At least this does give me an excuse to post a couple of pictures from the premiere of the special edition DVD of Donnie Darko, including a lovely shot of Jake with his young co-star Daveigh Chase.
This also reminds me that Richard Kelly, director of Donnie Darko, has launched Darko Entertainment, which 'will aim to back modestly budgeted, director-driven films'. The first film will be Dirty Girl, directed by Abe Sylvia, which will be followed by The Box starring Cameron Diaz. Richard's producing partner Sean McKittrick says, 'Our goal is to get behind filmmakers with unique voices and take advantage of the Darko brand to help independent films reach a much wider audience.' So the good that is Donnie Darko is set to continue.
Are you a TIFFer?
I came across a fun article at Cord Weekly which lets you judge whether you are TIFF material or not. The writer surmises that if you live anywhere near Toronto, you really should give it a go. I would definitely agree with that but add that I wouldn't let anything like an ocean get in your way - and nor is reading Perez Hilton indicative of whether you like good movies. I do take slight umbrage to the comment: 'And if you’re not very lucky with chance encounters (or frankly, really don’t recognize celebrities in “regular-people” clothes), you are guaranteed to see celebrities if you go to a film. Always had a major crush on Jake Gyllenhaal? Well, just figure out which movie he is in, and buy tickets to the premiere. There is a very good chance the stars (and director) of the film will not only be in attendance at their own films, but will help introduce the film and stick around for a Q&A.'
The problem with this statement is the '...just figure out what movie he is in, and buy tickets to the premiere'. As if it's as easy as that - they can have no idea how hard it was to get tickets - the agony of it, the hours on the phone to Canada, on the internet and then the long wait in a line at one of the chaotic TIFF Box Offices just to collect the things having been successful against all odds. But absolutely completely worth it.
I recommend that you click on this picture below and embiggen it as it is stunning.
The silly hour
Apparently there's been a poll of New Yorkers by Radar Magazine and Jake was among the names they listed as being 'overrated'. Jake has been placed at no 27, two places after the Dalai Lama. While I have no argument with the top choice, I am left wondering why, also higher up the list than Jake, are jeans, pandas and going to Mars. Very odd, not a little weird and possibly not well thought through. Good result, though, that they managed to find someone who had both been to Mars and found it overrated.
My response is to follow on from last night's eating out feature and post pictures from another night out dining in NYC. This time, it's April 2006 and Jake has dined with/met Mark Ruffalo and the lovely Lauren Ambrose.
Includes pictures from IHJ.
35 comments:
The stage version of Donnie Darko was something I first reported (elsewhere) in March. Surprised me this week to see that they really were going through with it. As for the Radar thing, their use of the term "overrated" falls into question. If you read the abbreviated online version of the article, you'll see that they're not talking about people's opinions of the items on the list. They're ranking items by the quantity of obnoxious, uninteresting, repetitive crap that's publicized about each. To that extent, I think we can all understand how Jake made the list.
Hi Cherita - I know but I just found it such a weird and strange mix of things to have on one list. It appealed to my odd sense of humour :)
Wdw, that headline is hilarious !!:D Like something from the Sunday Sport!
I can't see how Donnie Darko is going to work on stage. If I lived in Boston I'd probably go just to see how on earth they do it. Hopefully some reviews wil turn up.
I don't remember seeing that pic of Jake and Mark Ruffalo before. They better be careful or people will start talking *rolling eyes*
^ Btw, WDW, I meant th Sunday Sport thing as a compliment, even if it doesn't sound much like one :)
Oh, that over-rated thing is so weird ! What have pandas ever done to anyone?!
Another gem of a post, WDW! I personally have no interest in seeing "Donnie Darko" on stage. It was all about the movie and Jake's Donnie for me.
Funny that there is one response to the Radar article and it is this:
this list makes you guys look like a group of fugly hipster douchbags with all the clout of a duane reade janitorial associate. congratulations on your aas in creative writing from queens college. that's a really good program.
rock on, rudy.
