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For everyone waiting for e-mail from me, thank you for your patience!

Suzanne , <SuzanneK@bigfoot.com>
Who was quite amused by his gum chewing. :-), - Monday May 31st 1999 09:57:26

A shame, really, this kind of pilferage.
Robyn , <RobynR22@aol.com>
USA - Monday May 31st 1999 10:20:24

And here's a review of Dogma from Variety, by Todd McCarthy:


Suzanne , <SuzanneK@bigfoot.com>
Hallettsville, TX, USA - Sunday May 30th 1999 04:35:42

However, didn't someone say earlier that the signed photo of AR had been "lifted" from the site some time ago?! I never ventured inside to verify the authenticity of that particular remark .. so can't say as to whether or not it is still there!

Kari
With a VERY big smile at the person who was with me that particular day! , USA - Saturday May 29th 1999 09:57:40

By David Hunter CANNES -- Celestial beings without genitals, demonic bar bullies made of human excrement, an almighty God who likes to visit Earth for kicks -- the gory, giggly church of Kevin Smith has opened up its doors wider than ever with "Dogma." Smith's often crude and silly gospel won't amuse all parishioners. But the Harvey Weinstein-financed dark comedy has the potential to draw many new converts not familiar with Smith's growing body of work.
The heavyweight cast includes Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Linda Fiorentino and Chris Rock. "Dogma" premiered out of competition, after midnight Friday, with much excitement and domestic distribution rights up for grabs. With many rude and offensive jokes, the movie is obviously too hot a tamale for corporate mother church Disney, despite the pious stance of the filmmaker. But for whoever releases it, "Dogma" is a likely commercial winner if not a fair-sized hit.
In serious need of trimming, particularly in the final hour, Smith's fourth film is actually a pro-religion film, but then so was "Pulp Fiction" -- squeamish and violence-weary viewers be warned. The curveball artist from New Jersey will mow down the younger adult and teen audience if the final product shows more discipline in the editing.
Sure, Catholicism is the object of withering satire that lets few opportunities go by to subvert the canon, but the cumulative effect is no worse or no more mean-spirited than Monty Python's "Life of Brian."
For those familiar with Smith's work, "Dogma" sounds a whole lot worse than it plays. In general, it's a run-to or avoid- at-all-costs lark, which is deliriously funny when it isn't the kind of simultaneously grand and infantile comic-book abortion Smith has seemed destined to inflict on the world since "Clerks."
One of the worst sins of "Dogma," filmed in widescreen with no special flare by Robert Yeoman ("Drugstore Cowboy"), is Smith's indulgence in a Tarantino-like love of his own dialogue. Many scenes go on too long without a worthwhile payoff. There's also too much dogma in general. Seemingly every time a character is introduced the movie has to explain at length his part in the saga of how rag-tag group of human and heavenly heroes attempt to stop the world from ending.
Like the hip-hop clown Jay character (Jason Mewes), who has appeared with Silent Bob (Smith) in all the filmmaker's movies, "Dogma" is often a wearying experience. Even worse, it takes itself half-seriously but fails to enthrall one with its primary storyline: the journey of two celestial outcasts (Ben Affleck, Matt Damon) from Wisconsin to New Jersey, where a "loophole" in Catholic dogma may finally open the heavenly gates closed to them for millennia.
Fiorentino plays Bethany, the so-called Last Scion and a direct relation to Jesus Christ, who is contacted by Metatron (Alan Rickman), the Voice of God. Condescending and impatient, the latter has to prove he's the real thing in order for Bethany to believe she must join two prophets (Jay and Silent Bob) on a mission to stop Loki (Damon) and Bartleby (Affleck). If the ancient, angry and proud avengers succeed -- with Loki smiting everyday sinners in perhaps the most controversial subplot -- they will inadvertently prove God is fallible, with dire results for mortals and immortals alike.
Funnyman Rock is not disappointing as the 13th apostle, Rufus, who knew fellow black Christ. God Herself is played by Alanis Morissette in the bizarre conclusion. The muse Serendipity (Salma Hayek), who inspired 19 of the top 20 all-time boxoffice champs, is along for the ride, which is further complicated and slowed up by horned heavy Azrael (Jason Lee). As the unknowing cause of all the trouble, George Carlin's liberal Cardinal Glick is a gruff but spiritually motivated con man -- which also could describe the filmmaker barely in control of his own cinematic circus.
Georgiana , <gellis@drizzle.com>
Seattle, - Saturday May 29th 1999 12:51:20

Alan Rickman felt "exorcised" playing the part of an angel in Dogma. "I was dragged up a Welsh Methodist and I still have the scars," he said.
Georgiana , <gellis@drizzle.com>
Seattle, - Saturday May 29th 1999 10:03:34

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110450606
Joan , <jmvogelle@aol.com>
NY, USA - Friday May 28th 1999 04:18:45

