Christopher Nolan makes his studio directing debut with a remake of 1997 Norwegian suspenser "Insomnia." Didn't he direct "Memento"? Not exactly a debutant, IMO. Not too many original ideas. "Dark Water," the director's latest about a woman who moves into a haunted apartment with her six-year-old daughter. The Others. "Il Mare," which tells the story of a man and woman living two years apart who are able to communicate with each other through a time-defying mailbox. Father and son through a radio, (Dennis Quaid's movie). These are probably considered safe bets.

Tony nominations were announced today: Best Revival of a Play: Private Lives, The Crucible, Noises Off and Morning's at Seven [Overlooked: Elephant Man] Best Actress in a Play; Lindsay duncan Private Lives, Helen Mirren, Mercedes Ruehl, Laura Linney The Crucible Best Actor in a Play: Alan Bates, Billy Crudup, Liam Neeson, Alan rickman, [Overlooked: Ian McKellen] Best Director: Howard Davies Private lives, Richard Eyre Crucible, & others Best Director in a Musical Trevor Nunn for Oklahoma!Among others. Full List: http://www.broadway.com/buzz/headlines.cfm?story_id=1004772&ssection_id=7

I am not crazy about this. :-( From the Daily Telegraph: MARTIN AMIS is to launch himself on Hollywood by adapting a Jane Austen novel into a romantic comedy film for teenagers. Amis, the author of dark satires such as London Fields and Money, is writing the screenplay for Northanger Abbey, the only Austen novel not to have been made into a feature film. Last week Amis confirmed his new role, and said he was already halfway through writing the screenplay, which he expected to finish by July. "I am greatly enjoying it," he said. "Jane Austen is a genius, and Northanger Abbey is hugely underrated." Amis is replacing Andrew Davies, the British scriptwriter who adapted Pride and Prejudice and Emma for the screen, who left the project three years ago after falling out with Harvey Weinstein, the president of Miramax Pictures, the film production company. Mr Davies objected to the "teen flick" treatment of the story being promoted by Mr Weinstein, who was said to have originally favoured turning the book into a "high-school drama". Mr Davies wrote two drafts of the script before he left the project because he did not agree with the interpretation. "I think Harvey wanted to drag it in the direction of a teen flick," said Mr Davies last week. "The book does have the youngest of all Jane Austen's heroines, and with the Gothic horror element of the book I guess there was a temptation to think of teen movies like Scream and meld it all together. But I felt uncomfortable about moving too far away from the original book." The novel, which is a spoof on Gothic horror tales such as Frankenstein, features the youngest of all Austen's heroines, Catherine Morland. The 15-year-old daughter of a clergyman, Catherine is taken to Bath for the season. While there, she meets Henry Tilney - the son of an eccentric Army general - who invites her to stay at his medieval mansion, Northanger Abbey. Somewhat unhinged by reading too many books such as Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otrano and Ann Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho, Catherine imagines that Henry's father, Gen Tilney, has murdered his wife. When the general discovers that she is not the rich heiress he thought she was, she is thrown out of the house and he forbids his son from having anything to do with her. Disobeying his father he follows Catherine to her home, and proposes to her, and is accepted. According to Alison Owen, the film's producer, the project will be "a romantic comedy with the emphasis on the romantic", set in Bath and the surrounding countryside. She said that Amis was "incredibly informed about Jane Austen" and had some "great ideas" about how to re-structure the script. Amis, 53, has won plaudits for his numerous books. However, his film-writing career has gone largely unnoticed. In 1980 he wrote the screenplay for Saturn 3, a science-fiction film which received poor reviews and featured the unlikely pairing of Farrah Fawcett and Harvey Keitel. He also helped with the script for Tim Burton's film Mars Attacks, but later said that although he had "highly enjoyed it, it did not contain a word I wrote".

Well, considering the original "Northanger Abbey" from BBC, he can't do that bad. Christopher Nolan obviously isn't a debutante, but it is his first 'STUDIO' film. I think the casting of Insomnia looks fantastic. Robin Williams as a psycho???? who'da thunk???? :)

From Variety--This should be right up his alley: HBO IN FAMILIAR TERRITORY: HBO has greenlit an adaptation of William Trevor's novel "My House in Umbria," and has reteamed "The Gathering Storm" duo of director Richard Loncraine and scribe Hugh Whitemore. Maggie Smith is set to star as a former madam-turned bed and breakfast owner in Umbria, who is riding on a train that explodes and invites the survivors to convalesce at her B&B. Ann Wingate is producing, and Frank Doelger is exec producer. Hotchkiss & Associates, repping Sterling Lord and London-based lit agency PFD, is shopping Trevor's new novel, "The Story of Lucy Gault."

You must mean his "vicolo" ;-D

Karen), You must mean his "vicolo" ;-D Ma che brava, Karen! Stai imparando l'italiano per quest'estate? Ci vediamo al Lago. :-D (Laura), Christopher Nolan obviously isn't a debutante, but it is his first 'STUDIO' film. I think the casting of Insomnia looks fantastic. Robin Williams as a psycho???? who'da thunk???? :) I like RW, but I've seen the previews and they look awful. Al Pacino overacts in everything, he's a terrible actor. As luck would have it the original Insomnia was on IFC last night and it was very good. Very involved on many levels, quite interesting. I don't think Nolan will shine from this.

...And just whose "vicolo" are we discussing?

And just whose "vicolo" are we discussing? Is there anyone else that commands so much of our attention around here? ;-)

Commanding v.much attention lately!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUE

Happy Birthday, Sue! Now picture the CF RE duo singing it properly. ;-D

Sue!! Have a great day and celebrate tonight!

And, now for the boring (but heartfelt) version: Happy Birthday! Many returns of the day. It certainly shouldn't be hard to find presents to buy for yourself these days. :-)

Moon, I taped the original Insomnia last night (the 2am as I didn't realize until AFTER Buffy, that it was on); am interested to see it. Coincindence that I just found out from reading Karen that "Insomnia" is a re-make! (but Stellan Staargard is in it, and well, I really like him!) :) Happy Birthday, Sue!!!!!

