(Elizabeth S) Seriously, it's quite chilling. This is one I cannot just look at for the visual glory of the man himself; I get drawn into the horror every time. But I cannot look away, either. He must have been thrilled to get this part and should be very proud of what he did with it. I have seen this I don't know how many times and continue to be riveted every time I see it. No matter where I come into it, I become mesmorized. Esp by KB...he was truly brilliant. At least I've gotten over the tinge of nausea that used to arise the first few times I saw it. I am still flabbergasted that people actually sat around and had this discussion.

Am very envious of those of you who have HBO2 and got to see Conspiracy. Oh, well, it's coming out fairly soon on DVD, I believe. And I'm looking forward to Valmont on Monday night! (LindaK) Hey, boss-why does Moon get all the good jobs-*whining and gnashing teeth* All we get is a film discussion-sheesh!:) Yeah, Linda, but did Moon get her own personal toast from MD? Huh? ;-D (EmmaB) "We were actually supposed to do a movie about Sylvia Plath but it sort of fell apart," says Danner. Noooooooooooooooo!!!! I wonder what happened. I'd love for your Pollyanna hopes to be correct, Jeanie, but somehow I fear there will be no joy in Firthville....... (Karen) I'll have to get my DVD out and check out the zoom function for the junkyard scene. I'll be curious to hear your report, because from a distance the abs appear to be worth a closer look!

I dunno where the*&^ this belongs..but since we're talking about Sylvia Plath....(Hope this wasn't posted before...first time for me) From a June 16 interview In The Observer with Alan Yentob: "To crown recent honours, BBC Films has just secured Gwyneth Paltrow to play Sylvia Plath in a new feature film and Yentob, along with colleagues, is busily looking about for an appropriate star to play Ted Hughes. 'He has to be a life force. Tall and young,' Yentob says, adding that he lunched with his friend, Matthew Evans, the chairman of Faber and Faber, and Hughes on the day the then poet laureate handed over his precious Birthday Letters for publication." Whole interview. http://www.observer.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,738167,00.html Sounds like a done deal to me, if they've got Gwynnie.

Could be that it was only the Blythe Danner part that "fell through." We shall see. an appropriate star to play Ted Hughes. 'He has to be a life force. Tall and young,' Yentob says Hmmmmmmm. OK, we got 'tall.' (Elizabeth) He must have been thrilled to get this part and should be very proud of what he did with it. I believe he made a comment to that effect at the Italian Cultural Inst, and in getting an Emmy nom, I expect that pleased him. (Dorine) Esp by KB...he was truly brilliant. I thought he overacted the part and preferred the guy who played Heydrich in the German-Austrian production of the same. Now, that guy was believable. But somebody had to be down at Tucci's level. ;-D

(Rika about Conspiracy) , it's coming out fairly soon on DVD, I believe. Actually, it is already out. I rented it a couple of months ago from my local Box Office Video. Happy hunting!

Run Colin Run! I guess you know where my eyes went first I confess too... Why that L-movie is so horrible that you can`t even watch it? Is it the plot? Or the actors? Or just everything?

What plot? Embarassing dialogue.He phoned the role in. On positive side: Good views of London

an appropriate star to play Ted Hughes. 'He has to be a life force. Tall and young,' Yentob says (Karen) Hmmmmmmm. OK, we got 'tall.' And 'a life force.' But....

(Rika)Yeah, Linda, but did Moon get her own personal toast from MD? Huh? No, I must admit she did not. Thank you, Rika, for bringing my feet back to the ground. Ok, I'll settle for being Moon's assistant. You know, sitting in the back of the Limo with Colin while she does the driving. After all, she's more familiar with the roads. (Karen)Hey, Linda, you get yourself over to L. Maggiore and we'll make some assignments I leave tonight. Fax me the assingments, however the one I just mentioned is fine with me. I'll even help her with the luggage-unless of course Colin needs the assistant(me) for other things.

(odessa) Why that L-movie is so horrible that you can`t even watch it? Is it the plot? Or the actors? Or just everything? You can read all about it, in excrutiating detail, on Topic 126. I'm getting out my clipboard and working up a schedule/assignments, Linda. Remember, pack light. ;-D

(Rika about Conspiracy) , it's coming out fairly soon on DVD, I believe. (Odile) Actually, it is already out. I rented it a couple of months ago from my local Box Office Video. Happy hunting! I just pre-ordered the DVD from Amazon.com which says it's not released until Sept 3. The video store had an advance copy just for renting? an appropriate star to play Ted Hughes. 'He has to be a life force. Tall and young,' Yentob says (Karen) Hmmmmmmm. OK, we got 'tall.' (Rika) And 'a life force.' But.... OK, wait a minute! What's this hesitation I hear....he hasn't broken out the walker yet! ;-D (And when he does, my assignment will be as the therapist who teaches him how to use it. ;-)) (Karen) I thought he overacted the part and preferred the guy who played Heydrich in the German-Austrian production of the same. Now, that guy was believable. As I haven't that reference, I can't compare. Funny, I actually thought he was understated and intense and I was completely riveted by him irregardless. I thought Tucci was bland, though, which surprised me. Not a Tucci fan, Karen?

(Dorine) Funny, I actually thought he was understated and intense To me, it looked like he was trying too hard to be menacing, whereas the other guy was "just in charge" and "chilling." Plus he was taller. ;-D But one thing you should be glad of, in the other production Stuckart was rather buffoonish. The guy had a cold and was blowing his nose all the time. We have a copy of that subtitled tape out there somewhere. Evelyn might know who has it now. Not a Tucci fan, Karen? He didn't do it for me as Frank Nitti either. ;-)

Oh yeah, the Conspiracy DVD came out in March. The VHS tape that came out then was at "rental" prices, and the sell-through tapes can now be preordered for September release. BTW, the DVD does not have a director's commentary it will say. I read in the LA Times that it was in error.

(Linda) Ok, I'll settle for being Moon's assistant. You know, sitting in the back of the Limo with Colin while she does the driving. After all, she's more familiar with the roads. Ooh, is there room back there for one more? I'll bring the champagne. Please? (Karen) Oh yeah, the Conspiracy DVD came out in March. The VHS tape that came out then was at "rental" prices, and the sell-through tapes can now be preordered for September release. Hmmmm..... Amazon shows both the DVD and the VHS versions as scheduled for September release. Could the DVD have been released initially at a "rental price" too, perhaps?

