(Dorine) I'm sorry, were there other people in it besides Goran V (aka Dr. Kovac on ER)? ;-) Whoa baby in those little shorts!! :-P Well, there was Ian Mc Neice ,thankfully, not in shorts;-/ Actually,(like Conspiracy) it was a Euro/American-pudding cast, with the ususal conglamoration of accents. Which bothers me.

lindak: I was wondering if there was any programming info on He Knew He Was Right. I hope our UK friends will share their opinions if anyone happened to watch this evening. I saw very little of this, but my DW said it was absolutely gripping; one of the best period pieces on for ages (that was once it was over, she flat out refused to talk to me from when I came in until it finished).

It was very well done. Excellent casting. The attitudes of the couple at the centre of the plot were rather dated. Kept thinking, why don't these two people just talk to each other? But had me and my DH gripped. Defintely have my place on the sofa booked for next Sunday.

This seems fairly timely: Gervais crowned 'king of Baftas' Ricky Gervais has been crowned King of the Baftas for the third year running. The comic won best comedy performance and best sitcom for The Office Christmas Special. And the victory was all the sweeter because Gervais was almost missed off the shortlist after an administrative error by BBC bosses. Gervais, who stars as David Brent, has won the same two awards for the past two years. His rivals for best comedy performance included Office co-star Martin Freeman, who plays lovelorn Tim. Jonathan Ross was another double winner, taking home prizes for best entertainment performance and best entertainment programme, both for Friday Night With Jonathan Ross. Coronation Street was named best continuing drama, beating The Bill, Casualty and Holby City. Rival soap EastEnders did not even make the shortlist. Comics Matt Lucas and David Walliams were celebrating after their sketch show Little Britain won best comedy. Love Actually star Bill Nighy won best actor for his role in political thriller State of Play. Julie Walters was named best actress for her performance as a bawdy actress bedding a toy boy in The Wife of Bath, part of the BBC's modern ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Seems like Bill Nighy is "catapult to stratosphere" now. ;-)

Well Bill deserves it. Good for him. (Evelyn), why does BBCA have to give a summary of the story every half hour, at least. Give the viewer a little more credit for memory! LOL! Can you not think why? ;-) I stuck in a tape thinking I was taping He Knew He Was Right, instead got State of Play. :-( Does anyone know when He Knew He Was Right will play here?

From Sunday's Observer: Blue-stocking author storms America with historical tale Film-makers vie for rights to British novel by highbrow TV arts pundit Sarah Dunant Vanessa Thorpe, arts and media correspondent It was a city of opulence and breathtaking craftsmanship, but also a repressive city, where murder and sexual deceit lurked around every corner. This is the Florence recreated in a British novel that has conquered America and is about to be made into a lavish film. Dominating the bestseller lists across the Atlantic, it is already repeating the extraordinary international success of Tracy Chevalier's historical hit novel Girl With A Pearl Earring and it has even been tipped to achieve the enduring status of Umberto Eco's haunting whodunit, The Name Of The Rose. The title of the book is The Birth Of Venus, but the real surprise is the identity of the author. Writer Sarah Dunant is better known in this country as a highbrow arts pundit on BBC2's The Late Show in the early Nineties. The sudden success of her new book has transformed Dunant's life: she is expected to be a millionaire by the end of the year. As a writer, she had quietly established herself with a series of acclaimed, small-scale works of crime fiction. Her first historical novel has changed all of that, reflecting the current vogue for literary costume drama. US publisher Random House has just signed the author up for two more books in a 'substantial' six-figure deal, while two Hollywood film companies are jockeying for lead position in the race to produce a big screen version. The book remains at the top of the New York Times bestseller list and is dominating West Coast lists too, running at number two in San Francisco this weekend. 'I was really surprised,' said Dunant this weekend. 'I just thought about how I could write something serious in quite a compelling way. That is perhaps what I have learned from thriller writing.' Dunant believes part of her success is due to the fact the US reading public has no preconceived ideas about her. Caricaturing her British image as that of 'an intellectual harridan', she said: 'In this country people are slightly suspicious of me as some sort of high-brow commentator, whereas in America, they don't know me.' Her book tells the story of a teenage girl's love for a mysterious painter who comes to work in her father's family chapel. It is set in the late fifteenth century during a period of religious persecution in the era of Savonarola, the zealous and malevolent Dominican monk. The 15-year-old heroine, who film executives suggest might be played by the young British actress Keira Knightley or by Penelope Cruz, undergoes an arranged marriage to a distant older man. [Ed note: with a Fabio wig] However, the pattern of all their lives is altered by the turbulent political and religious climate. 'It is the original 'Bonfire of the Vanities' story,' said Clare Alexander, Dunant's literary agent, who points out that the book, which has been bought up for translation in 17 countries, is doing increasingly well in Britain too. The paperback edition has sold an unexpected 75,000 copies in a two-month period. Alexander believes the British public will have to forget its image of 1980's Dunant as 'the blue-stocking in the big red glasses'. She believes the popularity of The Birth of Venus can be put down to the creepy atmosphere of Florence and the character of Alessandra, the heroine who, at the macabre opening of the novel, we meet as an old nun at the end of her life. 'The heroine feels very modern,' Alexander said. 'So women are able to imagine themselves into her life. Sarah has always done feisty heroines; she has just taken this one into the context of an historical novel.' The book has accidentally capitalised on a growing trend for historical novels and films. The film version of Chevalier's Girl with a Pearl Earring was a box office hit and not as expensive to make as the traditional costume extravaganza. A Ridley Scott version of Patrick S�skind's bestseller, Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer, set in eighteenth century France, is also now in production. British film makers were initially wary of buying the rights to Dunant's book because of the cost of recreating Florence on the big screen, but its impact on US readers has sparked a bidding war this month. Dunant ascribes her success in the US to the power of independent bookshops there. 'They don't have the kind of domination that we do from just a few chains of bookshops,' she said. 'Local bookshops in the states are also the heart of bookclub country, and they are very powerful now.' Dunant also recognises resonances in her book with the political mood in America. She believes the fact that publication coincided with the release of Mel Gibson's film The Passion Of The Christ has helped too. 'It has rung bells because of the debate about Christian fundamentalism that The Passion has provoked,' she said. 'People have been looking at what Christianity really means and reacting to the almost mediaeval religion in that film. 'Like the Florence of Savonarola it sees pain and suffering as the route to salvation, rather than the idea of beauty and learning being as much a part of salvation as piety.' Understandably, Dunant's next book will also be in the genre of historical fiction, and will be set in Venice. But the author is wary of trying to live up to the success of The Birth of Venus . 'To be honest that thing about success inhibiting writers seems to be true,' she said. 'I am atrophied with terror at the thought I may never be able to write again.' http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1194420,00.html

(MarkG) but my DW said it was absolutely gripping; one of the best period pieces on for ages (that was once it was over, she flat out refused to talk to me from when I came in until it finished).. I don't blame her, I hate answering questions in the middle of period pieces;-) Thanks, Mark, your DW, and Allison...I hope we get it soon on this side of the pond. (article and Karen)undergoes an arranged marriage to a distant older man. [Ed note: with a Fabio wig] Oh this could be perfect. He's already had the art lessons and the wig already falls correctly. They can save a ton of money.

"Love Actually star Bill Nighy won best actor for his role in political thriller State of Play." So far he's not in it that much. I think the young journalist (John Sim) is better. Neither A&E or BBCA have He Knew He was Right listed yet. Probably in the autumn. Late in the season now. Trollope/Andrew Davies...sounds like a winner.

Weinstein Honored by Queen Elizabeth II LONDON - Miramax Film chief Harvey Weinstein has been awarded an honor by Queen Elizabeth II. Weinstein was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE, in recognition of his contribution to the British film industry, the British consul-general in New York, Thomas Harris, said Monday. The British consulate said Weinstein's honor would be bestowed at a ceremony in the coming months. Miramax, founded by Weinstein and his brother, Bob, has co-funded many British productions, including John Madden's "Shakespeare in Love" and Stephen Frears' "Dirty Pretty Things." In 2002, the Weinsteins were awarded the British Film Institute's highest accolade, the bfi Fellowship. "My life and my career have been greatly influenced and enriched by great British filmmakers and authors, and so I am especially honored and humbled to be receiving the CBE," Weinstein said.

This is way too funny! If anybody read Biskind's book on how Harvey so totally screwed everybody with The Crying Game, they'd lock him in the Tower rather than give him a CBE. A joke. A total joke. Dressing up a pig...

" Weinstein Honored by Queen Elizabeth II " Hard to believe. He is universally hated in the industry.

He is universally hated in the industry. Since when has that stopped anyone getting a gong in the UK? Our honours system is a very poor joke :-(

Anna was part of a group yesterday that tried out a local cinema that does Monday matinees for mothers-and-babies. They had a good time, and plan to go back next week - guess what's showing? So my 11-week old daughter Emma will see GWAPE before I do. Tchah.

