I don't know this magazine, but the covers surely look very "horror-like". Can't determine if it's good or bad for Trauma to be mentioned here: http://www.fangoria.com/news_article.php?id=967

Forgot to write on the last entry (fangoria) that the article is the one from Variety (nothing new). I suppose this is just "qualified guessing" or what: the inspector a family gathering turns into a nightmare when a gruesome suicide is revealed. [colin firth, mena suvari, noah wyle, ryan phillippe] I don't know the site, looks like some sort of "group". http://springv0.tripod.com/insp.htm

Karen: I have the NY Times article Evelyn mentioned here with the picture: http://www.murphsplace.com/firth/NYTimes.html Feel free to download it if you want. I am not doing much with my site any more -- too many other great ones out there.

[colin firth, mena suvari, noah wyle, ryan phillippe] Colin is in with the young and happening kids. This is bizarre. Reese and Livia can keep each other company at the lamasse class. Or is that pre-natal yoga? ;-) Thanks for all the links, trailers, etc. I am looking for the satellite interview, where can I read it?

(Moon) I am looking for the satellite interview, where can I read it? Me too, me too!

Wow Karen, you did it again! Great trailer captures on your Hope Springs page! So much clearer than I get when I play the trailer here. Love when he says "I believe it can go either way", then the pants drop. Loved that exchange in the book.

Colin is in with the young and happening kids. This is bizarre. Reese and Livia can keep each other company at the lamasse class. Or is that pre-natal yoga? ;-) LOL - you've obviously also seen the latest HS-picture. But as I tried to say, very unarticularly (sp?), the source of this information I just can't figure out. The satellite interview dissapeared overnight, I guess. Didn't see it either -(

Sorry, forgot both the referencename (Moon) and the italics. I'll blame it on the boogie;-) Karen, thank you for the captures from the Hope Springs trailer. My first good viewing from this one. Also nice to read, that Conspiracy won!

Just saw the HS captures! Thank you Karen! These are GREAT!! Love the one of ODB where he has his hands to his face....and the one above it were he is sketching and looking up....oh....gawd....they're just all good! Thanks....(and thanks Sophie for helping). The kiss looks a bit chaste...;-(

(Moon) I am looking for the satellite interview, where can I read it? (BeeDee) Me too, me too! Maybe they will turn up in their entirety sometime. She did infer it would be quite an undertaking.

From CNN according to data collected Sunday by the AP: Top 10 North American box office this weekend. 1. 'Anger Management,' $44.5 million 2. 'Phone Booth,' $7.5 million 3. 'What a Girl Wants,' $6.7 million 4. 'Bringing Down the House,' $4.6 million 5. 'A Man Apart,' $4.5 million 6. 'Head of State,' $4 million 7. 'House of 1000 Corpses,' $3.4 million 8. 'Chicago,' $3.3 million 9. 'The Core,' $3.2 million 10. 'Basic,' $2.2 million http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Movies/04/13/box.office.ap/

Reuters: Total to date: What A Girl Wants .............. $ 20.4 million I think they increased the theatres this week to : 2964

*Clap, clap* Boss. Terrific captures of HS. Esp. on IE. I love the one where he is carrying HG down the road. LOL. Wearing his custom-made truss no doubt.[*my* keepsake!). Glad it didn't end up on the cutting room floor as he feared. (Took six days to shoot that scene, didn't he say that?) Kudos to Sophie ...and Josie for the GWAPE shot. Mobetta than my hard copy from Premiere winging its way to you.

I saw one review of WAGW today that I thought was worth sharing (or, at least, part of it). One thing that makes it interesting is that it's from Florida State University's independent newspaper (i.e., not the target market for this film, but the reviewer has the good sense to recognize this). But the part that made me want to post it was what is said about ODB: That does not mean, however, that the film cannot be exposed. As a matter of fact, it does it to itself, in the casting of Colin Firth as the free spirit in a tightly wound body. Among his long list of accomplishments is the role of Darcy in the BBC's masterful epic miniseries "Pride and Prejudice," as well as playing a variation on Darcy in a role opposite Renee Zellweger in Oscar-nominated "Bridget Jones's Diary." What should come now in the review is the phrase "he is all wrong for this movie." So ... Firth is wrong for this movie, and by that, it is meant that he is too good, too sincere and completely runs away with the film for anyone old enough to realize it. Especially toward the beginning, in the scenes in which he gets to know his daughter for the first time, he is absolutely wonderful. Firth is an incredibly accomplished actor, and walking through a role is never an option. This is clearly not the case for Jonathan Pryce, whose villainous political adviser is as congested as Americans think Brits really are. There is no one else in the film who matches Firth. He makes his material work, and consequently almost dupes the material into a well-executed family drama. URL for complete review: http://www.fsunews.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/04/10/3e947b333848b

