In addition to hearing and seeing Rendition Jake discuss his 'ghost' of a character, who found humanity when events literally and physically smacked him in the face, you can also see interviews with Peter Sarsgaard, Meryl Streep, Gavin Hood, Reese Witherspoon and the exceptional Omar Metwally.
War on film
The New York Times ran an interesting article this week comparing the recent spate of Hollywood films about Iraq and the war on terror and placing them in the context of the foreign and military policy of the US government. Intriguingly, the article includes an audio slide show on the War in Iraq, in which images from these films, including Rendition, are accompanied by a discussion of their context and intention by A O Scott, a correspondent from the New York Times.
Although the films appear on the surface to be coming from an anti-Bush perspective, Rendition, Scott argues, allows the characters to put the other side in good faith. These films respect an argument whilst also raising issues by what they choose to leave out. So while some people may accuse films such as Rendition of being too political, others may well find them not political enough. And maybe that is why, in my opinion, some critics cannot find it in themselves to like Rendition. Thanks Pia for highlighting this article.
Jake and Reese on the beach
Edited to add video of Jake and Reese on the beach.
Includes pictures from IHJ.
50 comments:
Hey WDW! Great post - I'm so glad I stumbled across that last night. Btw, it's on again tonight/tomorrow morning at 3.30am if anyone wants to set the video/dvd recordr/sky plus.
Intersting article from NY Times too. I liked the slideshow. I don't know why some critics didn't like Rendition but it's only their opinion, having a platform from which to spout their opinion doesn't make it any more valid than anyone else's. I'd like to think people will make their own minds up and give it a chance rather than taking notice of critics, but then I'm totally biased where Rendition is concerned.
Hey Twisted Logic - I'm very grateful to you for finding this last night and for sharing it with us - I love Rendition Jake, reminds me of Bafta night :) It's good to make our own opinions on Rendition heard. Hope you're having a good night :D
WDW, I decided that I was going to be Jake Gyllenhaal for Holloween. I've got the T-shirt and jeans, Red Sox cap, beard, blue contacts and toothpick, am I missing anything? What the hell is Reese picking out of his teeth?
Oh, and I forgot, Blackberry.
She's taking the chewing gum out of his mouth. She hates it when he chews gum. This must be a recent video, he's wearing that same t shirt.
Can't wait to watch the new vids!
More later.
Love ya, WDW!
Hey CWG! A JG Halloween costume - excellent idea. And the Blackberry is essential. I don't know what Reese is doing but I know if anyone ever did that to me I'd drive off and leave them on that beach!
We don't tend to do too much Halloweeny here so let me know if you're doing anything fun :)
Hey Positively Pia - hope you like the vids :) Love ya too...
Ok, I'm an old fashioned Brit so I don't really do Halloween but aren't Halloween costumes meant to be scary? Now if someone looking like Jake knocked on my door and said "trick or treat" I would need hospital treatment for sure, but I wouldn't be scared as such *confused*
Well done,TL,for recording the "Rendition" documentary from Sky's Film 24 and WDW,thanks for bringing it to us, you two have got one excellent production company going!
I really enjoyed the clips,particularly for the behind the scenes footage and the new(to me,anyway) Jake interview although there was not enough emphasis on Jake for my liking(obviously) and definitely not enough on Omar! Good to see it,all the same.
Meaningless trivia spot - don't you just love the way Peter says "squirreled"! Maybe it sounds cuter from a British perspective :-)
I really appreciated the insights of AO Scott too and the NYT slideshow that went with them. Critical analysis from respected journalists goes to prove that,in some circles at least,"Rendition" and the questions it raises are being taken very seriously.
Good point Twisted Logic - If Jake knocked on my door Trick or treating on Halloween, there's a good chance I'd faint clean away and I don't think that would be due to the costume ;)
Hi Nadine :) I'm glad you liked the vids - all down to the sterling work of TL! I've not yet joined the Sky generation... I agree there wasn't enough Jake but what there was was pretty delicious. I do love Peter's accent. And yes Omar is just gorgeous (just like Kelley Sane)and he is in real life too.
It is very good to hear that serious journalists, who know something about the Middle East, have voiced some interesting thoughts about Rendition.
Great to see more vids, and more from the cast.
Yes, the film is making folks think, and that's terrific. I think tha director and cast have been terrific in interviews, after all, they're actors, not usually called upon to opinionate.