(Dorine) OK, wait a minute! What's this hesitation I hear....he hasn't broken out the walker yet! ;-D (And when he does, my assignment will be as the therapist who teaches him how to use it. ;-)) Heh, the heck you say! Untold thousands of little blue-haired ladies are waiting with bated breath for that assisgnment, missy! So, take a ticket, take a seat! Besides... I'm the one with the ugly orthopedic shoes. =P

From my online EW Newsletter: By Derek Elley LONDON (Variety) - Twenty-one world premieres, including Neil LaBute's "Possession" with Gwyneth Paltrow, and Samantha Lang's "The Idol" with Leelee Sobieski, are set for the main sections of this year's Locarno (Switzerland) Intl. Film Festival, which announced its lineup in Bern Wednesday. The 55th edition of the Swiss-Italian lakeside event, which unspools Aug. 1-11, opens with the international premiere of Oliver Parker's "The Importance of Being Earnest," starring Colin Firth and Rupert Everett, and closes with LaBute's romantic drama, based on A.S. Byatt's novel. "Earnest" and "Possession" will unspool in the town's Piazza Grande outdoor theater, which seats some 7,000 people. Unusually, this year's opener won't start until midnight, as Aug. 1 is Swiss National Day and there will be a traditional fireworks display by the lake from 10:30-11:30 p.m If Colin's there, and I'm in the backseat of Moon's Limo you can bet there will be plenty of fireworks! (Rika)Ooh, is there room back there for one more? I'll bring the champagne. Please? Rika, Rika, Rika- of course there's room for you, honey. How many more MD toasts are you willing to send me?;-) (Dorine) OK, wait a minute! What's this hesitation I hear....he hasn't broken out the walker yet! ;-D (And when he does, my assignment will be as the therapist who teaches him how to use it. ;-)) I know, can you beleive it! After how young and yummy he looked in TIOBE and BJD. Well, forget the "old" assingment. Think positive like Rika and me and join us in the back seat assignment. Then we can give a full report on the age question. Maybe he will need that walker when we're through. I'm packed as light as can be boss. Ready when you are.

(LindaK) Rika, Rika, Rika- of course there's room for you, honey. How many more MD toasts are you willing to send me?;-) Ah, so bribery will yield results, eh? We've covered all of the MD-with-wine-glass scenes, but perhaps this will do. It comes from my personal-fave scene from the movie (he's adorable when he flirts):

Oh my oh my...Rika I am logged in so I must share my appreciation for the finer things in life. And one of those is definietely CF as MD, with just a hint of a smile as he appreciates the quirky qualities of BJ.

Evelyn thanks for information on Armadillo. Will definitely watch it as you made it sound so good. Conspiracy: I usually do not like movies like this but was drawn to it because of CF. Thought he did really well and deserved Emmy nod. KB was exceptionally good and definitely deserved the win. He was just as his character should be and again I say exceptional. Read where he said roll took a real toll on him and would never do another like it again. He was perfection. Tucci did down play a bit I think, but alot of his character he chose to do through expressions. As calm and low key as he seems, watch his eyes. They are full of hate and fire. Look at his expression when he's driving out the gate at the end and also when he's privately telling KB about his physical reaction after viewing the gassing victims. He's definitely a sick human being. Words aren't necessary when you have a look like that about you. CF's character would be wordy and aristocratic as he was not military but legal so had to show contrast which he did exceptionally well. As I said before I don't usually like movies like this because I find the subject so devastatingly offensive to humanity but the acting of everyone was so exceptional that I've watched it several times. Even my kids were surprised that I watched it so much, knowing my tastes. A job well done by all concerned.

UK Premiere of TIOBE This may be old news,(I've been on holiday for a few weeks), but the UK Premiere of TIOBE is being held on 17 August during the Edinburgh Internatinal Film Festival, with a Masterclass hosted by Oliver Parker following the showing of the film. -No details yet of any of the stars making an appearance. - I've booked my tickets !!!

Just in from JaneC in Australia, we've talked about this Richard Curtis film here before, either here on 162 or on 160, but I didn't get the impression that this was an ensemble piece with 10 interwoven storylines a la Altman. From Weekend Australian (Sat 20 July) "Firth Principles": "Firth's next project is Richard Curtis's "Love Actually". Featuring a stellar cast including Grant (sic, no further info) Emma Thompson and Liam Neeson, it is a series of interwoven pieces examining that slippery emotion called love. Firth plays a man who discovers his girlfriend has been having an affair, and promptly flees to France, where he embarks on a relationship with a woman who doesn't speak English. "My piece is about two people falling in love who don't share a language," he explains. No doubt according to Firth's own convoluted philosophy, they will communicate all the better for it." [Ed note: Despite the cuckold setup, I think we can all look forward to those scenes where they fall in love without speaking the same language. ;-)))] Jane's brief search of web revealed: From IMDb News on Hugh Grant: As well as the Bullock film, later in the year he'll be making a cameo appearance in another Richard Curtis film, tentatively called Love, Actually. "It's not all sealed yet, but it's basically a series of stories about different people and their interweaving love stories. And I've been asked to play the Prime Minister, and Emma Thompson is also in it, playing the PM's sister - the first time we've worked together since Sense and Sensibility. I emphasise that it will be a cameo - I only really try to do one film a year". From Brit Bulletin: Government Grant Film writer Richard Curtis, whose credits include Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral, will make his directorial debut in another Hugh Grant vehicle, Love Actually, set to start production in September. Grant will portray a young British prime minister who falls in love on his first day in office with 10 Downing Street's tea lady. Following ten separate storylines, Love Actually will cover a two-month period leading up to a climactic Christmas Eve.

(Pam)Tucci did down play a bit I think, but alot of his character he chose to do through expressions. As calm and low key as he seems, watch his eyes Lt. Col. Eichman (Tucci) was General Heydrich's (KB) Executive Secretary (aka aide-de-camp).In this position at a conference Lt. Col's seldom play dominant roles. Of course, Eichman was a nefarious , evil person as history shows. But at Wannsee he was just the note-taker; who knew this was a done deal before it all started.In this light I thought he played the role well. Did he deserve an Emmy nod...no. KB propelled the whole production, IMO. ODB played the best role in a long time. Far too short, though.