Karen, fab HS trailer shots! I love the dreamy kiss. Mmmmm. Annette, great find! Sydney Pollack is the director? This is a very good sign. I don't know who Mitch Ryan is but Christine Baranski is good. I'll have to learn to like Ryan P. but that's workable.

Karen, thanks for the yummy HS pictures and the new ones in the GWAPE gallery as well. Thanks, Rika for a great review. Firth is wrong for this movie, and by that, it is meant that he is too good, too sincere and completely runs away with the film for anyone old enough to realize it. He is simply "too" everything.

Karen, waddaya think about this "The Inpector" thing? Can is be real? Same lead actress as Trauma makes it suspect. Sounds interesting if it is real but haven't we seen this kind of teaser before? You are the Queen of the real poop! I'll wait for your ok before I start to salivate. Go to it Dr. Pavlov.

That's not to say that I don't appreciate Annette's "early warning" in the morning googling! Thanks again Annette. Can't wait to catch you in the morning!!

Murph, your site is just as great. Thanks Rika for the really good review. Annette thank you for the links. Never heard anything about the Inspector. Thanks for the good box office reports Evelyn. Thanks for all the news everyone. Karen, Tremendous HS Gallery. Thank you so much. Sorry for previous glitch.

Conspiracy won a BAFTA last night, best single drama (as in, not a serial).

Did he attend the BAFTAS? Karen, cf.com just gets better and better! Thank you!

(Moon Dreams)Did he attend the BAFTAS? Given this sites keen interest in Colin Firth, I don't think he attended. There is no mentioning of him at all (but - what do I know, just guessing). http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/article.html?in_article_id=176635&in_page_id=119

Awfully quiet in here today. Is everyone watching her interview tape--the one that everyone seemed to know about, but only Karen mentioned its existence?;-) (NY Times)the genre has traditionally portrayed parents and children in separate, opposing orbits. . . .mothers and father were presented as cold, absent, constraining or incompetent . . . . "In all those movies, traditionally, parents were idiots," Bingo! She hit the nail on the head. I wrote something very similar on the Spoilers board. People are sick of seeing smart-mouthed brats and clueless parents. WAGW, in spite of its fantasy elements, offers a much more realistic view of parent-child relationships today.

British magazine "Company" gives HS a favourable review and 3 stars. Brief item on CF as romantic lead (P&P, BJD)....says that HS proves he he has still got it.

Thanks, Bethan for the little review blurbs of late. :-)

(bethan)says that HS proves he has still got it. Oh does he ever.

I know nothing about TV programming in the US, nor am I sure whether anyone of you has already known about this. Anyway, I just found this on the web, and here's for your reference: Camille 120 minutes- USA, 1984, Video Directed by Desmond Davis and starring Greta Scacchi, Colin Firth, John Gielgud Billie Whitelaw, Ben Kingsley, Denholm Elliott A prominent 19th-century Frenchman exacts a fateful promise from the courtesan with whom his son is in love. Tue Apr 29 04:00P RC- Women's Entertainment-WE

Thanks, Josie! I didn't know it was going to be on and have now marked it on my calendar. It's actually on a channel I have! :-)

It's great! So, can u tell me: what is these RC and WE stand for? (sorry, I'm off-topic. I'm just too curious.) ;-)

Hi Josie! "WE" means Womens Entertainment. It's a way it can be found in the printed tv directories. Different tv services have different numbers so you can find it in the various television guides by the letters. In my area I have a Directv dish and the number for the WE station is 260 but on my Mom's tv it's a different number so she can find it by the letters if she wants to. To tell you the truth, I don't know what the RC stands for. Perhaps someone else can help with this. What type of system do you have..........to find current CF stuff on TV (did this to keep on topic;-))

Thanks, Beedee. I can't see any programs shown in US TV channels. Maybe I ask my bro and see if he can record it for me.

