Victoria

Go for it. Tastes evolve, and I'm beginning to think they are practically cyclical. I also started with Rolexes, and after swearing I'd never buy even a rep of one, there I am, back in Rolex mode. I don't suggest you buy the ones you've had and never wore. That Milgauss is a wonderful. If you can afford it, I think your character will accept it this time.

:lol: Reading the Wristchecks must be murder for you.

Thanks, V! Trust you to come up with this suggestion. I have the advance screener for this, somewhere. I also loved The Death of Mr. Lazarescu, but it was ill-promoted around the world as a "comedy". It's not a HAHA kind of comedy, but a Swiftian satire which is not for all tastes. A friend of mine, who went based on its comedic label, asked me if I were deranged that I thought so highly of it, because there was barely a belly-laugh during the film. It really makes a difference when you go in knowing what you'll get... Yes! I am so looking forward to seeing this. As you may know, my Oxbridge degree was based both in modern Romanian history and Nazi-era film, so anything related to Romania gets my attention. Thanks for mentioning this, V. It makes me think even more highly of you, if that were possible. You probably have, but do see Lucian Pintilie's The Oak (Balanta). The one he did with Kristin Scott-Admin (does that woman speak every language?? She's married to a French doctor, but I've seen her handle French, German, Spanish, Romanian with equal ease) called An Unforgettable Summer, was interesting too. Thanks, V. I appreciate others who care for films too. I mean, it doesn't matter if its Transformers or Army of Shadows. If you are the kind for whom movies matter in life, you're my kind of person. Magnificent! Just don't tell me the title, as I might have to review it one day. Ahh Wings of Desire. May I suggest Edward Burns' films? He specialises in Irish-American films, because that's who he is. But they are so much better than just that. They're not glossy like the Departed was, nor are they faux-gritty like Affleck/Damon's Southie characterisations. He gets in their characters' guts, since the Irish are walking internalised emotion that never surfaces, except when they're hanging by the last thread. I love that.

Thanks! I appreciate the link! Loved it. This is in English "The Life of Others", just in case they don't see it in the German title at their usual rental haunts. Lot of people preferred DiCaprio in the Departed. Maybe I'm one of them, because it's rare to see him really dig inside as an actor (I had such high hopes for him after "...Gilbert Grape"). After The Titanic, it's either been a pet project of his, or a run of cash-the-paycheque films. Glad he got back on track with the otherwise superficial The Aviator. But I greatly enjoyed Blood Diamond. TIA. Heh. My favourite film of 2006, next to Pan's Labyrinth. A horror show that actually just scratched the surface of Amin. Intricate drama. Dench's repressed pseudo-lesbian longings versus the superficial lifestyle of a dilettante artist. My favourite scene is Blanchette's (when not?) throwing herself to the braying media, as a sacrificial lamb. That encapsulated the media's need for sensationalism tied to its subject matter's toying with them, for their own purposes. Not sure I liked it, but it's haunting. Thanks! I emailed my agent last night asking for a screener after Sin22 mentioned it. (Yes, I can't wait until 18 Dec. when it comes out in DVD ) Again, I like popular fare. Very much, but so far, very few people here have mentioned the real gems of 2006. Army of Shadows. I realise it was done in 1969 (IIRC), but Melville's film wipes the floor with any of the ones mentioned so far, including mine. The Dardenne Bros' L'Enfant -- magnificent. They conceive the best blue-collar, marginalised people in society roles anywhere, at the moment. Affleck should be so lucky. And no one mentioned Half-Nelson, which Ryan Gosling owned. I couldn't believe the same dynamically internalised junkie actor in Half-Nelson, was the soppy internalised cardboard stickfigure in Fracture (this may be why I really dislike Fracture, and others don't. I've also never seen The Notebook). Those are the best films of last year, according to my lights. I'll do a round-up of 2007 in December.

Well, I know he and his wife pretty well...they're practically my neighbours in SoBe, and British tourists are entranced when they see him standing on a street corner in Miami Beach, and say, "Wotcha!", in good East London greeting. I think he portrays an affability onscreen that is hard to characterise as anything else. He's not amusing. He's not proficient. He's not roguish. Those are usually the British character actor stereotypes. He's simply affable. Case in point, Little Voice and The Prestige. Perfect character actor roles for him. Another actor might've made them much more hammy. I dare not think what Jacobi might've made of them... So it is. Wish I could use the 4:00 AM posting time as an excuse, but then I'm fairly sure my film review of it was a little more professionally and accurately written than one for a rep watch forum.