(Mark) So my 11-week old daughter Emma will see GWAPE before I do Way t'go Emma!! I know she'll love it;-)) In fact, I propose Emma for Honourary Drool Darling!

(Evelyn) He is universally hated in the industry. (Allison) Since when has that stopped anyone getting a gong in the UK? Our honours system is a very poor joke :-( Hatred isn't my point. It was his financial dealings with UK partners. As you'll recall, The Crying Game is what put Miramax on the map and that was one Harvey renegotiated after the fact in order to cheat them out of everything. And what has he done since? Yes, he's made a number of movies in England, about England, with English talent. But so many of those films had government financing. What are they rewarding? (Mark) So my 11-week old daughter Emma will see GWAPE before I do. She's smart enough not to wait for the DVD release. ;-)

(From Karen)From Sunday's Observer: Blue-stocking author storms America with historical tale... The title of the book is The Birth Of Venus.. Thanks Karen. Very interesting. I recently read this and it was a fun read. Guilty pleasure and informative.

(Mark) So my 11-week old daughter Emma will see GWAPE before I do. Good training starts early! Brava, Anna. (Allison), Since when has that stopped anyone getting a gong in the UK? Our honours system is a very poor joke :-( Sad, but so true!

(Mark) So my 11-week old daughter Emma will see GWAPE before I do Too funny! Hope Emma enjoys it (and your wife too!). (Mark) Anna was part of a group yesterday that tried out a local cinema that does Monday matinees for mothers-and-babies. BTW, this is a very good idea! They just took away all our cry rooms here and I have a friend who has an eight week old and she (my friend, not the baby...though the baby might actually like a film, we don't know yet!) is dying to see a film.

(Mark) So my 11-week old daughter Emma will see GWAPE before I do. It's never too early to start those mummy and daughter drooling sessions;-) Mark, is GWAPE still around or was that just for the matinee? It just left one of our local theaters this past Friday. It had been there since the first Friday in February.

Rafe wants to play Hamlet, again. I posted an April 5th Daily Mail blurb on #40, RF's topic.

No Colin, but they haven't announced the Directors Fortnight section, which is what Marc Evans had mentioned, as I recall: Cannes reduces Competition, includes toons By Stuart Kemp LONDON -- With a slimmed down Competition section and fewer French titles, organizers of the 57th Festival de Cannes on Wednesday unveiled an official lineup that carries a no-nonsense, solid feel to it. Cannes artistic director Thierry Fremaux has continued with his habit of selecting animated movies in Competition this year by selecting feature-length toons for not one but two of the slots in this year's 18-strong competition lineup. Dreamworks' "Shrek 2," directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon has drawn a Competition berth alongside Japanese animation "Innocence" from director Mamoru Oshii. With the number of Competition slots this year reduced to 18 from 20 last year, Cannes is mirroring the decision by Venice International Film Festival organizers to cut the number of movies in Competition. One consequence is that the number of French titles securing a Competition place has fallen to three from the five in last year's edition. French titles securing a spot are Agnes Jaoui's "Comme Une Image" (Look At Me); Olivier Assayas' "Clean"; and Tony Gatlif's "Exils" (Exiles). Movies from the U.S. have a solid presence in Competition with the Coen brothers returning to the Croisette with "The Ladykillers," and a visit by documentary maker Michael Moore to unspool "Fahrenheit 911," in addition to the return of the green troll. The festival also closes with an Out of Competition screening for Irwin Winkler's "De-Lovely" on Saturday May 21 and the Palm D'Or prizes before Sunday's gala screening of the eventual winner. U.S. titles also have four Out of Competition slots set to guarantee powerful star wattage on the Riviera during the festival's run with Brad Pitt starrer "Troy," and Uma Thurman and the cast of "Kill Bill Vol.2" all prospective visitors to Cannes. Also unspooling Out of Competition is Zack Snyder's "Dawn Of The Dead" and Terry Zwigoff's "Bad Santa." This year also sees a return to the Croisette by a German title after an 11-year gap from the festival. Hans Weingartner's "Die Fetten Jahre Sind Vorbei" (The Edukators) marks the first time since 1993--when Wim Wenders took "Far Away Is Close"--that a German film has secured a competition slot. This year's jury, presided over by Quentin Tarantino, is made up of directors Jerry Schatzberg and Hark Tsui; writer Edwidge Danticat; actresses Emmanuelle Beart, Tilda Swinton and Kathleen Turner; actor Benoit Poelvoorde; and film critic Peter Von Bagh. Cannes runs May 12 through 22. OFFICIAL SELECTION: Opening (Out Of Competition) Bad Education--Pedro Almodovar Closing (Out of Competition): De-Lovely--Irwin Winkler IN COMPETITION: 2046 -- Wong Kar-Wai Clean -- Olivier Assayas Comme Une Image" (Look At Me) -- Agnes Jaoui The Motorcycle Diaries -- Walter Salles Die Fetten Jahre Sind Vorbei (The Edukators) -- Hans Weingartner Exiles -- Tony Gatlif Fahrenheit 911 -- Michael Moore Innocence -- Mamoru Oshii La Femme Est L'Avenir de L'Homme (Woman Is the Future Of Man) -- Hong Sang-Soo La Nina Santa -- Lucrecia Martel Le Consequenze Dell'Amore (The Consequences Of Love) -- Paolo Sorrentino Nobody Knows -- Kore-Eda Hirokazu Old Boy -- Park Chan-Wook Shrek 2 -- Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, Conrad Vernon The Ladykillers -- Joel and Ethan Coen The Life and Death of Peter Sellers -- Stephen Hopkins Tropical Malady -- Apichatpong Weerasethakul Life Is a Miracle -- Emir Kusturica OUT OF COMPETITION: 10E Chambre Instants D'Audiences (10th District Courts - Moments Of Trials) -- Raymond Depardon Bad Santa -- Terry Zwigoff Cineastes A Tout Prix (A Director At All Costs) -- Frederic Sojcher Dawn of the Dead -- Zack Snyder Five -- Abbas Kiarostami Flying Daggers -- Zhang Yimou Kill Bill Vol. 2 -- Quentin Tarantino La Porte du Soleil (The Door of the Sun) -- Yousry Nasrallah Mondovino -- Jonathan Nossiter Our Music -- Jean-Luc Godard Salvador Allende -- Patricio Guzman Troy -- Wolfgang Petersen

Miramax Film chief Harvey Weinstein has been awarded an honor by Queen Elizabeth II. Weinstein was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE, in recognition of his contribution to the British film industry, the British consul-general in New York, Thomas Harris, said Monday. Now I know why Thomas Harris (Consul Gen) and his wife had to cancel coming to the screening on Monday....they fainted away when they heard the news and hadn't sufficiently recovered that evening. ;-) (Evelyn) He is universally hated in the industry. (Allison) Since when has that stopped anyone getting a gong in the UK? Our honours system is a very poor joke :-( (Karen) Hatred isn't my point. It was his financial dealings with UK partners. As you'll recall, The Crying Game is what put Miramax on the map and that was one Harvey renegotiated after the fact in order to cheat them out of everything. And what has he done since? Yes, he's made a number of movies in England, about England, with English talent. But so many of those films had government financing. What are they rewarding? All I can say is that he's *very* supportive in many ways of BAFTA East Coast, at the least, both professionally and to some people there, personally. I can't speak to his involvement with the other branches. (Karen) No Colin, but they haven't announced the Directors Fortnight section, which is what Marc Evans had mentioned, as I recall: Yes, he did. Thanks for the update....was checking the Cannes site for this info a week and a half ago myself.

Oh my! There was just a clip of Colin being kissed by Aurelia in LA on Good Day Live on Fox! I think they were referring briefly to Kelly Clarkson at the end of a segment on American Idol (was barely paying attention to the show). I have to say I almost never watch TV in the daytime and especially this show. It's a live show like a totally entertainment/fashion/etc Today Show that comes on in LA at 9am. Saw it once or twice while visiting in LA and it's repulsive. The hosts are beyond campy. That chick, Jilian Barbieri from one of the NFL pregame show is on it and I don't like her any better on this.