I just got word from Disney, that Hope Springs won't be getting a theatrical release in Denmark -( He said however it would get here as video. The US is still TBD. No website (yet?).

Wow this board has been busy, and there has been so much to comment on. I have wondered, if (when) WAGW opens in South Africa, do I do a back to back screening on the first day, or would I need a day to absorb everything that has been noticed? (you may have to consider that the first viewing will be a blank wide eyed stare at the screen)

From Empire about Trauma, nothing really new but check out the directors picture! He really looks like a cross between David Crosby and Liam Neeson.....;-)) http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?4679

Welcome, Josie! Thanks again for the GWAPE pic from Premiere. RC = Romance Channel. Bummer about HS, Annette.:-( Maria, too funny, the Trauma director is a stoner.;-) Here's an article from today's Los Angeles Times, about how the portrayal of children born out of wedlock has changed over the years; numerous quotes about WAGW: http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/cl-et-king15apr15,0,1764589.story?coll=cl-home-more-channels

"In the recently released comedy "What a Girl Wants," geared toward preteen girls, the film's 17-year-old heroine is born out of wedlock." Wrong! It was never established that those Bedouin drums were just banging for a mating ritual!!;-))

(Maria), He really looks like a cross between David Crosby and Liam Neeson.....;-)) Plus, an ex-Hells Angels. LOL! Thanks, Maria! Sorry to hear about HS and Denmark, Annette. I love the Danish Film Manifesto directors, BTW. Thanks for the Camille info, Josie. BTW, I saw a brilliant pianist who is a CF look-a-like. He is David Rees-Williams, lives in Canterbury, does session work in London and unfortunately, I can't find one picture of him on the web. There is only one from the back, but if any of you in the UK see his name go see him play. He is truly brilliant. And, bring your camera.

Marc Evans looks like "Butcher Bill's "brother. Don't miss Camille...Armand is a cutie:-D (Mari) Here's an article from today's Los Angeles Times, about how the portrayal of children born out of wedlock has changed over the years; numerous quotes about WAGW: Thanks Mari. Just think if Christabel La Motte had been allowed to keep Maia, then AS Byatt wouldn't have had a novel:-(

(Leah) I have wondered, if (when) WAGW opens in South Africa, do I do a back to back screening on the first day, or would I need a day to absorb everything that has been noticed? (you may have to consider that the first viewing will be a blank wide eyed stare at the screen) Back to back, definitely!!! That would be delightful! (MariaT) He really looks like a cross between David Crosby and Liam Neeson.....;-)) ROTF! But you're absolutely right, he does! Thanks Mari. Just think if Christabel La Motte had been allowed to keep Maia, then AS Byatt wouldn't have had a novel:-( It seemed strange to me that they used 1963's Tom Jones as the beginning of the shift in portraying illegitimacy. If Tom hadn't been illegitimate, Henry Fielding could probably have skipped about 300 pages of his book. ;-)

I'm not 100% certain about this as I've no idea what Marc Evans looks like, but I don't think the man in the photo on the Empire site is him. I think it's actually Kim Newman, who writes for Empire and is mentioned further down in the piece. I've seen a small photo of him in the magazine in the past and seem to remember he had glasses and gothic-looking facial hair - I doubt there could be two separate people who look quite like that!

(Annette) He said however it would get here as video. The US is still TBD. Annette! Sorry to hear about HS in Denmark! And thank you for checking up for us in the US! Much appreciated.... (MariaT) Wrong! It was never established that those Bedouin drums were just banging for a mating ritual!!;-)) This is true! And I like to think HD and Libby were married the whole time! If he had married Glynnis, he would have been a bigamist (when thinking about it, he really was like a true politician)! ;-D (MariaT) He really looks like a cross between David Crosby and Liam Neeson.....;-)) (KathyF) ROTF! But you're absolutely right, he does! Uncle Steve! I was wondering where he was!! ;-)

(Maria)Wrong! It was never established that those Bedouin drums were just banging for a mating ritual!!;-)) Hee hee. I keep thinking about Daphne's voiceover to the desert scene at the end: "My mom and dad got married again! Legally, this time. (pause) I think.";-) (Barbara)I doubt there could be two separate people who look quite like that! Well, we've already identified David Crosby and Tress's Uncle Steve.;-)

Let me remind everyone that this topic is Colin Firth news and no topic on Drool is a chatroom. A while back I provided a link to a chatroom facility that Terry set up, but no one used it. Please do not use Drool for such things instead. Not only do you use up the finite messages within a topic, but they are stored on our server, which takes up space and causes Terry to buy more space.