Davidsen has them. Check you know where. I believe that's where Maxmilian got his. BTW, it seems you want the three things I want too. AR, lume, crown (and I want a good CG too). I am getting pickier about the dial, and by common consensus, that is Davidsen's weakest suit. But beefsteak allusions otherwise, it seems you're more the TWP/Angus/DSN type than the modding type, Sssabripo. Since one literally cannot own one PAM, you'll be back for more, I say go with one of those three gentlemen, or get that 177h on sale elsewhere. Later, you can buy a watch and go the modding route. First you have to fall in love with PAMs.

Didn't like it. But thanks for the compliment! Just remember, yes, I am a student of film. My knowledge of it is a little more acute than others. But that doesn't mean my opinions are written in stone. They're just my impressions. As they say, everyone's a critic, and opinions are like a-holes. Some stink. Err. Or something.

I am all over apocalyptic Orwellian visions in film -- as I hinted in my Blade Runner allusion to Ryyannon. And Brazil the Gilliam film, wonderful. But Children of Men had a dagger-point message without much subtlety. It also had discrete supporting performances, even with the always affable Michael Caine (wearing an odd stringy Jimmy Saville wig). Wanted to like V for Vendetta. And I do. But though Hugh Jackman held me spellbound, the ultimate vision of Britain in the throes of Fascist dictatorship (with obvious allusions to today's situation) is just another hysterical overreaction similar to when you are stopped by a copper on the motorway, and you call him a jackbooted Nazi. Moderation is a big plus for me, in all strata of life.

Misunderestimated me. I love Nigella, but for many reasons. For her courage in surviving losing her husband to cancer. For her surviving a brutal childhood from remote parents. For her ability to lick a spoon full of mushy peas in ways disturbingly sexual even for me. Ah, haven't read it! Thanks for the tip.

Romantic, but the pseudo-Crown Prince Rudolf story was like a really bad Arthur Schnitzler novela. All it needed was a S

YES! To me anyway. :wub: I have a great home theatre, and a nice (though not Plasma screen) huge television set in my library/comp/family room. I bought myself a pricey popcorn machine, and have a chaise-longue to stretch and watch my films at home. I love it. But I PREFER the communal experience much more. Do I like the mobiles going off, and the chatter of tweenies behind me, kicking the chairs with their feet? No. But I love shared laughter and gasps. I love standing in the queue overhearing people muttering about their lives. I love watching a film with someone I love, because it's happiness shared. I am such a cerebral, almost unnaturally cool person, that I like the jolt of humanity around me, warts and all. It forces me out of my comfort zone. YES! Agree 100%. I wouldn't say he's the new Jimmy Stewart. But that diffidence, the modesty, and the innate Americanness of the chap is fascinating. He's like a gentile Woody Allen, without the big city neurosis. And so young too. I was captivated by Disturbia. But then I love Rear Window.

That's my concern with Ssabripo. If we're talking of a $250 or so watch, the mods to make it decent amount to another $400, right? And there's the wait, and chance of not being entirely satisfied either.

Poor Peter Greenaway...never hit the big time, unlike Verhoeven (who sold out), or Soderbergh (who is fairly astute about his talents). I liked Prospero's Books too, though few do.

There you go. Look, yes, Gordon Ramsay plays to the camera, and uses gimmicks to bring in viewers like overusing rude words, etc. It's for effect. But he is SPOT on culinarily. No fussy, New Age crap from him, unlike Jamie Oliver. And though I instinctively feel he and I would clash personally (I might either start to cry, or belt him 'round the mush), I totally appreciate that he doesn't suffer fools gladly. He is very professional about his craft. Getting back to chefs and watches. If you've read the Shoutbox you know I love watching Anthony Bourdain (I met him at Les Halles here in Coral Gables, where he is either the owner, or the head chef on paper). NOTE: He wasn't famous at the time. I only realised who he was after-the-fact. Arrogant too, and tries to be a bit too cool, even "hip". But I learn from him, and I like that in people. He seems to favour tool watches, but recently has been going trendy. Now the guy who eats Bizarre Foods (name of his show in fact), Andrew Zimmern, likes them bold and brassy. Red Luminox?

I've only watched snippets of that, before being turned off, but I must say, that's a beautiful PAM on his wrist. He's got a kindly stare too.