Im such a fan of Alan Arkin, I must put Russians Are Comong on my netflix -
TYTYTYTY TL for the vids, excellent work. Well if I can't be with Jake at least I can pretend to look like him. Hey, wonder how the boyfriend-in-law is going to handle all the upcoming holidays.
Thanks for yet another Rendition special that I never would have seen without your efforts, WDW and TL! That was marvelous. Though it did take some effort to keep it loading (must be something going on with a backbone near here as everything seems slow tonight). I also enjoyed the insights of A. O. Scott, though I would have gone further to actually praise these filmmakers for having more in mind than how best to facilitate a sequel. ;)
Cherita, I thot ASO was referring only to the last film he mentioned, and was less jokey in his audio comments. seemed to me he had time to think a bit more about these films.
Don't miss the slide show, guys, if you open this link...
Hey Pia - Gavin couldn't have got a better collection of eloquent and intelligent actors if he'd tried - especially one actor in particular ;)
CWG - love to see a photo of that one :)
Good to see you Cherita - I've missed you. Sorry the video was slow for you. My laptop's been slow tonight too, no idea why. Must be these winter evenings drawing in. I thought the Scott feature was very interesting - it's items like that that make me even moe proud of Jake for his film choices.
Hi WDW,
I just got in from a hectic test day at my docs, what a wonderful surprise.
I'll return later later tonight to enjoy this fantastic post.
TY TL; you and WDW have outdone yourselves; new videos of the cast and a more positive film review from A O Scott; he's a hard critic to please at best.
*sass doing her happy dance*
Speaking of Halloween, some revelers, are going out tomorrow night as Larry "Wide-stance" Craig, our no longer highly esteemed, Republican, Right wing anti-gay, anti human rights, US Senator, who was caught last June, soliciting a male undercover cop for sex, in an Minnesota airport bathroom.
I prefer the going out as Jake idea, with toothpick in mouth and Blackberry in hand. I'm overjoyed he quit smoking.
Jake and Reese look extremely comfy with each other;good lord she's fixing him, cuddling him, rubbing his back with comforting strokes; work it girl...cute:)
The poll on the TMZ site; which is out of our immediate Jake zone, shows that 2/3 of 17,000 voters think they are a couple...I like that.
xoxoxo
sass
SASS, did not know Jake stopped smoking, very happy about it, thanks for the wondeful news.
Oh, thanks for the interview, TwistedLogic and WDW! Off to watch it after this! And the video of Jake and Reese although I wish the paps would leave them alone.
I have to say again how much I enjoy the people here. Thank you all. :D
Cherita, so good to see I sent you an email.
Just dropping by to wish you and yours a most wonderful Happy All Hallow's Eve! This may come as no surprise to you dear friends but this is one of my favorite holidays as I'm sure its one of yours.
Trick or Treat!!
www.chelseagrin.com
Thansk so much for the Rendition video. It looks suspiciously like the "Making of..." film on HBO. Same footage of Jake, Peter, Gavin, Omar & Reese. I'm of two minds about the J&R video. On one hand I hate that they privacy is violated. On the other, I love the interaction. My goodness she babys him LOL!! He loked like he'd take a sip of his drink and she "needed" to wipe something off his beard LOL!! And the back strokes and playing around with his shirt...(sigh.)I like it. I like it.In pictures I've seen of Jake in his other serious relationship, it seemed as if he was the cuddler-in-chief. This time Jake is benefitting from the cuddles. I have no problem with that since it is EXACTLY what I would do!LOLOL!!
Maybe it wasn't paps, but one 'licky' person who got some some video. At least they were'nt going overborad with the PDAs. It has to be difficult to be famous and be out in public. You have to always be on your guard, even against the most natural gestures. That sucks. Thanks WDW. I love WDWTL Productions.
Hi Sass Hopw it went well at the docs :\ Thanks for the comment. Take it easy and immerse yourself in Jakeness.
I think Jake gave up the baccy some time ago CWG good boy that he is :)
Hey Get Real - I'm so glad you liked the video. Nothing rounds off my day better than spending good time with everyone here, and Jake.
G'night all. See you tomorrow. I hope the Americans or USAns have got their pumpkins carved ready. In the UK, it's all about the fireworks right now - especially where I live...
