I've said before that this is a small world and sure enough... Jake's also been in a film with Gwyneth Paltrow whom, it turns out, is another good friend of Batali's and is to co-host a PBS food show with the chef later this year. Gwyneth is to spend much of October and November driving around Spain - she speaks fluent Spanish - with Mario. Gwyneth won't be eating any of the jambon, but it made me wonder if Jake's famous pig quote from GQ might have something to do with Mario's liking of roasting fresh pig for his friends. Just a thought.
Here is the link to the Italian dessert episode of Mario Batali's show which featured Jake, Maggie and their mother Naomi.
And just so I can say yet again 'It's a small world', it turns out that Gwyneth is appearing in the spring in Iron Man as the love interest of the superhero played by none other than Robert Downey Jr. Robert said to Gwyneth: 'Don't you want to be in a movie that people see'. As usual, Robert talks sense but for the life of me I just can't visualise Robert in that iron suit.
Red carpet Jake
Two new (to me anyway!) short videos have turned up which show off Jake to perfection on the red carpet. The first is from the SAG awards held in January 2006, for which Jake was nominated for best supporting actor but lost out to Paul Giamatti of Cinderella Man. In the interview, Jake is asked what he and Heath actually thought about Brokeback Mountain when they saw it all the way through for the first time. They had no idea and Jake says that the way in which other people - ie, you and me - saw the film defined their response. I did like this video, not least because at one point it shows an interview with George Clooney in the corner of the screen which you'll be unable to watch because of the distraction of seeing Jake revel in the whole red carpet experience.
The other interview comes from the New York City premiere of Jarhead and Jake is in an altogether different mood. As the smitten interviewer says 'My heart went pitter patter for the blue-eyed dreamboat', asking how anyone could not fall for the cute Jakey G. Jake seems susceptible to such an approach because he gave her a kiss and told her he would search out that santa hat and put it in the post for her. Mimicking his posing for the cameras, Jake says 'I give everybody a little bit of something.' One of the little poses is Jake's trademark 'tongue sticking out look', which just goes to show that Jake is well aware of the deadly affect of this 'weapon' and that it might not always be done unintentionally.
Wizard World and Dark Knights
It looks like tonight some lucky people may get the first glimpse of scenes from The Dark Knight and maybe even a chance to see some of the cast themselves as director Christopher Nolan will guest on a panel at Wizard World Chicago. The whole event is taking place in top secrecy with anything even the slightest bit electronic banned. Fans will have to line up all day for one of the tickets. I wonder how it went...
Includes pictures from IHJ.
23 comments:
Hey, WDW, just another little something you pulled out of your magic hat for us! This was great. I had seen the Red Carpet coverage before for the Sag Awards because I taped it when it happened. But what I like about seeing it again is the respect that Jake shows for those that have done incredible work in the industry. The woman in purple he was talking to is one of the most respected character actresses - Alfre Woodard. And like he told Ryan Seacrest how can you not talk to her!
You are right about Jake being a distraction. As long as he is on the screen everyone else virtually disappears!
Now, I had never seen the Jarhead clip. Hmmmm, so I guess Jakey G does know he's got a secret weapon in his arsenal. THE TONGUE! If his intent is to keep us weak in the knees for him, it WORKS.
All these little tidbits about The Dark Knight. A year to wait. I certainly hope it lives up to the expectations. It will for me, I'm sure. And hopefully with the critics.
Hi Dani - many of us over here don't get to see these US award shows so I'm so glad to get to see this and thanks so much for telling me who that was - Alfre Woodard. I didn't recognise her and was wondering why Jake said he counldn't not talk to her. I love how they can't not talk to Jake as well :D
I loved the confident sexy Jake in the Jarhead clip. He definitely knows what we like! Sweet dreams tonight I think. I hope you're having a good Saturday :)
Wow, loved that "Jarhead" clip.... I've never seen it. Thanks, WDW.
God, he is such a flirt, in a good way. It comes across as a totally natural and instinctive (not calculated, fake or smarmy) behavior on his part..... that's what makes it so potent and disarming. Jake likes being adored by women, and responds accordingly. And, yeah, this clip confirms that he knows damn well about the Power of the Tongue!
Hi Birdie - I'd never seen that Jarhead clip either and I've never seen Jake playing with The Power of the Tongue before either! Giving everybody a little bit of what they want. He is a flirt and it just fits him, very natural. But until now I didn't know that Jake knew what that tongue can do to us and he seems to like it :D
I neglected to mention in my first post how much I love the photo of that particular scene from "Proof" that you included. The look on his face takes my breath away.... and it's wasted on Gwyneth (sorry, she doesn't do much for me in general). But that look he's throwing her way just looks so real.... like we are seeing a brief glimpse of Jake, not an actor. I did like "Proof"..... thought it was a good movie. Of course, Jake's presence probably increased my, um, appreciation a tad.