Thanks for the reminder, boss. We all slip occasionally.

I'm not sure why this is such a difficult concept. The topic is Colin Firth news here. Please email your Off Topic info to whomever. Thank you.

(Mari) I keep thinking about Daphne's voiceover to the desert scene at the end: "My mom and dad got married again! Legally, this time. (pause) I think." You mean there was speaking during this part? I must have been a tad distracted. As I don't have a working email for you Amy, just a quick message...... Ouch!

This is from Screen Daily Intl. UK's prestigious film mag. If it has been posted before I apologize. But it has today's date in the by-line. What A Girl Wants Mike Goodridge in Los Angeles 16 April 2003 Although the trailers made it look like another trashy teen flick, What A Girl Wants surprisingly possesses a degree of class. The fairy-tale story of a Brooklyn teenager who runs away to England to discover her aristocratic dad recalls Disney smash The Princess Diaries with its genuinely disarming characters and the sweet message at its heart. A starring vehicle for talented teen Amanda Bynes, a US TV star from Nickelodeon shows All That and The Amanda Show, What A Girl Wants opened with an OK $11.4m at the domestic box office and, trusting that word-of-mouth is strong, could stay afloat in the marketplace for a few weeks yet. At least in the domestic market, movies aimed at young girls such as The Princess Diaries, A Walk To Remember and Legally Blonde have been proving enormously profitable for their respective distributors, and the relatively inexpensive What A Girl Wants should follow that trend. In the international markets, where there are likewise millions of under-served young girls who want their own movies, its Cinderella set-up and feelgood factor will also serve it well - especially in the current gloom of global affairs. Most welcome surprise of all is Bynes, whose perky cuteness beside two Horse Guards on the poster appears like a nauseating indication of further cloying fish-out-of-water horrors in the film. Fortunately she is more palatable than she appears on paper, giving a well-realised performance as a confident but slightly damaged teen. Nor is England portrayed in the ultra-cliched way one would expect from the poster. While the palatial mansion and estate in which she lands seem to be positioned rather incongruously in central London, the English characters are generally sharp-tongued and droll - more Four Weddings than Mary Poppins. Loosely based on the 1958 movie The Reluctant Debutante starring Sandra Dee and Rex Harrison, the film starts with a prologue in which the young Englishman Henry Dashwood (Firth) falls for bohemian American Libby (Kelly Preston) on a Moroccan holiday and the two marry. However, when he takes her home to his family seat in England, his father dies and he must immediately assume the mantle of Lord Dashwood. Libby is told by his ruthless advisor Alastair Payne (Pryce) to give him his freedom and she abandons the marriage and flees to New York. But unbeknownst to Henry, Libby was pregnant and 17 years later, her daughter Daphne (Bynes) has a yearning to meet her father not least because she never gets to have the father-daughter dance at weddings or parties. Impulsively, she gets on a plane to London where she seeks out Lord Dashwood and breaks the news to him. He meanwhile is standing for election to parliament and is on the brink of marrying the pushy Glynnis (nicely malevolent Chancellor) and assuming her daughter (Christina Cole) as his own. Stunned that he has a daughter and still smarting that Libby left him, Henry warms to Daphne but after she displays her unconventional style at a few stuffy social functions, he determines to ensure that she acquires a degree of good English breeding. She meanwhile has embarked on a romance with a young musician (James) and is faced with the quandary of changing who she is or losing her father. It?s a fun film principally for pre-teens and teens which has a few incidental pleasures for grown-ups including some nice one-liners from Brit stalwarts like Eileen Atkins ("No hugging, my dear. We British only show affection to dogs and horses.")." ~~~~~~~~~~` V. encouraging review. Perhaps the broadsheets won't pummel it after all.