(but Stellan Staargard is in it, and well, I really like him!) :) And he is excellent as usual. Let us know what you think, Laura. OTT, don't you think that lesbian thing on Buffy is totally uneccesary? Do we really need to see that those two want to kiss and stay in bed and naked as much as possible? I know you let Rebecca watch. What is this telling young girls? Go out and experiment with your girlfriends, it's cool. This world is so screwed up!

Lots of write-ups about the opening of the TFF in the press, but I thought this one the best, from Fox News: DeNiro, Hugh Grant Save Tribeca Last night, the first Tribeca Film Festival kicked off with a fine new comedy, About a Boy, starring Hugh Grant. You can thank Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Usama bin Laden for this festival. It was created in the aftermath of September 11 to help revitalize the neighborhood around the World Trade Center. And I can tell you that it's worked already. Just walking toward the Tribeca Performing Arts Center last night, you could see life has returned to this shell-shocked neighborhood. The twin towers are missing but the people are back, largely due to the efforts of De Niro and Rosenthal. Earlier in the day, Mayor Mike Bloomberg welcomed De Niro, Rosenthal, Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela and a bunch of celebrities to City Hall for the kick-off. Hugh Grant is still getting ribbed for using the word "buttocks" in his speech in front of Mandela. The screenings of About a Boy, directed by the Weitz brothers, took up two theaters in the shadow of Ground Zero, and drew hundreds of people to the Tribeca neighborhood. After the screening, revelers were taken on double decker buses over to the Regent Wall Street ballroom, recently the site of Liza Minnelli's crazy wedding, for a celebrity-packed party. Among the stars were Billy Joel, Billy Crystal, Chazz Palminteri, Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt, as well as Grant, the Weitzes, Nora Ephron and a clutch of New York boldfaced names. De Niro made a quick appearance at the reception, but Grant stayed and took pictures with fans. He even accepted proposals from various young women. Grant politely told one blonde who'd worked her way up to him, "Thank you for the invitation, but I don't have much of a life right now. I just go to work, come home, sleep and go back to work." [Ed note: No name, hometown or age. It can be done.] He's been filming a new comedy with Sandra Bullock around New York. Grant did make plans to play golf with actor Kyle MacLachlan, however, and gossiped for a few minutes with Ben Chaplin about their nightclubbing plans for later in the evening. Indeed, the whole gang moved on to Bungalow 8 for an after hours retreat. Grant is overwhelmingly polite in person. When we were finally introduced he said, "If I'd known you were a journalist I would have been nicer to you." He declined to comment on Elizabeth Hurley and Steven Bing's paternity issues, though. "We can't go down that road," he said. He said that making About a Boy had been "hard work" and that, since he made the film about a single man who faces a crossroads, he was determined to have a child "by the end of June." Hadn't the movie aroused paternalfeelings in him, I wondered? "Yes, I'm very aroused now," he quipped.

Moon, e-mail me at lauram34@attbi.com

HG is v. witty. Thanks Boss.

Thanks to all for the birthday greetings. It was a nice surprise esp. since birthdays are getting harder to face each year. :-))

It would appear that the Argentinian film Nine Queens is finally making its way across the country. I saw it last year at our FF and it's excellent. Moreover, there was a certain irony in that Mamet's The Heist was the big gala opening film here in his old hometown, but this little film out-Mameted Mamet's by miles. Here's the opening from Ebert's review today: Fabian Bielinsky's "Nine Queens" is a con within a con within a con. There comes a time when we think we've gotten to the bottom, and then the floor gets pulled out again and we fall another level. Since nothing is as it seems (it doesn't even seem as it seems), watching the film is like observing a chess game in which all of the pieces are in plain view but one player has figured out a way to cheat. "David Mamet might kill for a script as good," Todd McCarthy writes in Variety. True, although Mamet might also reasonably claim to have inspired it; the set-up owes something to his "House of Games," although familiarity with that film will not help you figure out this one.

I just read that the following films recently tanked: Human Nature, Crushed,and Stolen Summer (the HBO series). Very discouraging for small indies. Wonder what the percentage is that make it.

And... Anybody see HG on the Letterman Show...(yeah, I stayed up!) He was v. funny. Impersonation of Robt. De Niro hilarious. He sorta takes over. Takes the ball and runs.Dave just sat back and laughed. I can see why Dave would like him on.