(lindak) It's never too early to start those mummy and daughter drooling sessions ;-) What a wonderful choice Mark! She will have impeccable taste in films from the earliest age. We expect her to be an "extra" soon too ;-))

Merci, Karen! Ze Frenchis vill luv Bad Santa. ;-)

I saw 13 Going on 30 last night in class and *loved* it! Like WAGW, it did have the requisite group dance scene (to Michael Jackson's Thriller, same dance from the video), playground on the swings scene (though with a "couple" not father/daughter, even one of the same songs from WAGW (though I don't know the name of which one it is). Soundtrack is late 80's/early 90's pop/rock mostly. The music brought back lots of memories. Jennifer Garner was great, Mark Ruffalo v. good, also. It was fun and well done I thought. A few minor quibbles I won't bother talking about. I thought it had a bit more depth than many rom-coms. I could really relate to the 13 year old wanting to be 30. For our guests, the director Gary Winick (Tadpole)...kind of an endearing geeky guy you'd never think in a million years would direct a movie like this, the 2 women producers (who also have done Benny and Joon, America's Sweethearts, and one or 2 more big one I've forgotten at the moment), and as a surprise, the director brought Mark Ruffalo with him who is his longtime friend. Great interviews. Said the script was heavily reworked from when they first got it, and a lot of good ideas came out in rehearsal. The director was very open to suggestions from people during shooting, too. Gary Winick went from directing a $300K movie to a $37 million movie. His first big studio film. He started the company InDigEnt...they make small independent films, all digital. For Denzel fans, saw Man of Fire Monday night. Supposed to open wide tomorrow, but for some reason at last minute on Mon they decided to open NY/LA on Wed. Bunch of critics there. I was checking in at the door when Lisa Schwartzbaum of EW came up (always curious what she looked like). I wanted to ask I why I've never felt like we've seen the same movie after reading her reviews. ;-) For some reason, I was pretty excited to meet A.O. Scott of the NY Times. I like his writing/reviews.... but what a doof I am sometimes. :-P It was a great story and v. good acting from DW and the girl, Dakota Fanning, but it got lost somewhat in the length (easily 20 mins too long) and the frenetic stylishness the director seemed to feel the need to use. Was like a music video at times. Sometimes it was straight up shooting, other times, videolike. It was really unnecessary in my opinion. It stood on its own as a good story, I thought. 2nd half is pretty violent when he goes for revenge. An almost boring turn from Christopher Walken, he just had a pretty mellow character. And was surprised to see Mickey Rourke, almost didn't recognize him. Small part, but well suited to it.

Thanks, Dorine. I saw the previews of 13 going on 30 and it looks very entertaining. I am not a fan of Mark Ruffalo, though. Not man enough to tempt me. ;-) Am also looking forward to the Juliene Moore/ Pierce Brosnan film. What a fun preview that was!

Gary Winick...started the company InDigEnt...they make small independent films, all digital. Works with Campbell Scott then, who has made a several films with him and I think Rebecca Miller's was an InDigEnt title too. saw Man of Fire Monday night. Supposed to open wide tomorrow, but for some reason at last minute on Mon they decided to open NY/LA on Wed. I saw trailers for this ages ago. Seems like one they've had doubts about and have pushed back more than once. when Lisa Schwartzbaum of EW came up (always curious what she looked like). I wanted to ask I why I've never felt like we've seen the same movie after reading her reviews. ;-) *snort* I wish you had. ;-)

Am also looking forward to the Juliene Moore/ Pierce Brosnan film. What a fun preview that was! When is that out? I see it tomorrow night, Q&A with director after. Apparently it was shown in my class 2 weeks ago when I wasn't there. Didn't hear a great report about it, but will see for myself tomorrow. Was told JM comic timing not there.

(Moon)Am also looking forward to the Juliene Moore/ Pierce Brosnan film. Me too! It's called Laws of Attraction, opens next Friday. Great review in Variety: Attention Eve! Adam wants his rib back. "Laws of Attraction" plays by the rules sheet so gainfully employed in the battle-of-the-sexes comedy classics of Hollywood's golden age. Here, the sparring duo --- that once might have been played by Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn --- is essayed by Pierce Brosnan and Julianne Moore in enjoyably change-of-pace roles. While slight comic concoction is so airy it seems in danger of floating right off the screen, the pleasant retro vibe and a handful of effervescent moments carry this film no self-respecting heterosexual male would dare see except on a date. Opening April 30 after some fest dates, decent chick-flick coin should precede many court dates as a vid and tube staple. Audrey Woods (Moore), a high-profile Manhattan divorce attorney with a penchant for candy corn, believes divorce proceedings don't have to turn into nasty, name-calling free-for-alls. Daniel Rafferty (Brosnan), an even higher-profile lawyer with an impeccable track record, has a reputation for flying by the seat of his disheveled, roguishly charming pants. They meet cute when they find themselves representing opposing spouses in a divorce case. He invites her to dinner; she, thinking she can work the situation to her advantage, accepts. Then, in a moment of weakness, she ends up spending the night with him; the next morning, he shows up in court with case notes written on her missing panties. Woods and Rafferty continue to square off on a series of headline-grabbing cases, until they find themselves representing their highest profile clients to date: spaced-out rock star Thorne Jamison (Michael Sheen) and his tempestuous fashion-designer wife, Serena (Parker Posey). After initially courting Woods to be her advocate, Serena jumps ship and decides to go with Rafferty. Woods moves in and lands Thorne as her client. Thorne and Serena pretty much agree on who's entitled to what except, that is, for the sprawling Irish castle they call their home away from home. So, naturally, it's off to Dublin for our intrepid heroes, where they each plan to depose the Jamisons' servants in an effort to determine who deserves to keep the estate. "Laws of Attraction" is a welcome change-of-pace for Hollywood product; it runs under 90 minutes not including the lengthy main and end title sequences. Scripted by Aline Brosh McKenna and Robert Harling, "Laws of Attraction" desperately wants to approximate the sustained screwball rhythms of a Lubitsch, Hawks or Wilder farce and only very occasionally comes even close. But the charming chemistry of the leads and the lightness of tone achieved by director Peter Howitt ("Sliding Doors," "Johnny English") keeps the whole enterprise afloat. Liberated from his usual brand of spygame skullduggery, the de-Bonded Brosnan appears wonderfully at ease, while Moore, relieved of the melodramatic burden of her best-known roles, positively sparkles. They're helped by Frances Fisher as Woods' conniving, botox-injecting, former-beauty-queen mother. In a brilliant perf, Fisher amps up the entire movie's energy level whenever she's on screen. Asked at one point if she's really 56 years old, she replies, in a Mae West-worthy retort, "Parts of me are." Likewise, pic is appropriately polished in the tech department, with Adrian Biddle's widescreen lensing lending the Manhattan scenes a particularly glossy glow, while composer Edward Shearmur contributes a bouncy, brassy Gershwinesque score that sounds like an ode to skyscrapers and taxicabs.

Laws of Attraction being discussed on the Pierce Brosnan topic.

Sorry, I lose track of the myriad boards here. (Dorine)saw 13 Going on 30 last night in class and *loved* it! That one looks cute. I don't normally go for that genre, but occasionally they're well done and worth a look. Similarly, I rented Freaky Friday the other night and what a pleasant surprise that was. Smartly written, and Jamie Lee Curtis was great.

Yes, I was pleasantly surprised by Freaky Friday, as well. I was predisposed to like 13 Going on 30 as I love Jennifer Garner in Alias, but wasn't sure how she'd be in something with such a different tone. She looked like she had a blast making it. She was pretty funny on an episode of Dinner With Five, too. Surely, someone got this on their alerts, but thought it too embarrasing or ridiculous to post. I have no shame. ;-) *Interesting* (*cough cough*) choices, to say the least. Marsters, Knightley Voted Favorite Romeo and Juliet Thu Apr 22,10:44 AM ET LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. actor James Marsters (news) and British actress Keira Knightley (news) are favorites to play Romeo and Juliet, according to a poll by Britain's Royal Shakespeare Company on Thursday. The online poll on the eve of Shakespeare's 440th birthday asked visitors to the theater company's Web site who they would ideally like to see play the bard's most famous lovers. Marsters, who plays Spike in the TV series "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" was a clear winner to star as Romeo, the RSC said. Knightley, star of hit movies "Love Actually" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" pipped Kate Winslet (news), Nicole Kidman (news) and Scarlett Johansson (news) for the role of Juliet. Other contenders for Romeo included Orlando Bloom (news), Ewan McGregor (news), Jude Law (news), Johnny Depp (news), Colin Firth (news) -- and Ozzy Osbourne. More than 2,000 people voted for over 150 actors.

Colin Firth (news) -- and Ozzy Osbourne. LOL! You've got to be kidding! I'm not a fan of Keira and love Spike as a vampire, but really, R&J???? Kate W and Jude Law would work for me. (Mari), I rented Freaky Friday the other night and what a pleasant surprise that was. Me too! Was a vg laugh.

(Dorine) but thought it too embarrasing or ridiculous to post. I have no shame. ;-) And I have no shame in commenting! LOL....Love ODB, but he is a bit long in the tooth to be playing Romeo (though the SNL snippet was quite fun to watch). R & J were about 14 years old or something. Though...I'd love to see Ozzy doing Shakespeare (would you be able to tell if he was blowing his lines??).