Hi Everyone, Wanted to pop in for a second while I have one, to tell you some news about Love Actually and Edge of Reason. There will be a U.S. preview of LA on July 1. And as for the Edge of Reason, it is still on track, the only pending key issue is Renee's deal. :) We are expecting a revised draft of the script from Adam Brooks tomorrow. I promise to pop in when I can and have more I can release for either project. It's been rough lately with my schedule and my husband's as he's been pushing his new film. Take care everyone! PS, if Colin's wife has a baby girl then it's all over for sure. :)

Hola, Lola! Thanks for the info, but why a preview of LA that's 4 months in advance of the release? Are they moving up the release date? Or maybe I'm not sure what you mean by preview. (Evelyn)Perhaps the broadsheets won't pummel it after all. Am going to remind you that you wrote that.;-) Odd they barely mentioned Colin.

(Hola Lola)There will be a U.S. preview of LA on July 1. Thank you for the news. Perhaps this will be the one to "cross both ponds". (July 1. is a special day for me, must be a good sign). Nice to hear, that EOR is still on (Please sign the dotted line, Renee!!)

(Lola), And as for the Edge of Reason, it is still on track, the only pending key issue is Renee's deal. :) We are expecting a revised draft of the script from Adam Brooks tomorrow. So you are on record as saying that all the other players have signed on the dotted line? Please give us the full cast, who will play Natasha? And, do tell us if we will get the towel scene. Thanking you in advance, Lola. :-D

(Lola) And as for the Edge of Reason, it is still on track, the only pending key issue is Renee's deal. :) We are expecting a revised draft of the script from Adam Brooks tomorrow. Ohhh....goodie! Is Renee waiting on this revision? Do you need assistance with any 'proofing' or anything? I'm more than willing to help!! ;-) (Lola) PS, if Colin's wife has a baby girl then it's all over for sure. :) I hope they have a girl...but I'm sure they'll be happy as long as the little one is healthy. But imagine! Daddy's little girl! And if she's half as cute as Luca...you're right Lola....it's all over! Always glad when you 'drop by'...thanks for the news!

Thanks Lola for taking time to give us such good news. Hope they have a girl, too.

Hi Lola, thanks for the news on LA and TEoR. Bring it on, Renee. (Moon)So you are on record as saying that all the other players have signed on the dotted line? Please give us the full cast, who will play Natasha? And, do tell us if we will get the towel scene. Thanking you in advance, Lola. :-) And the kitchen scene, and the second towel scene. Sorry, Lola we're jus a bit anxious. Moon, did you mean Natasha or Rebecca? (Lola)PS, if Colin's wife has a baby girl then it's all over for sure. :) ...and he does father to a daughter so well. *sigh* Evelyn, thanks for that encouraging review from the UK. Now, a few good ones for HS and maybe we'll get a US release date that sticks.

Still haven't been able to see WAGW, but the interview tape arrived today. My favorite part is when he says: "Lisa, Lisa, can you here me? Lisa?" I can't remember how mant times he said it, but to hear him say my name was unbelievable. :-) When he says "What an ***hole," it sounded to me as if he was mimicking someone who had said it over the audio feed, as I swear CF said it with an American accent. Hola Lola, as always, thanks for the update on LA and TEOR. Because of your updates, I've stopped worrying about the latter film. It will happen...

(LisaJH) ...the interview tape arrived today Okay, I'm going to come out and say I'm lost. I've heard vague references of this tape before, and I've looked through the postings for the past week to no avail. Was this talked about on a now-deleted post?

(Lisa JH)Still haven't been able to see WAGW, but the interview tape arrived today. My favorite part is when he says: "Lisa, Lisa, can you here me? Lisa?" I can't remember how mant times he said it, but to hear him say my name was unbelievable. LOL I heard him say "Janice" first and thought that everyone out there with that name would faint and then when he started in on Lisa, over and over, I thought he might be hitting pretty close to home. ; ) There are so many good bits about this tape that I think it deserves an in-depth analysis. E-mail me if you care to participate. joyce3@att.net

My favorite part is when he says: "Lisa, Lisa, LOL. I thought of you too, Lisa. This tape is a riot. For what goes on off screen more than on. No transcript can do it justice. Those grimaces and noises. I have never seen anyone so bored ...but he can sure turn on the juice when he has to. LMAO.