There's a reason for this. From Cindy Adams' column: The set of "Le Divorce," the film that marks the 40th year of producer Ismail Merchant and director James Ivory's work together, was high-class, high-toned, high-quality organized chaos. Kate Hudson had to reshoot because they had to relight because a glass door near her reflected the camera. Matthew Modine worried that the dark dye they spritzed on his hair would run down his face in an upcoming rain scene. Somebody worried, has anyone heard from Glenn Close? Nobody had. Somebody worried, does anyone know where's Bebe Neuwirth? Somebody said she's back in Paris. That somebody was me. She'd returned from her one day in New York on my same Concorde flight. And then there was that business of the catering van - ovens, pans, vegetables and all - being stolen and a crew of 60 needing lunch. That's not to mention the flat in the Marais district, which was the setting for the home of Naomi Watts' character. This real apartment with the real john which the film's real people were using has a real problem. No toilet paper. "Le Divorce," Diane Johnson's 1997 Dutton best seller about a divorcing husband found murdered, his body tossed in a trash bin, was to star Winona Ryder, but, as you may have heard, Winona was busted starring in her own homemade drama about a shoplifter. Its other stars are Stockard Channing, Sam Waterston, Leslie Caron and the gorgeous young Frenchman Melvil Poupaud, whose death scene was about to be filmed and who said to me at lunch: "I go now to be dead. I aftair see you again." [Ed note: And this is the part we all thought Colin would have.] Following such as "Jefferson in Paris," with Nick Nolte, and "The Proprietor," with Jeanne Moreau, "Le Divorce" is Merchant-Ivory's eighth film shot here. With a permanent office and permanent apartment in Paris, they are obviously at home with cultural differences, like the shout "Coupez" instead of "cut" at the conclusion of each take. But differences there are. In Hollywood, skinny health-conscious actresses do leaves for lunch, plus Evian. Here, the cafe commandeered by the production office served pork chops in gravy with fried potatoes. Another lunch served breaded veal cutlet laying in spaghetti. It's alternative? Ox tail with mashed potatoes. And shove the Evian. The table had a pitcher of tap water, a jug of red wine and everybody smoking. One crew member with a Yankee accent sighed: "Man, do I ever need a tuna on rye." And everybody's a hyphenate. I met a Jean-Claude, Jean-Pierre, Jean-Marc, Jean-Phillipe, Jean-Marie, Jean-Georges, and Jean somebody else. And all the props were schlepped in shopping bags that said Hermes or Vuitton. And what do movie folk talk about on a set? Kate Hudson said, before she was famous, before she made "Almost Famous" she had to reintroduce herself to people who didn't recall having met her. These same faces now tell her how talented and beautiful she is. That's why, she claims, she might live in New York, but never Hollywood. Australia's Naomi Watts who "loves living in Hollywood" arrived in Paris underweight "so every morning I eat bread and chocolate and at 11 I have another snack of a baguette with cheese." Matthew Modine: "I have a cell phone that you can type messages on. Unfortunately, it's French and has spell check. I type in English and the thing corrects in French so all my messages get screwed up." Bebe Neuwirth: "My boyfriend's with me and he's never been to France. My part isn't big, so we're having a wonderful experience enjoying Paris. Please don't let Ismail know I'm having such a good time." Ismail, who said movie execs "fainted" at his low $13 million budget, said : "I must find a way to cut Bebe's salary." Stockard Channing: "When James Ivory asked did I want to do this in Paris, I said, �Please . . . can we leave now?' " James Ivory told us his father worked for Thomas Edison in Edison's New Jersey laboratory: "Workers who had any creative ideas had to push them through a slot in Edison's door. He'd then patent them as his own. The workers never got any money or income. Edison wasn't an inventor. He was a marketer." When time came for me to say goodbye, Ismail patted me on the cheek. And left ink marks all over me. He'd used his palm to write notes.

Funny tidbits, thanks, Karen. Edison wasn't an inventor. He was a marketer." Bad points for Ivory. Human Nature is excellent. Please rent it when it becomes available. Anybody see HG on the Letterman Show... I did too, Evelyn. He was a good guest. Liked the line that he attracts the 60's and above and Bob the 20's and above. I have never seen anyone so out there to plug a movie (AAB). Usually guests are nonchalant about showing the clips and not sure of what they would be seeing. HG wanted to show it and was very prepared.

I missed the beginning of Hugh, as I was checking out Kiefer on Leno. But Hugh never fails to amuse. You have to give it to him. He's a great guest on these shows.

(Evelyn) He sorta takes over. Takes the ball and runs.Dave just sat back and laughed. That is precisely what all of them are supposed to to. The producer calls and finds out what humorous antecdotes the star wants to tell and then writes down the questions Dave is supposed to ask to get the story started. Dave likes to mix it up and sometimes asks something off the wall but, when the star can figure out which antecdote Dave is asking about it works. It shouldn't be that hard for professionals - the writers will make it humorous if the star can't. Tom Cruise finally survived the ordeal; now I'd like to see ODB in the hot seat!

From Ananova: Gwyneth Paltrow's West End debut has been hailed as a triumph with one critic describing her performance as "almost flawless". The actress took to the stage in the play Proof at London's Donmar Warehouse. She is the latest in a long line of A-list stars to choose British theatre over big-budget Hollywood movies. Paltrow, 29, plays the daughter of a mentally disturbed mathematical genius in the production directed by John Madden, with whom she worked on the film Shakespeare in Love. The official first night, when critics will get the chance to rate Paltrow's performance, is not until next week. But one who caught last night's preview said that the star: "turned in a performance almost flawless in its delivery - and demonstrated that the comic timing she showed in Shakespeare in Love was no fluke". The Evening Standard's Valentine Low said that Paltrow put in a particularly fine acting performance with her feet, managing "to use her toes to express annoyance, frustration, unhappiness and a whole range of emotions that some actresses cannot manage with their faces, let alone their feet." Paltrow's mother, the actress Blythe Danner, was at last night's show. Paltrow last appeared on stage in The Seagull in Williamstown, Massachusetts opposite her at the age of 21.

Mari, thanks for the background on RE (on topic 162). I can't think of a way to continue my point though, without sounding arrogant and prejudiced towards two fabulous actors I don't know personally. I guess their comments hit a chord: as a blue-collar girl I ended up in a school full of sons of French aristocrats, diplomats, and chateaux owners and learned to dig my heels! :0 Just another question about that quote: what does "red-brick" mean in the RE quote "red-brick guitar-playing communist"?

(Odile) Just another question about that quote: what does "red-brick" mean in the RE quote "red-brick guitar-playing communist"? Don't know if it means the same thing over there but down here "red brick" usually refers to the age and, to a snobbish extent - the pedigree, of the university one attends. As in "Red bricks" compared to "Ivy League" - ie the "red bricks" are newer buildings that still show the red brick as against the "ivy league" universities - usually prestigious reputation from tradition, achievements etc - whose buildings are now covered with ivy due to age.

Interesting. Thanks Minkee!

In the UK redbricks are all the older civic universities which are not Oxbridge. When they were filming AC it would have been everything apart from Oxford and Cambridge. Is not usually a prejorative comment per se; may say more about RE's attitudes than any thing. Re RE. I cannot remember which school he went to but recall that it was one of the top Catholic boys public schools. I think his father was a senior army officer, though might have that wrong. Very establishment compared with CF. Poor young Colin straight out of the trendy Drama Centre would have probably been very intimidated!

