Ooh-can I go too? I wanna laugh with RedTango & you too!

RedTango

Good call.  Thanks for explaining.

Hmmm, the world swim runs through next summer and I have a whole apartment complex I can rope into swimming.  *evil grin*

Wonderful find, Orikono!!!  Thank you for posting the link!

  CatsPlay,

   Before the talk commenced, he was *emphatic* about two things: No recordings and no photos. I'm not sure why the no photo thing, because he's going to be trailed around the rest of his life being subjected to both media and privately taken photos. 

   But because of this request I've decided not to make a spectacle of the photo and post it all over the joint. So no, I won't be posting it publically.

   Believe me, there are a million better photos out there of him, too!

Orikono, GREAT find!!!  Thanks!

Hi all,

Just found this on a Japanese AR fan site.

http://www.WorldSwimForMalaria.com/7JumboJets

You can hear him asking for help towards the end.

RedTango,

Did you ever post that pic of your AR encounter? 

  Greetings all.

   Well, the new leather jacket pics have not escaped my scrutiny.

 If you make yer way thru the crowds over to

  www.alanrickmangallery.com  go to the "Fashion Police" section and scroll down to the bottom. You will also note that the photo above these two new ones also displays the same leather jacket..so it all ties in together like a well written novel.

Well, kinda.

Enjoy, enjoy. And be on the lookout in December for a major freakout..a special gift for all you guys. Coming soon. Yay.

Claudia,

I really must say thank you for the chat capability.  I was hesitant at first, but was just in there for a bit with Dee, Emtee and Thea, and it is really great.

I think it is a great opportunity folks like me who get overly squeeish sometimes to take it offline.  I will make it a point to suggest moving over there the next time I feel a swoon attack coming on.

Thanks again for making this a great place, Claudia.

Claudia,

Chat room!?  You are brilliant!

Maybe I spoke a little to soon in assuming that everyone already had Java software loaded on their computer.  My system came with it already loaded so it just automatically worked for me. 

Java.com has the free installation download. 

CatsPlay - Well...it LOOKS like he's wearing a black leather jacket & maybe a blue scarf. As for underneath...it looks like a long black shirt (of a lush fabric) with a zipper and a drawstring at the bottom. Was the event casual?

The shirt looks like a corderoy zip up.  I just lurv the leather jacket! 

Please, Dee, I must have your assessment of the shirt being worn under the jacket, since you 'worked closely' on it??  Is it like a zip up velour type jacket.  That is so luscious!  I would meet you in the chat room to drool and swoon, but for some reason I just get a red 'x' when I go in -- I allowed pop ups....?? I noticed the leopard carpet too!!

Wasn't the luncheon at Planet Hollywood?  That would explain the Batman logo.

Thank you sooo much, Dee! 

Here's the other one!

Did ya notice he's carrying the big bag again! What IS in it??

But what's up with the Batman sign on the left and the leopard print carpeting?

Here's the first watermark-free photo. Give me a minute for the other one...

Meeressterchen, can't wait to read about Alice Trilogy!  Here's my email address.  I'll write it out so the automated html editor doesn't mess it up:

flipper828     @     aol.com

*slaps forehead*  I totally forgot that David Yates had been named to direct OotP!

Sorry Em but I just can not resist!!!! 

  Thank you thank you thank you Emily!!!!  I'm sure some of our experts will have the watermarks removed before you know it! 

 If you click on the coffee cup image above, you will be whisked away to our brand new chat room feature.  I really do hope this will help everyone to fit in and have the most fun they can have. 

There is nothing to install with this chat room. All you need to do is make sure you allow popups from that site.  If you have any problems, don't hesitate contacting me at the email address at the top of this page for help.

Feel free to use the chat room to set up conversations with others OR if you find your online the same time as others here, you can meet in the chat room to talk about anything you wish.  Once you leave the chat room, the conversation ends and no record will be kept by me or by Sigmachat. 

WOO HOO EMILY!!  Great work!!  Not to dwell on the pics, but I have to observe -- is that some sort of velour zip up jacket he is wearing under the leather???  WOW!

CatsPlay - I'm still waiting for the reply. Promise I'll let you know when I hear something!

Dee,

Did you happen to find out if the Preacher is available on DVD?

Re: Gawker.com Bergdorf bathroom siting:  My, can you imagine living a life where even your attendance in a restroom is noted worldwide?!  Weird.

ps.  my TMI comment was done in jest.  I realized my lack of punctuation may have made it sound otherwise!

Hi Dee!

I am also trying to refrain from thinking about some aspects of the newly noted Bergdorf siting.  Even for I, queen of detail oriented, I believe that was 'TMI' (too much information).

Yes, I am working on my Xmas card!  But I'm sure it will pale in comparison to your entry, which I know will be brilliant!

Re: HP directors, something sort of interesting from from J.K. Rowling's official site (in the rubbish bin section, in answer to the rumor that "J.K. Rowling vetoed Steven Spielberg as the director of the first Harry Potter film": 

"I don't choose directors for the Harry Potter films!  I've met all three men who've had the job to date--Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuaron and Mike Newell and I've liked all of the very much, enjoyed answering their questions about the characters and plots and have been delighted with the films they made (I haven't seen Goblet yet, but the omens are good!).  But that's my involvement with directors.  Steven Spielberg did consider directing 'Philosopher's Stone,' but decided against it; anyone who thinks I could (or would) have 'veto-ed' him needs their Quick-Quotes Quill serviced."

Dee -- sent you an email let me know if you were able to receive it.

Thank goodness the AR drought is over!

Emily - Thanks for sharing that NYC sighting *but trying not to think about the reasons for AR's hurry*  I'm amazed that a man noticed such great details: shaggy hair, black & gray clothing, weathered but good, great voice, ect. *polietly squelching a squee* My hubby would never notice another man...unless the guy was carrying a football or a bazooka. Okay...probably not the guy with a bazooka...

Is everyone working on their Christmas cARds?

Yes, the director for OoTP is already decided.  It'd David Yates.  And I think they are still on the pre-production stage.  David Heyman, the producer has been saying in all of his interviews that the filming will start from February.

I'm not really familiar with Tim Burton's work so I can't say much about him but I agree with Christina regarding Spielberg.  I also don't think the producers will accept him.

I thought the director of the OotP was the person who directed the movie with Bill Nighy The Girl in the Cafe  If not I vote for Mike Newell again

But don`t we already know the director for OoTP? He`s been announced, I recently asked about him, not knowing any of his works so far.

But if the shooting started already (remember that Emma Watson article) or is due to start in Feb. well how can they have only the trio and Jason Isaacs? If my memory serves me well, they are the only actors who signed for the 5th movie. And there was that rumour about Imelda Staunton playing Umbridge (such a good choice!).  And as for Tim Burton, I really admire him as a director but can hardly see him directing HP. Not a good choice if you ask me. And Spielberg - I don`t think the producers would agree after that Haley Joel Osmond thing. And neither woud JKR. I say let the brits handle it, I loved Mike Newell`s approach!

Here is Hikity without a c, because it derives from Heike:

Haan is located between Cologne and Düsseldorf, I would rather say neither north nor south but the "Italian" part of Germany...although hubby just left for Maputo again and I have no one to cook spaghetti, Dee, gosh, I love Italian food I could eat spaghetti every day

Now, I am going to shut down my PC and watch this Othello thingy for tomorrow's Shakespeare course.

Peekabooh, still lurking?, miss yr mails...  

Hikity,

sorry, my mistake, some days I wake up with my head on backwards re names and faces.

Re the discussion on Noel Coward and political correctness: Mr. Rickman once addressed the issue in an interview following Tony Awards, and his answer there makes perfect sense to me. I think most people here know which interview I am referring to - when he talks about how racism and misogyny are a part of the character he plays.

My least favorite example of overzealous PC watchdogging was banning Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice" from certain Michigan schools in 1980's.

Stale news? Well, I hope not although many of our fellow country men seem to think so.

Anne, you are right of course, it was Hess in Spandau (even my husband mixed it up which is very unusual but it's olle Kamelle (stale news says LEO...) anyway

Sorry ladies, another post from me:

 S. Spielberg???? ahhh, help,     as the next director of HP ??? You must be joking - I wouldn't go to watch the film and AR wouldn't join the cast I am sure of it. May be that is the reason he hasn't yet signed because the director has not yet been announced...

Hikity, I think you're mixing up Albert Speer (Bau- und Rüstungsminister) and Rudolf Hess (Hitlers Stellvertreter). AS was sentenced to 20 years at the Nuremberg Trials and afterwards he went to Britain to live there. RH went to England during the war (apparently on some kind of peace mission), where he was imprisoned. After the war he also was tried at the Nuremberg Trials and was imprisoned until he died some 15 years ago. For the past 20 years of his imprisonment he was the only prisoner in Spandau.

Hikity, are in the north or south? That's sad...though in London we have also no snow and green trees.

Hickity, actually I don't know yet! We have to wait until tomorrow when they will be up on the site - unless sue knows???

Meeressternchen, thank you so much - it had never come to my mind why - stupid me, . OF COURSE

GG, good point about PL. Noel Coward was a brilliant playright with what we would say an "acid wit". But he did write in the 30s and 40s when being "PC" did not matter. In this day and age, we have now gone berserk about it so I find it quite refreshing to hear "plain" speaking. PL is a funny play!

Oh I hope so too! What a disaster if that had ever happened, and the arrogance of the man! I, too, don't think he would be a good choice, nor Tim Burton (but maybe...) Having seen GoF for the second time today, I'd like to see Mike Newell do it again! OR - and this is WAY off the wall - AR!  

Elaine, would you pls be so kind as to let me know HOW I can give my votes to the OOOA and Megan again????

Christina, yes he played Albert Speer, the guy who went to England during WWII and who was kept in a special prison here so long (and cost the tax payer a lot of money... 

DarkMark, I know, but I have no idea when it was that I saw this film. This weekend I am going to rent it from our local "videothek". He played in Run, Lola, Run and several American films and in this great French one: Napoleon, then in Comedian Harmonists..Marlene (Dietrich) and lots of other films (TV series and cinema). He is said to be the Bruce Willis of Germany which I cannot by all means confirm and he hates this comparison anyway.

Roman Cycowski was his film name in the Comedian Harmonists...

The philanthropist Sir Peter Ustinov was a great actor and we Germans have adopted him as one of our German actors (being fluent in German and living in Geneva, he played in whatever films, participated in talk shows in this country for ages - I literally grew up with him and always believed him to be half-German) but he does not resemble the OooA at all, Satai, please...help, I would doubt my good tasts

I'd love to know what AR keeps in that huge bag he is often seen carrying around? Whatever it is, looks pretty heavy! He should mind his back! Not good to be putting heavy weights on one shoulder.

(Just limbering up my voting finger for tomorrow, though I guess we only have one stab at the "whatsonstage" awards.)

Harking back to the Solomon Issacs issue in Private Lives, don't you think that the Noel Coward play should be taken as a little piece of light frippery, as it was meant to be when it was written. The by play between Amanda and Elyot was extremely well written by a master and I doubt that when he was writing it he stopped to think of all the social implications that the piece "women should be struck regularly like a gong" would imply. I was lucky enough to see the play three times and not once did I think while I was watching it of the underlying currents. I was too busy enjoying the interplay between Amanda and Elyot and can only think that if people had time to think things like that while they were watching it then they weren't enjoying it for what it was. It was pure entertainment and the frisson between the two stars was riveting.It was written in the thirties and life was like that then and we must accept it for what it is. There will never be a better version of this particular play and it will stick in the minds of those who were there to witness it live for a very long time and as a great treat. Alan Rickman was a wonderful Elyot and Lindsay Duncan could not have been bettered as Amanda.           

Claudia, actually I wanted to send the thing as an attachment unless you want me to paste (will the paragraphs remain)? Sorry if I'm already annoying...

Hikity, snow melting? In Germany is it? (Like I first thought that would be London...) Re: I loved Der Untergang, saw it only once in the cinema, but it is really a shame they did not take the Oscar! The movie was very realistic...but i was unaware that this actor appeared there??! As who??

Wow, that was the second sighting from what most be the same day in Bergdorfs, unless it was actually the same sighting.  Both on the third floor.   May be the same person from the google groups posting, though, who had said only,

Hikity,

I noticed Heino Ferch (his real name is Roman Cycowski if you are into that sort of info) in Tom Tykwer's film "WINTERSCHLÄFER". The film was made in Germany in 1997. I think in Eglish it's called "Winter Sleepers". So if you want to anticipate "Perfume", this is a good one. If would describe it as "if David Lynch made Snow Cake..."

From gawker.com, an awesome NY gossip site -- their celebrity sighting page finally hits paydirt.

"Nov. 25th — Being my usual polite self, I held open the door of the men’s restroom on the third floor of Bergdorf Goodman for a shaggy-haired gentleman dressed in gray and black. He shot me a grateful look and said thanks in a distinctive British accent. Great voice. It made me look a little closer because I definitely recognized it. It was Snape himself, Alan Rickman. Wanted to ask him why he’d dump sweet little Emma Thompson in Love Actually, but thought better of it. The man looks good, if a little weathered. He looked like he was in a hurry and bypassed the urinals. Maybe too much turkey? Is that too much information?"

I guess this means the drought is over, for a little while! 

Thanks Claudia and Sue!  I kept looking at that list and thought, "Now, I know that's not the Evening Standard Nominations!"  Hehehe.  I've been trying to learn about all the London Theatre awards, as they feature in the plot of my novel.  I know there's the Evening Standard, the Critic's Circle (which I gather is connected with the What's on Stage Theatregoer's Choice Awards), and the Olivier's, so I think I understand now   so thanks again!

Hikity, I believe he played in Der Untergang? Great movie!!! who was he there, I can`t remember...?

And just one OT question: I've just discovered (FINALLY) a German actor I really like: Heino Ferch, wow, anyone here who shares this?

A brief note from an intelligent hen:

The Parfume: Why we have to wait until September 2006 ( and yes,most probably the film will be released in Germany first):

 10 months of post-production is fairly normal. They are using special digital effects, esp. for the marketplace scene (multiplying the masses during the orgy); optical realisation of smells with different colours; they might insert background images and bird's eye views from 18th century Paris; moreover, TT participates in writing the sound track and then adapting it to the film (which he was not able to begin with until he finished filming) plus the "normal" things concering cutting etc. What are 10 months? IMHO, they have to hurry up to be in time.  BTW: that's me...born in August, dominating my environment, living on the bright side of life, loving life and more, laughing every day.

A wonderful evening to all of you 

Wow, you ladies have been busy! Thank you Christina and Emily for posting the pictures, they're great! Thanks Claudia for the note about Noble Son and thank you Sue for the info on Perfume, posting the list of nominations for Whatsonstage and the new info on the Hello Voting. I hope I didn't forget anyone, you all are so great! I've given up on voting on the Hello magazine site because my computer at home never registers my vote. My computer at work does and I'll definitely make more of an effort when the yearly voting comes up!