(Lisa) "What an ***hole," it sounded to me as if he was mimicking someone who had said it over the audio feed, as I swear CF said it with an American accent. Yes, he sure is, doing it with an American accent. (Meredith) I've heard vague references of this tape before, and I've looked through the postings for the past week to no avail. Was this talked about on a now-deleted post? No, it is still up there at #847, posted on April 11, a mere six days ago. You probably didn't notice it because of all the off topic messages.

Tried to find this online yesterday and failed, but Jennie has kindly provided this article which appeared in the Isle of Man Examiner: Top Hollywood star comes to Island ONE of Hollywood's hottest young actresses is teaming up with one of Britain's favourite actors for a film to be shot in the Island at the end of the month. Mena Suvari, star of the Oscar-winning American Beauty, will be here filming the psychological drama, Trauma, alongside Colin Firth. The news comes three weeks after the Examiner revealed Scream star Neve Campbell will be starring in wartime spoof Churchill: The Hollywood Years, with Christian Slater in the title role. Churchill arrives on April 22, while Trauma reaches Manx shores six days later, joining the seventh series of ITV's Trial and Retribution which started filming on April 5 in making it an important month for the Isle of Man Film Commission. Suvari, 24, shot to fame in 1999 when she followed up hit comedy American Pie with her role as the teenage temptress opposite Kevin Spacey in American Beauty. Firth is hot off Bridget Jones' Diary and it will be his second visit to the Island after he appeared in Relative Values opposite Julie Andrews. He's also starred in hits like Shakespeare in Love, Fever Pitch and The English Patient. Trauma will be the 48th project shot in the Island since the Brylcreem Boys started the ball rolling in 1995. It's being made by Little Bird, one of the production companies behind both Bridget Jones and Churchill. Trauma, which will shoot at the new film studio in Lezayre, will be directed by Marc Evans (Resurrection Man) from a script by Richard Smith.

It's being made by Little Bird, one of the production companies behind both Bridget Jones and Churchill. ? I don't think so.

Yes, it is. Jonathan Cavendish, one of the producers, is a principal in Little Bird.

(Meredith) I've heard vague references of this tape before, and I've looked through the postings for the past week to no avail. Was this talked about on a now-deleted post? (Karen) No, it is still up there at #847, posted on April 11, a mere six days ago. But it was just a one-line reference in a post that also talked about other things, so I think Meredith's mention of a "vague reference" is pretty accurate. Someone videotaped part of the satellite feed when CF was made available to talk to the press via satellite about WAGW. The tape is like 90 minutes of "CF-Cam". The camera stays on him, and he's got an earpiece through which he hears the journalists' questions. So you don't hear the questions, only the answers, and you also see/hear him between interviews sometimes. The original tape was auctioned on eBay, but when the guy started getting other requests (he says he had no idea how popular CF was), he made additional copies available. I don't know if Karen would consider it appropriate to post his e-mail address or the pricing information here or not, so I'll leave that decision to her.

(Lisa)My favorite part is when he says: "Lisa, Lisa, (Evelyn)LOL. I thought of you too, Lisa. I did too, and kept hoping that one of the interviewers would be named Linda...so I could hear him say my name. ***SIGH*** As Karen said awhile back...it is worth its weight in gold:-) Thank you, Karen for the Trauma news.

(Karen)Yes, he sure is, doing it with an American accent. Also mimicked someone on the other end who said:"He's an idiot";-) Always strikes me funny when he does an American interview, he goes into American lingo; in British press he goes into Brit terms. He seems enormously pleased that the film is getting such a good reception. Wasn't so vague to me, I saw the announcement of the tape and inquired.

Did anybody else feel kind of voyeuristic watching it? Not that it stopped me, mind you. ;-) (Evelyn) Always strikes me funny when he does an American interview, he goes into American lingo; in British press he goes into Brit terms. I thought he sounded more American than usual, but I thought maybe it was just my fevered imagination! (Evelyn) Wasn't so vague to me, I saw the announcement of the tape and inquired. Which is the same thing Meredith was doing. The difference is, people apparently have been inquiring via e-mail, so ordering information never made it onto this board.