Everett went to Ampleforth with Julian Wadham and Michael Maloney. Michael hated it.

"to use her toes to express annoyance, frustration, unhappiness and a whole range of emotions that some actresses cannot manage with their faces, let alone their feet." That should go straight to her portfolio. LOL! It might make Hollywood start awards for "Best use of body parts" to express your feelings. ;-) Re RE. I cannot remember which school he went to but recall that it was one of the top Catholic boys public schools. That must why he's so close with Madonna. ;-)

Reminder everyone, Inside the Actor's Studio with Huge will be on Sunday night. I caught a preview snippet. Great answer to the "dislike" question at the end. ;-D

(RE) (Colin seemed a) red-brick guitar-playing communist. I think this speaks to Colin losing himself in a character. The whole time RE saw him he was Tommy Judd and the description fits. Powerful actor who can fool his co-stars like that! I, for one, am convinced he is Mr. Darcy. ;-)

Shouldn't RE create a band with CF on guitar, himself on piano and Madonna on vocals? Now what should they call themselves? The Pond Hoppers? :)

A much belated Happy Birthday, Sue.

To all the Mothers on Drool : Enjoy your day and let yourself be spoilt! Do not get up...wait for that breakfast in bed and continue to dream on...

How about that? Finally learned how to put up an image! Yay!

If Rosie O'Donnell's last show is May 22, when will Carolyn Rhea start? Anybody know.

Moved from 162, KateF's post: If anyone noticed that Huge was on Actor's Studio last night, don't worry if you missed it. I watched the whole thing waiting for them to get to BJD, but absolutely no reference to Colin (just the same tired thing about Renee's accent--Princess Margaret, the stroke voice, etc). I suppose if they've had Huge on, they won't invite Colin--don't want two Brits in close succession? It was just filmed recently, too, as Lipton mentioned that he and his students had gone to see AAB. No mention of the Tribeca ff either. I had hopes for Actor's Studio this visit. :-(( Saw Simon Callow's "Mystery of Charles Dickens" yesterday afternoon. Hung over the rail of 1st row Mezz, scanning the orchestra seats just in case, but no luck. I thought maybe he'd blow off a rainy NY afternoon to see a fellow Brit thesp. (am pathetic and desperate, I know) Oh, well, at least there'll be Breakfast on the 19th!

OOOh, I just saw PROOF with Jennifer Jason Leigh... I liked it a lot, but I can't see GP playing that role. (However, JJL, was a bit old for it as well, but was good!!!) Fantastic story!

(Kate) (just the same tired thing about Renee's accent--Princess Margaret, the stroke voice, etc). Didn't you want to scream? I tried, but was too busy trying to keep myself from being sucked into the sucking vortex of Jim and Hugh sucking up to eachother. And Evelyn, Huge's constant face pulling made CF's SiL BWTA interview look like a minor itch. ;-)

Will add quickly before the lights go out (we seem to be having yet another thunderstorm) that I thought HG was LOL-funny throughout most of the first half hour. He does a good deadpan. However, either HG was playing the actor HG during the interview or his performances aren't very far from his true self. BTW, Newsweek's David Ansen liked AAB very much (then he trashed Star Wars).

Will add yet again (sorry!) that I was quite disappointed that HG did not respond to the questionnaire part at the end as follows: JL: Hugh, what is your least-favorite word? HG: Divine. *tsk* ;-)

(Eileen) I thought HG was LOL-funny throughout most of the first half hour. Hey, I thought the whole thing was incredibly entertaining. They could've cut the cutsey bits between Lipton and Hugh was worthless fawning but still how many other actors would've had the nerve to make fun of the foundation of the Actors Studio (you all sit around and cry, don't you?) Divine! LOL!

LOL, Eileen! But I agree with Karen. He also put Lipton down more than any other guest I've ever seen.

Sort of and O&E-- Saw AAB. There is an editing goof in the Christmas Day scene. I won't say, being that some of you haven't seen it yet. (Just a silly thing.)

AAB getting rave reviews all over the place. USA Today (about as national a paper as we have)gave it a two page spread. Interviews with HG & big photo, Toni Collette, the Weitz Brothers and a review of the film. 3 1/2 stars out of 4. ".....About a Boy is a rarity in many ways. It's a well-written , witty film whose memorable characters grapple with the nature of family, love, friendship and despair. Even its soundtrack, by Badly Drawn Boy is perfectly pitched. In a summer of daring superheroes and intergalactic spectacles, its a pleasure to see a film that doesn't need special effects to be emotionally affecting." NH must be ecstatic. Allison, they don't mention that HG isn't representative of a N. Londoner;-)

(Evelyn) AAB getting rave reviews all over the place. Even Crosswinds ariticle I quoted on 162. ....About A Boy Hugh Grant plays an irresponsible cad who, in a convoluted attempt to meet women, befriends a 12-year-old boy in need of a father figure.... Couldn't help but notice she used "convoluted" for both AAB and TIOBE. :-) Spiderman - "an entertaining ride"; Stars Wars was dissed and Disney's The Country Bears (TCB)was unworthy of being written about. I guess that puts TIOBE somewhere behind Spiderman but ahead of TCB.:-) Karen, I hope my humble offering counts as a contribution to the content of Drool. It's hard to be a team player out here in left field. ;-)

Just got back from seeing AAB. I found it funny and entertaining. Not quite hilarious and heartwarming. I thought HG was good, but I liked his Daniel Cleaver better. Definitely an alternative to everything else out there right now. The audience loved it. Plenty of Joe and Josephine's there.

Allison, they don't mention that HG isn't representative of a N. Londoner;-) Okay I'll get back into my box :-( My 23 year-old son enjoyed it BTW.

The two televised review shows loved AAB as well. Roeper could barely be contained. He said it was not only the best movie he had seen this year, but for several years. (Note: He's precisely the right age to appreciate it.) Many critics have been saying it's the best film out this year and are giving indications they'd put it on their lists. What I've particularly enjoyed is that they are praising the "intelligent" script.

