Friday 29 February 2008

Jake off to South Carolina? - WDW Road Trip takes to the hills

A little bit of Jake Gyllenhaal movie news past and present today. Firstly, more suggestions that Jake is to film Nailed with David Russell. This project is set to be filmed in South Carolina (and Connecticut) and today this was reported by WIS News: 'COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - He's played Donnie Darko, the Bubble Boy, and Jack Twist. He's starred in movies with his sister - and soon, Jake Gyllenhaal could be coming to the Capital City. A source at the State House tells WIS News 10 that officials are working to bring a movie production starring Jake Gyllenhaal to South Carolina.'


In recent interviews with Doug Liman, the director of the other movie currently attached to Jake, Doug has shown he is having some trouble deciding which film to make next now that Jumper is out in the cinemas - The Unnamed Moon Project or the Valerie Plame Story starring Nicole Kidman. How Nicole's pregnancy will affect things is more cause for confusion.


Meanwhile, young actress Jenny Wade has been talking about her career as an actress in LA, including her most recent job, which required her to 'make out' with Jake in Brothers: 'Initially, Wade's character, Tina, was involved in a drunken night of making out with Gyllenhaal's character at a bar, but the context changed, and when the film comes out in December, Tina is now a "smart girl with political views." Wade still had fun with it and left messages with her female friends, asking "Guess who I just made out with?"'


One wonders if this bar scene has been cut out due to the change in character - in which case I certainly hope it makes the deleted scene section of the DVD, because I think it's crucial we all get to see it (purely to throw light on Jake's character in the film, of course...).

With thanks to an anon reader, we hear that Jake attended the CAA Oscar party the night before the Night Before party: 'Star-struck: That would be Terry Wayne Jones and Tina Pyne, who were in Beverly Hills Friday night for a pre-Oscars party at the home of her chum Bryan Lourd, a honcho with Creative Artists Agency. The Houston duo rubbed elbows with George Clooney, Ellen Barkin, Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Aniston, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Owen Wilson and on and on until we were absolutely green with envy!' This whole Oscar weekend must be extraordinary for even the biggest stars.


WDW Road Tour takes to the hills

Thanks to all those who have kindly said they've enjoyed by tour of LA - not long to go now... But today I took to the Hollywood Hills for a hike up (and down) Runyon Canyon, having decided that I haven't walked enough on this trip. I didn't stop there though, I walked right across West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, with the result that my Nike has proven itself while my joints are giving up, so tomorrow, the last full day, may be decidedly sedentary. This post is illustrated with pictures of Jake in the same places as me, just not at the same time.



In 2002, Jake was photographed having a fun walk with Natalie Portman - of course, his Brothers' co-star - in Runyon Canyon (see pictures above). I've no doubt that Jake will regularly take Atticus up here because it is a dog heaven - I saw one puggle, two dogs the size of shire horses and a multitude of others that looked like they might peg out at any minute in the heat despite owners pouring water down their throats. It was hot up there. Unfortunately, I didn't see this particular dog.


I saw one man stop running up the steep canyon in order to pause and lift rocks. He then continued to pound up the path with rocks in his pockets and in his hands. I called Mr WDW while I was walking up and he was worried that I was either in need of an ambulance or I was making a 'nuisance' phone call - I live in a flat part of England. There are stunning views to be had over LA, of the Hills and of the Hollywood sign.


After the hike up and down, I went in search of the one thing that could revive me - two bottles of corona - before walking to Joan's on Third, a place at which we have frequently seen Jake over the last few years. Apparently the cupcakes at Joan's rival those of Sprinkles so I set myself a task - I bought a cupcake there and then later a cupcake from Sprinkles. Admittedly, one was carrot and the other was banana but I think it can still be called a scientific experiment. I must say though (with my critical food reviewer hat on) that I doubt Jake is a frequenter of Joan's on Third for its salad nicoise, which was unlike any I've ever seen before and not in a good way. But the Latte had a smiley face drawn into the foam.



From there I walked more miles into Beverley Hills to buy my Sprinkles cupcake and then saw a shop that rang bells in my head - Alter Ego. Sure enough, there's a picture of Jake walking past it. I finished off with a visit to Pinkberry on Beverly Drive and yet more tea at Urth Cafe before crawling back to the hotel - via Bristol Farms' wine section. One doesn't eat much in Beverly Hills - there's no room for food after all this liquid. Jake was nowhere to be seen, which is probably just as well, as I have a bright red peeling nose.