Thanks Karen and Jane C for the scoop. Whoopee!! Will not have drought this fall after all:-))) Even though it will be small role in another rom-com, he's in good company....ET & HG. RC "directorial debut" wonder if he's the writer too (gifted guy!) " where he[CF] embarks on a relationship with a woman who doesn't speak English. " Yum... I hope it's Irene Jacob .

Who says it will be a small role? Sounds to me like an ensemble cast, fairly equal, an Altmanesque structure. But I do hope it is NOT Irene Jacob again. Puhleez, there are many other French actresses out there...and not Juliette Binoche either. ;-D OK, am slowly but surely resurrecting all the reportage we had of this project from various topics: From Empire: Exclusive: Hugh's Date With Blair 15/03/2002 As if Tony Blair didn�t have enough problems, now he's got a new Hugh Grant film to worry about. Grant will take the part of the Prime Minister in a new comedy penned by � surprise! - Richard Curtis. According to Grant, who said shooting would begin this autumn, Curtis will also direct the still-unnamed project. Grant, who is in New York filming his next rom-com with Sandra Bullock, spilled the beans during a taping session for US TV series Inside the Actors� Studio. 'To my horror,' he deadpanned, '[the script] was really good, which means I�ll have to do it.' Presuming that what he said during the show, which is only screened in the US, wouldn't get back to Blightly, Grant was fairly harsh on his homeland when the show's host asked why English humour was so 'sublime'. 'You�ve got to have something to be funny against...the average English person is in an agony of embarrassment 24 hours a day. It's the awfulness of being English,' he joked. The session ended with a personality-based round of questions during which Grant revealed that he hopes God is a luvvie. Asked if he did eventually make it to the Pearly Gates, what he would want to hear from the Supreme Being, Grant replied; 'Fabulous, darling!'

(Karen) Who says it will be a small role? Sounds to me like an ensemble cast, fairly equal, an Altmanesque structure. But I do hope it is NOT Irene Jacob again. Puhleez, there are many other French actresses out there...and not Juliette Binoche either. ;-D" We-El what I mean't was that if there are many stories, each character only gets a small part of the whole.Not like a co-starring role. Hey, I like IJ; they have terrific chemistry .[Hmmm forgot about JB..she would do]Who do you want maybe KST speaking French? RC wouldn't hire an unknown French actress for an ensemble:-D

Oooops, sorry .... off to the salt mines I'll go.

got to close those tags. :) Think younger French actresses...but you probably don't get those films. :-( Almost sounds like a Love Boat episode to me. ;-D This was posted on 160, from ScreenDaily: Working Title, DNA team on Curtis comedy Adam Minns in London 19 March 2002 19:07 Working Title Films and National Lottery franchise DNA Films have teamed to produce leading UK writer Richard Curtis' directing debut, a romantic comedy in which Hugh Grant is to play the British prime minister. Grant is in talks to play a bachelor PM who falls in love on his first day in office with the girl who brings him his tea. Emma Thompson is also understood to be in talks to star in the film, which has the working title of Love Actually. The film interweaves ten separate stories about Londoners looking for love in the run-up to Christmas, climaxing on Christmas Eve. Shooting is scheduled for the autumn. "I know Richard will make an excellent front-seat director!" said producer and DNA Films co-chief Duncan Kenworthy. "And with 20 leading roles in the film, it will be exciting to work with a really wide range of talented British actors." Having first teamed with Curtis on Four Weddings And A Funeral, Kenworthy went on to produce Curtis' Notting Hill, also with Hugh Grant, outside DNA. The franchise takes an in association credit on Love Actually, but is not investing in the production. Working Title co-chiefs Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are also producing, making this their sixth film with Curtis. Along with Notting Hill and Four Weddings, Working Title collaborated with Curtis on Bean, The Tall Guy and Bridget Jones's Diary. "We are excited about Richard channelling his comic brilliance into directing the same way he does into scripts," said Bevan. "Let's hope there's fun in store," added Curtis.

Thanks for the news, Jane, and for posting, Karen! Good Lord! The fleeing cuckold, yet again? Once again, I propose the question of, "Who the heck would cheat on him?".. (sigh). .Ok, I feel much better now, thank you for letting me vent. =) I'm just patiently waiting for a script that has him fleeing from a broken relationship to Nashville, where he embarks upon a country music career and falls in love with a fiery little redheaded songwriter with such a thick drawl that she might as well be speaking a foreign language. (giggling)

LOL! Yes, I can see him with his guitar singing Lady Come Down... OK, I think I've managed to resurrect all the items that had been posted on Drool about this movie from the O&E and BJD topics. Bethan had posted on the previous Colin topic in April about a blurb in the Daily Mail. More of same preliminary info from THR: Curtis' romancer 'Love' booked as DNA evidence Mar. 21, 2002 By Stuart Kemp LONDON -- DNA Films, the U.K. lottery-funded franchise, sealed a deal Wednesday with U.K.-based Working Title Films to produce writer Richard Curtis' directorial debut, "Love Actually." The film will be fully financed by Universal Pictures and France's Canal Plus through Working Title's production deal with the companies. The finished film will be distributed worldwide by Universal. Curtis, who penned "Notting Hill," also is writing "Love," set to shoot later this year. There is no budget in place until casting is completed. According to the producers, Hugh Grant is in discussions to play a bachelor British prime minister who falls in love on his first day in office with the woman who brings him his tea. Set in contemporary London in the two months before Christmas, it aims to weave together a series of romances in the run-up to the holidays. DNA Films--headed by Duncan Kenworthy ("Notting Hill") and Andrew Macdonald ("28 Days Later")--will produce the film in association with Working Title, with Kenworthy and Working Title co-chairmen Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner taking producer credits. The project reunites Kenworthy and Curtis. Kenworthy produced "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Notting Hill," both written by Curtis and both starring Grant, with Working Title taking executive producer roles on the titles. Curtis also penned "The Tall Guy," "Bean" and "Bridget Jones's Diary" for Working Title.

20 starring roles, huh? Then I think it's a sure bet that we're going to be whining non-stop about ODB's insufficient screen time when this comes out. And probably also wailing plaintively about how HG is getting all the media attention. But on the positive side, there's not a Gidget clone or a bongo drum in sight, and it sounds like a fairly high-profile project, so perhaps we'll be able to find it in theaters without engaging in lengthy cross-country treks while humming "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Thanks, Karen and others, for posting all the scoop!