Actresses contemplate Hollywood pressures in new film Rosanna Arquette says she could have featured even more actresses in her new movie. Sharon Stone, Whoopi Goldberg, Meg Ryan and Holly Hunter are among those in Searching For Debra Winger. She revealed at the Cannes Film Festival there were many more who couldn't be used. Arquette's idea was to interview Hollywood's top actresses to discuss the pressures they face, particularly as they hit the age of 40. She was inspired by Winger, who effectively retired at the age of 39. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Speaking of which, did anybody watch the HBO thing on LBJ? Michael Gambon's accent didn't seem very Texan to me. Also, I had no idea that Lady Bird was probably about 30 yrs his junior. Sheesh, they have a nice, winkly older man playing Johnson, and then they have a much younger actress (Felicity Huffman) playing his wife. Are they afraid to have women of the right age playing those parts? Totally ridiculous. No matter how matronly they attempted to make her up, she barely looked older than her two grown daughters.

AAB BO $8.4 mil. Disappointing. "Unfaithful" is hanging in there at #3; real chick-flick too.I guess Richard Gere still grabs 'em. I'll try LBJ tomorrow night...but 3 hours????

Not disappointing at all! Far from it. It only played on 1/3 the screens of the biggies. The industry reporters deemed it "solid." That was $8.4 million on 1,200 screens. real chick-flick too.I guess Richard Gere still grabs 'em. It's probably the hot scenes between Olivier Martinez and Diane Lane. I keep hearing her performance is wonderful.

Here's the full article: Winger' Debates Aging in Hollywood By JOCELYN NOVECK, Associated Press Writer CANNES, France (AP) - So whatever happened to Debra Winger? As it happens, after three Oscar nominations, the star of "Urban Cowboy," "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Terms of Endearment" basically retired seven years ago, at age 39. For fellow actress Rosanna Arquette, that fact was enough to launch a movie. Arquette decided to interview Hollywood's top actresses to discuss the pressures and limits they face, particularly as they hit the age of 40. Her goal was to figure out what drove Winger from the business. The result � "Searching for Debra Winger" � is interesting for the honest responses it evokes from women like Sharon Stone, Whoopi Goldberg, Meg Ryan, Holly Hunter, Jane Fonda and Melanie Griffith, among many others. But the film, which won an out-of-competition slot at the Cannes Film Festival, could be much better organized, and Arquette has a distracting habit of rambling when she herself is on camera. To make the film, Arquette says she just picked up the phone and called women she admired. "Nobody refused," she says, "and there were so many I couldn't use because we ran out of money." The actresses range from younger women like Gwyneth Paltrow, who clearly has no problems now ("I love my job!"), to older actresses already bitter and sometimes even struggling for money. Daryl Hannah, the erstwhile mermaid of "Splash," now 41, speaks of being cast as a mother. "People said, 'don't you mind?' But I was fine with it," Hannah says � until she was given ugly, baggy clothes to wear and an unattractive brown wig. Whoopi Goldberg engages in a comic riff about her expanding derriere, and also talks about the difficulty of finding a man to live with. "You end up supporting them (financially)," she says. She concludes succinctly: "Anybody who is not you, who is living with you, is a problem." Sharon Stone, on the other hand, now married and a mother, says that her life is much more fulfilling now than ever before. Then there's Jane Fonda, who tells how she quit the movie business 10 years ago � simply because on their second date, her now ex-husband Ted Turner told her she'd have to drop her career to be with him. She decided she "wouldn't regret 10 more movies or five more movies, but I was going to regret lack of intimacy." Then, however, Fonda goes into a wistful, tearful description of what she misses about acting � and one can't help regretting, for her, the choice that she made. Holly Hunter says the irony is that actresses are best in their 40s, just when the roles are dwindling. "Once I hit 40, I had chops as an actress that I didn't have when I was 30," she says, "and I want to use them." The actresses wax funny and bitter at the culture of plastic surgery in Hollywood. Tracey Ullman does an impression of how she'd look with enhanced lips. Frances McDormand, discovered by chance in a hotel bathroom, tells why she plans to remain surgery-free: One day they'll need an actress to play a 54-year-old, she reasons, and no actress will actually look 54 � so she'll have a corner on the market. Eventually, Arquette "finds" Winger. They sit in a backyard and discuss why Winger left � although she did make a brief comeback in a movie this year by husband Arliss Howard. The roles weren't there, Winger says, and she chose to take care of her kids. "Anybody who says having kids isn't a sacrifice is lying." As an example of her feelings about Hollywood, Winger, now 46, tells how when she was filming "An Officer and a Gentleman" in her 20s, the producer came to her trailer with an envelope. She hoped it was to compliment her. "You look a little bloated in the rushes," he said. The envelope contained a water retention pill. Diane Lane says she is so busy with career and motherhood that she doesn't have time for a man. Meg Ryan says she's never been happier, "and it's not about a guy." But French star Emanuelle Beart, beautiful even with messy hair and a cigarette in her mouth, seems to ooze melancholy when she muses that she dreams of "having a man come to take me and my children away."

"Unfaithful" is hanging in there at #3; real chick-flick too.I guess Richard Gere still grabs 'em. No, no, no, it's the cutie, Olivier Martinez. ;-) He was the Horseman on the Roof. (Have you seen that yet, Evelyn?) Frances McDormand, discovered by chance in a hotel bathroom, tells why she plans to remain surgery-free: One day they'll need an actress to play a 54-year-old, she reasons, and no actress will actually look 54 � so she'll have a corner on the market. LOL! She's a hoot! Lucky to have a hubby that can put her in films. ;-)

(E)"Unfaithful" is hanging in there at #3; real chick-flick too.I guess Richard Gere still grabs 'em. (Moon)No, no, no, it's the cutie, Olivier Martinez. ;-) He was the Horseman on the Roof. (Have you seen that yet, Evelyn?) Horseman on the Roof???Never even hoid of it. You think Olivier Martinez is the draw to hold that film at #3??