Includes pictures from (with Jake) IHJ and (without Jake) WDW.

39 comments:

BirdGirl said...

You're a better person then I am. I would have given up on all of that walking before I made it to the trail. You should take an easy tomorrow. If you can walk.

Absolutely beautiful pictures. I feel like we all have lived vicariously through you, the last few days. And for that I thank you. Oh how I long for spring (as I am sure you can tell :).

Anonymous said...

Great post, WDW - I feel like we're there with you too, especially the Runyon Canyon pics, and all of Jake's favorite hangouts. And Atti is such a beautiful dog. I love your descriptions of the dogs - as big as shire horses, wow! ;)

As far as Brothers goes, we don't want to go too highbrow now, we can hear about smart girls with political views any day of the week, I much prefer a drunken night of makin' out with Jake in a bar! (sorry - tee-hee!) I'm with you tho, if they do decide to delete, I hope they keep it as a deleted scene extra on the DVD!

Have a safe trip home! :)

Anonymous said...

Gosh you are a trooper. I do wish that Jake runs into you (I bet he's looking for you right now :P)

I heard he was going to be in Connecticut the end of March, I just didn't know what project he was working on.

have fun tomorrow and a safe trip home. Thanks for a Jake tour of LA

Trekfan

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi Bird Girl! I can hardly move - all my old wear and tear from my archaeology days has come out to shout at me :D It's a beautiful walk though (somewhat more enjoyable climbing down than up).

I'm so glad you liked the pictures - the scenery is just stunning. A bit smoggy today but you could still see for miles. It's flat where I live, although the Cotswolds aren't too far off, and you just don't get views like this. And the weather! It's like a hot British summer in February.

I've enjoyed myself so much more because of sharing everything here, the next best thing to having everyone's company.

Spring's on the way :D

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi Bertie! Runyon's Canyon should be a must for everyone visiting LA with a bit of energy. I can't imagine there are better views of LA. And the dogs! There are so many of them and they're all so well behaved. One dog was the biggest dog I have ever seen! Just enormous, you could almost see all the other dogs bowing down to it in deference. Some dogs were tiny and I don't know how their little legs made it.

As for Brothers - YES! They have to keep in a drunken making out scene - who cares about smart, political girls ;)

One more full day and then I fly home Saturday evening.

Hi Trekfan! I'm glad you're enjoying the trip. I reckon it has to be Nailed that's next, well I suppose we'll know soon enough. I certainly wish Jake were looking for me :D I'd be very easy to find!

Anonymous said...

WDW, I have just loved every second of your trip. You're an angel to share it! I even had sympathy muscle cramps in my legs for you. I'm actually thinking of a nice long soak, too.


The area you covered today, with Runyon Canyon is really gorgeous and there is definitely a cozy, familiar feel to the shopping areas, too.

Personally, I think we should have Jake pick you up and drive you to the airport...with a nice lunch stop along the way... I'll have our people call his people...:)

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hey Bobbyanna! I'm so glad you've enjoyed the trip and I'm very grateful that you're going to get Jake to take me to the airport, cos at this rate I'm going to be crawling there! And it'll be great to have a nice lunchstop on the way. Just let me know what time to expect him :D

Runyon Canyon is breathtaking - and I love Beverly Hills and the people, I've felt so welcome here.

Iggy said...

Wow. What a gorgeous place Runyon Canyon is. There's only the one thing that could have made those pics you took more beautiful....

I hope they keep that making out scene in Brothers too.. I won't begrudge Jenny Wade too much...well. Just a bit! But at least we know she enjoyed her role. But let's face it, you'd have to be mad not to.

I've loved these reports and I'm looking forward to your last one. Your heavy breathing phonecall to Mr. WDW made me laugh!

Enjoy your last day, and I really, really, really, hope that you bump into Jake, peeling nose or not.

Rosie
x

Anonymous said...

It's really lucky that Friday is Feb 29th or else you would have totally missed out on being in LA today.

Anonymous said...

Whut.......huh?