Clive Owen will be my choice for this month too.  He's really grown on me since his CME days.  LOL

Thanks for the Kevin Smith article, Marlina!  I can certainly understand his desire to say more on the subject and his reasons for having to think it through completely. 

WhoGirl17, there are actually three award events we've been talking about.  The first would be the Evening Standard awards that were yesterday.  Today, as Sue has shown us, Whatsonstage is having the public nominated/voted awards and finally, the Hello vote for the most attractive actor. We've been following it since AR was nominated September.  Jeez, this is getting a little hard to keep up with!  LOL 

  Yay!  It would seem he's home and stepping out bigtime!  Two events in two days!  Thanks for the new pic, Em.  I know its teeny tiny but he doesn't look as tired in this one. 

Not sure where the "fairy" got the other one from but I have put in a request to see if she can find that one too!

Thanks sue and Alba (gracias).  Sue, that photo is from Rex. Will the enlargement fairy pay us another visit?

Good find Emily!

The new November Hello vote is up. It's between Viggo Mortensen, Clive Owen, Jude law and Robbie Williams. I've had to click for Clive on that one. I'm afraid Viggo was such a disappointment in real life after seeing him as Aragorn in LOTR. Vote HERE

Small one from the Whatsonstage lunch.

WhoGirl17, they are  the Whatsonstage Theatregoers Awards. They are nominated by the public and voted for by the public. Voting starts tomorrow.

Sorry, I must be missing something.  What are these nominations for?  This isn't the Evening Standard Awards, is it?  I'm feeling rather thick at the moment  So if someone could enlighten me, I'd appreciate it

Found this on LJ ar_daily..

Back To The Bible?
Kevin Smith ponders Dogma 2

Kevin Smith, never a man to shy away from questions posed by fans, has giving some thought to a sequel to Dogma, his controversial 1999 religion-com.  

When asked on his website about the possibility of a follow-up, he had this to say, in typically salty Smith-speak:

“Ever since 9/11, I have been thinking about a sequel of sorts. I mean, the worst terrorist attack on American soil was religiously bent. In the wake of said attack, the leader of the "Free World" outed himself as pretty damned Christian. In the last election, rather than a quagmire war abroad, the big issue was whether or not gay marriage was moral.

“Back when I made Dogma, I always maintained that another movie about religion wouldn't be forthcoming, as it was the product of 28 years of religious and spiritual meditation, and I'd kinda shot my wad on the subject. Now? I think I might have more to say. And, yes - the Last Scion would be at the epicentre of it. And she'd have to be played by Alanis Morissette (Who played God in Dogma). And we'd need a bigger budget - because the entire third act would be the Apocalypse.

“Scary thing is this: the film would have to touch on Islam. And unlike the Catholic League, when those cats don't like what you do, they issue a death warrant on yer ass (see Rushdie). And now that I've got a family, I'm not as free to stir the sh*t-pot as I was when I was single, back when I made Dogma.

But regardless - yeah, a Dogma follow-up's been swimming around in my head for some time now…”

It remains to be seen if he actually goes through with it, but considering he’s just finished shooting a sequel to Clerks, it can’t be considered impossible…

*******************

Here's the full article..

http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/story.asp?NID=17598

What do you people think?

Sue~ How to decide who's the winner?

Yay for AR and Megan Dodds! Also..there's a nomination for Best New Play too! 

Excellent news! 

THE FULL LIST OF 2005/6 NOMINATIONS

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

23 pages from the event but no AR.

Many photo sites have pics from the event but nothing about him

First pix online of Theatregoers Awards Lunch On WireImage but no sign of Rickman.

*tee hee* sue, you beat me to the punch!  Can't wait to see some trailers!   

Sooo news on both Snow Cake and Perfume....here's a mention of Nobel Son in an Eliza Dushku interview:

Beyond Off-Broadway, what's next for you?

I just finished an independent movie, "Nobel Son," with Alan Rickman, Danny DeVito, Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen. I play this poet and artist who helps kidnap the son of this physics Nobel Prize winner. She's dark and kind of a wacko.

So i see, thank you Claudia

is the movie going to be aired on Germany first? thank you for the news Sue!

A very recent post from the Perfume IMDb board. Posted by alex-thiele:

"I was lucky enough to saw the teaser last night at a celebration for german cinema-owners in Essen and Tow Tykwer at his producer Bernd Eichinger were some of the star guests. Tom Tykwer came straight from the cutting room and showed us a teaser with some truly amazing scenes and music. Especially the crowd-scenes were fantastic and I can´t wait to see the whole movie. I really liked the tone and the atmosphere of this first pieces and Ben Whishaw seems to fit perfect in the role of Grenouille.

We can expect something great!!! "

Sure...if anyone here wants to email I'd love it! perryy@onlyinternet.net" target=_blank>pperryy@onlyinternet.net

Marlina, CatsPlay will be offering Dark Diamond for everyone to download eventually.  She has some tweaking she wants to do before she "releases" it and that will take a bit of time.  Can't wait, CatsPlay!

Oh c`mon! To me it seems we`re one big happy family! The conflict between generations strikes again!  

(I am only kidding, it`s my affectionate way to say that these argues are inevitable but let`s not make a habbit out of it, k?)

Now on to better things! 

Carly Lynda, thank you for the heads up on Whatsonstage.  Ladies, get your voting finger in shape! 

I'm not the HP fan so maybe I don't have any business speaking about the next director but based on their other films, I just don't think Tim Burton OR Steven Spielberg are good ideas.  Almodóvar, although a wonderful film maker, is in the same boat as Burton and Spielberg, I'm afraid.  I have to agree with you Alba, there really is no telling what Almodóvar would do to it!  LOL  I really do prefer it go to a British director but I'm sure JK Rowling and the other powers that be will make a fine choice as I feel they have with the last 4 films. 

Thank you for the film suggestions, Dark Mark.  I just did a search on Krzysztof Kieslowski in Netflix and they have several of his films.  I've already queued up "Red" "White" and "Blue"! 

A lot of people feel some of AR's projects have "therapuedic" value.  My friend SuzyQ says that "In Demand" helped to bring her out of her depression after her Mother's passing.  I can definitely see where tWG could have that kind of power.  I loved tWG long before my Mother passed but it broght on a whole new meaning afterwards.

Inbredwaffle, please get to feeling better soon!

Christina...thanks so much for those pics.  I can't tell if they are from the release of LA or not but they are new to me!  Also, don't feel bad about asking questions.  I'm learning too...for instance...I may be spelling Hanukkah wrong.  *must do more research and make corrections*! 

The entries on the card contest are great!!!  They are so fun to read and I agree with whomever said it will be hard to vote this time. 

As one of those "old" (in more ways than one!) posters, could we please let Claudia's very wise words and requests be the last ones on this subject and get back to the fun which we all came here for in the first place.   

Claudia, your comment was really polite and didn't force anyone to agree with you

Also other comments agreeing with you were polite and nice, even if I can think different

not everyone was so polite,but rude, arrogant and offensive: this is the thing that hurts- We can disagree without biting with poison like snakes.

All that it's asked for is to be nice.

If like Ali-Pat someone says; " I have short time, can you all please post less chat and more focused news on AR work?"...who would say NO?

sorry Ali-Pat if I made your name, I found you very nice, I hope you don't mind .

it's the way, the tone that makes the difference.

I don't dare to say to anyone bad things to the person or to what the person writes.

I expect the same respect and I think everyone deserves respect, not only few ones....for how long they could have been here.

We're all persons and staying from longer time doesn't give the right to offend.

just my opinion

Hey all,

It's been quite a time since my last post (1 or 2 weeks ago i guess ), just lurking everyday to catch up with the posts and decided to come out from my lurkdom today

Well, recently things certainly going up and down like 'roller coaster' now in this Guestbook   

I think it's common to have different opinion and way to think about anything. 

Controversy (i think..) like this happen in the real world too. The major difference from this Guestbook with the real world is that we all love Alan here, so hopefully we'll all eventually come down to some kind of understandment.

Claudia~ Thank you a million time for the updates! I've already seen the Japanese Winter Guest Interview. He's so cute when he talks Japanese, And i had already download a couple of another new updates too.. Thank you once again. 

Sue~ thanks for the Snow Cake news! I had this feeling too that the movie gonna be released somehow

Catsplay~ Can you put your 'Dark Diamond' video clip into You Send It? I really want to see it and since i use dial-up, it'll be easier..

Dee~ Another nice ARt.. But don't you think AR's head a little bit too big there? (i mean compared to the lady's head..) Seems a bit unbalance..

And Thank you for the one who provided Alan's new picture from the Evening Standard! He really looks tired, didn't he? But Alas! He still looks great

PS: Happy holiday for anyone who has it! I ain't got any holiday here.. hehehe.. 

and always

Gee, I don't know where to start.  I suppose I'll say good morning first! 

I have a ton of email this morning dealing with my comments yesterday and I promise to get to each one of them (private entry included).  I do apologize from the bottom of my heart if I hurt anyone's feelings.  I, nor do I think anyone that agreed with me, meant to hurt anyone. 

I want to once again stress that its the "excessiveness" of the phrases, squeeing, and chit chat that leaves me uncomfortable.  There are private boards and forums that were actually formed for that purpose.  This board is open to anyone and everyone.  We're kind of like a bill board beside the road....everyone can read it and make their mark on it.  Whereas with private groups, you have to actually register to read specific areas and post and participate. 

Vicki, I want to address something you said about people only popping in when they have something negative to say or wave their cyber finger.  The people I think you are commenting on  have been here since this book's inception and have basically backed off posting because of the excessive nature.  And although I welcome everyone here....it really saddens me that these people have backed off. 

There has got to be some middle ground we can all agree on here! 

OT

I was thinking of Dee too: if you read, Dee, can I have your email or would you like to email me?

And I forgot to say this:

WhoGirl17 - another writer? too bad Moro isn`t here as well! "Alex", ha? Nice one!!!

The screencaps for the Christmas contest are looking great, this will be hard to vote! Keep up the good work everyone!

And I am so sorry, did I miss anything? What`s with all the "Happy Hollidays"?Is Hanukkah celebrated earlier than Christmas? I pray you will pardon my ignorance, I am partly Jewish myself but never celebrated it.  I am very sorry and I hope I haven`t offended anyone with my lack of knowledge.  

Dee, is it alright with you if I email you? I wish we could talk about something.

 Are these from the LA premiere?

Kathy, I responded to your post on the HP page. Nice to know someone is interested as much as I am in the matter!

oh, thank you, I thought it could send me to another list of Countries...since Italy is not in that list.

Thank you again

Laura, I just cut and pasted that article and the links appeared automatically, they weren't of any significance I think, just back to previous page or something.

Thanks for the Snow Cake news!  This one might actually be released.  AR fans must be the world's leading experts at dealing with delayed gratification by now...

LOL!!!  Private Lives not exactly "politically correct"?  You can't possibly be thinking of lines like, "Some women should be struck regularly, like gongs," can you?

As for the tone of the GB, I'm afraid I must weigh in with the opinions of all the other Old Ones here.  If you have only a limited amount of time to look at posts, like I do, it is frustrating when the signal to noise ratio is low.   

That being said, and please don't be offended by my opinion.

Inbredwaffle, I'm like you, I have no memory at all, LOL, but I  want to thank all that share all the wonderful AR news they find. I was especially excited about the news on SnowCakes. I look forward to seeing the results of all the hard work Alan has done this past year. He is, as I'm sure everyone HERE will agree, the best actor on the screen and stage today. My biggest hope is that he will do more theatre and I'll get the opportunity to see it!

Sue

thank you for infos about SNow cake.

the link on the right doesn't work, what was it?

If I had any sort of memory(and wasn't so sick!lol I can't talk right now so the smilies are great!) I would list names but a huge Thank You! Too all of you!...and a big Happy Holidays!!!

Things have gotten a little (lol) "heated" but I give that to the "drought" and the stressfulness (even that word is stressful)of the season! I am sure I am guilty of a bit of fangirly moments but I really take "teh pudge"  like I take the "sad hens" or the 100 other little terms as nothing but a endearment...but I am glad you brought it up Claudia because I think it is hard for us new to this guest book(at least new to posting) to know how the unspoken rules go..I am all for fun but I come hear first because I know you ladies are hawks(maybe...owls) with the News and I know you meaning nothing but well Claudia!

(I have to say a glass of wine and a tablespoon of cough syrup have left me a little "cheery")

The "what'sonstage" awards are the one "we" nominated MNiRC for, isn't it? Didn't Sue alert us to the nominations page? Well, seems like we have some clout when needed. Some serious voting required in the next 2 months then.

I see "Snowcake" is being sold here,there and everywhere, but has it been bought by a UK or US company, or are we to assume that goes without saying? Or wil Fortissimo actually release it as well as hawk it around?

And last word from me on controversy. Someone said about those posters who pop in and "wag the finger". I guess I'm one. I used to post here a lot - and have been coming here a lot longer than whoever made this comment. But recently, the board has been filling up with "chit chat" and not anything interesting about the OoOA. So I don't feel I need to post as often, and I know several "old" posters who feel the same. It doesn't mean our contributions are any less valued or anything to be ignored. I agree with Emily. This is not my kitchen. Yes, I chat with friends I have made on this board, but I do it "off" through email and such because I know that posting about my current struggles with work or family, or anything not to do with AR will be totally boring to the majority of readers of this board. Please remember that there are many more lurkers than readers!

'nuff said.   

How about Sir Ridley Scott (the director of "Hannibal" and "Gladiator"?) I think he would do a great job on HBP.

Hello,

re "Winter Guest":

This film has a special place in my heart. In 1996, two great lyric poets passed away suddenly: my great favorite Joseph Brodsky at the age of 56 and Krzysztof Kieslowski at the age of 55, both due to a cardiac arrest. Joseph Brodsky was a poet, and Kieslowski was a film-maker who made the "Three Colors" trilogy. When "Winter Guest" came out in 1997, it repaired me to the point where I could resume my own creative projects. I am thankful

If you like films like "Winter Guest", Kieslowski's works are great films to see. The "Three Colors" trilogy films are called "Red", "White", and "Blue". "Blue" is especially good, and very close to "Winter Guest" in content.

Tim Burton would be as bad as Speilberg imposing their own vision to the HP films - Mike Newell and Alfonso Cuaron set a reasonable template to follow - with any luck we will see another British director in place for the remaining films.

If the stories are even remotely correct that I have read - Speilberg was passed over for one of the first two films as he wanted to change the setting to an American high school and cast Haley Joel Osment as Harry - please let that just be an Urban Legend *cringe*

CatsPlay,

On behalf of S.W.A.R.F. we wish to thank you for the link to that Holiday video! Everyone is loving it!