Hey Birde your comment provides me with the perfect opportunity to say that there was no chemistry between Jake and Gwyneth in Proof. Jake did his best but this is definitely my least favourite Jake film. I liked Gwyneth in other roles but here there's nothing.
WDW, I agree..... there was zero chemistry between Jake and Gwyneth, and that did effect the movie. But I'm hard pressed to think of any Gwyneth movie where she had chemistry with her romantic co-star. (That's probably unfair, especially because I have not seen a lot of her movies.)
Hi Birdie I agree entirely. I did like Gwyneth in Shakespeare in Love (and I liked that Sky captain film with Jude Law) and I appreciate that she's a fine actress but Proof was awful. Jake looked great in it and that's the only thing going for Proof in my opinion. There are moments in it I love but I hardly ever revisit this film. - it's the exception that proves the rule :)
"Jake likes being adored by women"
From his performance on SNL and in BBM, it looks like he enjoys the adoration of gay men as well.
I am watching Mario on The Iron Chef right now. I loved Jake's imitation of the Japanese version of the show when he was a guest of Jay Leno in January 2006!
WDW, thank you for these interviews, I hadn't seen either of them. I was a little late to the party and didn't discover Jake until I saw BBM, so I missed out on these interviews I think. I won't make that mistake again!
He looked magnificent at the SAG Awards, and flirty Jake during the Jarhead interview was very charming. I've said a million times how I love hearing about the thoughts and feelings of actors about their roles. I can hardly wait for the Rendition promotion to start!
And making risotto with Jake - is it too late to add that to the MV Dream Auction? I'll definitely be the highest bidder . . . ;)
WDW you're going to hear something different from me because I absolutely loved Proof. I was able to get what the characters and their interpersonal dynamics were meant to convey and I loved the way all the characters were portrayed. I know everyone doesn't "get" the film. If however you see yourself in any of the characters and their behaviour and interactions with one another then you will feel differently. Catherine and Hal were both very real people to me with very authentic interactions with each other. No we were not going there to see a classic romance or love story - naturally the "chemistry" we look for would be missing. I'll halt now because Proof has meant a lot to me and I can go on forever about it LOL -- it's my first real Jake movie (because I didn't regard TDAT - actually the first - that way, other than staring at Jake whenever he appeared!) - I've seen Proof thrice already and wouldn't mind seeing it again. And I'm always pleasantly surprised when I run into a Proof lover on the net, because many of them just don't speak up till someone else does.
And those interviews are totally new to me. I've just got in from RL and I'm going to sit and savour them all over again. Thanks a million for the Sunday treat.
Hi everyone - I hope everyone's having a good Sunday. I've got a dose of hopefully fleeting food poisoning myself - lucky me :(
First off, thanks Incognita for putting the other point of view. It's possible that Proof divides opinion more than any other of Jake's films, including The Day After Tomorrow. I'm glad the film has an eloquent supporter in yourself and I always like to hear the other side.
For me, my problem with Proof, is Gwyneth's acting. I find the story illuminating and interesting but all sense of wanting to think more about it disappears whenever Gwyneth is on the screen. It's a shame as I think she's a fine actress and can do a wide range of roles. But I love Anthony Hopkins in Proof, completely believable. For me, this is a movie to fastforward. But, having said that, I saw it recently when it was on TV, and I did enjoy it more than before. Jake is so good in it and looks delicious, sorry to bring it down to that level :D Pretty good drumming too.
Hi Anon - thanks for your comment. Without doubt, Jake has shown that he loves the attention of all groups and appeals to men and women alike - that's got to be part of the huge appeal of Jake :)
Hi Dani - oh yes, I remember that, the Japanese accent!
That's a great idea Marina - a prize of cooking with Jake - it would definitely have to be something that took a long, long time to make and cook. It'd be fun to go with him to the MV fish market and pick herbs in his mother's garden :D
I, too, am a Proof supporter. Gwyneth's Catherine hit home for me -- she nailed clinical depression like no one I'd ever seen before. Hope Davis' Claire was wonderful as well -- you just "love to hate her." Jake was perfect as Hal, the annoyingly (to Catherine) positive, energetic, sweetheart of a guy that can be soooo irritating to anyone of Catherine's state of mind. I've never seen a bad performance by Sir Anthony.
I do understand why many aren't fond of the film and Gwyneth in particular -- proof to me that she did a great job portraying someone so defeated by life that no one can stand to be around her.