You think Olivier Martinez is the draw to hold that film at #3?? ] Hey, he's the father of Juliette Binoche's baby... (or young son); he's adorable and Horseman on the Roof is awesome! Definitely see it. (he and JB were together for a while)..

Hey, he's the father of Juliette Binoche's baby... No, wait, I thought that was the "My Left Foot" actor? (His name escapes me now). Olivier has been together with.. are you ready to fall down? Mira Sorvino. They have been living toigether in Paris. You must rent HotR, Evelyn. I've been raving about it for years, and you haven't heard of it? ;-)

(Laura)Hey, he's the father of Juliette Binoche's baby... (Moon)No, wait, I thought that was the "My Left Foot" actor? (His name escapes me now). Moon, I think you're refering to Daniel Day-Lewis, and he is the dad of Isabelle Adjani's baby I think (I don't know about JB).

closing tags

Thanks Odile, I confused her with Isabel. So Juliet must have fallen for him during the filming of HotR. Hell, I would have too. ;-)

Actually, I think Olivier and Juliette were together LONG before they filmed HoTR, her son is btw 4-6, I believe. They were a couple for a long time. (I haven't a clue how I know this, I must've read it somewhere). But hell, didn't know DDL was dad of Isabel Adjani's baby (or young son as he is married to Rebecca (I can't believe I can't remember her last name!!! and he's a local author!!!! ARGH!!!) MAILER!!!!;) no?

No, Miller. DDL is married to Arthur Miller's daughter. Info courtesy of this month's Playbill. One of the references was to parties where several actors who played the same part were to be found together. "Oklahoma!'s" original Laurie at its opening night party:, DDL accompanying his wife and father-in-law to the opening of "The Crucible" with the mention that he had played the John Proctor role in a film version. Had no idea 'til I read it who DDL's wife was.

This was what imdb has to say: Currently dating actress, Mira Sorvino Brother of Vincent Martinez The French tabloid press hotly pursued Olivier during and after the filming of Hussard sur le toit, Le (1995), speculating on a real romance between him and his co-star, Juliette Binoche; the couple threatened to sue one magazine that reported that Binoche was pregnant. (1998) Living with Juliette Binoche Olivier fought as a welterweight in Europe, taking after his father who had also been a pugilist. His Gallic mother was a secretary and his father worked as a mechanic. Then for Juliette Binoche: (September 1993) Son Rapha�l born. Father is Andre Halle, a professional scuba diver. Had a daughter, Hannah, with French actor Beno�t Magimel in 2000. (1999-present) Her companion is Beno�t Magimel

Well I guess that ends all the speculation...:)

Sorry to sound like an old fart, but . . . do any of these people think about getting married to the people they have babies with?? DDL has kids on 2 continents--as do others I could name.;-) BTW, his wife, Rebecca Miller, is a writer and filmmaker who really does make films--she won the top prize at Sundance this year.

For all your Frenz of the Enz: Neil Finn: IRVING PLAZA Friday, Jul 19 2002 8:00PM

Well, at least the "unnamed others" kept it down to only one! :*)

For all your Frenz of the Enz: Neil Finn: IRVING PLAZA Amy, count me among the frenz. I envy you, no enz. :) An *outstanding* live Finn CD, from a recent Australian show, can be had online at Miles Of Music, along with an ample supply of Ryan Adams, Whiskeytown, Townes VanZandt, and other such artists mentioned lately by people of (ahem!) apparently discerning musical tastes.

Thanks for the info--there is also a website (jane music i think, i'll have to check) where you can download live NF shows etc... (I am always encouraged to hear that NF has this sort of underground popularity--sort of like CF, so I guess it can be related in an abstract sort of way and, they do have the same last initial, so therefore can occasionally be mentioned here? whew...one long sentence!) I feel so guilty! :)

From MOVIELINE June issue No more Tom Cruise for Cold Mountain.... It will star ex-Nicole Kidman, RZ, and Jude Law! Also a "redo of Alfred Hitchcock 's 'Strangers on a Train' with Heath Ledger as the caddish tennis player, and Jude Law the psycho".[ Ed. How many children does JL have;-))] Talking about "good notices about HG and Sandra Bullock's legal comedy in "Two Weeks Notice" [I thought they were still shooting that one ]. "Now comes word that he may costar ,with the brilliant Emma Thompson, in" Love Actually" , which will be the directorial debut of Richard Curtis. ...Grant will play the British prime minister, and if all goes welll, Thompson will play his sister."[ Ed. Doesn't sound like a comedy.But with RC ....]

