Brothers DVD out 23 March and Jordan Mechner on how cool it was to see Jake Gyllenhaal in costume

For all those people who despair that they may never be able to see Brothers on a big screen, thanks to a weird distribution strategy in some countries, the good news is that the DVD and Blu-ray already has a release date and it's not long away at all - 23 March. For those outside the US, time to ensure you have a multiregion player, if you haven't already (region doesn't matter for Blu-Ray).


'The DVD and Blu-ray disc contain numerous bonus materials that include two featurettes plus a director commentary'. Shame that there's no actors' commentary, but I know what will make up for that - several deleted showering scenes, a deleted love scene between Tommy and Grace and the 'Let's Teach Jake to Ice Skate' blooper real.


Jordan Mechner talks more Prince of Persia

We have more this week from the Prince of Persia junket held a few days ago. Here is another 20-minute interview with PoP creator Jordan Mechner (in which questions were given over the phone and read out to him). Jordan mostly covers the challenges of turning a game into a movie, how the Sands of Time game had all the ingredients to make a good film, and his involvement in the game, the movie and in the future of the franchise.



And in another interview from that day with Jordan: 'Q: In your mind, what are some of the key defining moments of Sands of Time? JMJ That would be the action scenes. Action remains a key part of the Prince of Persia series so we put in lots of amazing fighting stunts that the Prince can do in the game into the film, but at the same time (we) grounded it in realism. We wanted the movie to be ­totally believable and authentic; this is also why we shot so many scenes on location in Morocco and several other similar spots. The action sequences are simply ­stunning and I find it hard to believe that these are being done by real people.'


'Q: Can you think of any memorable moments during the filming of the movie? JM: One of the coolest moments for me was seeing Jake Gyllenhaal in costume as the prince — he looks so much like the character I created for the game. Then one time, Jake handed me the Dagger of Time after the cameras stopped rolling, and although it was just a prop, I ­imagined that it really could stop, reverse and slow down time like it can in the game. I felt like wielding the dagger to see if it would really work (laughs).'


Want to stand out by that red carpet?

It doesn't take a deep understanding of the sands of time to know that the Prince of Persia is getting nearer. Now may be the time you want to plan ahead for your outfit for opening day. I have some suggestions for you and yours. I'm looking forward to seeing which ones my PoP viewing companions will pick...






For more formal evening attire, may I suggest this?


I think it's probably safer to borrow one of these...


And finally...

Maggie and Peter were among the many stars who attended Radiohead's Haiti fundraising concert on Sunday night on Hollywood. How the boys have come on since I used to see them play in small clubs and pubs in our hometown.


Includes pictures from IHJ and from links.

Jake - 'I am writing music and playing'

A flyby post this evening because I have a nurse's cap and apron on - and I don't mean in a good way - so, in between looking after those who may not have been wise to eat that month-old pizza for lunch, here's a brief Jaking interlude.


I was very amused today by the Battle of the Bands between Maroon 5 - favourites of mine - and Radiohead - favourites of everybody in the world except me. So when I had the chance today I did some rummaging and discovered that Jake Gyllenhaal is - or was (probably far more accurate...) - a fan of Radiohead. Way back in 1999, the young Jake was asked what type of music he enjoyed and if he was still in a band: 'The band that I was in, "Holeshot," broke up. I am not currently in any band...but I am writing music and playing. I listen to all different kinds of music. I love The Pixies, Radiohead, Rufus Wainwright, Bob Dylan, The Toots and the Maytals, Beck, Belle and Sebastian, and Bruce Springsteen, to name a few.'


Do we have any Toots fans out there? Someone who likes the Maytals maybe? At least, I've heard of Beck and even own a few songs by The Pixies. I do own several Radiohead albums but I blame that on factors beyond my control. I would love to hear something of the music Jake says he is writing here - I wonder if that's still a hobby he finds time for.

While looking at this old interview, I'm delighted to see that Jake appreciates the poems of Dylan Thomas. Following on from yesterday's theme, Jake also mentions: 'I would consider Paul Newman my biggest inspiration. I believe that he has made wonderfully wise choices in both his career and his life that I respect and admire. He is the real thing. I love Sean Penn's work. I also love Cate Blanchett's work. (those are just two actors that come to mind on impulse).' I believe that Jake too is that rare 'real thing'.


However, Jake may have been a fan of Radiohead but he has not appeared in a video with all or any of the band. But Jake has appeared with schoolpal Maroon 5 Adam Levine in the SNL spoof 'I Ran', which made fun of Jake's very hairy status at that time. This video is all but gone from the net but you can read the lyrics and still see the video here.


Bits and bits

Jake is now no longer merely 'rumoured' by IMDb to be a star of Nailed. Also firmly attached is my favourite X-Man (Cyclops James Marsden), Catherine Keener and Tracy Morgan.


Peter Sarsgaard continues to film An Education in London and has been spotted! Last night an IMDb reader posted: 'Well, I live just down the street from St John's Church (now a concert hall) in Smith Square, Westminster (where they filmed the wedding in Atonement) and they were filming a departing-a-theatre-or-opera scene where Rosamund says something like 'I hope so'. Sarsgaard and Dominic Cooper were also there. They are still dismantling the set as I speak!' The 'dismantling' bit means that yet again the chase continues!


Includes pictures from IHJ.