WDW I don't care whut day it is. I been thinkin and I want you to Leap over here with my truckful of goodies and I'll let you play with my Daddy as long as you want. Now there's a few rules, remember you have to take off your clothes before you can run in the house. You're licensed I hope, with all your shots? No ticks or fleas? Okay then, just make sure your paws are clean before you roll all over his nice bed. Oh and Daddy likes it if you have pretty breath. I think liver is his favorite cuz he always makes a big funny face when I breathe on him after I eat a liver treat. Oh I forgot you're a vegetarian....okay then eat cilantro instead and then lick him on his mouth. You should hear the dry heaving sound he makes when I do that. It's so much fun! So get over here pronto and bring my treats.

P.S. A few cute little females along with the toys and snacks would be nice, too.

Anonymous said...

hey.. that's some gorgeous pictures (with or without Jake)! thanks for the trip report.

I will definitely go to Hollywood Hills too if I ever go to LA, just for Mulholland Drive, cos I am a big David Lynch fan.

I don't blame that girl, ANYONE who gets to make out with Jake for artistic reasons, deserves to broadcast it to the rest of the world. And "share" it with the rest of the world :P

I wonder if Jake would have that many scenes in South Carolina in Nailed... I am guessing it's where Jessica Biel's character migth come from. Maybe Jake would be on location in Connecticut?

Anonymous said...

Jake Gyllenhaal, eating a burger at Father's Office, a Santa Monica bar. There with a friend, the actor sipped on a beer and split a plate of oysters and a cart of sweet potato fries with his companion, all while avoiding being disturbed, a fellow diner reports. With his meal almost finished, the actor looked happy as he moved on to doing some text-messaging.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20181047,00.html


Hmmm, was the companion WDW???

Anonymous said...

Sweet potato fries and beer are the absolutely perfect thing for after a rigorous hike. It's an old Native American remedy.

Anonymous said...

Wow what stunning pictures WDW and another fabulous travelogue! Really have felt like we were there with you. :)

What a hike you had in the Canyon! Sounds like the perfect place to bring dogs.

So Jake may be off to SC? Can't wait until we finally have a confirmation of what he is doing but it does sound like "Nailed".

And Jake was eating in Santa Monica...cool. Now we just have to get WDW and Jake in the same place at the same time, like, now!

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Morning/afternoon everyone :D Hope eveyone's having a good Friday!

Thanks New Sighting for the news on Jake being seen in Santa Monica - of course, I should have predicted that he would go there the day after me - maybe the post reminded him how gorgeous it was there! But seriously, oysters, beer and Jake - Perfect!!

Hi Rosie - Runyon Canyon is just beautiful. Made me realise I have to go the gym more - I thought I was quite fit. But when I saw a guy cycling up the steepest bit I did think that was a tad insane :D

And to think Jenny Wade got paid for that... :D

Ey up Calendar Cat and Atticus. February 29 - I'll have to celebrate spending it in such a fabulous city with a Margarita.

Afternoon Winterbird! Mulholland Drive is the most incredible road - I can't believe how long and twisty it is. That was some film - didn't understand a word of it!

That's interesting about why they may be splitting the filming of Nailed. It seems strange on the surface.

Hi Anon - sweet potato fries? I have no idea what those are. Are they like sweet French fries? I much prefer the idea of the oysters and beer. I love oysters :D Be nice to share a plate of them with Jake, I'd even let him have more than me...

Have a good day everyone - I can just about move this morning.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Morning Get Real - we were posting at the same time :D

I know, I miss Jake again - most of the time we never know where Jake is but he's making sure he gets spotted around town this week, possibly a mixed blessing! One day to go but I'm hobbling now so I think Jake's quite safe :)

It is looking ike Nailed, is't it? And I've so been longing for Jake in Space...

Anonymous said...

WDW, do you eat sweet potatos? They just make french fries out of them like regular potato fries. They are good.

I think they are breaking up the filming of Nailed between SC and Connecticut. SC buildings look a lot like the Capital building in DC and they would probably want to use that for the exterior. A lot of movies have multiple locations. Don't know what CT would stand in for? Good thing is Maggie is supposed to film in CT in April. If Jake films there then maybe we would get some J/M sightings. Would love that. I miss hearing and seeing pics of Jake and Maggie together.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

That makes sense, Get Real, with the locations. And it really would be good if Jake could meet up with Maggie during filming. I miss seeing them together too.