My football-loving dad calls it his Flamengo. Rubro-negro. Strong opinion from a solid Rolex expert! I wonder if Stephane would agree? BTW, I wasn't much for the GMT. It seemed fussy. I've TOTALLY changed my mind. It's perfect. My father absolutely adores his rep, and I think I'll sell some stocks to get him a gen for Christmas...might be a lean 2008 for me, but anything to make my dad happy.

I've mentioned this before too, but I actually do this for a living. Not only in the English language either, since many films have staggered debuts all over the world, as you know. @Sin22: Stardust! Thanks so much. I had not caught that. Another one I cannot miss is Once. I have a preview DVD screener of that somewhere, though it long since premiered in cinemas here in the US. Because I specialise in what is called foreign film in America, I get a lot of these screeners for review. Nina Frisk from Sweden was one, and This is England was another. This is England is simply amazing. Must-see fare. @Dieselpower: I love Ealing comedies, and that's a particular fave. ...but we're living through the Golden Age of Indies, people. Get out there, and watch some of them. You won't be disappointed!

I have gone on the record innumerable times saying that I disliked Fractured, albeit it's not unwatchable (far from it). But I have to go with DET11 and say that its cousin, Mr. Brooks, was a much better overall film than Fractured. The latter had too many idiosyncracies for me to appreciate, and too boot, had a cold, antiseptic air. Of course, it was mostly a legal drama, whereas Mr. Brooks is more like a peek into the mind of a serial killer during the fact, not after it. Neither is a must-see film. Both are worth the price of admission/rental, though. IMHO.

Jubilee. At least for the Coke. It adds life.

Wow, 110 winds eh? I only ever took mine to 80, and you saw what happened with my DSN 112. Yes, I too wondered about this. I attributed this smoothness factor to the differences in quality, from each collector to the other. My tobacco-dial PAM 118 feels like butter being churned. Gorgeous feeling, no friction whatsoever. It was from a member trade, and has Swinese guts I think the chap said. Now my Paul PAMs are like winding an old Gypsy moth. Slow, truculent, resisting. The Mini-Fiddy and the PAM 199 both. Andrew's vary. His 113 -- silky soft winding. His 111hs, not so much. Same Asian guts inside. Wonder what gives exactly.

Good choice! I was just about to suggest Tankster to get the Toscana Fiero too. However, if you do want to go the cheaper route, I was looking at Bob's auctions on eBay for you, and this popped out: Item number: 300170984883 Item number: 300170984512 Don't be afraid to try unusual colours and hides with the Titanium, Tankster. It's so versatile, that it'll accept anything. Maxmilian has a Toscana Amber (light tan) on his 082 (blue-dial Ti case), which looks amazing. I fancy your 036 wouldn't look amiss with it. Let me try to scrounge up some Wristies of my 177h, which MIGHT give you some ideas. EDIT: Here's Erwinner's thread on his own 177h, asking for strap suggestions. I realise it's not the same watch, but at least it can give you ideas. Micah V-Dark strap Mario Paci Senape TC Glossy Croc (Custom-made only; bought from a member, Rolli) Erwinner later posted this shot of his Fiero, which had achieved amazing patina! And Titanium can even go with a Carbon Fibre strap ...so you see, super versatile. Good luck!

Wow, Raymond, talk about blast from the Wristcheck past! Ahh, scared of snakes...I am also scared of a certain animal and I probably would feel the same as you, if I had to view it on someone's wrists. Sorry about that. Unrelatedly, are you going to watch the new Indiana Jones film coming out soon?

I am rarely mean, or disagreeable but this hissy fit is really too embarrassing. I waited well over a week to get upgraded, and yes, I wasn't thrilled at the wait either. But having made the commitment to be a valuable member of this forum, I HOPE, I knew my upgrade would finally go through and that my money wasn't being disregarded. What I didn't do is to behave like a 15 year-old child, who felt equal parts ignored and targetted for disrespect. Instead, I would've posted something AGAIN, inquiring with measured tone if one could be upgraded. You had your explanation above. Others no doubt are in the same boat as you, but you don't see them crying to teacher. Perhaps it's time to cowboy/cowgirl up and offer an apology to all those who had to read your whiny post.

GMT with Pepsi insert.

Can't speak to the AR on the 177h, but just in case, this the AR shot of my DSN 112. I've heard that gen PAMs do not have this bluish tinge, but if you see my watch in person, you'll stagger yourself at the quality it projects.