However, I agree with you Cherita if that is what the article was being critical about.
Okay, true confession time, I did go to TIFF this year and see "Rendition". It was very last minute with some friends but very well worth it. IMO, Jake does an amazing job and it was a completely different and more mature role for him. He has some fantastic lines and scenes, especially with Meryl. WDW, is so right on that there was a standing ovation at the end. I was in the balcony so I was part of it. As for getting tickets to TIFF, yes WDW is correct that it is a bit of a pain in the ass if you are out of town. However, when you get there it is pretty good chances that you will be able to get on a rush line and get a ticket to most movies. We didn't have tickets to the "Rendition" gala but got on the rush line and someone was selling them! It just takes a bit of time and effort, which can be frustrating. I can also recommend the Brad Pitt movie, "Jesse James, Ryan Goslings, "Lars and the Real Girl" and Ang "Lee's "Lust, Caution" all great movies. As well as George Clooney's "Michael Clayton" and Cate Blanchett's "Elizabeth, the Golden Age"
Btw, WDW, the restaurant across the street in the picture you posted from your hotel, Bistro 990 (I recognized their awning) is excellent as is the restaurant in the Hazleton hotel, One.
OK..so WDW...my only comment at this time...is ...to thank you profusely for that close up of the boy...it is absolutely stunning....and making it bigger...so yummy...that is all I can type right now...maybe more later when I have recovered....Michele
Hey Twisted Logic - it's a great day when I can get Jake into a sentence like that - So yeah, I've gone tabloid for the night!
As for DD on stage - I just don't think I'd want to see it. Jake IS Donnie Darko. In fact, I think I'm going to put it on the TV now (hmmm, director's cut? normal version with commentary?...).
I hope you're feeling a little better this evening?
Where did you all come from... :D
I took it as a compliment Twisted Logic! Actually, as far as pandas go - I do find them a little boring and dim. BUT I do like cupcakes and can see no reason for them being at no 2 - except for coffee flavoured cupcakes :(
Oh, that's funny, Get Real. It might be a completely meaningless waste of time, but there are laughs tobe had from it.
Hey! A fellow TIFFer :D Well, I wish I'd known, it would have been great to meet you as you certainly seem to know your stuff. And it's an honour to come across someone else from the standing ovation. That's good about the rush line, I'm glad it worked for you.
Jake definitely had the best lines in the film - I was proud of him.
It sounds like you had more than my three days. Good that you got to see so much.
I was sitting down to eat in the Bistro 990 on the Thursday night but I left as my instinct was telling me Jake was about. And sure enough, he was and I saw him that evening. I ate in the Hazelton Restaurant too and actually stayed in my seat. Great G&Ts too. I'd love to hear more about your time there :D I'm going to do an open kind of post about Toronto, Rendition and the other films this weekend when I have more time, so hopefully you'll be able to comment and give your opinion.
Hi Michele - that picture is unbelievable. I was looking at it and looking at it this evening :)
This also reminds me that Richard Kelly, director of Donnie Darko, has launched Darko Entertainment, which 'will aim to back modestly budgeted, director-driven films'.
Wow, I really like this idea. And I wasn't sure what to think of Donnie Darko being brought to the stage at first, but I may just have to check it out, sounds intriguing. I love that pic you chose, something about those opening, dream-like scenes when Donnie wakes up in his pajamas is mystical to me. :)
As far as TIFF, maybe someday *sigh*. It sounds like a fabulous thing to do.
WDW, the pic in this thread is STUNNING when enbiggened. Jake has truly beautiful eyes and lips. I found the pics with Mark Ruffalo stunning as well.