Hey! Honoured to get a visit from the Joker himself - I could see this would be your time of year - humour wth a Twist. It's got to be a treat, then.
Hi Bobbyanna glad you like WDWTL Productions - the TL half does all the work, I must say :)
Bobbyanna, my thoughts exactly. At first when I saw the video I was appalled that they were being videotaped during what seemed like a very private momement together. It's one thing to be out there in the public eye and expect that the paps are around but when it's private I feel like it's an invasion regardless of who you are. On the other hand, I too was delighted to see how R played with J. The way she looks at him, she seems very attached and sincere, and it makes me happy for Jake.
Enjoy the fireworks WDW!
Thanks CWG - I will! I'm supposed to be asleep...
Glad you all enjoyed the video! And Bobbyanna, I thought it was the exact same background as the HBO programme but I hadn't watched it at the time so I watched last night and I didn't see the clip of Jake that's in the Film24 thing *confused*
WDW, thanks for your kind words, but honestly I would hardly describe it as "work";)
Btw, read a Rendition review in the New Yorker today and it gave Jake some very good praise! Overall seemed to like the movie. :)
I'm sorry. Maybe it was slightly different from the HBO thing. (sigh.) Guess I will HAVE TO watch it again. Gosh. I'm glad you could understand my last post without a translator! Not at all drunk, but typos galore! LOL!
Ya know. I just cannot get my arms around the fact, there are pple out here who hate Rendition and think it was a lousy movie. They are just wrong. It was extremely well done. Well written, well executed and well acted. People might decide on some political grounds they disagree with it, but it was not a bad film. And no. I'm one of those who does not think it was ambiguous as to its point of view at all. It did provide some insight to explain why it was being done with Meryl and Alan and Peter, etc., but it never excused what was being done. And that's a key distinction for me. An explanation is not an excuse.IMHO. I think the film is going to be a classic of its genre in terms of all the terrorist/Iraq, etc. films from this particular period. I remember when I was at college, taking a film class that dealt strictly with the Vietnam War. So many films from that era. Now we have a new era and a different kind of battle being fought. I cannot remember a film that takes into account basic human rights in quite this way, by making the dilemma so personal. In Toronto, I also saw Redacted, In the Valley of Elah, and a French film about their war with Algeria:A company of French soldiers hunting a terrorist and his band in the mountains. A dangerous, elusive man, responsible for many terrorist attacks...true story...in 1950's. Sound familiar? Most "war" films try to make it personal in some way. But the focus of Rendition was human rights and the violation of those rights by a country who is supposed to be the standard against which all others are measured. Gavin Hood said our Constitution meant a great deal to South Africans when they were struggling against apartheid. He said he loved what America stood for and if some people were going to make significant changes to who we are and what we stand for and what we are about, then we need to have a conversation about that. And Rendition was about having that conversation. OK. I will get off the old soap box now. But I am just really frustrated at the lack of interest and support for this film in the US...even tho I think I know why...
Sorry for the double post, but on another, equally important note: Miss Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon is wearing a blue baseball cap with the "B" for Boston on it...LOL!(And No. I do not think she has her own hat.)
Morning everyone :)
Looks different to me too Twisted Logic - thanks for that gift of a picture in my email this morning ;)
Morning Bobbyanna - rant away! It's extremely frsutrating to see Rendition dismissed out of hand by so many people who I would have thought would have known better. And I definitely agree that the film clearly shows that torture is plain wrong whatever the excuse. That doesn't mean there isn't a debate - because there is and all praise to Jake for going on about that - but ultimately the decision is made.
Get Real - thanks for the good news about the New Yorker :)
HI WDW,
TY both; WDWTL productions makes my day.
It's always fun, when I have an opportunity to see another Rendition first look.
Jake is so mature now, sorry for the aside, but my kid made me take him to see Bubble boy. * big grin*
Please link the magazine article...please:)
I went to see Rendition again and was surprised to hear appropriate laughter when Jake said "this is my first torture line" and no walked out of the theater this time. I'm going back again this Saturday because it will be leaving area theaters in my area in another week, maybe two.:(:(
Get Real, is this Nov 5 New Yorkker? Ive been waiting for NYeer review but can't find it in Nov 5 on=line issue. Thanks!
Pia, not sure what the date was,sorry. I was just skimming thru the latest New Yorker and saw it. Don't know if it is on their website but I will check.