*Sigh* I really hope that he is not chosen to direct HBP! I really dislike his work. I saw the nightmare before christmas. I despised it.

Now, someone I'm hoping will direct at least ONE of the films is Stephen Speilberg (sp? damn). Someone here (I think) mentioned that he should direct one of them and at first I couldn't figure out why. Then last night I watched Young Sherlock Holmes which I'd TIVOed and just watching the opening credits and listening to the opening music, I immediately thought, "YES! He'd be PERFECT to direct one of the remaining movies! NOW I understand what that person was thinking when she suggested him!"

Alfan ,you risk someone jumps on your throat because speaking of AR's look!

I agree with you anyway  

Ok, thats the last time i work 16 hours (two 8's-nurse shortage) as i had waaaaayyy too much to read to catch up, but i did notice one thing about the pictures that were larger of Alan this past week,,,,,,,is it just me or,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,am i the only one who loves his natural grey color.i  find greying hair on a sexy man, well, sexy. Much better than the half grey half red thing he had going on last year. But then i loved the blonde look too,,,,,,oh wait, now i cant decide, maybe i should go to sleep and think about it. Um, yup. good night.

Finally...something stirring from the Snow Cake camp! Thanks Sue.  

Susan, thanks for the possible background on the use of Soloman Issacs.  I think we can agree that Private Lives isn't the most politically correct play ever written.  What with all the violence to each other and infidelity, etc.  Noel Coward was a controversial figure back in his day as well as his works, I'm sure.

Vicki, someone posted that little tidbit a while back and I have it in line for the site.  Its cute the way he stands back and looks at Mirren in this clip.  LOL  I apologize to whomever shared it with us originally....please let us know who you are. 

WhoGirl17, that picture was purchased and shared with us by Elaine.  I can really see where the picture might have inspired you to write the paragraph you shared with us.  BTW, its very good. 

Good evening everyone!  I hope every one who celebrated the holiday had a lovely one!  I just have a few little trivial things to say.  First off, because I had some rather unfortunate news this weekend, I've been trying to do something a little extra nice for all the people in my life, so...let me say that I have lurked around a lot of fandoms over the years (I have a lot of loves in my life) and I really do think you ladies are about the most articulate and intelligent bunch I've ever come across.  I think AR would be proud of you/us.  That being said, a few weeks ago someone posted a picture of AR in his dressing room (Arg! So many pages of GB to search through to find correct post!) But anyway, just ahd to thank whoever put that up.  I've had it as my wallpaper ever since!  You see, I'm a writer, and I'm working on a novel at the moment about actors, one of which is a tiny bit based on a certain fella... Here's a little except for your enjoyment :

    Someone knocked on the office door and it opened wide.  “Ethan I, oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were with someone,” said a deep throated man at the door.  Julia starred up at him, wide eyed, her mouth slightly open.  The man was fairly tall and stately with a full head of thick straw coloured hair, which was beginning to go white at the temples.  He quickly ran an enormous hand through it as he smiled slightly at Julia. 

     “Ah, Alex!  Come in, it’s alright, actually, you have impeccable timing,” Ethan exclaimed, standing up and moving to the door.  “Alex, this is Ms. Julia Venice.  She was just reading for me.”  Julia stumbled out of her chair, clutching her script in her hands, still starring at the imposing man.  “Julia, this is Mr. Alexander Stanwick.  He’s one of my co-founders and senior actor of The London Actor’s Rep Theatre.” 

     “Senior actor?  I don’t think I like that title,” Alex sneered at Ethan. 

     Julia made a funny little curtsey and held out her hand.  “I know exactly who you are.  I’m a very great fan of yours,” she stuttered.  Alex nodded politely.

It's coming along rather nicely I think, but as I said above, I just wanted to thank whoever posted that picture.  It had inspired me in ways you cannot fathom Anyway, goonight unto you all.  Keep warm where ever you are!  

*Heavy Sigh*  I feel like Lupin's full moon boggart after he turned it into a balloon....pffffffffffffffttttttt....

Just when I thought the GB was relaxing a bit and returning to a carefree environment where people can gather, exchange info, and laugh a little...the heavy hand of controversy rears it's ugly head again. 

This is a great place.  What makes it great is it can be BOTH fun and informative at the SAME TIME!!  This shouldn't be a place that is restricted to strictly current project's news nor should it be strictly a silly, fan-girlie fest either.  I think Claudia tries to keep a good balance on both and this is HER guestbook.  When SHE feels it's tipping too far one way or the other she will let it be known. 

I have a difficult time with those who only pop in when there is something negative to contribute and seem to enjoy wagging their cyber fingers at others who unwittingly, but innocently may have crossed a line (kind of like what I'm doing now?)  So, let's just let Claudia handle it from now on and I will vow to keep my mouth shut on this subject from here on out (which I will happily emphasize with a smiley).

Now, that being said, did anyone happen to catch the 101 Crimes of Fashion on E! channel?  Coming in at number 42 was Helen Mirren who wore an elegant black dress to an awards show but was dissed for her feathery hat.  Apparently a fashion no-no.  Well, who was standing behind her looking absolutely gorgeous?  None other than AR himself.  Maybe he presented the award.  Sorry, I can't remember what award it was or if they said the year but I'm guessing that it might have been around the time of Anthony & Cleopatria.  E! seems to rerun these shows a lot, so if they do and someone has a VCR ready, remember it's #42 and maybe Claudia can add it to her TV page. 

I hope all my fellow countrymen had a good holiday.  I had four days of non-stop relatives.  I'm still trying to recover. 

Dee - I got the recipe for Bruleed Mashed Sweet Potatoes from here but I found the original recipe to be a little bland.  For extra flavor, I went a little heavier on the spices and I added 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and some grated orange zest.  Next time I may add a splash of orange juice or maybe even some brandy! *hic*

And similar from UKFilmCouncil:

International Buyers Hot for Snow Cake

November 02, 2005 - London

Several international buyers have already snapped up British director Marc Evans’s latest feature film Snow Cake starring Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver and Carrie-Anne Moss.

The film has already been sold to various territories by Fortissimo Films including:

DCA in Argentina, Dendy in Australia A Film in Benelux, Imagem in Brazil, Village Roadshow in Greece, United King in Israel, Media Film International in Korea and Thailand, Monolith in Poland, Lusomundo in Portugal, Svensk in Scandinavia and Media in Thailand.

Snow Cake, produced by Gina Carter and Andrew Eaton at Revolution Films and written by Angela Pell, tells the story of a driver (Rickman) who starts a curious but cathartic friendship with Linda - an eccentric, autistic mother (Weaver) and a passionate affair with her neighbour (Moss) after an accident involving Linda’s daughter. 

Executive producers are Robert Jones, Michael Winterbottom and Henry Normal.  Fortissimo Films is handling international sales.  The film is funded with the support of £1.1 million of National Lottery money from the UK Film Council’s Premiere Fund.

For further information contact:

Shirley Henry
UK Film Council Communications
T: +44 (0)20 7861 7901/7508
E: ress@ukfilmcouncil.org.uk" target=_blank>press@ukfilmcouncil.org.uk
www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk

From Fortissimo Films:

FORTISSIMO SELLS NEW TERRITORIES ON UK DRAMA SNOW CAKE


Fortissimo Films has sold UK feature Snow Cake to several more territories.

The new deals are with DCA in Argentina, A Film in Benelux, United King in Israel, Media Film International in Korea and Thailand, Monolith in Poland, and Lusomundo in Portugal.

Marc Evans' dramatic feature, written by Angela Pell, stars Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver and Carrie-Anne Moss in a story about an autistic mother who loses her daughter. Gina Carter and Andrew Eaton produced for Revolution Films, with Robert Jones, Michael Winterbottom, and Henry Normal executive producing.


In previously announced deals during Cannes, Fortissimo sold Snow Cake to Svensk in Scandanavia, Dendy in Australia and New Zealand, Imagem in Brazil and Village Roadshow in Greece.


The film is partially funded by the UK Film Council's Premiere Fund.



| By Wendy Mitchell in Santa Monica | 03 November 2005

Oh goodie, Meeressternchen!  My email is above.  I look forward to reading all your thoughts on Alice Trilogy! 

Dark Mark, its so interesting and different to hear from someone that actually came to admire AR because of the Winter Guest.  Of course I want to see him in front of the camera but I wish he would do more directing.

I don't see the resemblance between AR and the great Sir Peter Ustinov but that's not to say there isn't.    

Here's my "came to admire AR" story.  I had not seen Die Hard but thank heavens my beloved Mother did!  When she and I went to see Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves in the cinema, both of our jaws hit the floor when the Sheriff pulled away that white mask.  My mother said "You do know who that is don't you?"  And of course I had to admit that I didn't.  She told me who he was and then said "You really needed to see Die Hard".  The next thing I saw him in was Truly Madly Deeply and that's when I became a full fledged Rick-nut! 

*putting aside all the emotional background that the poor man's belly could cause*

Claudia, I have finished writing the theatre report of Alice trilogy, if you are still interested (I do not know whether it is of any interest to the ladies here - it is a very critical review and concentrates rather on the theatre aspects), and I have also written the after talk summary along several pics taken (could also provide scans of leaflet pages). If you give me your e-mail addie I will mail as I am unsure how to upload all this coherently to the GB.

Christina,

I'm an Anthropology major with a minor in Justice Studies (or I will be hopefully in May). I used to be quiet, complacent, agreeable and cow-tow to the world up until very recently. Not many people noticed me or cared about me. I have very few friends. I have recently come to believe that I just don't care anymore. If people don't want to like me, fine. They don't have to. I know who and what I am. I am kind, gentle, nice, but I'm also, angry, sarcastic and crass at times. Lately the latter half of my personality has come to surface. I'm tired of being quiet and nice. Never got me anywhere. I've decided that I'm going to speak my mind whether or not people agree with me. I'm tired about worrying about everyone else's opinions and bowing down to others for approval. If people want to like me, fine. If not, fine. I'm done keeping quiet when I disagree with things, and I'm done bowing down to the majority when I feel I have something to say. No matter how appropriate or inappropriate it may be to others. I have recently looked at it this way. I don't know what I was put on this earth for, but it wasn't for people to like since very few people do whether I'm nice or not.

Thank you for your warm welcome, Claudia.  I really love all the hard work you have put into this site.  I've learnt a great deal about Alan Rickman.

Reading Dark Mark's comment, I realised I hadn't introduced myself properly either...  I live in London now but I'm Japanese studying in London.

It was around the HP and the philosopher's stone that made me start to wonder who was acting Snape.  He's such an evil character but there was this something that really attracted my attention.  Then, I think it was last year, I rented Die Hard (I had seen it ages ago when I was a kid) just to remind myself the story.  After watching it, I wondered who was playing the role of Hans Grubert.  To my embrassment, for the past 12 or 13 years, I had been thinking that the actor playing Hans was a German actor!  I just wish I had noticed him much earlier...

May I offer my favorite apology from a Fish Called Wanda by John Cleese....(upside down)

I offer a complete and utter retraction. The imputation was totally without basis in fact and was in no way fair comment and was motivated purely by malice, and I deeply regret any distress that my comments may have caused you or your family, and I hereby undertake not to repeat any such slander at any time in the future

So may I offer

Wanda

as our word for --lets be friends and get on with the appreciation of the OoOA?

I think he knows we know he is adorable.  I think he likes it that we think he's adorable and he his aware of his own adorableness and can turn it on when he wants to.  It keeps us coming back for more...Huh ? what did I just say??

Hello All,

all the discussion of the GB etiquette made me feel self-conscious and I realized that even though I dropped in a few times, I have never actually introduced myself properly.

I am from LA. Ironically, I first discovered Mr. Rickman's work as a director of "Winter Guest", and only then I realized that he was a great actor too. When I first saw his pictures, I thought he resembled another actor I love, Sir Peter Ustinov. (let's see if the link works).

Sigh...

Yes, Christina, you are right.  I looked it up in my Private Lives book and they abbreviated it to "Sollocks" (spelled that way).  I am curious, now, about the significance of the words/name and why Elyot chose them.  I am guessing someone more scholarly than I will chime in with an answer!

Satai, may I ask what do you study? I know you mentioned statistics a while back.
In a way I admire your indifference, but that`s not the right word for it. Your attitude I mean. But sadly it`s also a reason on account of which you could be missundesrtood. I`m sure many think this way but just don`t admitt it. But be careful, it could also be considered as "malice". I know this because I used to be this way. I become more flexible with time, when I started realising that life is full of compromises and one has to adapt to every situation.I hope you don`t mind me saying this, I don`t blame you or anyone here, I like you too much to ever say anything like that.

But look at us, the Hollydays are almost here and what do we do? "Quarreling like an old married couple!" (sorry,I just HAD to use that!It`s one of my favorite lines from PoA) I think everyone understood everyone`s point of view so we really should let this thing go.

lol. It's ok Ali-Pat, lol. No offense taken. I am guessing it's because of the prefix in my username that might have given you that indication. It does sound rather Indian doesn't it? lol. Actually it's the title of my favorite character from Babylon 5. The character in question of course being, Delenn. Her full title among her people is/was Satai Delenn.

Christina,

Thanks for the second link. It worked. Those pics were great. Made me smile!

Now, as for the current "bone of contention". "Teh Pudge" and "Squeee"? Ok, c'mon, these are small things in the world and I think we should focus on more important things. If people want to use these terms to express their feelings and themselves, why is that so bad? Personally, it used to irk me to see "Teh" instead of "The" because I thought it meant people didn't know how to spell. Then I came to understand that it is just a way of specifically expressing the word when in association of something special regarding AR, and I got used to it and it no longer bothers me. In fact, I've been known to use it on occasion. As for "Squee". Well, for me it seems to express something very well and I have no qualms on using it. Just because I use it on occasion to express myself doesn't make me (or anyone else) juvenile for using it. It's just another form of expression.

As for being serious and such? Yeah, ok, lets be serious when we have to be, but let's cut loose a little and have some fun too. The world (and the AR boards, not just here but ANYWHERE) would be a very boring place if everyone is serious all the time. I come here to talk to people and find out more info on my favorite man Alan! I like to see people cutting loose here and having fun. If I wanted seriousness and intellectual talk all the time, I'd sit in my classes 24-7! I like intellectual discussions as much as the next person but my AR obsession is fun and I like having fun with other AR members.

As for offending people? I know I have. I make no apologies for it and I'm sure I'll offend others in the future. Why won't I apologize for it? Because it is part of life. It happens. We can't please everyone all the time and I'm not going to sit around wondering whom I've offended etc. If someone is offended by something I've said in the past or in the future, AND they've come forth and specifically said, "Why did you say that? That is offensive, please don't say that again." I may question them on it, but eventually if it's a valid point, I will apologize to that person and try to correct it from happening again. But someone is going to have to tell me I'm offending them because otherwise I'm not going to worry myself over it. And I'm sure I've just offended someone(s) with what I've just said, but again, that is part of life. No one is going to agree with everyone or what everyone says.