Evelyn - wasn't there a quote from HG after Sense and Sensibility that he will not ever want to work with Emma Thompson again? From the supreme triviality of TIOBE to the other end of the spectrum - comes this yahoo news bit from Cannes...makes me shudder... Moon - it sounds like this director employed C Nolan's chronology device a la Memento. Cannes VIPs Walk Out on 'Irreversible' Violence Friday May 24 8:36 PM ET Special guests walked out of the official screening of director Gaspar Noe's "Irreversible" at Cannes early on Saturday as the violent and sexually explicit film sent shockwaves through the festival. Following a walkout by audience members at a critics screening on Thursday, guests invited to Friday's gala presentation, screened after midnight as opposed to the usual 8:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m., started leaving within 10 minutes. "It's disturbing and incredibly violent," Todd Rubenstein, an entertainment lawyer from Los Angeles, told Reuters as he left the auditorium. "Not just the graphic violence and the language but the disorienting camera work made my stomach churn." Medics treated a woman after she stumbled out feeling "nauseous," a doorman at the main Lumiere theater said. "It was too aggressive, too violent," said Pascal Gentil, a Tae Kwon Do medallist for France at the Sydney Olympics (news - web sites), as he left with a companion after 15 minutes. "When I see a film like that I find it hard to imagine what people must have inside them that they are able to make such a thing. I found it sickening." Examining a drug-crazed man's violent pursuit of revenge against a twisted pimp he believes is responsible for raping and disfiguring his girlfriend, the film is undeniably shocking and disturbing. The script consists almost entirely of expletives directed against homosexuals and women, and a scene in which Italian actress Monica Bellucci is raped lasts a horrifying 10 minutes. Shown anti-chronologically -- the violent conclusion first followed by sequences taking the viewer back through events -- the film delivers a stomach-churning opening punch set in "Rectum," a sado-masochist gay club. "DON'T LIKE? DON'T GO" Franco-Argentine Noe leapt to the defense of his film at a news conference on Friday saying it was just a movie and people didn't have to see it if they didn't want to. "If people don't want to see it, that's fine. I have walked out of films too. It's not every day that you want to see this kind of thing," Noe, 38, told a packed and sometimes heated news conference. "I have made a film that I like and that is that. If people want to talk about scandal, that is for them." After critics had described the film as "sick," "gratuitous" and "brutal" at the end of Thursday's screening, local newspapers called it the scandal of the festival. National tabloid Aujourd'hui urged readers to boycott the film. But the director, who calls himself "an image fetishist," said the alarm was overblown. One of his actors, Frenchman Vincent Cassel, said Cannes was trying to create a furor. "We have done nothing to create scandal," said Cassel, who is married to Bellucci in real life and plays her boyfriend in the movie. "Cannes has tried to create a scandal because perhaps Cannes needs a scandal." While the director and actors tried calmly to justify the film to the press during the news conference, they said they expected an uneasy reception at the late-night screening. "When you make a movie like this you have to expect a tough response," said Cassel. "If everybody liked it then I would find that really weird." "Irreversible" is one of 22 films competing for the coveted Palme d'Or prize at Cannes.

Benoit Magimel (the father of Juliette Binoche's baby) is very very HOT (she knows how to pick them)! He was in the Piano Player (with Isabelle Huppert) and I think he might have gotten the Best Actor Award at the European Film Awards for that performance. He met JB on the set of Les Enfants du Siecle (Not to be missed -- the stormy relationship between George Sand and Alfred de Musset). JB seems to fall for her co-stars -- she had met Olivier Martinez on the set of Le Hussard sur le toit!

I remember Benoit Magimel as a child star on "La vie est un long fleuve tranquille" (Life is a long, quiet river) which is a satirical comedy about life in Paris suburbia. It follows the lives of two families, one poor and vulgar, the other bourgeois and neat, and their forced meeting when it is discovered that two of their kids were exchanged at birth. Despite having no big name actors and 1st-time directors, the movie was a great hit in France and BM was definitely singled out as one reason why the film worked.

(Minkee) Evelyn - wasn't there a quote from HG after Sense and Sensibility that he will not ever want to work with Emma Thompson again? I never read that; I think they are personal friends.

(Minkee), Moon - it sounds like this director employed C Nolan's chronology device a la Memento. "Cannes has tried to create a scandal because perhaps Cannes needs a scandal." LOL! Cannes has shown very bad taste in recent years with the films the select, this would not surprise me at all. If people are so shocked from those films, then why are they so liberal when it comes to punishing criminals? They are so hypocritical. I think people should be making films that transcend our reality, that gives us hope and sends us on a spiritual voyage. But who is making films like that? Can they even get the funding for it?

Benoit Magimel is very easy on the eyes, Odile. Il est plut�t craquant, non?

http://www.the-movie-times.com/thrsdir/actors.mv?actors+ByAG Interesting web site of actors--sorted by box office, etc. Rupert Everett is on the list, but... :-(

Sounds like fun... ;-D Eric Idle to direct Merchant-Ivory spoof Eric Idle is to direct a film parody of British period dramas. The Remains Of The Piano will star Geoffrey Rush, who shot to fame in the film Shine. Idle's spoof on Merchant-Ivory films will be shot in Toronto this summer. The former Monty Python star told the Toronto Sun: "It's a p**s-take on the genre. "It's got everything a Merchant-Ivory film has: lovely costumes, lovely sets and lovely English acting. "It's all set to go if producer Garth Drabinsky can ever find the final missing million. There's always a million missing in independent film. Somebody said trying to raise money for independent films is like trying to herd dogs."

Doubtful that any of these would involve Colin, but I thought the last bit was interesting: Political intrigue is essential to another new BBC drama about New Labour's rise to power, The Project. The drama revolves around the careers of four political activists, charting New Labour's political dominance and election victory in 1997. The two-parter is written by Leigh Jackson, who scripted Warriors and Other People's Children. It is directed by Peter Kosminsky, whose previous work includes Warriors and Shoot to Kill. The film uses fictional characters who appear within a factual setting, from early days at Labour's Millbank headquarters through to Downing Street. "This film is about idealistic young people who want to help Labour get into power and, ultimately, change things," said Mr Kosminsky. "It is a realistic portrayal of how we got to May 1, 1997, and what happened afterwards." A third political drama is planned called State of Play, Paul Abbott's thriller set in Whitehall about the death of a young intern who was having an affair with a Labour minister. The Key, by Donna Franceschild, will examine the history of socialism and the trade union movement in Scotland over the past century, through the eyes of three generations of a Glasgow family.

Give it up Donna. Talk about running DQ to the ground. Someone please give the girl a case of Dom Perignon and Iranian caviar. ;-)

(Minkee) Evelyn - wasn't there a quote from HG after Sense and Sensibility that he will not ever want to work with Emma Thompson again? (Evelyn)I never read that; I think they are personal friends. When HG was on "Actor's Studio" he was asked about making S&S and his fondness for changing dialogue. Grant says he likes to do a bunch of takes that follow the script, and then a few more in which he messes around with dialogue. I don't remember the exact response to the question on "Actor's Studio" but I think he said Emma was a bit of a queen about her words, and that she didn't like it if he changed things. So maybe if it isn't HER script, he'll be happy to work with her again. But...HG as PM????????????????