Cherita, I agree with you - Jake sure gets his share of obnoxious, uninteresting, repetitive crap written about him (give it up already!) - with the exception of WDW, SMG & Zen G, and maybe a few others. Just my (not so) humble opinion. ;)
Hey Wdw, I'm a bit better thanks:) I had some toast earlier but I'm not tempted back on the Dairy Milk yet:(
I think I'm going to watch DD too. I watched Highway last night, which I liked well enough, but for some reason it made me really want to watch DD again. So this post is all the excuse I need.
Btw, I'd go to see DD on stage out of curiosity but NO WAY would I ever watch a different version of BBM - some things are just too sacred.
Actually, as far as pandas go - I do find them a little boring and dim.
I'm doing myself no favours here but I love pandas! My earliest memory is seeing Chi Chi and Ling Ling at London zoo so i've always had a soft spot for them :)
WDW, I would have contacted you if I had known you were going but I didn't check the internet while I was there. It as all very last minute as I hadn't originally planned on going this year. So I had no idea you were there until I got back. Yes, it would have been very nice to meet up! Next. time Jake has a film there. :D
I was lucky to be there until Wednesday and yes I saw those other films I mentioned. I highly recommend them all. I didn't have tickets to many of the films so I just winged it and luckily got in. :)
Hi Marina - I'm so glad you like that picture. The most penetrating and intense stare from those beatiful eyes.
It is an incredible image too - when Donnie sits there on the mountain, trying to make sense of how and why he got there.
Without doubt, I can never say strongly enough, how much I deplore all the rubbish out there about Jake - that was one of the reasons why I wanted to stand up for him here. Thanks for including WDW in such great company :)
If you see the play, you have to tell us all about it.
Sorry to hear you were sick TwistedLogic, glad you're feeling better. I agree, BBM is sacred to me too, I don't know if I could see another version either. :)
I definitely will tell everyone all about the play WDW! You do a great job here for Jake, I can't say it enough. :)
I'm glad you're feeling a little better Twisted Logic - I'm putting on DD too (the original with commentary as I love to hear Jake's voice).
I remember seeing that panda at London Zoo too - didn't do a lot, did it? ;) But cute.
Hi Get Real - I know, it was last minute for me too. I would have loved to have stayed longer to soak up that incredible atmosphere. I saw no films except for Rendition, although being outside the Brad Pitt gala was a surreal experience.
Hopefully, I'll meet up with you at one of these events in the future.
Oh WDW, stop picking on the pandas!;D It's not their fault they can't go out cycling or walk around talking into their phones and they can't get into posh restaurants;)
Thanks Marina:) Please let us know about the DD play, I'm really curious about it now:)
Oh WDW, stop picking on the pandas!;D It's not their fault they can't go out cycling or walk around talking into their phones and they can't get into posh restaurants;)
I think we'd be surprised what a panda can get away with Twisted Logic ;)
Right, where's that DD DVD.
^ I dread to think...
I'm watching DD too and I can't get over how young Jake looks compared to the Rendition pics! He's definitely getting even better looking with age!
I'm watching it too (up to the bit where Jenna chooses where to sit), listening to the commentary. But after seeing Jake Gyllenhaal as Douglas Freeman, DD looks so young! How I love the man Jake's become :)
Great post,WDW! I'll come back to put in my two pen'orth after work tomorrow,when I MIGHT be more awake.
I'll go to bed now with that lovely embiggened shot of His Handsomeness etched on my mind. I thank you!
I just watched the bit where Donnie walks Gretchen home - "Oh, I have emotional problems too!" that line always make me laugh:D
Four weeks til Rendition Day!!! it's gonna feel like four years :(
And of course this time next year we'll (hopefully!) be saying the same about Brothers :)
Anyway, that's enough from me for today. Goodnight everyone:)
G'night Nadine and Twisted Logic :) Four weeks. That's definitely a day to book off work...