I've never eaten sweet potatoes - at least not on purpose. Sounds interesting having them cut and fried as (English) chips. It's an odd mix (at least to an English gal) - burger, oysters and sweet potato fries!

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Oh meant to say, I just had a look at the People sighting and they've used a picture from the same set of shots that I've included in this post - Jake walking past Alter Ego! Spooky...

Anonymous said...

WDW, you GOTTA try sweet potatoes! They are gorgeous.. that's one health food that I'd champion... I usually bake them, or do a mash (check out the one in the trusty M&S, if you can't be bothered), the french fries version is nice too.

and most importantly - Jake obviously eat them. :P

have a great day - don't tell us where you're going - Jake's spy is here. lol.

are you leaving from LAX tomorrow? that means Jake will be there on Sunday....

paulh said...

WDW, I hope you can go to South Carolina while Jake is filming there. Sweet potatoes are a mainstay of Southern cooking. Just thinking about sweet potato pie makes my mouth water. I even use sweet potatoes instead of pumpkin when I make pumpkin pie.

I am not sure why the eBay auction for a lunch with Jake was for Connecticut, if Jake is filmig in South Carolina instead, but anyway.... Probably not many sweet potato dishes in Connecticut, but you never know.

I have a scrumptious cajun/creolo recipe for sweet potato casserole with little chunks of frankfurter and green pepper floating in it. :-)

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi Winterbird! Yep, my lips are zipped - not a peep out of them, although that will make it hard for Jake to know where to go tomorrow when I'm not there ;) To be honest, I'm now surprised that Jake didn't decide to spend this week in England!

M&S does sweet potato mash? Where have I been living... I'll check them out and add them to my JG eating out guide!

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi Paul - who'd have thought there was so much you could do with a sweet potato... I'm gonna own up to really not liking pumpkin though. It's not often eaten where I live.

Maybe Jake will be filming in both locations?

Anonymous said...

It's sounding more and more like Jake is stalking you, WDW. Always being in the place you were the day before...sounds pretty suspicious to me.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

I think I must be reminding him of the good places ;) No doubt he's getting ready to head up that canyon!

Anonymous said...

Looking at that gorgeous face and big hunk-of-man body in that pic of Jake walkin' by Alter Ego, discussing politics isn't the first thing that comes to my mind, WDW - ;)

Anonymous said...

Sweet potatoe chips and beer sound oka to me. I like my oysters fried from a stand in Wellfleet Massachusetts or else on the halfshell sitting on a pier on Key West. Or maybe at the Osyter Bar in Grand Central Station or BEST OF ALL - some well known restuarant in Paris near the Comedie Francais? Forgot the name, but you could order a world class variety that was almost more blissful than Jake in his boxers, or briefs. and that's saying about as much as I can see on a Feb 29 afternoon in Massachusetts with a snowstorm coming.

Decided to post some nekkid Jake pix on my frdge while I make fixings for tacos and weather another storm. Watching Rendition commentary by Gavin Hood whom I would marry, if he asked, if I could have some Jake on the side.

sigh! hope you're continuing your class act stalkin and walkin dear WDW. As for me, give me a choice between everlasting sunshine and the Triborough Bridge and I'll take Manhattan (the Bronx and Staten Island, too) . . .

Anonymous said...

WDW, I'd go crazy with all these near-misses - guess that's why I'm here whingeing about commuter dudes while you "indulge" in your gyllgrimage in LA.

How bad was this nicoise? You are very picky about nicoise! Sweet potatoes are GOOD, btw. *

Anonymous said...

*sings with Pia*

Anonymous said...

aalade nicoise on a balcony in Key West, warm FRESH tuna, with a mulitimillionaire who had a mountain named after him but I PAYED FOR MY OWN MEAL. Really! And listened to an hour convo about him chasing boys in Marrakesh in his youth. why am I telling you this? because it's SNOWING that's why.

love to sing along with Anouska! How about "I Will Survive" . .

twistedlogic said...