NEW YORK (AP) - The last "Home Improvement" drew an estimated 35 million viewers, making it the fourth most- viewed series finale of the 1990s. The show, which starred Tim Allen, went off the air Tuesday after an eight-year run. Only "Seinfeld," "Cheers" and "The Cosby Show" drew more viewers during their series finales. During the 90-minute feature, next-door neighbor Wilson revealed his face for the first time since the show began. The show had a 21.2 rating and a 34 share, meaning a third of the television sets in use at the time were tuned in to "Home Improvement." See full story.
Georgiana , <gellis@drizzle.com>
Seattle, - Friday May 28th 1999 07:06:42

So many movies unspooled at this year's busy Cannes International Film Festival that it's impossible to generalize about their subjects, their styles, or their quality. But if one broad topic emerged as an unexpected theme, it was religion, treated in a great variety of ways. While this may be a coincidence, it might also signal more attention being paid to religious ideas as the millennium approaches.
It was an American movie that caused the most stir. Dogma, written and directed by the popular Kevin Smith, centers on two fallen angels (Matt Damon and Ben Affleck) exiled to Earth for their violent behavior. Other characters include an apostle who was excluded from the Gospels because he was black, played by Chris Rock; Linda Fiorentino as a modern descendant of Jesus' family; and Alan Rickman as a seraph who fears the bad angels will escape punishment by exploiting a loophole in feel-good versions of Christianity.
Many moviegoers will be outraged by the very idea of such material turned into Hollywood comedy, and anger will hardly be soothed by the film's nonstop sexual humor and four- letter language. Indeed, the commotion has already started.
Speaking informally after the movie's first Cannes screening, Miramax chief Harvey Weinstein acknowledged that his studio's parent company, Disney, has vetoed distribution of the picture, leading Mr. Weinstein to seek a new distributor.
The American release of "Dogma" may make earlier controversies over "The Last Temptation of Christ" and Miramax's own "Priest" look tame. Weinstein defends the movie as "a wonderful way to [stimulate] talk about religion," but recognizes that passions may run high when it reaches American screens.
An ironic aspect of this uproar-in-the-making is that "Dogma" contains some constructive material. One character criticizes negative creeds that make religion seem a burden rather than a blessing. Another argues that religious "ideas" are more valuable than "beliefs," since ideas can blossom and change while mere beliefs tend to rigidify and constrict.
But the fact that "Dogma" has moments of maturity doesn't mean large numbers of moviegoers won't find it offensive. But few "responsible" films bother to recognize the existence of religion at all. Smith's fantasy is certain to place religious values squarely in the limelight in the US.
Georgiana , <gellis@drizzle.com>
Seattle, - Friday May 28th 1999 06:41:14

CANNES, France -- The funniest line heard at Cannes comes in the most controversial film at the festival, Dogma, the latest from Clerks director Kevin Smith.
Comedian Chris Rock tells a story of how Jesus was black, and the last scion of Christ (played by Linda Fiorentino) is the great-great-great-ad-infinitum-niece of Christ, descended from one of Mary and Joseph's other children. The awe is broken when Jason Mewes wrinkles his brow and asks, "So does that mean she's black?"
The film hardly offers offense to blacks, but there probably will be Catholics unhappy with the religious satire, which showed out of competition over the weekend.
Dogma stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon as fallen angels trying to get back to paradise. But if they do, the history of mankind will be undone, so a lapsed Catholic (Fiorentino) is recruited to stop them. The film is reminiscent of 1975's Monty Python and the Holy Grail and is the kind of satirical take that can be written only from the inside. Only someone of the Catholic faith could use its elements to challenge it so adroitly.
The fast and witty result may incite protest by Catholic groups that do not see Scripture as a jumping-off point for art -- language, sex and a walking pile of excrement sent from the devil to carry out the wayward angels' mission. A lot of films, including Antonia Bird's Priest, have drawn fire for less.
It's not Catholic people but the Catholic League that Miramax co-chief Harvey Weinstein is concerned about, he said at an in-the-street impromptu news conference after the Dogma screening. "I want to show it to the pope," he said. "I don't think he'd be offended. I think he's cool."
Weinstein came to Cannes in search of a Dogma distributor; he and his co-chairman brother, Bob, spent $ 14 million to "remove" the picture from Disney-owned Miramax.
"Disney is too easy a target," Harvey Weinstein said. "It's a comic fantasy, and we didn't want the movie to be clouded by the politics. I think other distributors can do a good job on this one, maybe a better job, because they can avoid the politics."
As of Sunday night, Weinstein had found no takers. The fact of the matter is few distributors are inclined to bail out Weinstein, a high-voltage competitor, and fewer still can strategize a way around the risks -- the way Miramax did as far back as The Crying Game in the pre-Disney days.
Georgiana , <gellis@drizzle.com>
Seattle, - Thursday May 27th 1999 04:12:52

Many thanks!
Joan , <jmvogelle@aol.com>
NY, USA - Thursday May 27th 1999 04:09:43

The British press is going NUTS over Dogma, and are rating it as one of this year's top must-see movies. Alanis will appear on tommorows U.K breakfast show where apparently she will be discussing her role in Dogma. There may be a few clips from the film, as well, since it's the big feature story on the show.