Wow, get real! I was at TIFF until Wednesday, too. Sorry we weren't able to say hello. WDW, I think the person who wrote that TIFF article is a complete neophyte compared to you and the rest of us TIFFers.! LOL!!! I know what it was like for you to be in line to try and pick up tickets. And trying to get an extra GALA ticket for my daughter was, unfortunately, impossible. I urged her to try for the rush line, but when we saw the crowds,a kazillion people everywhere, she said "No way." Of course,it was almost 5PM and the film started at 6:30. She went back to the Hazelton and "held the bar" for us. Good girl. I saw in the Valley of Elah, Elizabeth, Redacted and a score of others. And boy do I ever remember our evening at Bistro 990. You were wiped out. Exhausted. It'd been a travel day. And you just couldn't eat. You said you just had to go for a walk about, round by the Hazelton. You felt the "magnetic pull" of Jake!! That was the last time I allowed my cell phone batteries to go uncharged!
Bobbyanna, I'm sorry we weren't able to say hello. As I said, I didn't check online so I had no idea you guys were at TIFF. Yeah your daughter needed to get on the rush line for the "Rendition" Gala at around 4pm. There wasn't much of a line then. Around 4:30 some guy came by selling tickets and that's how we got in. Good thing though that your daughter got you guys seats at the Hazleton. That is a very busy bar, lol. Sounds like you saw some great movies too. :) Also, I agree that it is annoying when these "journalists" just assume people have no clue about the movies playing (specifically Jake's movie) and that we are just there for the celeb sightings. I have gone many times because I love movies, not just movie stars.
WDW, dissing on REM the other day and now *pandas*? Are we in danger of falling out? :) :)
I have a special fondness for the Dalai Lama too - he looks kind (I think Pia said that once on DC). Kindness is underrated.
Have to agree again with twistedlogic - Donnie on stage is something I might see if it was in London - BBM on stage would be a boycott job, though. I wish people would do new things artistically, or at least allow a decent interval between reinventions.
^^^Amen, Anouska. All this remake-mania really smacks of artistic laziness on the part of the people producing them. I know there are supposedly only 36 possible basic plots (or 20, or 7, or 3, depending on how simple you want to get!) but you'd think they would be interested in at least attempting to do something that hasn't been done before.
I can't imagine them doing justice to Donnie Darko on a stage! It's almost sacrilegious! There are some works of art that are perfectly articulated in a specific medium. For Donnie, it was film. And that role belongs to Jake. He owns it! For BBM, IMHO, it was both the short story and the film.
Sometimes people should let be. I understand how a particular work can so inspire someone, they want to "do" something with it. I think that is one of the big reasons why there have been so many very lovely videos set to music using scenes from BBM. It's a kind of homage. But I have to wonder at the motivation behind DD. And I am SO not ready for Broadway tackle BBM.
Hi everyone - phew a late night last night - watched all of Donnie Darko and then ended up spending some time on Brokeback :D
Hi Bobbyanna and Get Real - it's such a nice thought thinking how many Gyllenhaalics were there for Jake on his night - and it's an insult to Jake for critics to think that fans only like him for his face and have no knowledge of his films. I am sorry we couldn't get your daughter in as well, Bobbyanna, but I'm glad it worked out for you Get Real.
You've really got to get your phone fixed, Bobbyanna!
Hey Anouska - I have nothing personally against pandas. If I had one I'd look after it. But I prefer a pangolin or a slow loris myself, even a bushbaby.
I think if BBM were put on the stage I might be joining you on the picket line.
Couldn't agree more Cherita - why try and do DD on stage when it can only be inferior?
Homage is one thing, Bobbyanna, but to put on a commercial production of something so loved as DDarko seems bizarre.
"So the good that is Donnie Darko is set to continue"
Being a terrific fan of Richard Kelly and Donnie Darko The Film Im "tickled pink" (Im musing over odd phrases lately, forgive me) to hear that Richard is continuing to make nouveau waves - I really like his sensibility! - but wondering how "the good that is Donnie Darko" (I love THIS phrase!) can translate to stage! My mind cannot begin to comprehend such a - yes
WDW - a bizarre idea and transaction. I have a good mind to attend and if I dont like it THROW THINGS.