(Tress)....Love ODB, but he is a bit long in the tooth to be playing Romeo That was my first thought, too. Anyone over 20 would seem long in the tooth for two young lovers not being able to overcome parental restrictions. I thought the Talking Movies segment on Cinderella movies coming out like Ella Enchanted and The Prince & Me was interesting. LM seemed pretty favorable to both-bottom line about how young girls are portrayed in these films and how they emerge strong at overcoming a situation that is perhaps forced on them. I thought WAGW did an equally nice job of that. In the end both young girls end up with their man and one is getting married. She questioned how much independence that really showed... Daphne ended up with her boyfriend and was going to Oxford to boot;-) I don't quite remember what Talking Moives had to say about that. Laura Metzger takes a look at the new breed of �Cinderella Stories� coming out of Hollywood. Recent films like ELLA ENCHANTED and THE PRINCE & ME that boast stars ANNE HATHAWAY and JULIA STILES have injected a feminist spin into the traditional princess fantasy. But critics ask will the mix work -- can these tales balance female independence and a true love fantasy? http://www.bbcamerica.com/genre/movies_specials/talking_movies/talking_movies.jsp

There was a new book reviewed in this week's Entertainment Weekly (April 30)I would have posted it here, but the website is behind. The book is The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler. I found a review of it on Amazon: A sublime comedy of contemporary manners, this is the novel Jane Austen might well have written had she lived in twenty-first- century California. Nothing ever moves in a straight line in Karen Joy Fowler's fiction, and in her latest, the complex dance of modern love has never been so devious or so much fun. Six Californians join to discuss Jane Austen's novels. Over the six months they meet, marriages are tested, affairs begin, unsuitable arrangements become suitable, and love happens. With her finely sighted eye for the frailties of human behavior and her finely tuned ear for the absurdities of social intercourse, Fowler has never been wittier nor her characters more appealing. The result is a delicious dissection of modern relationships. Dedicated Austenites will delight in unearthing the echoes of Austen that run through the novel, but most readers will simply enjoy the vision and voice that, despite two centuries of separation, unite two great writers of brilliant social comedy. From EW...here is a bit of their review. If I can't find it online by Sunday, I'll type up the whole thing- "The novel tracks the romantic escapades of these characters--and concludes with a marriage, the classic Austen finale. Appropriately enough, a tongue-in-cheek appendix lists discussion questions for book groups tackling both Austen and The Jane Austen Book club. Each character suggests topics... You may want to go back and read Austen after you put down this book. More likely, you'll want to track down more Fowler". A- If you're intersted here is the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0399151613/104-8825126-3799129?v=glance

time to celebrate, party and drink and drool (but not at the same time) happy birthday Eithne ! a very special occasion calls for a very special event. yes, you are about to witness a glimpse of mr. f's latest project. he was extremely eager to pay his respects by way of rehearsing his latest shtik just for you, oh well, you just see for yourself... animatronicolin, version 2.9 (how time flies !) : -the jobbing actor, or "where have all the thespians gone ?"- mode on. *warning to all slow connexions* : my biggest boy so far (!), this one weighs 820 ko nota bene: as you might have noticed, animatronicolins are very capture-consuming. the fact that i haven't been able to supply one to everybody in the past year is in part due to this simple fact (also, it takes a lot of time to build the animation loops, about a full day for each of them, and, mind you, i still have to work on a regular basis to pay the rent). plus, there's the inspiration, for some captures are better material (helloooo mushimokooo !). so, to make a long story short, i know there's a whole bunch of birthdays coming up in may-june, and i can't promise an animatronicolin for everyone, it all depends on my free time (very scarce these days). it is not case specific, meaning if you don't get one, it's not because of you, it's just... mektoub. since i hit my first drool anniversary a couple of days ago, i wish to thank all those who provide captures and photos : KathyC's excellent SNL set comes to mind as a real treasure trove... so, on behalf of "free animators for drool" (see last year's birthday extravaganza for details), thanks very much ! i also wish to say hello and welcome to all newbies, yeah, i know it's not the right topic but hey, i'm saving a precious entry here !

ROTF, Sophie!! Capital! Capital! Thank you again for my animatronic, as well. :-) And (a very simple) Happy Drool Anniversary to you!!

Eithne, I know you were going to try to knit this yourself. . but, well . . I thought perhaps you�d like me to bring over the real thing . .and give you both that and a birthday hug to keep you warm. Have a Happy Birthday today!

CF: Do you know what, Scarlett . .I�ve heard it�s sophie�s Drool anniversary . . CF: You know her . .she makes those funny little dancing images of me . .*hic* whater they called again??? SJ: Animitronicolins . .they�re awful cute . . CF: Wot? Ami-nal-oni-polins??? SJ: (snickering) Ani-mi-troni-colins CF: Hannah-me-polly-holland? SJ: (groans) Ani-mi-troni-colins. . .umm perhaps you�ve had one too many of those martinis Colin . .I think you�re a bit squiffy. CF: Pffftt . .don�t be reeeediculous Scarlett. Never had a martini before in my life . . . sophie knows that;) SJ: Then what�s that? CF: Oh nothing . . .nothing atoll . .don�t know wha�cher talkin about . . .Sophie, thanks so much for all the pani-mi-poli-me-thingys you�ve made and for bringing so much laughter to the board! *hic*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EITHNE You're next

Bravo, Sophie. Simply amazing. Happy first anniversary!!

So happy to have you with us, sophie, you rock! J'�sp�re bien pour mon anniversaire en juin. ;-D Happy Birthday, Eithne! Here I am in Dublin, waiting for you to start the celebration. Come quickly.

Fantastique Sophie!! Can't stop shaking it all about. ;-) I remember those animators very well from last year. Have they recovered? They were drunk and disorderly and most passed out under the table before the birthday cake was served. BTW, it would have to be a fictional Colin, as we know he only drinks white wine. ;-) Eithne!! Ooops! He's starting to shake his booty...must run! ;-)

Wot?! Did I hear that right?? It's Eithne's birthday!??!! Well, let me get ready for the party! I'll be with you in a moment! Let me help you mix the frosting...we're going to be late!!!Eithne!!

Sophie! Bravo!!! Too funny.....and a little something to go with it (This was written by Jeff Brechlin for a contest at the Washington Post. The contest was to write instructions for something in the style of a famous person and this was his entry) and since ODB is a "classically trained actor" to quote an SNLer, I thought this might be somewhat fitting: The Hokey Pokey O proud left foot, that ventures quick within Then soon upon a backward journey lithe. Anon, once more the gesture, then begin: Command sinistral pedestal to writhe. Commence thou then the fervid Hokey-Poke, A mad gyration, hips in wanton swirl. To spin! A wilde release from Heavens yoke. Blessed dervish! Surely canst go, girl. The Hoke, the poke -- banish now thy doubt Verily, I say, 'tis what it's all about. -- by William Shakespeare

You are a bunch of very talented girls :-) Animatronics, pictures, witty dialogue, Shakespeare and what have you. Sorry to have missed so many birthdays, will try to pay more attention. But for now: Happy Birthday, Eithne. Hope you'll have a great day!

(kim)CF: Hannah-me-polly-holland? rahaahaaa-heehee, just as hard to say as Mushimoko, errr... wait: mishimoto, no that's not it... hahaw dang ! (polly-anna in holland park ? duh !) (tress)(quoting brechlin/shakespeare) A mad gyration, hips in wanton swirl heehheeheeee, that reminds me of something... thanks everybody for the wishes, but"Wait a minute, who's the star here ?" a scowling Henry wants to remind you part of the burden of being in this family : "Now you behave, and get going ! it's Eithne's birthday for Christsake !"

closing tags, sorry.... i'm off to bed, i can't even get my tags right !

can't believe i blurped again

Aurelia, can you say Happy Birthday Eithne? Oh forget it, you can't understand a thing I say. I'll just have to go it alone Happy Birthday, Eithne!

Sophie, I know you've gone to bed, but I'm still partying...In fact I can't quite remember what I had to drink, or where the hell I am, but just want to say "Happy Anniversary" to the woman who brings me to life.

�Yes, Yes, Yes�It�s Eithne�s Birthday!!! Hope today was filled with all sorts of wonderful things.