I hardly think this is vague: BTW, does everyone know about the guy who is selling copies of Colin's satellite press conference? If not, I'll post it here. No one responded on the board; therefore, I didn't post it since either people (a) had already ordered it but had not shared the information with this board or (b) were not interested. Perhaps now people will understand why this board is for News. If anyone is confused or vague about things, please contact me at my office email address.

(Karen) No one responded on the board; therefore, I didn't post it since either people (a) had already ordered it but had not shared the information with this board or (b) were not interested. I can only speak for my own reasons for not sharing the information publicly. I was informed of it via e-mail by a friend, with information she copied from another CF board. Since there has been rather strenuous objection posted here (with which I do not disagree) to the practice of people lifting information from Drool and posting it elsewhere without attribution, I didn't think it right to commit the same crime in reverse, and I didn't have the information I would have needed to attribute properly. Further, it wasn't clear to me that you would approve of the posting of what amounted to a commercial advertisement, particularly when it was difficult to verify whether or not the whole thing was legitimate until people started receiving tapes. I didn't receive my tape until a couple of days after you had gotten yours and posted your mini-transcript.

As I was one of the original bidders for the tape and didn't need anybody's permission to post the details, all it would've required was someone to say they were interested in the purchase info. (Rika) I can only speak for my own reasons Are you sure you aren't speaking for Meredith again? ;-)

If I may make a suggestion: When in doubt, always send Karen the information via e-mail. That's what I've always done. That way I leave it to her to post it here whichever way she finds it, relevant or not. I was away when the tape info was posted and was curious about it so I e-mailed Karen and as always, she was kind enough to give me the information I needed to order the tape which I plan to do today. :-D

Oh for cryin' out loud. The guy with the tape is at: kjunman1@hotmail.com Mine is fine. If anyone wants to get together and discuss it contact me at joyce3@att.net. No purchase necessary. I'm not sure what all the mystery is about either.

Um, I vote for discussing it right here, as we have been doing. (Evelyn) Also mimicked someone on the other end who said:"He's an idiot";-) I think it was "are you retarded?" (Rika, the fevered) I thought he sounded more American than usual, but I thought maybe it was just my fevered imagination! I don't think his accent is different, but Colin's voice changes when he's being Colin, as opposed to when he's acting. His real voice sounds less patrician, less formal, more like an everyday person. Also, you hear him using more colloquialisms than his characters generally call for.;-) I like his real life voice better, frankly. I started yelling at the sceen when he launched into the old "it's usually someone's aunt/granny/mother/neighbor" when someone apparently mentioned his hottie status. Somebody needs to tell him to cut that sh*t out.:-) Maybe I just did.;-) The reporters were apparently very complimentary to him, judging by the number of times he very sweetly offered his thanks in response to a comment.

(Mari) I like his real life voice better, frankly. And his real laugh too. He did one of those deep chuckles to himself, when he knows he's been funny, just like on the Jon Stewart show with the autoeroticism line. As I was rereading New Cardiff (you know, just in case, it should show up), I was reminded of an example Colin could've have given to the same word/different meaning situation that wasn't as, ahem, "filthy" as the one he ultimately used. He could have talked about rubbers. ;-))))))

(Karen) He could have talked about rubbers. ;-)))))) LOL, I'm in the middle of Katie McCallister's Improper Englih that someone on this topic recommended because of the Colin references.(Sorry, I can't remember who) In this book, the reference is to ahem, "raincoats" Everytime they call them raincoats, I get visions of yellow slickers with hoods...yikes. BTW, this reads like a cross between BJD/TEoR and New Cardiff. (which I just reread too, and find it funnier each time.)

That's Improper English.

Must be v. improper because rubbers (Br) are erasers (Am). Colin Ware asks for India rubbers at the art store. But I like the raincoat one as well. ;-)

The guy selling the tape on Ebay must think he's struck gold! I wonder how many copies he's made to date? - I've just ordered mine. (Lindak)BTW, this reads like a cross between BJD/TEoR and New Cardiff. (which I just reread too, and find it funnier each time.) I've just finished reading it, and I agree that ODB would be perfect as Alex Black.