And yes, what's with the re-makes? I did see the Danish film "Brothers" last night and wondered the same - this is a classic story - agonizing, yes, and was rendered beautifully by a fine cast, with a woman director's touch - but it's been done - done well - and recently -
(I scratch my head in puzzlement.)
Lovely to hear resonances of Toronto FF from you guys - may the good of THAT continue!
Hey Positively pia - so good to hear what you thought of Brothers. Agonizing? Oh heavens - having to deal with Jake in another agonising role :\ How can the heart take it. I can only think that the producers saw a great story and fancied making some money from it by going 'mainstream' with it, in the English language and with two great leads. Interesting. Also as a vehicle for Jake and Tobey?
I think you should go and see DD the Play and let us know what you think. If you have to throw things, can I suggest something soft?
I'm listening to DD's soundtrack now as I struggle through piles of work...
I'm absolutely fond of young Jake but older Jake makes my stomach clench and my breath hitch...
DD on stage? I really can't imagine how they will be able to give justice to a film even visually so 'complex'.
And I agree with Cherita that all these instant remakes reveal a heavy lack of creativity...(well... even Brothers is a remake...)
Hello Peeps! Said I'd come back today when I'd be more awake. Wrong! My brain is the consistency of mushy peas(!)so forgive me if this is drivel!
"Darko Entertainment" sounds like a great new venture by Richard Kelly,anything that gives support,practical and/or financial,to low-budget indie films has to be a good thing.
"Donnie Darko" on stage is another matter. I await contradiction from those of you who intend to go and see it, but I expect the attempt to create a theatre version of such an iconic and outlandish (in a good way!) film to be doomed to failure. Maybe it's the brainchild of someone who loves the film and wants the play to stand as a tribute,but I really can't envisage how it can be translated successfully to the stage.
Should anyone ever decide to launch "Brokeback Mountain - The Musical" in the West End,picket line be damned. I shall procure a Kalashnikov AK-47 and turn up in person to mow down the producers and director!
Sorry,I've just had the mother of all horrendous shifts at work,at the end of an equally horrendous week,hence the uncharacteristic threats of violence,but I'm sure you get my drift! ;-)
I've really tried to understand the criteria by which "Radar Magazine" created its "over-rated" list,but the formula they've publicised as their method of calculating who should make the list is unscientific to say the least. I think they're just taking the piss ;-) Apart from anything else, not only do they include Jake and Pandas but Cats come in at number 40,conclusive proof,if any were needed, that the whole article is hogwash!
You know, I think I need a rub down with the Radio Times and a lie down in a darkened room. Either that or I'll go back over the lovely photos you included in this post,WDW (adore the ones with Daveigh Chase and Mark Ruffalo),embiggen that beautiful face again and all will be right with the world ;-) xxx
Hah! Nadine with her Kalashnikov AK-47 and me with my bushel of rotton tomatoes to captapult from the balconies - it's about time we audiences stop cackling on cue and go back to the old ways of pelting bad actors and productions with rotton vegetables and vulgar language - and sometimes you've just gotta bring out the ole Kalashnikov to make your point -
Gee whiz WDW you sure stirred up alot of emotion.
I do know how to spell rotten and catapult or pault; sorry for haste.
Hi Xenia - I'm absolutely fond of young Jake but older Jake makes my stomach clench and my breath hitch...
I couldn't agree more. I love young Jake but I love the man Jake has become - in talent, in looks and in style :)
Hey Frazzled Nadine with brains like mushy peas - what an image... I hope you're feeling better now.
I hope BBM is never turned into a musical/play - for their sake now, as much as our own!
So that list had cats on it too? The next thing you'll be telling me is that it had chocolate on it! But that list really did make me laugh.
Hi Positively Pia - it would be like going back to the medieval days and the mystery plays. If we didn't like it the actors would go in the stocks :D
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