Kari
USA - Thursday May 27th 1999 10:57:27

Finally, The Movie Show on SBS TV (in Australia) ALSO showed some scenes from the film. Sounds like "Dogma" fever is sweeping the globe!

Kari
Seattle, USA - Thursday May 27th 1999 10:51:42

If anyone wants to read the entire article, e-mail me and I'll be happy to forward it to you.
Gilda , <PrisAB234@aol.com>
USA - Wednesday May 26th 1999 08:06:00

(*subject to availability) Well, at least they're sure the bar is available...

Wonderful photos from Cannes, Rafaella!--Renie , <reniept@hotmail.com>
http://members.tripod.com/DailyTelegiraffe/index.htm, - Wednesday May 26th 1999 11:42:03

A separate article gives a review, not particularly favorable, mostly commenting that 2 h 15 m for any comedy is too long; himself is only mentioned.
Georgiana , <gellis@drizzle.com>
Seattle, - Monday May 24th 1999 09:51:30

Great info/photos everyone!

Suzanne , <SuzanneK@bigfoot.com>
Hallettsville, TX, USA - Sunday May 23rd 1999 09:48:26

This was in response to my query about "Rosebud" project.
Lin
Canada - Saturday May 22nd 1999 09:39:56

It was scheduled to be released this spring so obviously that's old news. Anyone heard anything about this?
Magda , <mgrantwich@yahoo.com>
Canada - Saturday May 22nd 1999 07:04:13

Anyone disagree?
Renie
CA, USA - Saturday May 22nd 1999 12:00:16

Note to Renie--if I had Rickman in my pocket, you *know* I'd share him with you. (If I had him nigh-anywhere else, of course, you'd be on your own!)
Delia
USA - Saturday May 22nd 1999 10:16:24

Dogma Realplay interview about film. Third in line but very interesting. Details the special press screening held by Miramax .. apart from the two showings by festival itself yesterday.

Claire
Sussex UK - Saturday May 22nd 1999 07:09:22

The ultimate femme fatale in The Last Seduction, Fiorentino turns good girl in Dogma as Bethany, the unknowing descendent of Mary and Joseph who leads a ragtag band on a mission to foil the rebel angels. Alan Rickman plays the graphically sexless herald angel who summons Bethany, Salma Hayek a muse who strips and Kevin Smith appears in his usual role as Silent Bob.
Georgiana , <gellis@drizzle.com>
Seattle, - Saturday May 22nd 1999 01:04:00

Dianne m'dear, me thinks you should have made the trip and posed as a photog!

Kari (nice piccy, don't you think?) , <sixpence@wa.freei.net>
Seattle, USA - Friday May 21st 1999 09:08:16

Sorry for the length of this...
Gilda
USA - Friday May 21st 1999 08:44:34

FYI, Dogma was shown for the first time at Cannes this morning. There was a special industry screening for the press at 11 a.m.

Kari
USA - Friday May 21st 1999 01:18:30

http://www.biography.com
Georgiana
Seattle, USA - Thursday May 20th 1999 03:21:53

htpp://www.biography.com
Georgiana
Seattle, - Thursday May 20th 1999 03:19:33

Go play. (Now Melissa, don't tell me you posted this before, too! *grin*)
Renie
- Thursday May 20th 1999 02:23:31

Please spread the word to anyone you think might be interested, many thanks!
Joan , <jmvogelle@aol.com>
USA - Wednesday May 19th 1999 02:40:45

I won't say it was the best performance of the play I've ever seen, but definitely an enjoyable couple of hours. (Okay, it was a bit odd to see everyone on bicycles, I'll grant that--but still fun)
Therese
USA - Wednesday May 19th 1999 06:55:06

Renie , <reniept@hotmail.com>
CA (where everyone is numbed with Star-Wars hoopla), USA - Tuesday May 18th 1999 11:26:13

But the best thing I saw today was "The Passion of Ayn Rand." Helen Mirren isAyn Rand in this Showtime production, and her Russian accent made the third parallel to "Rasputin"!
Georgiana , <gellis@drizzle.com>
Seattle, - Sunday May 16th 1999 12:41:24

BTW, Claire, have you got a new address? I bookmarked you months ago but today you keep coming up "unknown".
Magda , <mgrantwich@yahoo.com>
Canada - Saturday May 15th 1999 02:24:39

We have done this one in March. British honours are awarded on merit, for exceptional achievement or service. Fan club lobbying will not be seen as unbiased recommendation!