*clapclap* News! Yippee! Thanks for the scoop, Jane & Karen. Don't care if it sounds like a Love Boat episode, as long as it's high profile and aimed at a slightly more mature audience than AG. ;-) The finished film will be distributed worldwide by Universal. Goody. Is anyone else getting a bit tired of the HG-RC connection? Hmmm, has anyone noticed if HG and RC have ever been seen together in the same room? :-D Conspiracy. I finally get to see it. (ElizabethS) Immediately preceded by a bit of the goat formerly known as MB...how ironic. ROTF! *bleatbleat*

Am checking Gavin MacLeod's websites to see if he's going to be the captain of cross-channel ferry boat. ;-D

Stoppit! Besides, Lauren Tewes can't be in it--is on total disability due to loss of her nasal septum and Gopher is busy in Congress (I think). :-P

(Eileen) Is anyone else getting a bit tired of the HG-RC connection? (Heavy sigh).... I tend to doubt that anyone is not getting tired of it. I've seen junior high school couples that weren't this inseparable. Hmmm, has anyone noticed if HG and RC have ever been seen together in the same room? :-D AHA! And all that floppy hair is just a clever disguise.

"And with 20 leading roles in the film, it will be exciting to work with a really wide range of talented British actors." Blackadder II ;-D Agree with Eileen. This is definitely a step up from the previous two. Maybe three... Working Title goes all out for their films.I know, boss...you're just not looking forward to working with their favorite publicist;-((( (Eileen) Is anyone else getting a bit tired of the HG-RC connection? HG+RC=$$$$$$$

(Eileen) Gopher is busy in Congress (I think). He retired from Congress and is a lobbyist or something. I'm sure he could take time for a side job ;-D V.v. exciting news! Yes, it will be nice to see him in something significantly higher profile. I don't care for the most part about the HG-RC connection as long as ODB gets some decent screentime (even with 20 roles) or at least one of the more interesting stories. Even though HG is in it and RC will write him what he thinks will be the juiciest part possibly, doesn't mean that a story about 2 people getting together with a language barrier won't be more interesting to the masses. And funnier if played right. It actually sounds like it could be rather biographical for ODB. Not really sure what LD's command of English was at that time.

*turning over new leaf, projecting positive attitude* At least it looks like Colin would be the focus of his storyline, albeit the story of a cuckold again. (Can we say Hope Springs???) He's not supporting anyone else, which is a big step up. I'm wondering how this got passed LD though. Seems to me that the non-language portions of the story might involve "Braille," as Lisa so aptly describes it in UMS. ;-D Now, this is something I can support whole-heartedly!

(Dorine, about Gopher) He retired from Congress and is a lobbyist or something. I'm sure he could take time for a side job ;-D He was CEO of Goodwill Industries for a while, and, yes, I read he was currently with an organization lobbying on behalf of non-profits. Evidently he still does a little acting on the side from time to time (Arena Stage here in DC). (Karen) *turning over new leaf, projecting positive attitude* Oh, boss, we're so proud of you! At least it looks like Colin would be the focus of his storyline, albeit the story of a cuckold again. (Can we say Hope Springs???) And, like HS, a cuckold leaving home for a new country to get over the pain. But I don't mind that, as long as he finds love in the end. In the meantime, his character will be sad and vulnerable for a while, which means he'll melt a lot of hearts.

Great news, actually! I'm all for more RC films. And I even like the Gnat! I can't wait to see the cast list for this one. I've wanted ODB to work with Emma T. so I hope they have scenes together. Could she possibly be the one cheating on him? She's insane, I tell you!!!! Who could the other man be? Jeremy Northam? Clive Owen? Jonathan Firth? Gah! I know few French actresses so am already picturing the Amelie girl. Actually, they could get anyone to fake it. Parlez-vous francais?

(CF)"My piece is about two people falling in love who don't share a language," (Karen)Seems to me that the non-language portions of the story might involve "Braille," Exactly! If they can't TALK, there must be some ACTION!?!?!?!?!?! Of course, in Love Boat the action was generally implied or discussed later, but one can always hope for more than implications--er, make that "wish."

(Bryonny)Parlez-vous francais? Oui! I aced French in high school. Wonder where I should send the transcript?

Hi Everyone, Just popped in to say that I only read today in this week's Heat magazine that Martine McCutcheon is to play Hugh Grant's cleaning lady. In the film Hugh plays a bachelor Prime Minister who falls for the woman employed to keep his house spick and span. Emma Thompson plays the PM's sister. The article in entiled "Cor Blimey, Martine's a cleaning lady!. (can type the whole article if you want me to. BTW Janet re the UK TIOBE Premiere, where exactly does one apply for tickets. amy info would be much appreciated.

Ann, if you could type the relevant portions, I'll add it to the Bucket page which I've just started with all these earlier news items. That TIOBE premiere is just up at Edinburgh, as they did last year for Enigma. But there will be a *real* premiere in Leicester Sq closer to the film's opening date.

Hey, I liked Love Boat!!! This is great news, thanks Karen and Jane. Maybe ODB is tired of being the ideal man and by being jilted, twice now, so it seems, is hoping to shake that personna. Never will happen of course, but maybe he thinks that. Odd that his segment has the same plot as HS. Maybe they cast him intentionally because of that. Universal! Thank God. With a cast like this it will be high profile. At last, it's about time. Now if they start filming in September will that mean he won't be able to do publicity for HS? I hope not. Was looking forward to that. Maybe DW plans to do some shopping in Paris so is allowing the role.

Karen, Thanks for the information re the UK Premiere, I thought it was funny because I had heard that it was to be on the 4th Sept. Here is the whole article as it is not very long (from Heat Magazine 20-26th July) "Cor blimey, Martine's a cleaning lady!" Actress wins role as Hugh Grants's leading lady. Things have been az bit quiet on the Martine McCutcheon front since her spell in the West End's My Fair Lady. And Heat can exclusively reveal that times are now so tough for the former soap star that she has been forced to become a cleaning lady. Oh. OK, its for a role. Lucky Martine has scooped a part opposite HG in Richard Four Weddings and a Funeral Curtis directorial debut. In the film, which is called Love Actually Hugh plays a bachelor Prime Minister who falls for the woman employed to keep his house spick and span and cook his meals - and that's Martine. Emma Thompson also stars, as the PM's sister. The film is an ensemble piece featuring more than 80 actors, with several overlapping storylines running at once. The good news for Martine is that this means her part is just as big and important as Hugh and Emma's. Filming starts in September so Martine will probably be spending the rest of the summer practising her Franch polishing and familiarising her elf with phrases like, "Mind my nice clean floor!" and "Fancy a cuppa, Mr. Prime minister, sir?" Good on yer gel." The article is accompanied by a picture of Martine in hair rollers clutching a bucket and mop.