Where to start...I forced myself to wait all day before I checked the board, because I knew that I'd really need to laugh after I shipped the DH back to Florida this evening. Boy, am I glad I waited (also glad that I left the tea in the kitchen). Thank you all, so very much, for your wonderful birthday wishes! Sophie: Geeze, my very own animatronicolin! I'm deeply honored! And he's so cute, hokeying about (wanted to say pokeying, but I'm trying to behave myself now that I'm a year older). Thank you! And Henry, do chill! I'm very happy to share with the very talented lady who "moves him". Evelyn: What can I say? Next, indeed! Dare I risk it? Yes, yes, yes;-) Moon: Waiting in Dublin? Great! Let Colin know that I know exactly where the Aer Lingus gate is at BWI and I'm on my way, so start building that pint! Karen: Thank you for the lovely birthday wishes and for taking care of this wonderful group of people! Kimberly: Thanks for sending Colin *and* the sweater over. It is a bit chilly here, tonight and with the DH gone back home, I can use the hug! Tress: So nice of "himself" to get all cleaned up for me! I would've gladly lent a hand with the scrub brush, or with the wine ;-). And Johannes, no need to rush the frosting, perfection does take time. And Tress...Sophie's poem was truely hysterical. I"m still laughing! Annette: Thanks for the lovely bouquet and birthday wishes! Linda: Thanks for sending Colin and Aurelia over with the birthday wishes. Aurelia can keep Scarlett company. Leslie: Yes, yes, yes! Even though I had to return the DH home today, it has been a wonderful day, made more so by my dear friends at Drool! If I have forgotten *anyone*, please forgive me. I really appreciate my first Drool Birthday party. So, let's load up some tunes, put the bartender to work, and parrr-teeee!

(The Birthday Girl) So, let's load up some tunes, put the bartender to work, and parrr-teeee! I love that these pictures will never go away! LOL! Hope it was a good one! Have a great night!!!!

My most sincere apologies, Eithne, on my late arrival to your party. It took me forever to find the perfect present (I hope) and then I was most distracted by Sophie's talented dancer! As you have claimed the position of official Cat Hair Custodian on any future Firth films, you might want an accessory to assist in the unfortunate but necessary job of removing cat hair. This item, specifically made for such a purpose, is marked under the name Love Glove. (I promise I am not making any of this up!) In case you are unsure how to use the Love Glove, instructions are provided in the package. Description One size fits all! Besides removing loose hair while gently massaging and grooming, Love Glove is also great for removing hair from furniture, carpet, upholstery and car interiors. Makes quick work of hard to groom areas like legs, tail, and underside. Technical Information To use, secure on glove with adjustable strap and gently stroke. Using slow and long movement, loose hair will cling to the Love Glove. Hair can easily be peeled off or rinsed away with cold water. Love Glove can be hand washed with warm water and soap. Rinse clean. Do not use hot water or place in dryer. Now that you are properly equipped, I'm sure you will be able to manage, in a most pleasant manner, any cat hair problems that might arise. I do have one question, though... did you offer to work with a black and white tuxedo CAT or artful, young CAD in a black tuxedo and white tie? These two were a bit confused. Happy Birthday Eithne!!!

I�m beside myself that I almost missed your birthday, Eithne! Ok, well technically, I did ;-) So I thought I'd quickly whip up a present for you.... ....but, it didn't come out quite the way I'd planned. So I'll just send along my heartfelt birthday wishes! All the lovely Droolers and I will keep you company in your DH's absence. ;-)

Eep, after midnight! Eithne, I'm so sorry I'm late but I hope you had a wonderful bithday. Hope this makes up for missing your day:-)

Eithne WHAT A SWELL PARTY THAT WAS Hope ypu had a fantastic day popping by , belatedly , to say hope you have a great year ahead and lots of happy drooling to come.

Just read this at Dark Horizons: Ocean's 12: The sequel has been seen shooting at Chicago's Old Orchard Shopping Center, same location as Nic Cage's "The Weatherman". Oh man, that's the shopping center of my youth (though it's not in Chicago). I can't imagine anybody filming there. Parking situation is awful enough as is. ;-)

The original Variety news item: Next tour of duty taking Mendes to Persian Gulf Sat Apr 24, 8:00 PM ET Michael Fleming, STAFF Sam Mendes (news)' next movie will be "Jarhead," a Universal drama based on Anthony Swofford's Persian Gulf-set Marine Corps. memoir. "Cast Away" scribe William Broyles wrote the script, and Red Wagon partners Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher will produce. Shooting begins in the fall. Drawing on his own experiences as a Marine grunt in Vietnam, Broyles wrote a script that studio and producers felt captured Swofford's voice and vivid descriptions of war. While Mendes has no background in soldiering, he liked the script enough to commit after reading a draft and doing some work on it with Broyles. His production shingle Scamp also will be involved. "This is new territory to me, but I hadn't spent two days in American suburbia when I directed 'American Beauty,' " Mendes said. "I only knew the script had an unusual and original voice and it was a challenge I wanted to take on. "This is equal parts black humor, honesty, rage, lyricism, profanity and the mixture of machismo jarhead culture. With the exception of 'Three Kings,' this is a war that has been overlooked but which has a burning relevance to what is happening right now in the Middle East," he added. The producers said "Jarhead" raced to production faster than any project they can remember. U bought the book in a seven-figure deal last fall (Daily Variety, Oct. 24). Key was hooking Mendes, who is highly selective and takes his time between film assignments. "Sam was our first choice," Wick said. "This book creates such a completely distinct world, one that had a specificity of voice and contradictions everywhere you look." Fisher said they'll start casting and scouting locations right away, with the deserts of the Southwest a possible destination, after they made a convincing backdrop for "Three Kings." To tackle "Jarhead," Mendes will have to postpone film adaptations of Stephen Sondheim's musical "Sweeney Todd" and Khaled Hosseini's novel "The Kite Runner." Mendes, who followed his Oscar-winning debut film "American Beauty" with 2002's "Road to Perdition," hasn't made a film since. But he said he is still enthusiastic about the other projects and might accelerate his pace to make them in the near term. "My process is slow and I enjoy it too much to rush," said Mendes. "And I like to return to the theater between films. But after not doing any movies for a few years, perhaps I might do two in two years."

Frears stages Dench's saucy show 04/25/2004 Adam Dawtrey, STAFF In her 20 years as a grande dame among British producers, Norma Heyman has never had a project so hotly pursued by financiers as her latest, "Mrs. Henderson Presents." Given its fruity cocktail of elements, it isn't hard to see why. Directed by Stephen Frears from a screenplay by Martin Sherman, the film will star Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins in the true story of how London's Windmill Theater began staging nude shows in the 1930s, and became famous during the Blitz as the theater that never closed. Hoskins brought the idea to Heyman, with whom he previously produced "The Secret Agent," and they turned to former FilmFour topper David Aukin to share the producing chores. Pathe Pictures and BBC Films are in exclusive talks to bankroll the $15 million movie, although the Hollywood specialty arms are also banging at the door. "It's nice to be wanted for once, instead of having to beg like we usually do," laughs Heyman. Shooting is set for September. Dench will play Laura Henderson, the extraordinary old lady who bought the Windmill after her return home after years in imperial India. Her manager (Hoskins) spotted a loophole in Britain's censorship laws that permitted stage nudity as long as the performers didn't move. He added naked tableaux to the bill of conventional variety acts and transformed the theater into a scandalous success. "It's accessible, funny and moving," says one of the few execs to have gotten a peek at Sherman's closely guarded first draft. "It's a celebration of the human spirit, and it's got Judi Dench and Stephen Frears for a good price." Contrary to one press report, however, Dench will not be baring all in the movie. After finishing "Mrs. Henderson Presents," Frears will go straight on to shoot "The Queen" in early 2005, a followup to his recent political telepic "The Deal." Where "The Deal" dramatized into the relationship between Brit prime minister Tony Blair and his chancellor of the exchequer, Gordon Brown, "The Queen" will delve into the reactions of Blair and the royal family to the death of Princess Diana. When the royals initially refused to make any ostentatious displays of grief, it was Blair who seized the public mood and forced them to open up. As with "The Deal," script is by Peter Morgan for Granada Prods. Channel 4 bankrolled "The Deal" and is likely to do so again with "The Queen." It's unclear at this stage whether the project will be made for TV or might have the prospect of a theatrical release. "Man to Man" survives It's been a scary couple of months for the producers of Regis Wargnier's "Man to Man." But they finally learned last week that their project is safe. This $28 million Anglo-French co-production, starring Joseph Fiennes and Kristin Scott-Thomas, started shooting Feb. 18, despite having lost 30% of its budget a week earlier when the British government abruptly closed a tax loophole that was being used to finance its production. The producers -- France's Vertigo and the U.K.'s Skyline -- pushed ahead regardless with the first leg in South Africa, in the hope that they could plug the gap before the money ran out. Their plan was to combine a U.K. sale-and-leaseback deal with a bank loan against sales estimates. But crucially, this depended on getting the pic approved by the U.K.'s Dept. of Culture, Media & Sport as an official co-production. The DCMS, which recently rejected a similar application from the Anglo-Canadian project "River King," initially raised doubts about "Man to Man." But the greenlight finally came through April 20, just in time for the pic to start the British leg of its production in Cornwall and Scotland. "Man to Man" is an original screenplay by Brit novelist William Boyd (news), based on a idea by Wargnier, about a Victorian scientist who mistakenly believes a pygmy he discovers in Africa is the missing link between men and apes. Perry ruled out Contrary to a previous report, former British Screen topper Simon Perry is not a candidate for the chairmanship of the U.K. Film Council. He did put in an application -- but missed the deadline by two days and was therefore disqualified.