Claudia, I looked it up.  It was "Solomon Isaacs".   What/who does it mean?

  Sorry, but my mind is on other things and can't remember right now but what was the secret word that Amanda and Elyot had between them?? 

Claudia,

Maybe we should make up a special word or phrase that we can holler out if we find someone going over the edge, like Elyot and Amanda did in Private Lives?  Then 5 minutes of silence.  No, make that 2 1/2 minutes.

I never ever meant harm to anyone's feelings.  This is just something that has been bugging me a bit and how else can we be aware of other's feelings if we don't try to discuss them openly?

Christina, I agree with you on doing this when it first started but its kind hard to do that when you're just not sure its just a once or twice kind of thing (which is tolerable) or if it will continue on and on. 

Yes, a fair amount of squeeing and fan-girly stuff is welcome here.  How else will we get a laugh around here?  I mean you can only be dead serious for so long. 

Satai, if this doesn`t work either http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=jophelpsjapan 

please let me know and I will email them to you. It must be the server, try copying the link and paste it into your adress bar, sometimes that works better.

As it seems this discussion is getting more and more heated, I would like to apologize if I ever made a comment that offended anyone. I will watch my words better in the future and try to be more restrained.

 But I also think this discussion should have taken place when the whole thing began, that way we all could have avoided anyone feeling offended here.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the term "Teh Pudge" originate over on LiveJournal, with Serpentrix, Mortifyd and a few other users.   All meant in good humour, of course.  I mean; there have been copius amounts of posts all dedicated to 'it'.  Each of them in homage and in no way vicious, etc.

It wasn't coined and pointed out on it's own.  If I remember correctly, it was just another affectionate name given to that part of the body, along with "Teh Hands", "Teh Nose" .... and "Teh Bulge".  *coughs*

Like I said; 'Teh Man' (see what I did there ) has a lot of devoted fans.  None of whom mean him any harm or offense and I'm sure they'd cease all talk of this if they ever, EVER thought he'd be hurt in any way by what they say.

My apologies, Satai--don't know where I got the impression you were of Indian origin.  Sorry! 

As for the pudginess on the list of late--of all AR's glorious physical qualities, why focus on that one? 

I'd just like to make an honest comment.  I think it can be difficult, uponing joining in to a new community/message board such as this one, for a new person to get an in-depth feel for the 'lay of the land' and the 'unwritten' standards that may already be in place within the community.  Being relatively new, I've come to realize that considering these factors is important to fitting in and not offending others.  I understand that the board leader and members are comfortable with a certain 'tone', and respect that completely.

I know that I am guilty of frequently trying to 'be funny' or drooling, but personally, I try to balance that by also contributing more serious or insightful information on an equal basis.   I'm sure we all have nothing but absolute respect for AR and his work.  But the truth of the matter is, part of his persona and his public image is also his look, and I find it difficult not to comment on that from time to time.

I will continue to try and be conscious of these factors.  I think Claudia does a wonderful job of maintaining balance.

Laura, Emily didn't call anyone stupid. She was calling the phrases "teh pudge" and "squeeing" stupid. 

it's incredible to ask respect for who's not reading and not having respetc for who is reading and writing daily.

sorry, but it is offensive

calling stupid people here  is offensive Emily.

no one called you any bad word

You feel better than others.

good for you

I'm with Claudia with this one. The harping on about AR's body is a bit too fan-girly some times. Don't think we'd like it if a lot of men drooled over say, Judi Dench's boobs on a GB equivalent. My two pence.

I'm with you on "teh pudge", Claudia. This phrase and "squee" makes me want to puke (sorry, hope nobody's eating) when I read them. They are just stupid, IMHO. I think actually the "hip" misspelling of "the" is what irritates me more than "pudge". And "squee" just makes me cringe. I like AR, but I don't need to drool about him and act like a 12 year old.  And I dont come here for chummy chatter, I come here to read new stuff about AR and maybe some intelligent discussion. I think people forget that this is a public board and not someone's kitchen. Private Live Journal communities or Yahoo groups are the place to talk about deeply personal matters like marriages and weight issues. That way, you know exactly who is reading you, and you would know that everyone is coming to the group looking for the same thing.  Would people post their phone numbers or ATM codes on this site?  No, of course not. So why discuss personal lives out in the open? 

According to Dictionary.com:

pudge
The barn owl; -- called also pudge, and pudge owl. [Prov. Eng.]

pudge

n : a short fat person

I always thought that the reference to "teh pudge" was meant to refer to the midsection or gut.  Maybe I've been wrong on the meaning all along.  But either way...its not flattering. 

On the other hand, and I am very very guilty of this, I think he would have the same reaction to all my squeeing and "bouncy tube top blonde" happiness when I see a new picture of him.  So that might be nerve racking for others. 

I suppose it is true...you really can't please everyone all of the time. 

Quote:

Christina

Today at 10:50 AM

Comments:
Ho Ho Ho, my merry ladies!
Just pulled myself up from the floor after falling off the chair watching the video that Catsplay posted. As Ron would say...WICKED!
Well I`m free at last, my troublesome nephew is gone and now finnaly I can study for my driver`s license. This, of course, if I cut back on "AR searching" but seriously, how can one do that with all of the new goodies that pop up here every day?! This is really frustrating!
Thea, it`s ok, how could I be upset? I`ll respond as soon as I can, tomorrow we`re celebrating St. Andrew here (it`s a sort of Orthodox Halloweeen) and I have to organise a party (what am I here???) and the day after tomorrow we`re celebrating our National Day so I`ll be pretty hooked.
Satai, I found this on my daily "HP walk" and instantaneous thought of you! These are some pics with the Phelps twins at the Japanese premiere. Hope the link works.
http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/MTarchives/008070.php

Any news on Nobel Son or Snow Cake? I haven`t found anything lately

Christina, thanks for the link, but I got an error message when I clicked on it.

Incidentally, when I went to class today, one of my classmates told me that she saw me on TV on the news the night of the midnight premiere and that I looked all "giggly and happy", lol. Well, yeah, lol. I met the Twins! Of course I was "giggly and happy"! And if it'd been our dear Alan, I would have been, "giggly and happy" followed by passed out at Teh Man's feet!!!! lol.

Pudge basically means getting fat. Whilst obviously meant lightheartedly some people may or may not find this offensive.

Ummm..... I'm flattered that you would think I have knowledge in this area, but I'm not Indian/Hindu. I have no knowledge of this dish. I'm just a measley Anthropology student, lol. Sounds like a good dish though!

Elaine, 

 this word "pudge" could have another meaning or sense?

May I ask for the ..mmm.....original word or the correct one ?

I see everyone understands it, so I believed it was my dictionary's fault because old ://

I agree , Claudia, that if I was AR, I would not take it too well about people talking always of my look but how many men can say: hey, all these people like me for how I am? And even "faults"(at someone else's eyes, maybe!) are what everybody like more and more because he's so true and not a plastic man? He can really be proud of his work because we all like him for how he works and watching and watching we noticed also that he's a nice man

Hooray! AR is back on these shores!!

I can see Claudia's point. This is a public board, remember. Yeah, it's fine to chat and have a laugh "on the sofa" as it were, but we're not sitting on a sofa or all meeting up in a cafe. This is a board for AR fans to talk about AR. It may be okay in the US but constant use of words like "pudge" are quite offensive to some people. It's not always easy to work out what is meant as "a laugh" or "friendly banter" or if it's more than that. I hold up my hand becuse I am guilty, too, but it is getting a bit overworked now and if AR did read this, he may wonder if we really are the sort of fans he wants.

And Chicken Tikka Masla is a curry ( I like it described as a Cutlet with gravy!). Curry is a wonderful institution in this country, and CTM is one of the nicest (IMHO) (followed closely by Kashmiri Chicken and a nice Thai Red Curry...yum!) Don't forget the pilau rice, mango chutney, Nan bread, onion bhajees, sag aloo, and Bombay potatoes!  

Ohhh nooo Laura.  I'm not irritated with any one person at all.  And I don't want to be a downer for anyone.   

I think what makes me the most nervous is that when I read stuff like this about anyone (its not just AR), I try to put myself in that person's place.  And I know that "teh pudge" and "panda" talk are meant in good fun and is not meant to hurt anyone's feelings at all.  Also, I "feel" (for I certainly don't know him) that AR has a very good sense of humor but to see the chatter about these things over and over again after the emergence of each new picture...its just puzzling for me to see the humor in it time and time again. 

Claudia, I hope I won't make you more nervous than you are but I believe it's just a chatty talk, in the best meaning possible.

For how I feel it it's a talk between friends: when you watch a movie you speak about acting or story, when you listen aun audio file you discuss the voice and the sound, when you see a photo you commenth the look: hair, face, body....it can be childish or silly, I can't say it's the most mature thing to do but it's how we would talk by meeting in person. And when there is stuff to talk about it's cool...when there is not friends don't stop to talk, maybe the focus moves to other sides. And why not since it can give a smile without hurting anyone? After all no one is criticizing saying something ugly or bad...it's always the nicest way possible. Am I wrong? Forgive me if I irritate you or others, I hope not, it's just my point of view. I understand that everyone can read the GB but we're not paid to do serious and heavy posts and life is already heavy enough. AR makes a job that  is entertaining and that allows to fly with our mind from daily thoughts...why turning all back to heavy?

my apology if I wrote something annoying.

I'm for peace, nice company, smiles, talks etc.

{{ }}

Oh and thank you Dee for cleaning off the watermark!  You guys are so darn good and quick! 

I think he looks great and I just don't understand why he seems to be ducking away from photographers these days! 

Gifts to The Man.  Although I feel like I am a giving person...I just don't feel "it" to send anything (gift or letter) to AR or any other celebrity.  Of course, this does not make it wrong for anyone else to send him gifts.  Its just not for me...its not my "cuppa tea".  There are lots of fans and groups out there that have months long planning towards gifts for his Christmas and birthday.  Some gifts make better sense than others, I'm afraid.     

Dee, I think a booklet of your ARt would be a great idea.  However, don't expect him to have it on his coffee-table.    I've always enjoyed your ARt and have even found it educational too....yes...educational! 

"Teh pudge"  To be perfectly honest with yall....I haven't the slightest clue as to where this phrase came from but its certainly a popular one for some.  I know how grouchy this is going to sound but I just can't help myself today and I hope yall will forgive me (maybe its because its my first day back at work...YUK!)  But why do we always feel the need to use that phrase....or even talk about it any time a new AR picture makes its way to us?  I don't know about yall, but since this board is such an open forum unlike that LiveJournals or .php boards, maybe I'm just getting paranoid about it.  I really am curious about this why all "teh pudge" focus.

A huge welcome to Orikona!  I'm so sorry I didn't do this earlier!  We're a great group and I hope you will join us as often as you can.

Lex, no problem and what a neat idea. 

Wooo hoooo Sue and Lurking Pal!  Thank you sooo much for the new pic in larger version!

"a nice healthy soft one" !!!   I just love the way everyonetalks about it (teh pudge) here, like it`s his baby or something! Oh now that just made my day! good one, Laura!

the pudge gone?

I see a nice healthy soft one!

Claudia, can you do me a quick favor and check your email as soon as you can, thanks (unrelated topic)!

Christina -- I bet that was my subconscience (sp?) speaking as I definitely did not realize 'what I had said' until I re-read my post!

Yes, Catsplay, the subconscient talks for you! Coffee table, ha? Aren`t we stylish?!

I agree, he looks very trim there.  Yes, Christina, yay for FOOFY hair!!    Still laughing about that coffee table thing...   :-)

And a million thanks to your lurking pall as well!

Forgot to thank Santa Sue for the fabulous photo! Hugs and SQUEEEEEs down your way!

Oh noooooo!!!! Teh pudge is gone!!!! Or is it only my impression? He looks great! (fuffy too! )

*snort* on the coffeetable!! I caught that immediately!! From your mouth to God's ear..!

thank you for the larger photo, Sue and lurking pal

and thank you Christine for the other pics!

Thanks Sue!!! squeeeeeee!

Very cool tucked-in shirt, a glimpse of teh hands, great hair...and look at that sunset in the background! I still thinks he looks a bit strained...but it's so good to see him! I've missed teh fellow!

Dee - what do you mean, you`re still thinking about it? Girl, I thought I knew you better! You go grab those magnificent paintings and send them to teh man right away! Don`t dissapoint me! Just kidding of course, it`s your decision but I think it would be a very nice gesture because we`re not talking about some sick teen fan -fic! these are high class works of art! Not to mention they`re funny as well! I say go for it!

(as long as you`re not planning to put him in some Degas painting wearing a tu tu!!!   that`s for our eyes only!

Oh, brother.  Just realized this could be interpreted the 'wrong(?)' way......

Dee, do you want to end up on his coffee table or not...??!!

Dee,

Honestly, I don't think that comes across as obsessed.  I think it comes across as extremely thoughtful.  You'll have a better chance ending up on his coffee table going that route.  Go for it!

YES -- thank you Sue for the pic!!!!  I don't think he looks tired there at all, I think he looks faboo!  The hair is especially luscious!  Although if he really was in Bergdorfs in NYC just a few days ago, then he possibly is tired.

The ES Theatre Awards Pic courtesy of a lurking pal!!

CatsPlay - I knew someone suggested it, I just couldn't remember who! Thanks! I have the equipment to make my own book, but...IF I send them, I don't think I'd want to go that far. A "real" book might come across a bit over-the-top obscessed. Perhaps just a simple, yellow envelope...*covered with wet kisses and tear-stains, phone numbers, home address, indecent proposals, naked self portraits, smears of buttertarts and all my undying love...and...*snort*just teasing*

Christine - ahh yes...Snape art can make you blush, can't it? I confess that I didn't even know what the word "slash" meant until a Goggle Search for Snape! What can I say...I lead a sheltered life! But I'm talking about the photo manipulations I make that puts AR into famous paintings: Chagal, Monet, Tissott... I thought it might make him laugh...or cringe! Just can't decide if it's a good idea...don't want to be embarrassed (or arrested)!

Hey, I found these in the Mugglenet archive and thought not everyone here had the chance to see them. If they`re old news, sorry. They`re from the PoA premiere.

Oh, the good old panda days.... he he he!

Oh and dee - I don`t think sending Snape drawings would be such a good ideea, I mean, if you search Snape on google you`ll most prabably be sick by the end of your tour. "Kinky" doesn`t even begin to describe it! LOL! But maybe some ahem...innocent drawings of teh man would be quite a good ideea!