Hey WDW! Thanks for the latest update and pics. I have to say, this is one part of the trip where I don't mind too much not being there - all that walking up hills sounds far too much like hard work to me!But the drinking beer and eating oysters with Jake bit, I could definitely handle that;)

I've lost all track of the time difference so I've no idea if you're still there or on your way back now but either way hope you manage(d) to get a Jake sighting in the end, and have a safe trip back:)

Looks like Nailed is next then for Jake. I'm not really bothered where they film it, as long as they hurry up. It's doing my head in waiting for Brothers and it's only February!! It might feel better knowing that the next wait won't be so long. Oh well, back to the Rendition DVD!

twistedlogic said...

Hey Pia! That's so cool that it's snowing where you are:) I love snow but we don't get it here very often now and when we do it usually only lasts a day. Things ain't what they used to be :(

Anonymous said...

I dunno TL, we're supposed to get about sevem inches overnight and into the morning - it;s been a long winter!

Back to Gavin Hood. . .

twistedlogic said...

Pia, I'm jealous! All we've got here is grey skies (well not at the moment cos it's night but you know what I mean!), wind and rain:(
I totally agree with you about Gavin Hood btw. He's lovely and so is his accent:)

paulh said...

I don't know about Pia, but I would gladly let you have as much snow as you can stand. ;-) We've had a new storm every three or four days since some time in November, and there's probably plenty more left to come at us....

I've just had a wretched day at work, because there were two versions of the online schedule, one with me working today, and one with me not working. Three guesses which one they decided was the right one? I also got docked an hour's pay. It took most of the day to get it reversed.... I feel like crawling into a hole right about now.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi everyone - I've decided I cannot drink any more coffee, tea, smoothies and juices. I don't know how Jake and the people of Beverly Hills do it or where they put it! I'll have to get into training for the next visit.

Good to see you all. And Lawd - that is one incredible photo :) I walked past that place again today and it was a strange feeling.

Pia - what a wonderful comment - so evocative of some amazing places and flavours. I hope the storm's not too bad. I'm glad you have Jake for company, nekkid and otherwise :D I love Gavin Hood too - he is so tall!

Hey Anouska - the near misses are driving me slightly mad, I'll be honest but it's all part of the fun, I keep telling myself. You know me - nicoise is my favourite meal and I'm very picky. This was like a choice Caesar salad - a big mass of chopped lettuce in dressing and you had to hunt in it for little bits of potato, egg and cubes of the toughest tuna. One of those meals that bores you within five minutes. I'll stick with their cupcakes.

I had a fabulous lunch today and it featured oysters in Jake's honour.

Hi TL! No, I'm still here. I leave tomorrow evening and back home Sunday afternoon. It'd be good to have some oysters and beer with you. I'm hoping they hurry up with Nailed too - it's gonna be maddening waiting for Brothers.

Ooh Paul - sorry about your rubbish day - sounds horrible. And all that snow too (which I don't want any of in England, no matter what TL says ;)). Don't crawl into a hole :(

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much..WDW..for letting us venture with you to La La Land. It really sounds (reads) like you have had a perfectly wonderful visit!! Perhaps not too perfect though, because you did not encounter Jake..but there is always next time..yeah? I am most jealous of you and your cupcakes...please describe the frosting for me...:-) Which cupcake was better...Sprinkles or Joans....? Can you tell I love my sweets? Have a safe trip home...
Michele

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi Michele - thanks so much for your comment - not least because you've reminded me I still have the Joan's cupcake in the fridge! I'd forgotten that... I would have taken pictures but, unfortunately, the icing on both melted as I carried them back - such a hot day. So, I can tell you that the Sprinkles banana cupcake (with a vanilla iced topping and a blue sweet on the top) was absolutely sensational. I nearly went for the dark chocolate and banana but I thought that was overdoing it.

So I'll have the carrot Joan's on Third tonight - it'll have to be amazing to beat Sprinkles :D The frosting doesn't look so good on the Joan's one either - no sweet on the top just little sprinkles on top of the icing. The Sprinkles one was more sculpted... I'm biased by the way (I even have a Sprinkles t-shirt from last year, which I wear with pride!).

I had a great time, and knowing Jake was never far away also made the trip for me. I've been lucky enough to see Jake on a few occasions, so I don't want to be greedy :)

paulh said...

Welcome back to the U.K., WDW! When you were looking for Jake in Los Angeles, you were a near miss several times. Now you're a Far Miss. ;-) But it's okay. :-)