Older news, but I hadn't seen it: Inside Move: Elvis to leave building Wed Apr 21, 8:00 PM ET Pamela McClintock, STAFF In another shakeup for the New York Time's culture pages, A.O. Scott will ascend to Janet Maslin's former post and soon be named chief movie critic, while film reviewer Elvis Mitchell is expected to depart the Gray Lady altogether. Move downsizes the triumvirate that put Scott, Mitchell and Stephen Holden in charge of movie criticism when longstanding lead reviewer Maslin stepped down at the end of 1999. The Times declined any comment on the matter. There have been longtime rumblings of dissatisfaction at the Times with Mitchell, who was even rumored at one point last year to be among those under consideration to run the nascent Warner Independent Pictures. Mitchell, who cultivates a dude-about-town image, apparently irked some at the paper with his numerous outside activities, such as recently hosting Sofia Coppola and Bill Murray events. Mitchell also is a visiting lecturer at Harvard U.'s African and African American Studies Dept. There's some speculation that Mitchell has already turned in his resignation. He could not be reached for comment Thursday.

'Jumpers' Mixes High Jinks, Low Comedy Sun Apr 25, 9:30 PM ET By MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic NEW YORK - Put on those thinking caps, folks, it's time to face "Jumpers," Tom Stoppard's high hurdle of a comedy filled with dense philosophical discussion, impossibly clever quips, deliberately bad musical numbers and one dead gymnast. The revival, which opened Sunday at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre, comes from Britain's National Theatre, where it was a big hit last summer. Stateside, however, American audiences could be flummoxed by Stoppard's ornate wordplay that seems to be forever calling attention to itself and the play's very specific English references that will have non-Anglophiles scratching their heads. Along with all that dazzle, "Jumpers," which had a short run on Broadway 30 years ago, exudes a certain smugness as Stoppard spins his rarefied tale of intellectual high jinks and low comedy. The plot is overstuffed with language and physical movement. Even designer Vicki Mortimer's intricate turntable setting never seems to stop moving. The story revolves around George, a rumpled professor of moral philosophy who is preparing a paper on the existence of God and who dictates his thoughts to a silent but efficient secretary. Stoppard's verbal dexterity is astonishing as he lays out George's argument for the presence of a higher power. These thoughts make for some lengthy monologues which Simon Russell Beale (as George) delivers with remarkable finesse. Beale is making his Broadway debut in "Jumpers" although the actor is known to New Yorkers from his sterling performances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in such classics as "Twelfth Night" and "Uncle Vanya." Here, perhaps to compensate for the esoteric material, Beale tries a bit too hard to be ingratiating. His portrait of the unraveling George is bigger, broader and filled with more bits of stage busyness than it was in London. That said, Beale does capture the essential sadness of a man desperately trying to repair a damaged marriage with the insecure, appropriately named Dotty, played by the voluptuous Essie Davis. It's the one note of humanity in a play that, despite the laughs, is cold and chilly. Among other things, "Jumpers" is a murder mystery: who killed the yellow-suited gymnast? The man, along with a squad of fellow philosopher-athletes, was performing at a party given by Dotty when he was shot. Dotty, of course, is the prime suspect. She is a promiscuous, mentally fragile woman who walked out on her musical-comedy career in mid-song. Now she's having an affair with Archie, a vice chancellor at the university as well as her psychiatrist. As the wanton � and often naked � wife, Davis is a comic delight. [Ed note: But, really, would anyone want to see Beale naked?] She's sexy and vulnerable, particularly when perched atop a crescent moon high above the stage and singing songs about the moon. The other supporting players are equally adept: Nicky Henson as the unctuous, urbane Archie; Nicholas Woodeson as Inspector Bones, a policeman right out of Agatha Christie by way of Monty Python; John Rogan as a doddering servant, and Eliza Lumley as the mute secretary. Director David Leveaux worked wonders with his recent Broadway revivals of "Nine" and "Fiddler on the Roof." Both were carefully rethought. Leveaux is a smart, savvy director, and "Jumpers" never looks or sounds less than elegant. Yet Stoppard's metaphysical musings are hard to make theatrical. And for a lot of the time, they somersault right over the heads of the audience.

A rave from the New York Times: THEATER REVIEW | 'JUMPERS' Odd Brits A-Leaping With Bodies or Brains By BEN BRANTLEY NY Times Acrobatics aren't just for athletes in the high-flying revival of Tom Stoppard's "Jumpers," which opened last night at the Brooks Atkinson Theater. Though the show features an enthusiastic team of bouncing gymnasts, everyone in "Jumpers" jumps in one way or another � verbally, emotionally, morally. Life is a state of unending, bounding restlessness in the world portrayed here. And with a cast headed by Simon Russell Beale, in a dazzling Broadway debut, such exertions turn this 1972 comic mystery of murder, marriage and metaphysics into one of the most entertaining exercise sessions available in a city that loves a good workout. Leaps of faith; back-flipping politics; somersaulting, self-inverting words and free-falling nervous breakdowns are all on offer in "Jumpers," which depicts a quasi-mythical England where a group called the Radical Liberal Party has ushered in a new era of relativism. The director, David Leveaux, appropriately serves up a show that never seems to stop spinning, from its chic revolving set to the frantic, farcical movements of its characters. But at the same time, this luscious import from the National Theater of Great Britain, which also stars the divine Essie Davis, finds a wounded, hungry heart beneath the razzle-dazzle of wit and vaudevillian showmanship. And a play often dismissed as too clever by half now registers clearly as a poignant acknowledgment of the limits of cleverness. In summary, "Jumpers" can still sound off-putting. (It was given the nickname "Sleepers" during its first and brief run on Broadway in 1974 in reference to its narcotic effect.) Where's the excitement in a play about a bumbling, self-centered philosopher, one George Moore (Mr. Russell Beale), who spends much of his time dictating a lecture on whether or not God exists? Granted, the people around this hapless fellow (who is not, as he irritably explains, the more famous philosopher named George E. Moore) are a lively lot. Most of his fellow academics are acrobats, and even his secretary is first seen flying on a trapeze. But George belongs, as he puts it, to an old-fashioned school, "which regards all sudden movements as ill-bred." Yet there is nothing static about the performance of Mr. Russell Beale, a London stage star of sharp inventiveness and peerless emotional depth. (He has been seen as Hamlet and Vanya in visiting productions at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.) Even as his George tries to make a case for a solid metaphysical core in a crazy, mixed-up universe, his hands rove to pick wax from his ears or to trace circles on his protruding stomach. He cannot complete a phrase, it seems, without doubling back to amend it or erase it or contradict it, while his sense of self slides between giggly complacency and pained doubts. His wife, Dorothy (Ms. Davis), a prematurely retired musical star teetering on the brink of madness, calls him "the last of the metaphysical egotists." And in dealing with others � from the wife who keeps him from her bed to his beloved pet tortoise and hare � he winds up violating most of his stated principles. Still, there are moments when his fussy, stuffy professorial persona falls away, to reveal an achingly sincere faith in goodness. Mr. Russell Beale's performance beautifully mirrors the play as a whole. Like George, "Jumpers" can seem all too swept up in its own cerebral whimsy. But it is also like George in the seriousness that underlies its diverting surface. What keeps "Jumpers" from twirling off its shiny axis is its profound respect for what George calls the "mystery in the clockwork" of existence. In pursuit of this cosmic enigma, Mr. Stoppard has shaped "Jumpers" as a more mundane kind of mystery, the good old detective story. The play begins with a celebratory blowout for the Radical Liberals at George and Dorothy's lavish Art Deco digs, where one of the title characters, part of a floor show of academic acrobats, is shot and killed. Bones (Nicholas Woodeson), the delightfully inept police inspector who comes to call, confronts a Clue-game-like range of suspects: the high-strung Dorothy, who is called Dotty for a reason; her doctor, Sir Archie Jumper (played with superhuman glibness by Nicky Henson), who is also a government official, George's academic rival and possibly Dotty's lover; George's cryptically silent secretary (Eliza Lumley), and � a long shot � the building caretaker (and part-time metaphysicist, natch) Crouch (John Rogan). The antic criminal investigation is descended directly from the farces noires of Joe Orton, while the precocious schoolboy puns and self-congratulatory epigrams evoke a blend of musical hall routines and Oscar Wilde. But weaving these elements together is Mr. Stoppard's distinctive feeling for the shiftiness of all things human. Puns, for example, are words with more than one meaning. "Jumpers" itself eludes pigeonholes. Mr. Leveaux, who is also represented on Broadway this season by the less felicitous "Fiddler on the Roof," here dexterously juggles all the play's different identities. And with the highly skilled assistance of Vicki Mortimer (set designer), Nicky Gillibrand (costumes), Paule Constable (lighting) and Corin Buckeridge (music), he combines wildly different genres into one glossy, eye-popping package that never forgets the elusive darkness beyond. More than any production of "Jumpers" I have seen, this one locates the pathos in George's and Dotty's marriage, a sense of genuine affection and complicity undermined by helpless egotism. Tellingly, this couple is most at ease when communicating through games of charades. The silences that overtake them in between resonate with a sad, frustrated loneliness. Whether poured into a silver flapper dress or vulnerably (and exquisitely) naked, Ms. Davis's Dotty provides the perfect, plaintive counterpoint to Mr. Russell Beale's George. This production makes the parallels between the two explicit, while underscoring the sad reality that parallel lines don't connect. Just as George can never quite arrive at the clinchers of his philosophical arguments, neither can Dotty remember the lyrics to the songs that made her reputation. (The onstage band that follows her wayward performances is terrific.) Most of those songs, by the way, are about the moon, which Dotty believes has been stripped of its poetry since astronauts landed there. Just as George shuffles through names of philosophers, Dotty comes up with her own desperately delivered catalog of poets who once hymned her dear silvery moon. Don't worry if you're not up on your Keats or Milton, or for that matter your Plato or Wittgenstein. For all its intellectual name dropping, "Jumpers" � like Mr. Stoppard's "Real Thing" and "Invention of Love" � is ultimately less a showoff demonstration of what Mr. Stoppard knows than a humble contemplation of what he and all humankind can never know. This production presents the theatrical clockwork of "Jumpers" with scintillating style and polish. But it also pauses to hear the brimming silences of the mystery beneath the mechanical ticking.