Dee,

I suggested awhile back, maybe you missed it, that you have a custom book made of your ARtwork and send it to him!  I can't imagine that he wouldn't think it was absolutely wonderful!  Here is a company that will print a 'real book'

http://www.mypublisher.com/default.php

Ali Pat - Do you mean there is no audio copy of Billy & Me out there anywhere? That would be a horrible shame!

Evening standard award photo - Gee...no other photo of him? That's disappointing. I wanted to see that tucked-in shirt a little closer. It looked like the teh pudge was gone! But...am I the only one who thought his face looked a bit strained/pinched? Like, perhaps, he was extremely tired? Could be wrong -- hard to tell on a 1-inch shot...

Just out of curiousity: Several folks out there create AR/or Snape drawings, manips, ect. Has anyone ever sent their creations to AR? I wondered if he'd get a kick out of my Famous ARt (he was an art major and might find them really funny) or, if he'd think I was a complete nutcase (prompting a restraining order and severe adversion to art museums). Any idea or opinions?

Our library's German Christmas is this Saturday. A giant thanks to Hikity and Chalebh for all their wonderful party suggestions and encouragement! *big hugs*  Danke! Sie sind das größte!! (Hope I said that right and didn't just curse colorfully!)

Okay...OT...After that last comment I just had to know! And yes...Babel Fish does translate cursing!! I now know how to say, "Bumsen Sie mich seitlich!"  ("*uck* me sideways!"!!!!) egads! That may really come in handy on Saturday! *snort*

Claudia,

After I posted it I looked at the date on his page and realized it was old, but I think it will still be enjoyed!

Ohh CatsPlay, Emmy's Christmas is becoming a tradition among Rickmaniacs!  Perfect timing to post the link.  I still think Emmy's brother really had to think a lot of his sister to take the time and effort to make that for her. 

I really want to obtain a copy of this book with one of my favorite AR photos,

Book details

http://www.andreasneubauer.com/books/index.html

Photo details

http://www.andreasneubauer.com/books/book-neubauer/spread-05.html

But the book can only be shipped to within Germany (confirmed back with an email from Neubauer himself).  See order page

http://www.andreasneubauer.com/book-order.html

I know this is asking a lot, but if there is anyone in Germany willing to help me obtain a copy of this book, please contact me via the email link.  Thanks!

Chicken Tikka Masala!  There was just a lengthy discussion of this dish on one of my librarian mailing lists.  What a co-incidence!  Seems to be some sort of chicken cutlet covered with a gravy seasoned with garam masala (a mixture of cinnamon, cumin, coriander, cardamom, cloves, mace, and black pepper).  It is an Indian dish--pehaps Satai can tell us more?

Claudia, thanks for mopping up after me. 

I came across this this morning.  It is pretty silly, but couldn't resist posting it.  Click on the 'watch this movie' link.  Be sure and watch to the end (just a minute or so)!

http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/207627

AR's watch went for a whooping £465.05 (approx $800.86)!  Notice the "similar items" eBay has listed above the auction!  I don't think sooooo!  *snort*

AR and Obadiah Slope are mentioned in this Guardian article. 

Ooh vicar! 

Oops, and I fixed your link, Ali-Pat!  Can't have that url splashed around here enough! 

Phew!  AR must be avoiding the cameras like the plague these days.  I've checked all the image sites I have bookmarked and not another image of him from yesterday has popped up! 

I just adore Anthony Minghella's writing!  And although I wish he had talked more of AR in the TMD commentary, I still enjoyed it very much.  I think there had to be some sort of crush on Juliet at some point but AM makes it very clear in his commentary that he loves his wife. 

Ali-Pat,

Yes, I am seeing recurring themes even in the couple of Minghella plays within this book.  In more than one play, the characters order the same "chicken tiki something" dish!

Oops twice--forgot to provide my email and typed out my website address wrong.  I'm leaving now...

Dee, all I can tell you about Billy and Me is that it was originally a BBC radio production.  Having read the script, I can tell you that a recording of AR playing all those characters would be a real find!  You can find the script in More Barnes People/The Spirit of Man, two volumes published as one by Methuen in 1990.  This is kind of hard to find, so let me know if I can help you out.

CatsPlay--I love reading Minghella's work also!  For one thing, reading a variety of his plays helps you to understand some of his more enigmatic films.  There is one play (title of which escapes me right now) that has a scene where a man is caught in a discussion between his wife and his mistress that is clearly borrowed from Beckett's Play. 

Oh, and it was me who brought up the whole Juliet Worship thing.

Spreading a little cheer here... 

Yahoo finally got the RIGHT clip loaded about Billy Elliott winning at the ES awards yesterday. While the clip is focused on Elton John - there is a shot that spans the room the event was held in at the Savoy (actually quite strange all things considering) and EJ talks over it - I have tried in vain to see if I could see AR milling about with the other folks - but have to dash now and get ready for work *grumble*

Dee--left you a message on HP spoilers forum

Sorry, where I said Julia below I obviously meant Juliet!

Dee,

Please share the details on whether there is a Preacher DVD or just VHS, and ordering when you find out.  Thanks!

My evening watching this evening was the directors commentary on TMD.  I know someone here said that Minghella was obsessed with Juliet Stevenson -- and now I know what they meant!  Obsessed isn't the word -- the commentaries were an entire Julia LOVEFEST!  For awhile I wondered if he was even going to mention Alan!  As the film progresed, Minghella did have very positive things to say about Alan.  I found one section very interesting --I transcribed it for you.....

"The odd thing about Alan & Juliet, they'd worked together many, many times, and part of their relationship spills out into the film.  There are actually some shots of them together at Stratford, at the Royal Shakespeare Company that I was actually able to steal & stick up on the walls, chronicling their real history, as opposed to the fictional history.  And, Alan is a very powerful character, a very sort of formidably intelligent man, and you know,  would have been perfectly able to have directed this film himself.  So he was always our boss, really, and alot of the relationship between Juliet and him, is -- he's the boss.  And I believe that comes out in the screen story, as well as in the off-screen story."

Interesting, huh?  Alan's the boss in his personal relationship with Juliet.  I thought it was so interesting that Minghella acknowledged AR as 'our boss'.

Also, when Minghella was talking about the scene late in the movie where AR & crew are rearranging the room (pulling up rugs, etc), he said that Juliet had put her own touches on the room and that AR himself 'undid' the room for that scene.

BTW, I am reading Minghella Plays: Book 2, which has TMD and 4 or 5 other of his plays in it, and finding the other plays quite enjoyable.  Quick little reads, on contemporary topics.  I might be inclined to read more of his work.

This may be really old news to everyone but me...

Can anyone tell me the story behind this? It says it's from a series of short plays by Peter Barnes.

Quote:

Alan Rickman in Billy and Me: Billy is a dummy created by Jennings, a ventriloquist who has gone mad and who converses with them as part of his act and of his delusion that they live; partly recognising his condition, Jennings tells Billy, "The fact that you're becoming more independent is a sure sign I'm becoming schizophrenic" but as his madness overcomes his reason, he accepts Billy's order, "Now we've got some practising to do. After all, you may be schizophrenic but you're still a pro."

Also: I checked out the Phoenix site for The Preacher DVD. It's not listed anymore, so I emailed for info.

Looks like it's a woman...with her hands crossed in front of her.  Possibly Rima?

Alfan - I was wondering the same thing! Tucked in shirt...! And no tie! Doesn't anyone have an account with Rex Features?

Never mind, I don't think that's his hand.  I think that's someone else's hand in front of him.  He looks great, BTW!

I am wondering what he is doing with his left hand in that little pic from the Evening Standard event?  It almost looks as if he may be holding someone's hand?

oh, do i see a tucked in shirt?

Oh no, RickiNicki!  I am sad for you!!!

That small pic is from RexFeatures so if anybody has an account they can probably get it bigger.

Lex, that's priceless, I laughed out loud at that pic--thanks

AR has left the country... I wondered why the sun wasn't shining today... Oh well, I'm really glad he finally got home so he can give Rima a hug, wash out his knickers, celebrate Christmas and get some rest. He's been on the go all year!

wOw...has it really been almost a year since Wawa Canada was the most important place on the planet?!! Where did the year go...

So...any more photos of him yet?!! I tried to enlarge the little one, but it went all glitchy.

Is AR schedule to do any appearances in 2006? I would plan my entire trip around a chance to see him!!

CatsPlay - I think the problem is on my end. It says I need to update Macro Flash -- but my work computer won't let me. Sigh...

Oh,how I WISHED  I was there with the great man,but no,I got it from the Evening Standard paper,glad you got a nice picture of the man,can anyone get it blown up?????

He looks good girls,looks very good....

Came across a couple of video clips, via this page (http://toniko.gmxhome.de/clips.htm), have these been seen before??

Private Lives Clip

http://www.nytimes.com/videopages/2002/05/17/arts/20020519privatelives-video.html

Tony Brunch Interview

http://toniko.gmxhome.de/Clips/brunch_rickman.ram

Dee, argh, what kind of problem are you having seeing the video on YouTube??

Hey, does anyone have this book by Andreas Neubauer???  I didn't realize this photo was in it!!!  MUST GET!

http://www.andreasneubauer.com/books/book-neubauer/spread-05.html

There is video from the ES Awards up on BT Yahoo here - but I am having a devil of a time accessing it to see if there is anything of You-Know-Who.........

Tonights Evening Standard indicates that Alan did attend (he is noted as a Star Guest along with others including John Hurt and Patrick Stewart) - MNiRC is not mentioned (I dont think it was even nominated for anything) and definately isnt amongst the winners in the list.

Billy Elliott the musical was the big winner and the Royal Court received a special award "for making and changing theatrical history this last half century"

Claudia,

This article provides what it calls a 'full list' of the winners

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4478854.stm

Hmmm, I wonder if MNiRC won anything.  I know...I'm just being impatient in not waiting for the articles to be written. 

YAY Lisa!  Maybe some pics will turn up soon.  Do you mind my asking how you know he was there?  Did you get to see him?

You my fellow Rickman admirers,our man did attend the Evening Standard Awards,but I can not find a piccie of him,I will try to find one out there in web land.....

Yay,the great one is back home....

thank you Claudia,I can't wait to see the first photos

I'm sorry, Laura.  That post was in reference to the new contest that was just started.  The link is above, if you want to take a look at it.

I don't understand what you just wrote about the harry potter pics, the dive and walk scene and the love making from AABA:what is the match  between them? Sorry for my stupid questions

Laura

Oops, I forgot to mention why I made some exclusions. 

Of course excluding "The Dive" and "The Walk" scenes from Dark Harbor are self-explanatory.  And thinking about it...maybe I need to add the love making scenes from AABA too. 

The reason I'm excluding scenes from the Harry Potter films is because we just did a contest featuring Snape.  I hope all you huge Potter fans will understand. 

Thanks Emily.  There aren't but a handful of pics on the "This is London" article so all I had to go by was the mention.  I totally forgot about this happening last year too.  It seems they could get their press release correct! 

OK calling one and all for the new "An Alan Rickman Christmas/Hanukkah Card Contest". 

Enjoy!!!

Claudia, I don't think AR was at the Evening Standard Awards.  He was on the list of celebs that were invited . What happens is that a lot of news agencies are too lazy to bother actually checking to see who did or did not show up when they write the story about the event.  This happened last year with the Evening Standard awards too -- he was on the list of invitees and didn't show, but was listed as being there.

There are a bunch of pics up now on Getty and Wireimage, but he's not in any of them.  Harriet Walter won best actress though!  

Augh!! I can't open CatsPlay's video at work either! Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Will keep trying... *sweating*cursing*deperation setting in*

miem 3 - Sounds like our London travel plans/goals are a lot alike...except I'm obviously a lot older than you are because I'm paying my son's student loans! *plucking stray hairs from my chin...* I signed up for a few of the airlines "exclusive offer" notifications - they let me know when there's bargains on trips to London. British Airlines has a Shopping Trip deal going on right now. You might check it out...considering AR's frequent shopping excursions!

A huge welcome to GDK!!!  I hope you will stay with us and have some fun.  Thank you for the pic.  I don't believe I have it in that size either.

According to this news alert, AR was at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards this afternoon.  But no pictures....yet.  Just in case the article goes away for free, here is the part about AR. 

The ceremony was hosted by Lady Rothermere, wife of Lord Rothermere, chairman of Daily Mail and General Trust, owner of the Evening Standard. Star guests included Emilia Fox, Alan Rickman, John Hurt, Maureen Lipman, Nicholas Hytner, Michael Frayn, Brenda Blethyn, Rupert Graves, Lesley Manville, Diana Quick, Jonathan Pryce, Timothy West and Patrick Stewart.  

Whoa, Satai, yeah, I hadn't really read that quote closely.  As Paris says, "That's HOT!". 

Addressing CatsPlay first....

Oh gods! I would freak out bigtime if Oprah showed up here with Alan! My house is a pit right now and with school and all I'm just not in a frame to get things in order, plus I have repair work that desperately needs to get done, etc. So if they just showed up here and surprised me, I scream, cry hysterically and then probably fall down dead from fright and embarrassment!!!!!

Dee,

Like CatsPlay said, I'm guessing it's because he's such an intense actor and he stands his ground if he believes something should go a certain way. While very talented I could see how a director might get slightly annoyed/irritated if he (Alan) stood his ground and said, "No, it should be this way, and if you want me to do it that way, you'll just have to give me a damned good reason!

lol.

And then of course, there's the following quote:

Oh, and here’s one for your random fact collection. Apparently Alan Rickman is quite a fan of roller-coasters. We’re talking big time here. “I love them. I love the fact that every rational thought leaves you, every bit of thinking. For three minutes, it’s just pure sensation.” Oh, to share pure sensation with Alan Rickman.

Ok. You all are going to either roll your eyes at me or start throwing things at me, but I just can't help it...

Not only would I love to go on a roller coaster with him (oh please Alan, please come to Chicago and go to Six Flags Great America with me! We can ride the Eagle and Shockwave, and the Demon and Whizzer, and all the other cool roller coasters they've got! PLEASE!!!!), I would also love to experience "pure sensation" with Teh Man........ any way I could get it!

Dee-  This will be my first trip to any major...well, anywhere...outside of the US.  I've been to Canada as well (no "tickling" involved, I was with my dad (so, eww)), but that's so close to me I hardly consider it that big of a trip. 

I'm going late June 2006. Probably the 19th-July 3rd.  Money availability providing, of course. There still will be those pesky student loans to pay off.

I've been teeter-tottering between reserving my flight tickets now or waiting until closer to June.  I don't want to be scrambling to get everything together.  I also don't know whether I should do one of those flight+hotel packages or do them separately.  From what I've seen thus far it will probably be cheaper to do them together.

