played and that's how she looked. She is a good looking woman, who wore flashy clothes and who put her boobs out on the front lines! ;-) Anyway, delurking is good for one's health. I can't imagine keeping one's comments about CF to oneself (although hiding them from one's family is not unusual).

(Karen)Anyway, delurking is good for one's health. I can't imagine keeping one's comments about CF to oneself (although hiding them from one's family is not unusual). Absolutely! I only delurked a few months ago, and I wish I'd done so sooner. It's a treat to be able to obsess knowing that others will understand. My sister-in-law, on the other hand, has been mumbling something about interventions...

Spare us from ministers who "know" their subjects! Just when we've all been having a good laugh about the new sports minister who can't name any sportsmen, we get a film-buff Films Minister who hasn't seen a good "British" film since The Commitments (er, I daresay it was a co-production, but I suspect the Irish will be spitting chips). Here's a hint why there may be so many period dramas, Kim - stories that have stood the test of time often make good films. (Of course updates of good stories can work too, like BJD)

Welcome, Penny! I found your comments very interesting. (Penny) There are some of us who want to see something inbetween glossy blockbusters, literary adaptations and arthouse films. BJD isn't deep, but is much more ... real than the likes of NH and Four Weddings even. I agree and wish there were more films "in between". Oftentimes after a grueling work week I can't find the mental energy to spend two hours with a hugely challenging arthouse film, but it usually seems the only alternative is a something silly and unmemorable. I also agree that BJD was a nice in between movie. Women and men from all walks of life seem to be able to relate the characters and situations which provides a more memorable experience than typical of fluffy rom-coms. (Penny) where the likes of Brassed Off was genuinely affecting and reflected Britain's social history. Ahhhh, I really, really enjoyed this film - so did my DH. It's one of those I can watch over and over again. There are so many finely drawn characters, great acting and a really poignant script that makes you feel the pain of losing ones livelihood through no fault of ones own. I wish more movies like this one were made!

Delurking. Brassed Off was a gem of a movie. My favourite.