Thanks Ann "The film is an ensemble piece featuring more than 80 actors" 80 actors???I just changed my mind: "GladiatorII". Sounds like a David MacLean production.

"The film is an ensemble piece featuring more than 80 actors, " The numbers do mount up, don't they? 20 leading roles, 80 actors.... Even with moderate salaries, this project sounds like it's going to be expensive.

(Karen) But there will be a *real* premiere in Leicester Sq closer to the film's opening date. Ah, a chance for LD to acquire some new footwear... (Rika) Even with moderate salaries, this project sounds like it's going to be expensive. But perhaps Huge Rant will lower his requirements as a gesture of goodwill. Feeling cynical today? Not me! ;)

(Bryonny)Actually, they could get anyone to fake it. Parlez-vous francais? Oh Monsieur, encore et encore....juste comme cela...OH Monsieur.... I'm getting into l'humeur, que pensez-vous? (A little high school French and some babelfish.com and I'm there....)

(Elizabeth S) But perhaps Huge Rant will lower his requirements as a gesture of goodwill. Yeah, I'm sure that'll happen. (Loved CF's comment in one interview that he wished his fee were as large as HG's per diem.)

Question: Why is it felt HG in the prime actor in this thing? Surely he isn't the only money maker. Is it possible at the time of this article all the actors weren't signed yet? So they couldn't really advertise the others in it. I'm sure it would add hype if they added CF to it. HG says he's only doing a Cameo anyway, so why is he the front man? Jeanie I have a job for your son. Have him watch BJD and count how many times, not including the bunny outfit that CF's eyes drop down on RZ. After reading all the comments from everyone for several weeks now I watch these movies with different goals in mind each time. Today I was amazed at how many eye drops happened in BJD that I never noticed before, far more than P&P and very very obvious too. Me thinks HWMBA is a breast man. Almost in every single scene he's in. How I never noticed it before I don't know. Also I think he and RZ had a dimples contest going. Noticed hers are quite evident too.

(Pam) Have him watch BJD and count how many times, not including the bunny outfit that CF's eyes drop down on RZ. I'll get him started; check out the bit on the stair when she opens the door after wrestling with the Cuisinart. An argument could be made that he's eyeing the mess on her apron, although I'd be the first one to resist it.

Wow, I'm away one day and look what happens. I was thrilled to find the piece on the Locarno FF and now this. Finally, something high profile. Looks like HG will remain the media darling for this. Oh well, the price we pay for profile. Positive sign that ODB is becoming a little more aggressive-two films back to back and no vacation in Italy? (Yeah I know but the location is close to home.-Give him time, just give him time.)

Didn't I read at the beginning of this thread or at the other topic where this all began that HG stated "Dahlings, I'm only doing one film a year and my role on LA is stictly a cameo...."???? If I didn't halluncinate, then we won't have to worry about a fight breaking out, a Greek birthday being ruined or any animosity resulting in shattered glass and first aid requirements. BTW...would be most interested in the results of the information collected by Jeanie's son....now I'm off to learn French. How hard can it be?

very happy to hear about the Richard Curtis film, thanks for the news. hmm... french actresses, what about Sophie Marceau?

HWMBA?? I've been trying to work this out without success!! BTW I, too, think he is a breast man. As well as previous observations already mentioned, at the VH1 Cast party, he 'remembers with great joy' filming the song after the girls had left the set, with a rather well endowed stand in!!!

Jane, "HWMBA" is "He Who Must Be Adored", or "He Who Must" for short! (grinning) Oh, goody, another project for "Mr. Raging Hormones", aka Sam, my sixteen-year-old son. (laughing) Ok, I'll tell him of your proposal, and he'll, I'm sure, do a thorough analysis and have the results/tally soon. =D

(Pam) Why is it felt HG in the prime actor in this thing?...Is it possible at the time of this article all the actors weren't signed yet? Because HG has *the* name and is bankable. You sign him, then the money to finance the film comes rolling in. He is considered key. Naturally, when they get closer to production, there will be a more detailed press release with the names of other cast, many of whom may still not have been signed to appear. Casting may still not be completed. Me thinks HWMBA is a breast man. But we don't know how many times MD watched the firepole sequence. ;-D (Dale) what about Sophie Marceau? Love her, but I was thinking younger (slap me!!) (Janet) at the VH1 Cast party, he 'remembers with great joy' filming the song after the girls had left the set, with a rather well endowed stand in!!! Excellent! Yes, he demo'd that one and pointed to where the signs for G and C were, with a chuckle.

Yes, Jeanie, let us know the final tally; it takes a boy to catch all the downward glances in this department, I guess. Although, you know, the man is 6'1" and RZ is a little tiny thing. He HAS to look down just to see the top of her head!! :) BTW, Jeanie, aren't you in Nashville? I live in So. Kentucky; we'll have to try to put together a contingent to go to HS, a la the ladies in Minkeeland. It takes FOREVER for HWMBDO's (HWMB Drooled Over, or On as the case may be ;) ) films to make it here in the wilderness. Oh, the acronyms are getting lengthier & lengthier...

Oh, Rika, BTW- I got so involved in reading about Colin's new role-I forgot to thank you for the payment eh, picture I mean. Yes, your bribe was accepted-climb in (Karen)But we don't know how many times MD watched the firepole sequence. LOL-About as many times as I watch the shower scene in PM.