I'm definitely going to hit a play and some galleries.   I've looked at going to the Darwin Museum as well (I'm a science nerd).  Then I'm going to try to get ahold of some Conservation Research contacts at some of their zoos to see if I can talk to some people over there (jobs? *crosses fingers*).  Mostly I'm going to be flying by the seat of my pants and my purse strings, I'm really just excited to absorb the atmosphere over there, people watch (discretely), etc. 

Dee,

Can't wait till you see the video tomorrow!  Don't forget!  Awaiting squeedom!

CatsPlay - I just loved how excited she was during that student interview!

Some of those photos were new to me too! I know we're not suppose to get so hung up on his looks, but it's not just his mouth, eyes nose... (which ARE delicious!). It's his style! egads!

I've GOT to get to bed! Nite!

If this has been seen before, sorry.  From http://movies.about.com/od/imaginaryheroes/a/imaginary121604_4.htm

Sigourney Weaver, re: Snow Cake

"What’s next for you?
Well, I’m doing a wonderful movie, working again with Alan Rickman. We’re doing a movie called “Snowcake,” which is an English script, [an] independent film. Alan plays a guy traveling through the northeast of America and there’s a terrible accident and someone is killed. He comes to my house to tell me about it and, as it turns out, I’m on the spectrum. I have autism and that’s just one of the things about this character. She’s many, many ‘out there’ things, but one of them is she’s OCD and she’s on the spectrum and very up-front about it. He has to spend a number of days with Linda because there’s a wake at her house and, of course, she never lets anyone in her house. She cleans the whole kitchen every time she makes a cup of tea. So she suddenly has 75 people in her house.

It’s a very unusual, beautifully written script. It’s not about autism per se, but I would say it tries to show you that people with this condition are maybe not that comfortable in our world. But they have worlds of their own which we are not part of, which are amazing. It’s a great story about Alan’s time in this town. He plays a character named Alan, and he has a romance, not with me, and a few other things. But it’s a beautiful, beautiful script by a first time screenwriter and it’s an English production. We’re going to start, hopefully, in January six hours north of Toronto or something really cold. And I can’t wait to work with Alan again. "

oooo, some of these red carpet emmy pics are new, aren't they (snooping around the college interviewer's site)?

http://gentlenoble.95mb.com/live_pictures.htm

And now back to the CatsPlay and Dee hour.....!

Dee, what a great interview, I'd never seen that before!  Lucky girl -- and a student newspaper to boot!

Re: whooppee cushion, I wonder if that is the cause for AR's laughter in the outtakes of that scene?!

Here's a few more quotes about AR that I've never read before. (Hope they aren't old news to everyone else!)

Q&A Daniel Radcliffe:
Question: Have you played any pranks during the filming of POA? Did anyone play a prank on you?
Answer: During POA Alfonso and Alan Rickman put a whoopee cushion in my sleeping bag in the Great Hall and when I started to move it went off. The scene was a very quiet one so you can imagine the hysteria which took place once everyone heard it.

12-2-03 When Alan heard Bill Nighy's remake of "Love/Christmas is all Around" he said, "I wouldn't be listening to a radio station that played that."

From an interview with Jamie Waylett: "Even the adults are in on the fun. When dressed as Neville’s grandmother for the Boggart scene, Alan Rickman got right into character, calling out, ‘Hello, love!’ to all who passed him in his dress — as did his body double. I was there when he filmed it. It was funny. Hairy legs.”"

And here's an amusing interview from a lucky woman who had a phone interview with teh man! I love this:

http://alanrickmandesire.tripod.com/lust_actually_article.htm

Dee,

My theory would be that he comes across as quiet and reserved, and also maybe somewhat 'intense'?  In so many of the director's commentaries, they describe Alan as being relentless about the details, asking questions, probing 'why', and/or making suggestions.  In the commentary of STLM, the director noted that Alan insisted on understanding the logistics of the surgical techniques, and would even get irritated if one of the other actors handed him a scalpel in the wrong (not proper) way.  Others have said (I think relative to HP even), that he stands his ground with directors if he strongly disagrees.  So maybe to a kid like Neville, that package comes across as intimidating?

Personally, having been a shy person all my life, many times my shyness was misinterpreted as stand-offishness or unfriendliness.  To me, it appears that Alan measures his words carefully and listens more than talks.  Perhaps to some extent he is shy?  I don't know.  Just my thoughts.

I thought this was interesting:

Excerpt from a chat with Matthew Lewis (Neville) on 1/4/04:

Question: Matthew, what was it like filming the Boggart scene in POA? Was it funny seeing Alan Rickman dressed in those clothes?

Answer: You can't imagine how funny it was. Alan Rickman is a really, really nice guy but he's still really, really scary. So to see him dressed like that was hilarious. 

Has anyone else ever noticed that many people (fans, fellow actors...) describe AR as "scary"? Hmmm... Does anyone have a theory?

Dee,

Teh Man is so worldly traveled, I can't imagine he hasn't been to Chicago.  But who knows.  Of course he needs to go there soon, I'm thinking, for my big fantasy Oprah HOOKUP!  (for those who are not Oprah-aficianados, this is where Oprah will 'surprise' unsuspecting fans with a visit or some unexpected interaction with their idol - you know, show up at their front door with cameras and flowers, or some other ridiculous, in pajamas and no makeup moment!).  I keep dropping my family hints to write in to Oprah and nominate me, but they just shake their heads.  Besides, AR would never be caught dead doing this, I'm absolutely certain.  (sigh.....listen....do you hear the sound of crumbling dreams.......)

Satai - Huh? You mean Chicago has two baseball teams?! *snort* Just teasing! I'm really not that big of a fan. I just like the ambiance -- the green field so brilliant it hurts your eyes, the cheers of the fans, the hot dogs...! So fun!

I wonder if AR has ever been in Chicago? Probably the closest he's ever gotten was flying over it. Sigh... If he does ever make it, pleeeease send him south when you're done with him! I can promise him buttertarts and rhubarb pie!

CatsPlay - Thank goodness I'm not a stalker! I'm just rabidly focused on teh man! Whew!

Dee,

It's just being 'detail-oriented', that's all .  Here's Alan, coming out of Bergdorfs (sorry, couldn't pass up a valid opp to use baby Alan!). 

lol. Yeah Dee, I'm in Chicago (I wouldn't have gotten to see the Twins on HP opening weekend if I'd been in Salt Lake, lol) lol. Don't know why you thought I was in Salt Lake, lol. But you said a bad four letter word.......

You said Cubs....... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm a Sox fan through and through! Have been since I was a kid. What can I say? I'm a South Sider in a North Sider's body!

Gods, what I wouldn't give to have AR here!!!!!!!! Please Alan! Please come to Chicago! You can stay with me! I won't let anyone know you're here! Honest! Hell, why would I say anything? I'd want you all to myself!!!!!!!!!! Might tell people AFTER you left, but no, never while you're here....... lol 

Satai - You're in Chicago? Why did I think you were in Salt Lake City? *scratching head and wonder if I'm losing it* I love Chicago! We drive up a couple times a year to cheer on the Cubs, see the latest at the Art Institute, and swing past the Indiana Dunes! It's only about 3 hrs away. I'll help you send AR a telepathy appeal to visit the Windy City! *waves hello*

AR in NYC - Do you think teh man has any idea that his fans like to keep him on radar? Not "stalking"...just eager to hear what he's up to and alert for possible sightings. Hmmm...that's not the definition of stalking, is it?!

I hope those who celebrate Christmas had a wonderful First Sunday of Advent and are heading into the season with happy memories, peaceful thoughts and low-interest credit cards!

I dunno.  It was Google Groups, not a blog, but if you read the post I see no reason not to believe the person, I guess.  And pair that with his attendance of the press screening of Brokeback Mountain on 11/21 in NYC (as noted from another semi-reliable sounding blog)....and, that his name didn't appear as a possible attendee on the 2nd version of the newspaper article about those awards in London tomorrow.   My tendency would be to think he's still in NY, or at least was as of yesterday.  If MNiRC really is going to NYC, I would think there would be preparations necessary.  I guess we can narrow it down tomorrow, if he does or doesn't attend the awards.

Oh, gosh.  I just realized.  AR may be in New York.  I live just outside of New York.  Hmmm, there are only 8 million people who live in NYC, and only one million in Manhattan.  Think I could find him?

Oh, wow.  I am behind.  I haven't watched that one.  Sounds like a doozy!  Thanks.  And I think your right.  I think he's a romantic, too.

Never heard of Bergderf's, but, seeing as I'm from Chicago, that is understandable, lol. Dammit! When will he come to Chicago?! I'd love to see him here! Maybe he'll come here when Marshall Field's dies and becomes (gag!) Macy's! lol. I'm just kidding. I really don't care that Marshall Field's sold out to Macy's. I know lots of people here are upset about it but I never really shop at Field's anyway, so it doesn't matter to me. But I do understand that it's a Chicago pride thing and the thought of New York coming in and taking over is upsetting people, lol.

Anyway,

Peekabooh, don't worry. You did nothing wrong. Apparently that trick doesn't work in this case. I hadn't tried to do it when I told you how. NORMALLY that trick will work, but the site (and more specifically, Macromedia) doesn't allow that to occur. So currently you can't download it. Sorry for the misinformation.

miem3 - When are you going to London? Is it your first trip? My fantasy of going to London is slowly looking like a real possibility for 2006 (I've never been out of the US - except for that "quick tickle" in Canada! *snort*). I'd be curious to hear how your plans are coming along.

GDK - Thanks for that photo! I've seen it before, but not that big!

So...do we believe the blog that AR's in NYC? I wish he was scheduled to do something while he's there so we could make plans to see him!

Something for Rima - so sweet!  I think Teh Guy is a romantic, though.  Listening to the new documentary for When Love Speaks that Claudia put up, he just killed me when he suggested that it (the CD) would make a great 'surprise' gift for someone you love.  Awwwwww!  Then later on he talked about how beautiful the sonnets were, and said something about crying at night on your pillow about them.  Double Awwwwwww!

3rd floor women's?  Perhaps something for Rima?  Yes, I would think Bergdorf's would be a zoo this time of year!  But then, given the pictures we've seen, I think teh guy kind of likes to shop!

Hi Thea,

thanks re: Dark Diamond video!   The 3rd floor info from below as the MENS portion of the 3rd floor.  There is also WOMENS on the 3rd floor, just Designer Collections.   Maybe doing some holiday shopping?   I bet it was crowded, being the weekend after Thanksgiving!

I hope he was in contemporary sportswear.  I think he could use some new duds.

I've been so busy lately, I haven't even lurked the past couple of weeks, but I just looked at your video CatsPlay.  Stunning job...hope everyone is well.

And, for those who simply must be in the know of what exactly IS on the third floor of Bergdorf's

1		Accessories, Dress Shirts and Furnishings, Sportswear, Fragrances, Gifts, Hosiery, Jewelry, Leather Goods, Belts, Made-to-Measure Shirts, Sport Shirts, Sweaters
2		Classic and International Clothing, Coats, Custom Clothing, Formal Wear and Furnishings, Tailored Sportswear, Weekend Sportswear, Personal Shopping
3		Designer Collections, Contemporary Sportswear, Bergdorf Goodman Rewards Services, Client Services
		Restaurant: Café 745

Fact or fiction, you decide, but as per this post on Google Groups, we have Alan being sighted in Bergdorf Goodmans, NYC, yesterday.

see short comment here

A couple days ago, there were black and white photo's taken of Alan having fun with a chiar during a photo shoot.There were two sets of them, well--there is a third too.

It looks like he is bowling with the chair in the second one,,,

(pssst, Alan--balls roll much easier)

I just came back from re-seeing GOF and i observed two things. One is that there is no stand in for Snape in the beginning of the movie, that is him. And second, there is no rubber head gear for Snape, that is him agian, no skull cap-just wig. And third --oh wait, i mean i observed three things--- the third being,wow! are his eyes ever black in this movie.

I actually caught myself with a little tear in my eye when Cedric was brought back. great movie, i plan to go again on Sat.

OT: What hotels (or otherwise) would any of you recommend staying at in London?

I've decided to start laying the foundation of my London (England, Britain...I don't know how far I'll be going) trip. 

Claudia,

Just watched the Japanese interview while doing some computer work.  It is truly priceless!!

Dee,

I can't wait to hear how you like the Dark Diamond video.  I watched it on my 8 foot screen today!  OH.  MY.  GOD.  Let's not start THAT craziness again.  I hate to get so impressed with myself but it IS good!! 

CatsPlay - I've got to wait until I'm at work tomorrow to see you video...but I can hardly wait! I love Elton John! Thanks for sharing.

Claudia - You are teh best!

SeverinaSnape - Ah, yes...I really regretted losing the nightshirt scene too. But, I can see it in my over-active imagination... sigh...

Evenin' one and all -

Just got back from my first screening of GOF and would have sat through a second if werent for pesky housework *YUCK* - will post some thoughts on GOF once I process the experience lol! Overall - I loved it - could have done with much more Snape - but of course I would say that now wouldnt I!

Sue - its not every day that I manage to get a scoop so I am feeling proud  hearing that from you - especially knowing how diligent you are in seeking out news! But that review had me coughing out my Cheerios this morning when I read it!

http://s64.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1USIQTS2J638F38HBPK01UE6XG

first part of the show

sorry pressed the wrong button....

what I was saying was, especially since that scene comes up in again in book 6 ('course they couldn't have known that).   I sometimes wonder at the thought processes behind the editing.

Claudia, my God girl are you sure you're not a wizard!!!  Thank you for all the new additions to his illustrious site.

Thank you to catsplay and Dee for your wonderful creative efforts also.

Just watched the deleted scene from Philosophers stone and wonder why a lovely and short scene like that would be cut.  especially since that particualr schene would now be

Congratulations on the updates, Claudia. I know how hard you've been working!!  

http://s56.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=030I0UU6FG83K3UXXCK276M84F

shortest part of the MTV show about HP-GoF.

It's a very large file!

I'm going to upload now the longer part (always about 100mb,sorry)

Hi RickiNicki

Yes, it is from "Songs from the West Coast" (awesome, awesome Elton CD).  Thanks for the video compliments to all.  I am really excited about how it came out!  I want to do some tweaking of it before I share a final version.

Satai Delenn, thanks for your tip but it doesn´t seem to work for me. I have to download additional programms which I´m not intending to do. So I´ll wait patiently till someone shows me the "downloading for dummies" thingy..... HINT HINT

Claudia  !!!  Thanks for those updates. You put so much time, effort and love into this site, Thank You Thank You Thank You

CatsPlay, your music video is awesome as well, thanks so much for creating it!

Dee, as always, your new ARt is wonderful! I'm not allowed to use AR wallpaper at home (husband and 2 sons would not allow it, LOL) but I put them on my computer at work. I'm always changing it because you (and so many others here on the GB) post such wonderful pictures and create such extrordinary wallpapers!

You all Rock!