"American audiences could be flummoxed by Stoppard's ornate wordplay" No kidding. I saw it years ago...have tickets for May. Tried reading it again. No comprendo. Am now reading a Drama Analysis on Stoppard's works. But he's worth it. Diana Rigg was the first Dotty. Since then , the role has not had any good actresses. I think Essie Davis either won or was short listed for an Olivier. Thanks Karen.

Dang, I almost forgot Eithne's birthday! Happy Birthday to mah beloved! Hope it was great!

(Mari) A rave from the New York Times: THEATER REVIEW | 'JUMPERS' Odd Brits A-Leaping With Bodies or Brains By BEN BRANTLEY NY Times Ben Brantley doesn't throw around the accolades often. Looks like we have a Tony winner here in the Revival category. With the leads taking best actors. Hey Moon, this might even be David Leveaux's year!!

"American audiences could be flummoxed by Stoppard's ornate wordplay I hate it when Americans flummox so easily;-( Thanks Karen and Mari for the Jumpers reviews. Anyone catch the second installment of State of Play last night? It's really heating up, now. More Bill Nighy than last week. IMO, excellent show.

No, I watched last week, but couldn't get past David Morrissey's helmet hair, which looks like a cross between an '80s news anchor and Chad Everett in Medical Center.;-) Then Kelly MacDonald started to speak Martian and I went "click!" Seriously, I thought it was a one-off; can't make a commitment to any more continuing series right now. Speaking of which . . . Did anyone watch The Sopranos last night? LOL at Carmella reading her mother the riot act about "cultured Italians." Can't believe she slept with Tony, though.

Was watching CNN last night and they had on a story about a new exhibit at the NY Metropolitan Museum of Art entitled "Dangerous Liaisons." Seems they've taken elements of their 18th century costume displays and posed the mannequins in interesting positions. Think Valmont writing letters.;-) They did show a brief scene from the Frears version of DL.

(Linda)Anyone catch the second installment of State of Play last night? It's really heating up, now. More Bill Nighy than last week. Hmmmmm... getting a little soap opera-ish,IMO. I like "Keen Eddie" mobetta;-) Will check-out the Dangerous Liaison exhibit at the Met.Thanks

Mari - re Dangerous Liasons exhibit. Hmm intersting . .do love the Met . .may make a trip for this one. Here is all that's on the Met webpage so far regarding this . . http://www.metmuseum.org/special/se_event.asp?OccurrenceId={9FA99BE0-39CD-48AF-9514-84531AF6C5A3}

Dang!!!! . .the link seems to not work . . Paste . .here is the main website: http://www.metmuseum.org/ After you enter, just go to: "More special exhibitions" and then "Upcoming exhibitions" And it is listed at the top: Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century April 29, 2004�August 8, 2004

OK, my verdict on Laws of Attraction....Eh! If it wasn't for Pierce Brosnan, it'd be right down with Two Weeks Notice for me, which *really* didn't do anything for me rom-com-wise. I really wanted to laugh more and sometimes I think I laughed at things on the sheer will of wanting them to be funny. Can't say I heard a huge amount of laughter overall. Thought JM was somewhat bland doing comedy...drama is definitely her strength. Frances Fisher was amusing as her mom, despite the one-note joke with her trying to look/act as young or younger than her uptight daughter (JM). Amazingly, I found Parker Posey pretty annoying, which is unusual, b/c I've liked her in everything else. In truth, I found the director, Peter Howitt (Sliding Doors, Johnny English) funnier during the Q&A than the movie itself. Kim was there. She may have a different opinion.

French and Saunders Return to BBC One Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are returning to BBC One for what will be their first sketch show series together for six years. The show will feature not only their much loved sketches, but will also see these sketches bound together with a narrative thread (like the glue between objects that otherwise wouldn't be held together, unless you used sella-tape instead). This narrative backdrop will take the form of a behind the scenes documentary which takes a look at the duo working together to write their shows. Much of this behind the scenes action takes place in French and Saunders new private office which they now share at the BBC. (although due to not reading their contract properly they only have one parking space). We will see them arriving at the office, battling with security and hanging around studios and lifts watching for celebrities to persuade to be in their shows. There are also an 'above average' number of trips to the BBC tea bar. But don't think of this new series as a documentary (that's what the Discovery channel is for), as it is still a sketch show at heart. The series will have their usual brand of parodies and sketches which will include tributes to Cold Mountain, Girl with a Pearl Earring and Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. http://www.funny.co.uk/news/art_72-2174-French-and-Saunders-Return-to-BBC-One.html

Eithne, so sorry I forgot your birthday yesterday... But you see, the cat got my tongue and I just got it back! So now I can say, "Happy Birthday, Eithne!"

OMG!! Shoshana! Where did you find that? Just think of the possibilities...no, wait...better not (fanning self). By the way, the cat picture is almost the spitting image of my cat. Must get more ice for tea. Dorine, one can nevah have too many versions of ODB! I really must start charging royalties when they show that portrait of me. Oh! You didn't know I was the life model for that one and on one of my better days, too. I usually don't look that good ;-) Ada, thanks for the great picture of ODB. He just never looks un-delicious. Lizza, thanks for the kind birthday wishes. It continues to be a wonderful birthday! Mari, thanks to both you and "Rhett". It's been a wonderful day! Thanks, Drool! You ALL are the greatest! (of should I say Y'ALL?)

Thanks for the birthday wishes, Lora! And that picture! Proof that he has one even if the cat did get it (talk to cat about bringing trophies to his "Meowmie" and not returning them to their "owner") ;-D

The director, David Leveaux, appropriately serves up a show that never seems to stop spinning, from its chic revolving set to the frantic, farcical movements of its characters. (Evelyn), Hey Moon, this might even be David Leveaux's year!! My baby is doing very well. Now I must find a way to him. ;-) *smooch* (Dorine), my verdict on Laws of Attraction....Eh! How disappointing! :-( But you also kinda liked The Alamo, so... ;-) Thanks for the links and articles, ladies!

From FL hot and sunny Now settled in Baltimore You�ll need that nubbly cardy To keep you nice and warm. ODB and droolers Were there for the feast Which DVD was favored As your birthday treat? Happy Birthday Eithne So sorry to be late Wishes I send to ya Hope the day was great PS: everyone here make parties such a treat. Sophie - animatronicolin was AFGreat. Kimberly - Colin and Scarlett, too funny. Evelyn - your fault I missed the party. Showed up, saw Joe Prince, passed out, hit head on keyboard (I know that because I still have keys imprint on forehead.) Still recovering, and he wasn't even looking at me :-(. Eithne, you lucky girl! (Mari) ...Chad Everett in Medical Center.;-) LOL, you bring back memories. Then Kelly MacDonald started to speak Martian and I went "click!" ROTFLMAO.

(Moon) How disappointing! :-( But you also kinda liked The Alamo, so... ;-) Pfft! The only thing off the top of my head that I've enthusiastically liked (or not disliked in some major way) in the last couple of months was Kill Bill, Vol. 2 and 13 Going on 30. Surely there must be one or 2 more, but they aren't coming to me at the moment.