Thank you Elizabeth and Jeanie for up-coming tallies. Agreed RZ is shorter, but not that much shorter to misinterpert glances and there are several in BJD I never paid attention to before. Also at his parents 40th anniversary, compliments of the dress too, his eyes are just about glued there. Every time we watch the movie I tell my kids Bridget makes the (oh God I forgot her name) lawyer look like a boy. And I laugh out loud when she's in the bunny outfit and both Mark and his father are sighing and gazing at her when the lawyer says there's no accounting for what some men may find attractive. RZ really is so cute in this part and does it so well. Was hysterical with the VH-1 comment on the eye-line for the song. He had no problem recalling exact details and positioning whereas, not surprisingly, RE did. But bet definitely RE could name the behind! I'd say he watched the pole seen many, many times. I don't think there was much about her that didn't appeal to him. I know my boys like the pole scene and keep replaying it. So must reiterate point that he definitely is a breast man. Appears DW is adequately endowed, but can't really tell. You girls who met her can comment better on that. For those of you not already doing so, please give yourself a treat and go to Fan Fiction. The joint is jumping!!! Thanks to Karen and a wonderful story which I'm sure you'll enjoy. Respondees are all fired up. Come and join us. Been thinking it over and for logical reasons he must be free to do press for HS. He's the male lead, actually the only male well-known in the cast and the story is about him, so would not make sense for him not to do it. They couldn't pitch the movie otherwise, so will relax and just impatiently wait.

I see I need to have a Sunday afternoon screening of BJD to confirm these, er, glances (twist my arm, NOT!). BTW, TIOBE finally made it to my neck of the woods, and I was thoroughly charmed. Although, more screenings will be necessary, as ODB was so distractingly handsome, I barely noticed that there were other cast members. LOVED he & Rupie's bickering--hilarious! Only a couple of blue hairs in sight, the rest were 30-40 somethings, and there were TWO teenage girls in attendance!! They seemed to enjoy it v. much, indeed! Total attendance, about 30, which, in a small So. Kentucky city, amazes me to no end. Ditto what FanPam said about Fan Fic--Karen's posting a story to stir things up quite a bit!!

TIOBE is only in one theater in the entire area, way far north of me...although is doable, especially if drop in on sister for dinner or similar. Thank you, Ann, for typing up the entire Heat item. Why would there be a pic of Martine with mops when they haven't even started shooting yet? Could you tell if it was from something else? Obviously not My Fair Lady, but???? Have no fear, Colin will be doing press for HS, whenever they finally figure it will be released.

TIOBE has managed to hang around in the same theaters here for another week. Looks like I'll have to hang in there too. (Karen)although is doable, especially if drop in on sister for dinner or similar Doable, and worth it.(IMHO)-of course.

Hi! Just reporting in with TIOBE theater reports. I live abouts in Columbia, Mo (about two hours away from Kansas City and St. Louis) where it just opened three days ago, and closes on the 24th. I went on a Friday night and the house was full, although it only seats about 75. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, and after ease-dropping on the three rows in front of me, I discovered many closet Firthettes. Also saw in my copy of Seventeen that Reese is up for a Teen Choice award for Best Actress in a Comedy for TIOBE. I doubt she'll win, but it was nice to see her nominated.

(moonstar) BTW, TIOBE finally made it to my neck of the woods...a small So. Kentucky city Moonstar, which small So. KY city? My mom is from a *very* small one south of Somerset (south enough to almost be TN.) I get down there once a year or so, Hope Springs (and some family-treeing---yeah, that's the ticket, that would be the reason) would be good reason to get down there (from Indpls.)

(Bryonny)Who could the other man be? Jeremy Northam? Clive Owen? Jonathan Firth? Gah! Perhaps one of the Feinnes boys? NO!!!

Alert for Persons in Minkeeland!!! VCRs at the Ready!!! I've been told that Donovan Quick will be shown again on Tuesday, July 30. I don't have a time and can't checked online because your ABC only has programming up for a week, but I'll check with my source for the air time.

(moonstar) BTW, Jeanie, aren't you in Nashville? I live in So. Kentucky; we'll have to try to put together a contingent to go to HS, a la the ladies in Minkeeland. It takes FOREVER for HWMBDO's (HWMB Drooled Over, or On as the case may be ;) ) films to make it here in the wilderness. Oh, OHHHH.. I have a friend! I can finally stop whining. (laughing) Yes, definitely, let's get together and go see Hope Springs on opening day, ok? Barb, you make the effort to come, too, please ma'am. Although, I'm not sure if I'll be able to comment much about it, afterwards. I found HWM's screen presence in TIOBE, especially since he was in the majority of the scenes, extremely.. I dunno... diverting. LOL! It took the second trip to finally really follow the plot twists that well. So, which Southern Kentucky town, eh? (Glasgow, Scottsville, Hopkinsville, Franklin?) My mother grew up in Franklin. That's where my parents were married! (smiling) Can't wait! =)

I've been told that Donovan Quick will be shown again on Tuesday, July 30. GG, my heart stopped at this news flash. My oh my, must program the channels into the new VCR today.....

Just checked on line at the ABC site, they have TV programs through Monday the 29th up today, so perhaps tomorrow they will have the 30th up for viewing.

Yes, I expect so. But better get the news on the bush telegraph so no one will be complaining on 31 July that they missed it AGAIN!! ;-D

Exciting news indeed. Could ease the distribution obstacles and open DQ up for a future discussion, too. I saw a strong trend towards it in the recent process.

3am Girls report in Surveillance today: "Colin Firth at Winchester train station... " http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/

Just watched Valmont on AMC. I was curious to see what the intro person would say about the film. Well, AMC has this new cheesy wraparound feature called "Grrl [sic] Genius at the Movies" hosted by some young thing who is clearly not a genius, even if she did drool over Colin. First, the intro said that there were several good things about this movie, including a leading man in tight pants. But the breeches really weren't all that tight, and the jackets were very long. :-( Trivia: according to the credits, the costumes were made by an Italian costume shop ;-D Then the resident grrl genius [are you gagging yet?] talked about Annette Benning as a "girl genius" and how good she was in the movie. Then the hostess said, "But the most delicious bon-bon in this film is Colin Firth." [brief flash of genius] "He consistently makes the 'sexiest' list in People Magazine and in my heart." [not so genius, was one of People's most beautiful, not People's sexiest] More banal comments in the break in the middle. Then at the end, the hostess said that Colin kept loosing wives in movies, and that such a plot was as unrealistic as aliens taking over the planet [THAT comment I loved]. Then she went on to give examples of Colin's loss of spouses to both Fiennes brothers, as well as to Hugh Grant. Huh? Who wrote this stuff? I had hoped for a better wraparound for this movie than "Grrl Genius." The only explanation I can find for putting this feature around Valmont is to attract a younger audience for CF, in anticipation of AG. I do not think the nursing home crowd wants to see a flaky grrl genius. (I know I didn't, and I'm not using a walker yet.)