I just finished watching Winter Guest Japanese press interview - oh, he's Japanese is really cute and very good pronunciation too!  I had absoloutely no problem in understanding him (I'm Japanese currently studying in London)

Hello Orikono and Private Entry!  Welcome to our group and I hope you'll find us a much fun as I do.  Post as often as you can.

Brilliant video, CatsPlay!  If its under 1GB, YouSendIt will host it for download so everyone can save it. 

"Hoity-toity"!  *snort*  I thought I was the only one that used that phrase, Dee!  Great new ARt! 

Alfan, I'm of the thought that the same lady that was interpreting him for the audience also may have interpreted any questions for him and maybe that part was cut out. 

I did think it was cute at how happy he was at the reaction he got from the audience of his attempt (a good one I might add) at speaking Japanese. 

Thanks for checking the MTV show, Laura.  I also still have the HBO special that has been on several of the HP sites.  If your keen on capturing yours that will be fine. 

Thanks for posting the article from the SF Chronicle, SeverinaSnape!  Its a hoot of a read!

Peekabooh,

Just right click on the video and then click on "Save Target As" and then save it to your specified file folder. It SHOULD work.

SeverinaSnape  - You beat me to that GOF link! Hilarious, I love her Lucius comments too

Oh sorry, silly me, I didn't realise it was up on the film page.

Thanks

Hello!  Wow, this is a fantastic GB!!

I wish I had come across this ages ago...

Alfan, would it be in anyway possible for you to share the Winter Guest press interview video?  I'd been looking for it for a loooong time...

Catsplay,

Brilliant, brilliant job on the video... I loved it... and I think Alan Rickman himself would be well pleased with that... Loved the choice of song Dark good looks with an added sparkle... I think you should send Alan a copy of that,,, Dark Diamond indeed, I think his PR Team could utilise that to his advantage.

Thanks for all the effort you put into compiling it.  

Top O Tha Marnin' to you ladies:

Re: Cristy Nagle - the only thing I managed to find out last night before crashing into a deep slumber is that she seems to be a teacher (art I think) and works for an MI school district heading some programmes. She also appears to post on a Harry Potter site called TheQuidditchPitch.net (there was a post from someone with that name on the home page) - but no art. A home grown talent that is getting decent local exposure perhaps...

Second: Please read this review of GOF in the SF Gate - you can tell this lady is one us LOL!!!

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/11/27/PKGM9DD3UT1.DTL

Her AR Quote:

How do you condense a massive children's tome into a two-hour movie? You cut. A lot. And if you know what you're doing, you make it work. Dude. "Goblet of Fire" director Mike Newell and company know what they're doing. They've compressed J.K. Rowling's rambling narrative into a film with pacing as precise as a metronome. There's bound to be b****ing from people whose favorite scenes got cut -- and I'm willing to bet just about everyone will suffer some pang of loss -- but I, for one, didn't miss Hermione Granger's crusade to free the annoying house elves. Nor did I lament the loss of Harry's bumbling relatives, the Dursleys. After a few drinks, I even decided I could survive never seeing Professor Severus Snape gallivant in his gray nightshirt ... although passing up the chance to show Alan Rickman's legs can only be a mistake, man.

CLASSIC!

CLaudia,

fantastic news, the updates!

I recorded yesterday a special from MTV about Harry POtter GoF, interviews to director, to Harry , Hermione, Ron...I went out for a while so I will check if any Snape appeared...I saw only the scene already seen that was subject of the contest

Well, I'm not an Elton John fan, so I wasn't crazy about the music, BUT........................

I LOVED the video! Awesome job CatsPlay!!!!

OK, I finally got my video loaded up to YouTube.  I had to reduce the quality a bit, so I will keep trying to figure a way to get the higher res version uploaded.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did making it!

Let me know how you like it!

Thanks Claudia!! So timely, too.

A nice thing about being home from school for Thanksgiving break is that I finally have fast enough internet to download all this clips I lost (and then some! You're newest updates are wonderful and just in time!).

This time they are going onto cds.

ARHG!  I have my video done and it is fantastic (if I do say so myself), but it is pretty big.  Any other methods for larger files other than YouSendit??

Famous ARt Wallpaper

Hoity-toity Victorians adored Lawrence Alma-Tadema’s images of lovely, semi-nudes languishing against a backdrop of ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt. His romanticized paintings made such a strong impression, years later they actually forged Hollywood’s conception of ancient societies.

But the Dutch-born painter went a step tooooo far with his painting of a frank, full-frontal nude entitled, “A Sculptor’s Model”. All those open minds suddenly snapped shut. So, the genial and duly chastised Alma-Tadema (who enjoyed a sumptuous life in Regent’s Park, England) returned to the chaste images that made him famous, such as the painting featured here entitled, “Not At Home”. He was knighted in 1899, and received the Order of Merit in 1905.

AR’s characters have occasionally popped up unexpectedly (Truly, Madly, Deeply and Dogma), often been unwelcome (The Barchester Chronicles, Sense & Sensibility), and seem to be violently dispatched rather frequently (Rasputin, Quigley Down Under, Robin Hood, Die Hard...). But, tell the truth: If teh man showed up at your door, would you pretend you weren’t home?

What are my Famous ARt wallpapers? I take my favorite paintings by famous artists and sneak AR onto the canvas. Feel free to use and enjoy -- it's a great way to display our gorgeous AR on your desktop (a plus for office computers) while impressing people with your knowledge of fine art! I was asked once, "Don't you feel guilty changing a famous work of art?" My answer is, nope! Everything looks better with a little AR in it! ENJOY!

Alfan - You go ahead and shout! This IS a great site!

yes its me again. i just finished watching the Winter Guest press interview in Japan.Is it just me or does he look like he understands Japanese as i dont see any ear plug interpreter in his ear.....hmm, must go watch again.

Ok Dee, just for you.

wellicameacrossthispageloveditandthenwassaddenedwh enit

wentawaybutnowimhappyitsbackandialsodidntknowabout the

guestbookbutnowidoandnowihavelotsoffriendsallovert heworl....

whew, that was hard to say all in one breath.

alfan - Honey...don't be shy. Tell us exactly how you feel.

Claudia, thank you for the updates.

D***, I LOVE THIS SITE

by the way, is there anyone here who doesnt get a smile on thier face when Emma/Karen gives her son a hug and tell him she loves him instead of giving him chit....classic.

Well, March 13 to be exact!

miem3--it has been waaaaay to long!  Missed ya. 

Here's the sound file from the Phill Jupitus show on BBC Radio 6.  This was the day after the 2005 Empire Awards show and correct me if I'm wrong....in May. 

http://s49.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=14D98TVURRSOQ3OSRTEPH11B1Z

I suppose I need to put this on the Audio Page. 

Wow, can't wait to review your updates Claudia, thank you for all of your hard work!!!

I am so excited -- I am making my first AR music video and it is coming out really good (I think??) !!!  I can't WAIT to share it with you all!!

Wow, thanks for Movie Talk, Claudia and Kimberly!

Hi everyone,

I know I haven't posted in a loooong while, but I was hoping at least one of you could help me with something...

A few weeks ago my computer's power supply went *boom* so now I have a new operating system on it and thus lost all my AR video/audio/images that were on the old system.  Naturally, Claudia's wonderful site here has already been an immense help. But I was hoping one of you could point me in the direction of the interview Kevin Smith on a London radio show (with one of the comedians from WKWYL) after the Sony Erickson Awards when he talked about going to the (Waterloo?) bridge with AR and a bunch of other people.

Perhaps it's on here and I've missed it, there is so much to go through! But any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Christina,

I don't know what free website you were talking about that you were having problems with, but a website you can checkout is Freewebs.

I used to belong to a group that played a lot of online games and they have/had a website hosted by freewebs. It was a pretty good site and you can do a lot of stuff with it. You can also do background music.

Here's the link to the webpage of the group I used to belong to so you can check it out and see if it's a website that could meet your needs.

http://www.freewebs.com/dtarules/

Good luck.

Emily - Yeah! Just one more reason for me to love Snape! Surely now Claudia will even start reading the books!

Well...couldn't convince hubby to watch LA, but did talk him into watching Bridget Jones' Diary -- by telling him Hugh Grant gets beat up! Thanks goodness he loved it and even agreed to watch BJ Edge of Reason next weekend! wOw! First it was the HP films...then BJD...at this rate I may get him to LA by Christmas!

I'm not finding anything on the web about this artist. Maybe she's just a hometown girl with a sketch pad...?

Alfan, your uncanny ability to quote AR is quite amazing!  I only wish my memory was that good. 

I've been promising a site update for what seems like forever...but I've finally got some stuff up.  I still have a lot of music videos and some links to add.  As soon as I get finished setting up the Christmas card contest, I'll get the rest up...cross my heart!

Index Page

• replaced the Jiva image with a sharper one that Jiva sent me.  Thanks Jiva!  If you haven't visited their site and listened to some of their music, you're missing out!
• Since Tami's site is back up, I redirected the link back to her site.  Check it out! She's the originator of AR Quotes

Audio Page

• Thanks to Emily for informing me that the When Love Speaks sound file wasn't compete.  I have replaced it with the complete file.
• I fixed two buttons that weren't working properly
• Added When Love Speaks documentary. Thanks to INTJ for capturing this for us.  This has only been seen on the Internet so the Audio Page is the only place I knew to put it.   

Stage Page

• I just did a tweak on this page.  I still have some clips to add and will as soon as I can

All Things Snape Page

• Added the deleted Snape scene from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.  So many thanks to Laura for providing it.  For those of you that couldn't read the original file, I re-rendered it so give it another try.

Film Page

• Added the Winter Guest extra interview with AR from the region 1 DVD.  It has a good bit more than what was on the Belgium DVD
• Added the Spanish Love Actually interview. Special thanks to Alba for pointing us to it and to INTJ for capturing it for us.
• Added the Love Actually deleted scene with AR.  Sorry ladies, but IMO Emma Thompson is the star of this clip.  Her reaction to the "hairy" Christmas tree is priceless!
• And last but not least...and by far the biggest file of all.  Added Movie Talk which is a full 45 minute interview that AR did for Japanese television promoting the Winter Guest.  A very special thanks to our elusive Kimberly for this piece.  I'm beginning to think our dear friend has dropped off the face of the earth!  Kimberly...where are you????

Emily, lovely find. Like sue, I remember "Mad" mag being around but alas, see it no more!

Hickity, any dvd of Gof that is available now is most certainly a pirate copy. We cannot expect to see it in that form until next year, so be aware of that.

Sue, I totally agree with you about films and books. If movie versions were exactly the same, it would be a bit pointless to make them, IMHO. S & S is a good example of a screenplay BASED on the book. I think ET hardly used any actual dialogue from Austen in the screenplay, but it still remains a wonderful adaptation. (BTW, anyone think that the character of Mt Jarndyce in Bleak House is very similar to Col Brandon?)

Yes. I did too.

" many of you are not aware of his brilliant career as a stand up comic, neither was he."

Alfan,

I just watched that Bruce Willis tribute the other day for the first time, Alan was really brilliantly funny hosting that!

oh oh oh, i feel another Alan quote.

" the answer is simple, launch a tribute to a Republican in Hollywood ( BW ) and you better get a left wing Englishman to host it."

sorry, im just full of them lately, im even using them at work.

Claudia, Snape is a blue-stater at heart, just like you.

Ohhhh I positively love Snape now!!!!! Thanks, Em!

Snape only gets one line in the MAD Magazine spoof of "Goblet of Fire".  But it's a good one. And we knew it all along.

Creamnuts - thank you SO much. I need to give that whirl in Photoshop one of these days!

I've added you to my friends list in my nativemoon so I can keep an eye on your journal. I am sitting here trying to keep warm in my Marvin the Martian sweatshirt (I kid you not - no wonder teh mancandy is scarce these days!) admiring the Marvin icon in your LJ!!!

One last thing then I've GOT to get back to work: I found this in my local newspaper under Art Events.

I did a very quick search for this Nagle, but didn't find anything. Don't know if it's of any interest or not... If someone has more time to search, maybe they can let us know.

I've been busy with a writing assignment and just had a chance to peek at the guestbook. Man...you folks are posting like mad today!

I agree with Satai Delenn -- folks should be careful with the Noble Collections Catalog stuff. Eldest son gave me Galadriel's Ring a few years ago - cost $120. It looked so cheap that I took it to my local jeweler and he said it was worth about $12! I kept the ring for sentimental reasons, but hated to see him ripped off!

I'm going to try to talk hubby into watching LA tonight. Wish me luck!

Tons of thanks to Creamuts....our very own "disappearing blue line mistress"! 

New "un-blue-lined" Alan (ebay-pictures) here:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/creamuts/

These are the kind of days I live for.  Not only will someone be sending me fresh AR on film but he fetches it on a motorcycle.  Yes!!!  GG and Hubby--gilded statues for each of you in the Sad Hens Hall of Fame.(and lotsa hugs, too)

Sue,

I picked up the final edition of the ES last night and noticed that AR's name wasnt on the list as well. Let's all keep fingers and toes crossed eh?

We can only keep our hopes up, Sue!  *crossing my fingers for Monday!*

Just wondering if Mr GG delivers Milk Tray in his sparetime??? 

Nice bike!!

BTW I forgot to mention that yesterday's Evening Standard had another piece about their Theatre awards on Monday. They again gave a list of hopeful attendees but this one didn't have Alan on it (mind you it had a few different ones as well) so who knows??

Ohhh thank you SeverinaSnape! That's sweet of you!

Here's a picture of The King's Head from our Motorcycle Hero! 

It looks like a quaint little theatre, doesn't it?

No problemo - things do move fast here!

This Haven was one of the first things I wrote about when I started my blog over a year ago - now I am profiling it again thanks to so many wonderful contributors to all things AR!

Oops, I'm to caught up in other things and got who asked what mixed up!  Sorry! 

Thank you for the information on the DVD, Claudia. I wish I had known about it before as I have walked by there many a time...

Will definately head on down there and get a copy... Its a shame that founder Dan Crawford died in July - what a rich legacy London Theatre has from a lad from Hackensack!

Lisa

Christina, the Maverick DVD is a documentary done for The Kings Head Theatre.  Scroll about half way down the page.  It is a DVD that many of us here have been trying to find out about for well over a year. Well, when Chalebh was in London a couple weeks ago, she went into the pub and they were selling copies of it.  She posted her information and some fabulous screen caps.  As we were trying to find out how to buy a copy, Mr. and Mrs. GG offered to pick up copies for everyone that wanted--which they did this week.  But since you are in London, maybe you can get to The King's Head pub for one. 