(Karen), Must be v. improper because rubbers (Br) are erasers (Am). Colin Ware asks for India rubbers at the art store. But I like the raincoat one as well. ;-) ROTF! I have news! Just saw WAGW at another theatre and what stared right at me? The HS poster! It is up as in coming soon. I went right to the manager to ask how soon and was told that they don't have a date set. I told them it's supposed to be in the Fall and asked if it was normal to have a poster up now for it (it's not like it has famous actors), and the theatre does not have many glass enclosed poster spots. Was told it was a teaser - if only they knew how right they are. ;-) And, no they did not have an extra poster. He looks great in that poster.

(Karen)Must be v. improper because rubbers (Br) are erasers (Am). Colin Ware asks for India rubbers at the art store. But I like the raincoat one as well. ;-) Did you mean *Durex*Indian rubbers (BR)? Got a flyer at work the other day offering Durex in bulk to service agencies at deep discount! Guess who I thought of?

I guess Colin has finally fulfilled his teenager dreams of becoming a rock star since now we can find "bootlegs" of his. :) Re: rubbers/raincoats,... In France they're called preservatifs, which accounted for puzzled looks on my face when I first read some food ingredients list in the US: no preservatives (I sure hope not!).

I'm a happy bunny this morning (appropriate since it's Easter!) - I've just received my free tickets to the HS preview on Thursday! Thanks Karen, for posting the link to The Film Factory Website, and enabling me to get the tickets. I hope you ladies across the pond get a chance to see it very soon. - Keeping my fingers crossed that 'Coming Soon' really means that!

Ooooooo! Cute Bunny......watcher! Thanks Karen.

It appears that MD has been "stirred" as well. Lovely pic!

According to Antonella, Minnie Driver was on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on BBC1. "They showed a short clip of Hope Springs with her and Colin in the hotel room. Although she seemed to be more interested in promoting her future comedy with Matthew Perry at the London West End."

Although she seemed to be more interested in promoting her future comedy with Matthew Perry at the London West End." And who can blame her? HS has had too many delays and although the posters may be in theatres in Southern Florida, there is that question of the release date. ;-) Grazie Antonella and Karen!

Review of Hope Springs from Rich Cline (Shadows on the Wall & BBC Radio 5); gave it only 1-1/2 stars out of 5: The latest lively comedy from Herman (Brassed Off, Little Voice) is this American-style romantic comedy set in New England ... and it's a bit of a mess. Colin (Firth) is a British portrait artist who travels to Hope, Vermont, to get away from his miserable life in England, where his fiancee Vera (Driver) has just told him she's marrying another man. As he settles in Hope, he finds support from the local innkeepers (Steenburgen and Collison), the egotistical mayor (Platt) and, most importantly, a spicy occupational therapist named Mandy (Graham). But just when he starts falling for Mandy, Vera shows up in town. Everything about this film is too much. The story is fractionally too silly, crossing the line and leaving believability in the dust. The set design and decoration is too picture perfect. The jokes take things one step too far. And the characters are too broad to be very believable. It starts off well, with a lively sense of energy and charm, but as Mandy starts behaving like a misfit from a Farrelly Brothers film, we stop believing that Colin could ever fall for this alcoholic stripper with a butterfly fetish. Every event in the film only happens because rom-com conventions say it has to. There's no character logic at all. Falling in love is handled in a trite musical montage that tries desperately to paper over the gaps, and by the time the far worse Vera shows up, we have really lost all interest. This isn't to say the actors are bad; they aren't (in fact, they're the only thing that's remotely watchable about the film!). It's the script, direction and editing that are to blame for this badly derailed fi m. There's enough talent in this film to make a very good romantic comedy. This is not it.

we stop believing that Colin could ever fall for this alcoholic stripper with a butterfly fetish. LOL! I had this problem when I read the book. And I have always questioned CF's love of this book This review stings. Will any one that has seen it come to its rescue?

I for one loved the book. And am reading it again.I found it endearingly charming.Difficult to externalize, yes. But as I said before, a more experienced director could have pulled it off. "It's the script, direction and editing that are to blame for this badly derailed film." This says it all. Still, I'm looking forward to it. Hey, it's the first film in a long time that he's not carryng the water for someone else.