Kate, I just finished watching Valmont, too. "Clueless Goes To The Movies".. LOL... (Kate)Then at the end, the hostess said that Colin kept loosing wives in movies, and that such a plot was as unrealistic as aliens taking over the planet [THAT comment I loved] Can't help but wonder if "Like, O'M'GAWD, AS IF! Grrl Genius" has been a lurker around here, or, at least, her "writer", who, obviously, is confused. Losing a wife to Hugh Grant, yeah.. sure.. ok....

the most delicious bon-bon... Hmmm. I like that analogy. Probably drives him nuts though. Or maybe hazelnuts? ;)

Hey, I loved that "delicious bon-bon" comment. Showed what excellent taste she had. She opened by saying she preferred this version to DL where they all wore hideous wigs. ;-D Is no one going to comment about her AB remark, how AB is best known for getting knocked up by Warren Beatty? ;-D Shoot, I missed her wrap-up at the end; didn't even realize she would be doing one.

I thought the remark about AB was odd. I would have said she was best known for being the woman who actually got him to the altar.

I just got home from chorus rehearsal and am fighting the impulse to stay up and watch my "Valmont" tape right now (or watch it live when it starts again in 10 minutes or so). I'm glad for the advance warning on the commentary in manner of Moon Unit Zappa, though! (Jeanie) Can't help but wonder if "Like, O'M'GAWD, AS IF! Grrl Genius" has been a lurker around here, or, at least, her "writer", who, obviously, is confused. Losing a wife to Hugh Grant, yeah.. sure.. ok.... Ya know what? She was actually correct about this. "My wife...... my heart."

Jeanie & Barb S--I saw TIOBE in Bowling Green, KY (stadium seating, no less!), and I live in Horse Cave, if you know where that is. It's close to Cave City & close to Glasgow (we're close to a lot of places, but we aren't actually a place, LOL!!) Anyway, would LOVE to have a Firthette screening of HS! It gets lonely being the only Firth fan that I know--it would be so much more fun to have someone to drool with... Meredith

(Jeanie)*Losing a wife to Hugh Grant, yeah.. sure.. ok....* (Rika)*Ya know what? She was actually correct about this. "My wife...... my heart." * Yup, Rika's right. In BJD, remember Daniel Cleaver did have an affair with MD's DW (dumb wife).

Assuming the information about "Love Actually" is true...doesn't CF's part sound very similar to the plot in HS? (just change countries) do they always leave him because of his kissing???

Buongiorno! I loved the Grrl Genius bit last night. After the end of the film, she said something like "even when he's dead in a coffin, Colin Firth is sexy." You folks have been busy here. So, Colin has a new gig lined up--a rom-com, no less. Astonish me. With a cast of 80 and with 20 leads . . . too many ladies.:-( Hey, I passed by CF's/Earnest's Roman tailor, Brioni, and picked up a brochure. He's right, these guys are all about 4-foot nothing and look like they fell off a charm bracelet.;-) Seems like they do a lot of movie work. Could picture them asking if he dresses a sinistra o a destra.:-) They sell women's ready to wear as well. Ah, scusi, pret-a-porter.

Oh my gosh, you're right! I was thinking about it being more along in the main plot as far as HWM's wife leaving him for Hugh Grant. (banging head against table).. So sorry, "blonde grrl genius, o'M'GAWD whateverrrr," for implying that you hadn't done your research. (giggling) Meredith.. LOL.. you live in Horse Cave? Girls, she lives in "CAVE CENTRAL, USA!" (dying of laughter) If you've read any of Karen's bypass story "Green Shoe Diaries" on the fanfic board, you'll know why I'm sooo amused. You know, Horse Cave, KY, is very near Mammoth Cave, which is the LONGEST surveyed cave in the world! Besides its unparalleled length, (over 365 miles, mind you)Mammoth Cave features very large dry canyon passages and deep vertical shafts. (snickering.. ok, I'll behave.. straightening up halo which had suddenly gone askew. ) Yes, Ms. Meredith, I know where Horse Cave is. ;D Are you saying that no "regular" theater in Bowling Green was showing TIOBE? OH my... well, if Hope Springs is (God Forbid) promoted in the same manner as Earnest, then we might have to go all the way to Nashville to see it. Green Hills is the only theater in Middle Tennessee that's playing, or has ever played, TIOBE as far as I've been able to surmise. (sighing heavily) I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, but I'm so thrilled to have somebody near by! I was feeling so alone.. lol =D

Welcome back Mari!!! Hope you had a fantastic time. I passed by CF's/Earnest's Roman tailor, Brioni, and picked up a brochure. Pictures of clients up on the wall, getting their measurements taken? ;-D

(Jeanie) Oh my gosh, you're right! I was thinking about it being more along in the main plot as far as HWM's wife leaving him for Hugh Grant. (banging head against table).. So sorry, "blonde grrl genius, o'M'GAWD whateverrrr," for implying that you hadn't done your research. (giggling) Even when we were recently discussing CF's new project and the cuckolded theme that runs through many of his roles, it had never occurred to me that BJD fit the pattern. But, like, puh-LEEZE, the grrl genius should have also pointed out that, like, at least Renee Zellwegger proved she was a grrl genius because Bridget picked ODB over HG, like, TOTALLY. Looking forward to watching my Valmont tape tonight and checking out that most delicious bon bon!

Aack! I forgot about the "cruel wife" in BJD, since she was already out of the picture when the movie started. Christmas is a bad time for Colin's characters, too. Mark's cruel wife left him on Christmas Eve, and remember the Christmas party in TEP? (KST and RF in a closet)

(Jeanie) Mammoth Cave features very large dry canyon passages and deep vertical shafts. (snickering.. ok, I'll behave.. straightening up halo which had suddenly gone askew. ) ROTFLOL!!!!!! Yes, imagine having Mammoth Cave only a few miles away, AND a big ole hole in the ground right in the middle of the town that you live!! Oh, believe me, my halo & I were wallowing around in the gutter after the cave scene in GSD!!! Both of us needed much cleaning! Mmm, all alone on the Frozen Niagra tour with Darcy (or MD or CF, any will do, heh heh)! Oh, my. (*swoooon*). I saw TIOBE in Bowling Green at Great Escape Cinema 12, which is a year-old stadium seating only theater complex. Very nice, although they stuck TIOBE waaaaay over in the smallest theater they had. So small no one can sit in the bottom section, b/c you would have to recline full out in order to see the screen! I have to say that I need another viewing, b/c ODB was just so....distracting as all get-out! I hardly noticed anything that wasn't on or near his person for the entire viewing. Hopefully, pic will still there this weekend, and I will be able to sneak off on covert TIOBE screening operation (DH wouldn't understand).