Hi Beckela - thanks for sharing some more Proof love. It's interesting that you saw Gwyneth's performance as an excellent portrayal of clinical depression, while I saw it as a bored actress simply going through the emotions, with no interest in the film she was making. I find it fascinating how movies can trigger such different responses in people, but that's what makes movies so important to us - when they can trigger that deeply personal and unique response.
I must agree with you about Hope Davis - she was so good in it.
"portraying someone so defeated by life that no one can stand to be around her. "
You said it for me Beckela as never before. I think that's what makes WDW want to fast forward it. It's not Gwyneth, it's Catherine who repels people. Except those of us who can identify with her. I think we actually gravitate towards her as having been in the same predicament at one point in our lives and being able to recognize that and empathize.. I have faced a Claire-character in RL so I know that bit too. If Gwyneth or anybody else had portrayed her any other way it wouldn't have been the truth about Catherine.
WDW: I find it fascinating how movies can trigger such different responses in people ...
You got that right! And isn't it wonderful? Without those different responses, we would have nothing to talk about!
Incognita: If Gwyneth or anybody else had portrayed her any other way it wouldn't have been the truth about Catherine.
Talk about nailing it! That is it exactly for me -- and the truth ain't always pretty.
Hey Incognita and Beckela - thanks for your comments. It's definitely true that if we all agreed on everything - even Jake's films! - it'd be pretty dull. So I might as well own up and say that for me I would have preferred someone other than Gwyneth in the role of Catherine. I did empathise with Catherine's situation - it's a familiar one to me too - and this is usually the type of film I would go and see, but not if Gwyneth's in it. I'll shut up now :D
LOL, WDW! I do believe Gwyneth can be an acquired taste. Like you, I enjoyed her in Shakespeare In Love, which is one of my all-time favorite films. I just watched it again a couple of days ago -- laughed out loud (again) and shed a few tears. Of course, Joseph Feines is no slouch! An incredible cast, marvelous script, beautiful music -- as a theatre person I find it fascinating and very well done.
Beckela - I do love Shakespeare in Love - so romantic and funny and sexy. I'd really like to see Jake in that kind of role. Joseph Fiennes did do a good job though. I cold definitely do with seeing it again, it's been such a long time.
Mario Batali certainly has alot of restaurants! Chris Fischer doesn't work as a sous chef at Mario's restaurant Babbo anymore though it seems to me, if my memory serves me....I could be mistaken on that. A woman I use to talk to online awhile back during the early BBM days, she went and ate at The Spotted Pig in NY, and said she was always hoping she'd catch a glimpse of Jake there! It's also rumored that Jake and Heath have met up on occassion at The Spotted Pig.
That appearance of Jake, Maggie, and Naomi on Batali's food show was alot of fun to watch. I've seen it a few times now. Jake was charming as always.
Thanks WDW for reacquainting me with the SAG Award and Jarhead clips. I've seen them both before, but it had been awhile, so it's always enjoyable to hear Jake speak, and he certainly likes to flirt as well, but as some of you said in a nice charming way. Like a commenter here said, that Jake loves the attention and also reciprocates that attention right back to both men and woman alike. You can watch Jake in any interview, where the interviewer is male or female, and Jake always looks intently at the person and is always interested in the other person when they speak. Hence even in this SAG interview with Ryan Seacrest. As you said WDW, that is why Jake has such huge appeal.
I liked Proof as well, but I would have to agree with some of you that there was no real chemistry between Jake and Gwyneth. I can't say I've seen that many of Gwyneth's movies and I'm not a huge fan (Seven and Shakespeare In Love years ago). I do like Gwyneth as a person and how she lives her life out of the public eye. Jake had commented in an interview for Proof I believe that he admired her alot, and that she was a classy lady and kept her life private.
The way I sort of took Proof is that there was more focus on Catherine's depression and somewhat breakdown and how it consumed her. If my memory serves me, perhaps how it ended, would have been at the time where their romance and chemistry would have began in a sense. Or maybe I'm way off as well, lol.
Beckela - Your comment, "Catherine was someone so defeated by life that no one can stand to be around her". That is quite true about depression, which we can all relate to in one way or another I'm sure. It is so true how some of us may feel something, that someone else wouldn't for a movie.
Jantoinette thanks for that wonderful comment. I particularly enjoyed your different perspective again on Proof. I remember reading that too about how jake admired Gwyneth. But it is interesting ow the discussin is about Catherine and also about Gwyneth and the question is, which are we talking about? For me, it's Gwyneth that I can't empathise with. The fact that I can see no chemistry between Gwyneth and Jake as actors has coloured my perception of the film.
Those interviews were great! If flirting were an Olympic sport, Jake would win, undoubtedly.
I believe that Chris left the Batali restaurant some time ago. I love the name of The Spotted Pig restaurant. Imagine going there and seeing Jake and Heath - wonderful :D
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