As for web hosts, I'm afraid that most of the free ones will limit you on the size, type, and bandwidth that is used.  Believe me, I have searched a bunch of the free ones!  LOL 

  Woo hoo! Sue! Great eye!  He looks like he had a really good time during that photo shoot, doesn't he? 

me again:

always for Christina: usually web hosts with templates and stuff to build a site limit you to small pages with few things. I would suggest you to get a software for free that builds the site and that has some templates too: with this you can build big pages with everything: pics ,links,texts,background and music background, whatever you like. I tried First Page, it was easy and good for a beginner like me

Ahhh - upon close inspection it would seem Noble and the German site are selling the SAME wand. The same image and details are there - although I dont see any description on the Noble listing as to the materials the wand is made of...

Peekabooh - I think your sighting of Teh Man was phoned into HEAT magazine here - it was noted in one of their columns about a week or two ago that he was seen at the Royal Court buying drinks for a some women!

yayyyy for the hero and Mrs!

Christina,

I tried many places too, the best (for free) usually are the ones that you have an email with, I mean your own email / internet provider that offers more space.

Geocities is easy to use and free but limited bandwith, that means the site would be down often.

There is 0cath.com, tiscali. I have for example 150MB free with my provider ( libero.it, it's in italian, sorry), there was good space on voila.fr but it is in french. It depends also on what you want to upload because many places put your site down if you have videos or songs ( it happened to me)

oooooooh!  The motorcycle pictures make it even more special!  USA format -- YES! 

OK I have seriously missed something...

What is this Maverick DVD everyone is raving about? And where do I get it LOL!!!!!!

Here's one more of the returning hero!

Oh and its great to see you kept warm, Mr. GG.  I'd hate to think you got a cold or flu because of we "Ricknuts"! 

OK for all the ladies that took up Mr. and Mrs. GG on thier offer of the Maverick DVD.....here is our motorcycle hero returning with the spoils (with his permission, of course) *grin*

Also great news he was able to purchase the DVD in USA format too! 

  Mr and Mrs GG!!! thank you so much!

Leanne

Ooooo fantastic! I have to say when I hear of wands being made of anything but wood - the image it brings to mind isnt a good one. I would hate to think of spening money on something that is no better than lightweight cheap plastic. I love ornamental design (I do quite a bit of it now with some of the digital artworks I am working on - I am a graphic designer) which is why I dont really like the Alivans wands even though they are apparently wooden (at those prices they better be!)... I will wait tho and hear your final verdic after your get it officially on Teh Day!

link to where i got my wand-http://www.noblecollection.com/catalog/product.cfm?id=NN7150&catid=21

A few more of those B&W GQ pictures have shown up on ebay:

Severina- I have Snape's wand!!! Well  is bringing it to me at christmas but I got a sneaky peek at it when it arrived.

Its beautiful and heavier than i thought too, completely black with intricate detail on the handle and perfectly balanced and I love it!!

I also bought Vodlemorts wand for a friend of mine for his christmas (he's a death eater in the making)

his is smaller though

 awe aint he just a cutie!??!

One more Dogma tidbit.  Small excerpt from the included booklet with the DVD, written by Kevin Smith,

"Through the grapevine, Scott and I had heard that Alan Rickman was an Amy fan.  Metatraon was always meant to be British (as the voice of God should be), so we sent him a script.  Word came back that he wanted to ask us two questions in regards to the flick.  He called the office and asked whether the wings would be real or CGI, and would we be keeping all the dialogue.  Scott and I managed to stop giving ourselves high fives long enough (I mean, c'mon, we were talking to Hans f*cking Gruber) to respond that the wings would be both practical and digital, and that our aim was to keep the flick as close to the script as possible.  He then said he was in, and, in turn, suggested Emma Thompson for the part of God; and for awhile we had our almighty."

Thanks a lot ladies - I will be passing on the bust and wand; I think having a blog dedicated to Teh Man is enough!

And Dee: I read your kind words about my post to Satai - I see we have something in common

Now they are the ONLY things about myself I dont want to get smaller! 

SeverinaSnape, here you are: lHarry's wand (an authentical copy): length: app. 35 cm; delivery in the original Olivander box; material: knob and shaft are out of a special plastic called cold cast; the actual wand (stick) is out of (real) wood.

Attention: Snape's and Voldi's wands are NOT of wood but only of cold cast!!!

Tonight is Oldie Night, yeah, dancing dancing dancing and singing - I can't get no....

And GoF on DVD is already available in some countries (today a friend told me she would bring it with her on X-mas)!

Severina - it says that Snape's wand is made of cold cast.  I guess that's the same plastic material everybody's been talking about?

Here is a link to the site with Snape's wand Lex mentioned

Here is the HP homepage there

and here is Snape's wand...

My German is non-existent except for three phrases so can someone translate and indicate if it is made of wood or not? It certainly looks nicer than the Alivans wands - which seem too plain to me...

Thank you Sue. That was very well said. 

Satai:

You are right about the plastic part.
It's made of "Cold Cast" a special sznthetic material.

And in my humble opinion it's to fork out a lot of money....

But I wouldn't mind a more "human" bust of Snape ;-)

I meant is merely as a little tease when I posted about the wand.

Since it costs a "little fortune" it would have been nice for the distributor to make it of wood instead of plastic. - One way or another it's enough to dig someone's eyes out (which could be handled as an excuse not to hand it to underaged)

Well, anyway  let's get back to more  amusing  parts of this GB.

  for a bit more sanity on my site *grin*

Christina,

I found troubles capturing the deleted scene from Love Actually so I'll have to retry with more time in my hand, sorry I hoped to be able sooner to help you with this.

Laura

Oh, and the Snape Bust is officially by Gentle Giant Ltd. (I saw them at the Chicago Comicon Convention back in August and they had the Snape bust in a locked glass case. I begged them to let me buy it but they wouldn't part with it since it was the prototype. They were selling the Sirius bust and said I could buy that, but I told them, "thanks, but no. I'm a Snape girl." and took their business card and went on my merry way.

Anyway, here's the link to Gentle Giant if you want to check out the Snape Bust.

http://www.gentlegiantltd.com/

I have the Snape bust on order (I ordered it back in July) and it should be ready at the end of the month. I can't wait.

As for the wand, I must warn those who are interested in purchasing any of the wands. I was given the Harry Potter wand by a News Anchor because it was given to him as a promotional piece. It was one of the ones being sold by Noble Collections Catalog. It is just a piece of plastic. I like it, but then again, I didn't pay for it. If I had paid for it I would have wanted my money for it (it costs $29.50 plus tax and shipping and handling) because I think that $30.00 for a piece of plastic is a bit much. Plus, no where in the catalog (just received their catalog the other day. They do have some awesome stuff in their catalog. Lots of good LOTR stuff and good Harry Potter stuff) or online at their website does it ever say it's made of plastic.....

So, I just thought I'd warn you all before you decide to spend your money on it.

Satai, I don't think (from what I can recall through ploughing through all this stuff) that anybody told you that there were no problems with the film.

I think most people would agree that, of course, a lot of stuff was missed out and that is always regrettable when adapting a very large book for the screen. However most people who have reported here have enjoyed it enormously, despite it's omissions and additions.

By it's very nature a film will be different from a book. Reading a book is an enormously personal thing and we all have our own versions of the same story locked inside us. We are only going to see the director's version of the book he read not our own but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy that version. Personally I would be very disappointed with a film that was just a page by page copy of a book. The two media are so different.

I know (from the stills I have already seen) that Tom Tykwer's Perfume will not be sticking straight to the book but I won't expect it to. if I wanted that I would just re-read the book and not watch the film (or any "book to film") at all

Nevermind that I've been saying the same things in a different way but have been told that there's no problem with the film and now you all suddenly see the problems? Hmmm.... Ok. Makes sense.

Alfan,

thank you for the quotes!

Kathy,

the clip maybe plays only audio because you need the codecs but if you get at www.divx.com the latest divx player you should be able to watch and listen to it. Or with latest windows media player ( 9 or 10,depends on wich windows you run).

Barbara,

if you want I can re-upload the clip through my private email and send it to your email as link for download.

Gissing Girl,

 you and your husband are for sure a great couple!

Dee,

I always love your posts

Kathy how strange you should say that about Christopher Plummer. Not that I see the resemblance mind you I haven't looked for it. I used to think he was a good actor, he still is. Then I discovered Alan and no body else is noticed.

Dee you must have been looking at me thru the computer, I actually stirred a large quantity of peppermint schnapps into my hot chocolate....twice...... was very lovely.......

Loved your take on GoF.  everyone I went with had read the books, but can see how non readers would have been lost.  I can't imagine trying to condense a 700 page book into 120 pages.

It's also a good thing I haven't a wand that works or a certain pair of young men would have gone sailing without benefit of rocket ship. What is it that Ralph Kramden used to say, Bam , zoom... 

am resigned to curls, I just pulled it into a ponytail and forgot about it....am feeling better as I have managed to get a lot of work done on my presentation tonight.  Just have to polish it up tomorrow.

Watched Nickolas Nickleby tonight ---lots of our friends in it..Juliet Stevenson played a nasty...Timothy Spall was in it and Jim Broadbent.  Excellent  Does anyone think AR bears a slight resemblance to Christopher Plummer?

I had to laugh at AR being so analytical and Kevin Smith saying ..just clean the sh*t up!  Must be why they enjoy each other--opposites.

A couple more AR tidbits as I watch the end of the Dogma technical commentary --

-- Emma Thompson was originally going to play the part of God, as Alan had given her the script.  But then she backed out because she was going to have a baby (or try to, it wasn't clear from the commentary).  It was then that they cast Alanis Morrisette

-- They ran out of time shooting the bloody scene at the end and had to reshoot it 2 weeks later.  Instead of restaging all the bloody stuff, they decided to have God 'clean it up' (thus the cleaned up street at the end).  Kevin Smith said they discussed it with Selma and Alan, but Alan needed to take some time to 'process it' and asked questions like 'Why would we be cleaning up?  What kind of statment does that make?' (and Kevin's answer was well the statement it makes is that 'we need to clean this sh*t up')

Dee, whew, for a moment there I thought you were squeee-less!

I LOVE the way he says that line!

I have spent the evening watching the extras and 2 commentary tracks on Dogma.  A few interesting tidbits -

-- It was AR's idea to dye his hair dark and have pale makeup.

-- They didn't think about AR having to go to the bathroom when making the prosthetic crotch, which presented some problems for him!

-- In the fancy restaurant scene, Alan's back was really thrown out of place from wearing the wings all day.  They noted how he is very careful the way he slides into the booth because his back was hurting so badly that evening.

Hey, i did pretty well quoting without the movie, didn I.Ok, who wants more?  anyone , anyone.. ok ok, one at a time you guys. hee hee

Alexander Dane--" could you possibly try NOT to hit every single one of them?"

Medetron--" The girl in her pj's, dont ask so many questions and serve your purpose"

Eamon-" I disagree, do sleep in your homes tonight, if Mr Collins has been gulled then we will sleep soundly, if he is correct, the cabinet will be arrested, the outcry will be deafaning. Maybe then they will listen to us".

Det David--"well f-ck me sideways, is it to late to visit a grieving friend"

Phil-" you wont get no sympathy from me, what did you think your were doing, they're dead people for crist sake, you aut to be looked at by the ead doctor you do"

ok, ill stop now, sorry.

wOw! That was a really long post! Sorry I got so carried away!

But, rest assured that my Ebert-type attention to detail didn't squash the "squee factor" of the experience! As soon as I saw Snape, I violently shook hubby and gasped, "It's HIM! It's HIM!!". And when AR spoke, I leaned over and hissed in hubby's ear, "Squeeeeeee!"

Hubby arched an eyebrow and growled, "Girly, when we get home I'm gonna give you a real reason to 'squeeee'." No wonder I love that man!!

We just got home from watching HPGoF, and now I've got to bore you with my review! I saw it with son and hubby (who has only seen the movies). I don't think I'm including any spoilers, but if you haven't seen the movie yet...read with caution!

I really missed the usual beginning with the Dursleys. Without that part to ease you into the film (and explain some of the upcoming events), you were tossed into the frenzy before you understood what was going on. It happened so fast that hubby (who has not read the books) was confused: are they at school? what's a portkey? why are those quiddich players adults? why are they being attacked?

After reading other posts, I was prepared to dislike the "new" DD, but...I kinda liked him. He isn't as calm as the book/DD (or  Richard Harris), but I thought his "unraveling" felt appropriate to the increasingly dangerous situation: children (yes, they are children) under his protection are forced to face a deadly threat -- and he can't do a damn thing about it. How would we react if our child was facing a deadly situation we couldn't control - car accident, disease, fire...? Wouldn't we burst out in frustration? Wouldn't our fear make us speak sharply?

I thought the Rita Skeeter plot was annoying. If they weren't going to get into the importance of the whole spying plot, then why include any of it?

I liked the "child abuse" scene. It was funny...but I wasn't laughing at Snape and didn't think he was the butt of the joke. It just seemed very "real". The book/Snape is rather petty and immature -- I could easily see him lashing out in frustrated spite. And...gee...what's a little head-smacking when you are an incredibly powerful wizard who would prefer to cover the little snots with seeping boils? Anyone who deals with noisy, unruly teens can identify with his restrained violence -- & satisfaction!

The special effects have come a long way! Fabulous! But, did anyone else have a problem with the light/color/contrast being rather dim and dull -- or was it just the theater we saw it in?

I think Radcliff is turning into a very good actor (looks so cute without a shirt too!). It seemed like Emma snarled most of her lines, but...maybe that's appropriate for a teenage girl! I liked Ron's grumpiness as he struggles with being the best friend of a "hero".

As for teh man's acting - AR doesn't have many lines, but his expressions say volumes. Unfortunately, he was stuck in the background without much to do but look "concerned". 

The scene of Snape and Karloff in the potion room was confusing. Hubby asked: why did Karloff show Snape his arm? wasn't he afraid Snape would turn him in? why wasn't Snape upset that Harry saw them together? what was the big deal about missing ingredients...? Because they cut out the related scenes, it made that part of the plot seem anticlimactic and unimportant.

As for teh man appearance -- sorry, the jury's still out on the false forehead. But...egads!...AR looked so trim!! Does he look this slim in the candid photos taken during the same time period or are we suspicious of another type of removable device to make him appear thinner/younger?

Finally -- by not setting the stage and leaving out rather important clues, it was confusing for people who aren't familiar with the books. The rest of us could fill in the missing blanks, but...that took away some of the fun. Although they didn't flesh out the characters as much as I wished, I'm glad they concentrated on emotions and relationships instead of "look how cool magic is". All in all -- I really liked it! Hopefully, the next film will clear up some of the confusion. And we get more of teh man!

I'm having a bad day, too Kathy! I have tried to download Laura's deleted scene clip three times and it packs up about two thirds of the way through. Very very infuriating . Don't know if it is my server or the "yousendit" system. Am looking forward to the DVD of GoF whenever that will be.