Even though I'm chugging the Pepto now, this has a mention of Colin and provides answers to all those questions we've posed over and over again about how MB gets his actors and how he stays afloat: http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=12805 And do check out the Feedback section for some opposing viewpoints. I may just add mine. *grabbing another bottle of Pepto*

Oh, btw...I had been looking for TIOBE movie poster a few weeks ago, and couldn't find anything. Now, I go to movieposter.com, and they have one! Also, they have posters from some of ODB's other films. I don't know how to do a link in HTML, and I screwed up trying to do italics about a month ago, so here's something you can cut & paste into another window. This is what you get when you put "Colin Firth" in their search engine, and you can click on the thumbnails for more info: http://www.movieposter.com/cgi-bin/mpw8/search.pl Meredith

Minkeeland TV Update: Donovan Quick will be on Tuesday 30th July from 10:55 PM to 12:45 AM (NSW/Vic time)

Hmmm, I see from the ABC website's TV Guide, it's one time fits all, so 10:55 pm is it all over the country.

WELCOME HOME, MARI LOL about Brioni the tailor. Didn't you have your pic taken with him:-D

(Karen)Pictures of clients up on the wall, getting their measurements taken? ;-D They have "measurement" pics of everybody from Clark Gable to Pierce Brosnan. Unfortunately they're the boring measurements, i.e., tip of middle finger to armpit.;-) AMC will have another Valmont showing at 3 p.m. today, if you missed last night's commentary. She also mentioned Meg Tilly being the ultimate in Grrl Genius, as she had CF in real life. Speaking of which . . .I found thes old Movieline article from '90 on an MT fansite. I'll post just the parts that pertain to Valmont and Colin: "The part of Madame de Tourvel in Milos Forman's "Valmont" was her first crack at a high profile part since "Agnes." From what she says, just working with Forman was as important as playing the part. "I would be happy just to read and rehearse with Milos because I learn so much. He knows exactly what he wants. He'll give an area this big" - she holds her thumb and index finger around a tiny space - "to work in, and some people find that constricting. He knows every move he wants, how he wants every line said. But within that, there's an incredible freedom. You can breathe, you can think. Sometimes you do something and he'll say, 'no, no, that's stupid, that's awful.' And he'll walk around and mimic you. Some people cringe because it's in front of a hundred people. But I'm used to ballet teachers yelling out, 'What are you doing?!'" Tilly explains that "Valmont" is a very different take on the novel "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" than Stephen Frear's adaptation of the Christopher Hampton play of it. "It's less theatrical, it's more in the smaller gestures and the period," she says. And the main characters, particularly the conniving Marquise and Valmont, are younger. British actor Colin Firth also play Valmont rather differently than John Malkovich did: "You know the guys who are the most dangerous?" asks Tilly. "The ones who make you feel the most comfortable. They make you laugh and they make you feel like the most fascinating person. Valmont LOVES women. And any man who's a philandering womanizer has to really be able to get inside a woman's head, don't you think? Would you fall for some guy who's just obnoxious? Maybe once in a while, if you feel real sorry for him." As it happens, Meg Tilly fell for Colin Firth. "But just don't say it was like Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer," she says, referring to the romance that blossomed during "Dangerous Liaisons" and ended Malkovich's marriage. "Because it wasn't at all like that. I'd been separated from my husband six months. It was after the movie was pretty much over that we decided to go out. Toward the end we started letting our characters go. We were so into them we could let them go. And that's when I realized, hey, I like this guy." I ask Tilly what her plans are now, thinking she may have a strategy for following up her return to mainstream, "A" films. I should have known better. She tells me she's thinking of taking the year off. It's her daughter's first year of school - she needs to be close to home. How does she maintain a relationship with Colin Firth? "He comes to visit and it's wonderful. He works out of London. I need breathing space. I've gotten out of a relationship that seems very recent, and I don't want to leap too deeply into another. It's nice. He'll come back and visit."

Well, it seems Valmont is in the air today. I noticed on movieposter.com that the second page of search results sometimes won't come up properly (at least, for me), and that is where the Valmont poster is (v. sexy picture, btw). Here is a direct route, in case you need it: http://www.movieposter.com/cgi-bin/mpw8/viewPIDn.pl?pid=A70-7903

Okay, I am so confused about the Meg Tilly article. Will is not mentioned at all, so is this before she & CF moved to the wilds of Canada? Before they had Will? Did her daughter go with them? My timeline here is really screwed up, obiously, or she was messing with the interviewer's head. Can anyone straighten me out?

Mari, do you know the timeline on this article? I thought they were together for a few years, so if this is 90, would it be the beginning before the move to wilderness domesticity? (MT)I would be happy just to read and rehearse with Milos because I learn so much. Forman does seem to be one of those directors actors will work for in a second because of the experience. I've heard actors say that about other directors, too. Do you think ODB did Londinium (which, by the way, sounds like it should be on the periodic table of the elements) for the experience of working ith MB??????? *sending bottle of Pepto to the boss*

My mistake, the Movieline article was in the December '89 edition, so figure the actual interview was done early Fall that year. Here's the URL if you want to read the whole thing. Several other interviews there was well, one of which explains how she came to live "up there" after her separation from her first husband, but prior to Valmont and CF. http://www.xmission.com/~waynew/intrview4.htm From there you can also get back to the home page. Amy, Will is 11 now according to the recent articles, so born in '91 would be my guess. She has 2 older children, a boy and a girl, from her first marriage. They're in their mid-to-late teens now, I'd imagine.

(Karen) Even though I'm chugging the Pepto now, this has a mention of Colin and provides answers to all those questions we've posed over and over again about how MB gets his actors and how he stays afloat: I haven't seen L., nor anything else MB has done, so I don't feel the unquenchable loathing for him that many of you do. But after reading that interview, may I just say: What a jerk!