Claire
Sussex UK - Saturday May 15th 1999 07:30:04

As for those on-line surveys--does anyone give a flying fig about those things? Do they benefit anyone but the site owner who then, based on increased hits, raises his ad rates?
Delia
USA - Friday May 14th 1999 11:24:07

(I must be living in a vaccum because I haven't heard of half the people on some of these lists.) Have fun, and *please* don't let Brent Spiner win!
Clorinda , <LadyGwenie@AOL.com>
USA - Friday May 14th 1999 05:00:03

Georgiana , <gellis@drizzle.com>
Seattle, - Friday May 14th 1999 02:29:33

and do a 'book' search on 'Dogma'. I don't think *I'll* be making the purchase, but I did want to share the information with those of you who might!

Kari
Seattle, USA - Thursday May 13th 1999 08:13:49

Too bad they don't read *our* News. While it's not exactly- askew, at least it's here-when-it-happens. As always, you all are simply the best!

Kari
USA - Thursday May 13th 1999 07:37:30

'Brown Sugar' was the film that was mentioned last year as starring Alfre Woodard and Alan. Blair Underwood is involved in some aspect of it (whether it's director or producer or writer, I can't remember) and, when questioned about it some months ago, he said it was on the back burner for the time being .. but he sounded as if he had every plan of going through with it someday. Whether or not his two stars stay with the project as it drags on, however, is another story.

Kari
USA - Tuesday May 11th 1999 06:59:17

>>There will be yet another Dogma screening TOMORROW night in New York City. Again, this is a PRIVATE screening and closed to the general public. Only those with tickets will be admitted, but in case there's a few extra seats, you may wanna stop by the Manhattan Loews on 3rd ave. and 11th. We've got a few scoopers attending the show, but could always use a few more! Again, we don't think there's any more seats available, but be sure to thank us if you somehow make it in. And give Dogma some good test scores, dammit! It's totally deserving.>>

Kari
Seattle, USA - Tuesday May 11th 1999 06:52:19

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Dennis Haysbert has signed to join Julianna Margulies, Kyra Sedgwick and Alfre Woodard in the indie ``What's Cooking'' from writer/director Gurinder Chadha. Haysbert will play Woodard's adulterous husband. Haysbert will next appear on the big screen in two Columbia pictures -- ``The Thirteenth Floor'' later this month and the Harrison Ford vehicle ``Random Hearts'' in October.
Sandra , <SYJackson@aol.com>
Alexandria, VA, USA - Tuesday May 11th 1999 06:22:55

You may now resume your regular Rickman programming . . . :-}
Marianne
USA - Tuesday May 11th 1999 12:19:57

The film she was working on last summer, Donna, was '8 1/2 Women' (the latest, ugh, Greenaway flick) and she's currently wrapping up filming of Stallone's latest foray onto the big screen - a film called 'Detox' - in British Columbia.

Kari
Seattle, USA - Tuesday May 11th 1999 11:30:07

Georgiana , <gellis@drizzle.com>
Seattle, - Monday May 10th 1999 09:26:02

Mary Anne , <maryanne_e@hotmail.com>
USA - Sunday May 9th 1999 09:29:54

http://www.thisislondon.com/html/hottx/film/top_direct.html
Linda P.
USA - Friday May 7th 1999 11:56:32

Cinescape Insider

Kari
Seattle, USA - Friday May 7th 1999 09:53:59

Enjoy!

Kari (did it work?)
Seattle, USA - Wednesday May 5th 1999 09:50:20

Is the photo of the person on the bed with the baseball bat (and seemingly on the phone as well) perhaps Bethany wielding off Metatron during his official entrance?
Kari , <sixpence@wa.freei.net>
Seattle, USA - Wednesday May 5th 1999 09:47:06

Utah film projects and their release status. Feature-film and television production in Utah is as busy as it has every been. Following is a list of projects that have been filmed here during the past year, as well as their current release status: 27 films including Projects currently filming or set to start: "Galaxy Quest" Cast: Tim Allen, Segourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Feature Film.
Georgiana , <gellis@drizzle.com>
Seattle, - Wednesday May 5th 1999 09:49:49

Would you like to send me a review of JK?
Fausta , <emma-mail@excite.com>
USA - Wednesday May 5th 1999 07:06:03

Renie *sheesh!*
- Tuesday May 4th 1999 10:58:53

http://members.tripod.com/~DailyTelegiraffe/ filminstituteopeninghi.jpg
R
USA - Tuesday May 4th 1999 06:15:26

With profuse apologies to those of you who are tiring of the subject,
Kari (crossing my fingers that I made the link properly)
USA - Monday May 3rd 1999 06:55:18