Zodiac DC DVD released in the UK - and movies to make you think and feel in Empire's Top 500 (oh, and Spandex Jake...)

Finally, the Region 2 edition of the Zodiac Directors Cut is released today in the UK. About time! I hope no-one was holding their breath.


So all those Brits and Euros without a multiregional DVD player can at last enjoy the extras - most especially the commentary with those two very smart, giggly and entertaining commentors - Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr - and also the behind the scenes documentary. This includes the gem of watching Jake losing his marbles while doing approximately 40 takes of just throwing down a book. It would seem simple, but no.



To mark the occasion, here are a couple of videos in which Jake discusses the case and the film. The first also includes a clip of Robert Downey Jr at the LA premiere of Zodiac (an event also attended, kind of, by WDW, but not by Jake). The nature of this David Fincher project was that the story was all and the script was meticulous, based on a clinical assembly of evidence. No free rein given, unlike in movies such as Jarhead, but instead, as Jake says: 'You're dealing with life and death and I felt an obligation to do it right'. He did just that and gave a performance to be proud of.





Jake discusses a little more about the 'Bible' that was assembled for himself and the other actors in this video feature with CBS. And in this USA Today video, Jake and Mark Ruffalo discuss their roles and how the process of making the film turned into what was in effect a re-examination of the clues of the case.


Empire's 500 Greatest Movies

Today, I received my copy of Empire and this November issue presents a list of 'The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time', as voted for by movie directors and readers. My copy has Stand By Me on the cover. Little did I know I could have had this version (which is now winging its way to me).


So Donnie Darko is the highest placed of Jake's films (at no. 53). Brokeback Mountain is a disappointing no. 191 (one below Big) but also disappointingly (for me) the topspot goes to The Godfather. At No. 15 (with a sold out cover) is The Dark Knight - the highest placed film of the 21st century. Lords of Dogtown is at 417, Interestingly, and rather coincidentally, David Fincher selected as his favourite film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which is placed at No. 32 : 'It's as entertaining as hell, and it's so beautifully made... Butch and Sundance is as funny, witty and charming as any movie has ever been.' It is a shame that Zodiac itself doesn't feature in the list.


And finally

A huge thanks to IHJ for uploading more new old pictures of Spandex Jake - including this picture below, which must now rank in my own personal top ten.



There are also pictures of Jake with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America. As we remember, Diane was the one who said she fell out of bed on seeing Jake's amazing SNL performance. More than that, she got a Gyllenhug.



Includes pictures from IHJ and here.