Okay, I found a Rendition review in the online version of The New Yorker http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/rendition_hood, but it is different than the review in the actual magazine. The magazine has a review that gives a bit more praise to Jake. Sorry I don't have a scanner so I can't get it to you guys. :(
Hi, I have a principled opposition to pap videos, so unfortunately will not be able to watch Jake and Reese on the beach. That said, I can watch the Sweeney Todd trailers ad nauseum. It's gothic, it's a musical, it's got Johnny Depp and Helena B-C in it: fabulous! I'd love to see Jake team up with Tim Burton and do something a little less 'sad-face', to quote Nathan Barley.
bmg good for you avoiding pap vids
get real, thanks. I suppose I shld subcribe to the mag - friends save it for me and then I dont have time to pick it up, etcetcetc.
Get Real, could you hve meant New York magazine? A few people are checking their mags and cannot find a review.
Get Real, could you hve meant New York magazine? A few people are checking their mags and cannot find a review.
forgive double post! kinda antsy today!
Hi.
This is my first post at this blog site. I enjoyed "Rendition," but couldn't remember it having any scenes of Izzy el-Ibrahimi and Douglas Freeman cuddling at the beach (actually I wish it had had such scenes, as our friend Doug looks to be a good squeeze pretty much anywhere. ;-)
I've read a lot of the reviews of "Rendition," and think even the negative ones sometimes had some valid points. We really don't get to know any of the main characters very well. Only Naor is shown in flashbacks that are recognizable as such. (Fatima and Khalid are in flashbacks, but it isn't until the last ten minutes of the film that the audience is let in on the temporal displacements. :-( ) So, the fine cast has to work extra hard to establish their characters and compensate for the lack of backstories.
Some of the reviewers faulted
"Rendition" for presenting plot points that would probably not have been valid in real life--things like rendition of someone like el-Ibrahimi who had lived legally in the U.S. for 20 years, or having him rescued by a CIA agent. Things like this have probably never happened in rreal life. Granted, no one faults "Gone Baby, Gone" for the implausibility of a Police chief (Morgan Freeman) abducting a little girl in order to raise her himself. There were some implausible elements in "The Departed," too, but suspension of disbelief allows them to be overlooked. Why come down so heavily on "Rendition," though?
paulh,
ackkkkkk, i was going to see gone baby gone. please preface spoilers by saying there's a spolier ahead.
No, Pia, I mean The New Yorker.
Yes I was sure you eant newyorer
you even gave a link, Get Real. One poster went thru Nov 5th and two previous and couldnt find it. We will keep searching! Was link as you posted it incomplete?
okay get real thanks I got the on line "short take" - not very good. Nov 5 issue. you say the magazine review is better, and more about Jake. bueno! thanks! sorry to be a pest, I am a very hungry hungry hippo when it comes to news of Jake. :) :) :)
No, Pia, it was a smaller review by a different reviewer under the movie section in alpha order. Definitely in the New Yorker though. Sorry I forgot to check the date.
Hello my friends! Back very late tonight, I blame the trick or treaters jinxing me. Anyway, putting a new post up and then I'll be back :D
But Welcome Paul - Great to see you here and I hope we see you a lot :D
And.... don't talk to me about magazines and articles - I've spent hours this week trying to track down fabric to no avail. It's not sold in shops and none of the estate agents in London that I've found have even heard of it. I've literally walked miles (mind you, I got to see a very scenic part of London today searching - Smithfields). Borders on Oxford Street don't stock it if that's where anyone was going to look.
Back later, off to post :)
(((Happy Halloween everyone and Jake!!!)))
Sorry, Anonymous. I'm not established enough here to have a clear idea about spoiler policy.
If I had used Citizen Kane's sled as an example of movie implaubilities that are forgiven by audiences (instead of the one that I used from "GoneBaby Gone"), there would always be the chance that someone reading my post would not have seen "Citizen Kane".
But, yes, I probably should have figured that a lot of people still haven't seen "Gone Baby Gone." Mea culpa.
Hi Paulh - I get into trouble here too for giving things away unintentionally, it's impossible to know which films have been seen or not. I suppose if we give info away we should just writer Spoiler above it.
I can't tell you how hard it was wth Zodiac and Rendition - especially Zodiac as this came out across the world over such a long period of time.
Thanks for commenting - I appreciate it :)
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