So Hugh and Sandra, true love/advertising trick?

Happy Birthday to Rupert Everett! Starting our Gemini countdown. :-)

Who else is/are Gemini(s)...besides me? HA :)

Hollywood's Smart Films Faring Well Wed May 29, 3:51 PM ET By DAVID GERMAIN, AP Movie Writer Brains are accompanying brawn on the big screen this summer. Along with "Spider-Man," "Star Wars" and other mammoth action movies, Hollywood's busy season brings an unusually healthy crop of smarter films for older adults to balance the popcorn flicks aimed mainly at viewers in their teens and 20s. Counter-programming such films during the youth-oriented summer is standard Hollywood practice to keep baby boomers theater-bound. What's different this year is how steadily those films are coming and how well they're clicking with audiences. A major new adult release has arrived each of the last three weekends: the adultery thriller "Unfaithful," starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane; the Hugh Grant romantic comedy "About a Boy"; and the edgy crime drama "Insomnia," with Al Pacino and Robin Williams. Each has scored with adults 25 and older, drawing solid business in a movie market dominated by blockbusters "Spider-Man" and "Star Wars: Episode II � Attack of the Clones." "Insomnia" debuted last weekend with a robust $26.1 million, while "Unfaithful" and "About a Boy" opened well and have held up strongly in subsequent weekends. "There's been room for a lot of different kinds of films that are specifically directed toward different audiences," said Jeff Blake, head of distribution and marketing for Sony, which released "Spider-Man." "It seems like the blockbusters have expanded the market enough to let these other films do quite nicely." Another higher-minded film, an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest," debuted strongly in limited release last weekend. Also coming this summer are "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood," an ensemble women's film featuring Sandra Bullock, Ellen Burstyn, Ashley Judd and Maggie Smith; Nicolas Cage's "Windtalkers," about Navajo code-men during World War II; a new three-hour cut of the beloved Italian film "Cinema Paradiso"; the brainy Sundance Film Festival comedy hit "Tadpole," with Sigourney Weaver; Steven Soderbergh's pseudo-sequel to "sex, lies and videotape," "Full Frontal," featuring Julia Roberts and David Duchovny; and "Road to Perdition," from "American Beauty" director Sam Mendes, a 1930s Irish-American mob tale with Tom Hanks, Paul Newman and Jude Law. "Here's a film that you would normally expect to see toward the end of the year. I'm happy the studio feels confident to let the movie stand on its own two feet in the middle of summer," Mendes said. Steven Spielberg, whose DreamWorks studio backed "American Beauty" and "Road to Perdition," teams with Tom Cruise on "Minority Report," a hybrid of action and ideas. Cruise plays a cop of the future accused of a murder he has yet to commit by a psychic police corps that arrests people before they carry out their crimes. "It's that rarest and best combination � big, summer, popcorn fun � but it's also about something," said Tom Rothman, studio co-chairman for 20th Century Fox, which is distributing "Minority Report" and also released "Unfaithful." Adult-oriented films such as "Unfaithful," "Insomnia" and "About a Boy" rarely rise to blockbuster status. But they are far cheaper to make and market than a $120 million behemoth such as "Spider-Man," so they can become solidly profitable even in a summer crowded with explosive action and dumb comedy. "There's a huge market available for good, solid, adult entertainment," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros., which made "Insomnia." "Good movies rise to the occasion. It's as simple as that."

(Amy), Who else is/are Gemini(s)...besides me? HA :) There are a lot of us here. When is you day, Amy? Happy Birthday to Lucie and Cathey today!

Well Moon, since you asked (thanks ;)...June 17. Who else here, may I ask? I found this posted on an msn board. I don't know how accurate it is but found it disheartening all the same. (Possibly its author is a 'poster' here too?): "I contacted [Empire Online} about lack of new info on TIOBE and look at the strange respone I got. Dear Michele, I'm presuming it's TIOBE you're refering to--the reason it's not on our site at the moment, is that for one thing it comes out much later in the UK (6 September) and the other is that it's an absolutely abysmal film!! As a Firth fan myself, I feel your pain, but I also feel it my duty to warn you of this film's utter direness. Catherine Empire Online"Õ

On http://www.videoeta.com/month_video.html?month=10&year=2002&from=53318 It lists TIOBE for video release in October (along with AAB). Not so far away, really?.

(Amy)...it's an absolutely abysmal film!! As a Firth fan myself, I feel your pain, but I also feel it my duty to warn you of this film's utter direness... I saw that too and thought it was a tad harsh. I mean it has some problems, but really! Is this the tone we should expect from the UK critics? Did you notice on that board also they had written letters to Colin directly in case he reads their posts? They are interesting! Should we all write Oliver Parker or whoever puts together the DVD to make sure they put in as many outtakes and extras with Colin as possible to rectify the egregious error of putting virtually nothing of him in the BJD extras? (That was actually going to be one of my panel comments). Who and where does one write to about that? Anyone, anyone? Happy B-day all Gemini's from a Capricorn!!

(Dorine) Is this the tone we should expect from the UK critics? Expect worse. Catherine is only the online editor for Empire and isn't even a reviewer. Who and where does one write to about that? Anyone, anyone? You can start with your buddy OP in care of Fragile Films 97 Dean Street London W1 England Ultimately though, it will be the same fools who put out the below standard BJD DVD at Miramorons. :-(

And a very happy birthday from me, too. :-)

(Nice work (above) Karen!) Karen--when do they actually put together the dvd? I mean, are they aready created, waiting to be released or later and done via response to the actor(s) and the film?

Gawd, Karen, so there is going to be a whole round of bashing coming from the UK. Oh Boy. This, from another Gemini!!!!!!!

Have a very happy birthday, Lucie and Cathey. Hope your dreams are firthy and your champagne is frothy :-)!

Hope your dreams are firthy and your champagne is frothy :-)! That was vvg, Lora! Lisa, when is your day? Rock on! BTW, it's Marcia's turn tomorrow.