Durr . .forgot to say when I last posted . .as Dorine mentioned, saw Laws of Attraction w/ her & my DH. I liked it . .I enjoyed myself . .not saying I'd run out and buy the DVD and watch it over and over again. . .but I did not think it was wretched or anything. Pierce Brosnan was my favorite in it all . .charming, handsome . .a little scruffy at times w/ the longish hair and rumpled suits. . .I also liked Julianne Moore . .the last light fare I had seen her in was that god-awful one she did with Huge where she and he had the baby together . .this I liked 10 times over that one. My DH was more with Dorine . .he did not like it thought it was too predictible . .he did not like JM, did like PB . .and both he and I agree with Dorine . .the best part of the night was just listening to the director . .v. v. funny man! . .v. down to earth . .with whom Dorine did get to exchange a few words with;) . .would love to work with him in the future . . .

(Mari) Then Kelly MacDonald started to speak Martian and I went "click!" Have to admit, of all the stuff being posted here over the past day or so, this line totally cracked me up too! RE: Laws of Attraction Most of the critics are saying that JM can't do comedy...but I'm not going for her. ;-) Before I toss it, ran across this interview with Helen Mirren in last week's TV Guide: Q: I interviewed Eric Stoltz, who played your young lover in Showtime's The Passion of Ayn Rand, and he said, "I made love with Helen Mirren!" [laughs] A: I made love with Eric! How lucky am I? Q: He said you asked specifically for sex scenes. A: Yes, I did. But often I'll say a sex scene isn't necessary. In fact, there was a sex scene in Prime Suspect that I didn't think was necessary. I said, "Let's lose that." It didn't advance the character or the story. Q: You've always been comfortable taking your clothes off on screen. A: I don't care anymore. I'm a great admirer of Gerard Depardieu. I would see myself in a perfect world as a female Gerard Depardieu. He's very chunky, but he doesn't have that attitude of "Oh, my God, I've got a nude scene. I've got to work out."

An article about the Dangerouso Liaisons exhibit at the Met: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=529&ncid=529&e=12&u=/ap/20040427/ap_en_ot/dangerous_liaisons

From THR: FCC indecency has Bochco in 'Blue' mood By Ray Richmond A couple of seasons ago on "NYPD Blue" -- one of the few stable shows currently residing in the ABC universe -- the show's creator and executive producer, Steven Bochco, recalls that Susan Lyne (ousted last week as the network's entertainment chief) urged the show to try a little experiment. "Susan wanted us to start using the word 'bullshit' in our episodes," Bochco said last week in a telephone interview. "And so we did -- not gratuitously, but in character. We received not a single phone call. Not one little peep. No letters of protest. Nothing. Zero. "I thought, what a nice sign that is, that a 10 o'clock drama can occasionally access some of the casual profanity that's absolutely familiar to anyone over the age of 7." It was yet another content victory for a series that had written the book on controversy, that had famously stood down the watchdog groups and affiliate rejection to survive its first season in 1993-94 and, more than a decade later, outlive virtually all of its critics. But as "NYPD Blue" rolls to the end of its 11th and possibly final season, the gritty cop drama has found a foe that it can't compete with in the federal government. The so-called indecency crackdown has hit "NYPD" hard, Bochco explains. At ABC's insistence, the show has been forced over the past two months to alter or eliminate visuals in four sex scenes. "We've also had to dial back some of our language issues," he says. Mind you, Bochco relates these facts with more sadness and resignation than outrage, like a man who cannot believe he's still fighting the same battles nearly 25 years after bringing "Hill Street Blues" to NBC. He's philosophical about it -- but not at all pleased. "We unfortunately live in a time where we no longer have broadcasting philosophies," Bochco believes. "We have divisions of giant companies who do staggering amounts of business with the government. Because of their size and responsibility to shareholders, they're prepared to accommodate anything rather than take on the government in ways that could cost money and damage their relationship with advertisers." That's the new reality. And what upsets Bochco perhaps more than anything isn't the fact his show has to relinquish hard-won freedoms and water down his product 11 years in; it's that he's the victim of what he sees as mere political jockeying. "I'd bet my house that the overwhelming majority of politicians banging this drum haven't watched us or anyone else who's being scaled back," he believes. "In typical lemming fashion, it's just, 'Oh boy, here's an opportunity to get some ink, to get my face out there in an election year.' They get to take easy shots at a slow-moving target." Bochco suspects that the "self-appointed cultural arbiters" will move on to new issues and the crackdown will dissolve after November. "Every election cycle, this issue rears its head," he says. "But right now, it's as scary as it's ever been. If it doesn't dissolve, this will be 'NYPD Blue's' last year. If we have to keep reining ourselves in like this, it just wouldn't be worth continuing to do the show." Bochco perhaps states the obvious when he maintains that you couldn't put an "NYPD Blue" on the air today. "Not a chance," he believes. The outrage is that the overwhelming majority of citizens in this country subscribe to cable, and many of those to premium cable. They don't make a distinction between what is free and commercial and what's fee and controversial. To insist otherwise is simply to delude oneself. Then again, they seem to be doing a pretty good job of that in Washington these days.

Thanks for the Met Review...Now if they only had featured YKW;-) "Jumpers" Yahoo report. "Tom Stoppard's "Jumpers" opened Sunday at the Brooks Atkinson and has confused everyone I know who's seen it. But it has pulled in nothing but raves across the board, including ones from the New Yorker, the New York Daily News and the all-important New York Times......" I'm telling ya', not an easy ride.

The US Fever Pitch looks to be a go. From the Boston Herald: Meanwhile, Mass. Film Bureau bigwig Robin Dawson reports Fox Pictures wants to shoot in and around Fenway Park in the late summer for "Fever Pitch," a love story about a boy, a girl and a perpetual losing team! "It's adorable, I can tell you that," Dawson said. The movie, based on the autobiography of "About A Boy" scribe Nick Hornby, first hit the big screen in England in 1997 and starred "Bridget Jones" stud Colin Firth. It was the story of a British teacher's obsession with his girlfriend and his local soccer team. In the American version, a Bostonian named Ben meets a gal named Lindsey. They fall in love and everything's hunky-dory until baseball season rolls around and Lindsey discovers the horrifying truth: Her boyfriend is a diehard, Nomar-lovin,' Yankees-Suck-chanting, Sox-obsessed psycho. But, as "Still, We Believe" so aptly illustrates, there's really no other kind . . . . http://thetrack.bostonherald.com/moreTrack/view.bg?articleid=543

British teacher's obsession with his girlfriend Actually, wasn't the problem that he *wasn't* obsessed with his girlfriend? Barely had eyes for anything but soccer. The irony about this now is the Sox are in first now, I believe. Maybe they should make it about the Montreal Expos. They'd have a new excuse for having to shoot in Canada vs the US. ;-)

I thnk this one has some real potential for Colin: Disney Mounting Swiss Family Robinson Remake Wednesday, April 28, 2004 Walt Disney Pictures is mounting a remake of its 1960 family film Swiss Family Robinson, which starred John Mills and Dorothy McGuire, says The Hollywood Reporter. The new project will be set in its original time period, around the beginning of the 19th century. The script will be written by Greg Poirier, whose credits include Rosewood, Gossip and See Spot Run. The classic story, which first originated as a novel by Johann David Wyss, finds the Robinson family washed ashore on an uncharted tropical island following a stormy shipwreck. ;-)

LOL!!! Welllll.....if most, if not all of Colin's clothes could be washed away rather than washed ashore with them, I'd be *so* there! ;-D

Dean Jones, here we come ;-)

Shouldn't this be on CF News? ;-) Good one, Mari. Now, if there were an uninhabited island set somewhere off the District line, I'd say it was a done deal.

Oh, but there is Euro-Disney, a bullet train away. ;-) Good call, Mari! LOL!

Heads up..... Tina Fey of SNL is being interviewed on NPR's Terry Gross show as I write. She has a new film out but is also giving a very interesting insiders view of the workings of SNL. Especially interesting to me is how decisions are made about what skits make it to the final show.

Check this out, a total hoot! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4146756343#ebayphotohosting goes to Mari's comment about Kelly MacDonald speaking Martian too. ;-)

LOL! I saw that yesterday and passed it around at work. When we saw it his counter was at 18,000 (and the dress was selling for $241.00)! Today it's over 3 million hits (and $15,000)! Crikey! Was just informed by co-worker when I told her what the count was at that this auction was mentioned on the news last night...this guy is too funny! My favorite bits: I took the liberty of blacking out my face - not to protect the ex-wife but to protect me from my bar buddies and co-workers finding out about it. I would never live it down. Actually I didn�t think my head would fit in the neck hole, but then I figured she got her Texas cheerleader hair through there I could get my head in it. And this: Ladies, you won�t regret this. You may regret the dude you marry but not the dress. Thanks Karen! This is too amusing...glad to see the guy may be able to get season tickets to the Mariners (not just the two he was hoping for!).

I heard this guy was on the Today Show this morning and had the hosts and crew in stitches. Wish I'd known.