Jake Gyllenhaal babysits!

Never mind the parties, the premieres and the restaurants, on Saturday, 12 November, Jake Gyllenhaal was photographed out and about in NYC with one of his favourite ladies, Ramona GyllenGaard. It looked like both Jake and his mother Naomi were there to entertain multiwheeled Ramona. Many thanks to IHJ for the pics, there are more there.

Maggie and Peter are still in Italy. On Thursday they were photographed at the opening of the Armani Hotel Milano, with Maggie wearing a beautiful dress that will do nothing to disperse the rather lovely rumours that Ramona may well have a sibling on the way. Source.

PS Doesn't Peter look wonderful?!

[Updated] Jake Gyllenhaal is back and his beard is coming along a treat!

Jake Gyllenhaal is back! And he's demonstrating enviable determination and zeal in his effort to see how long his beard can grow before he gives in and shaves it off to reveal more of that beautiful face. As a foodie, a beard does offer additional storage facilities, of course. It may also catch rain water in times of drought. Jake was in LA yesterday escorting a rather lovely young lady called Ramona to a birthday party. It was my sister's birthday yesterday so I think it's a bit off that Jake and Ramona got an invite and I didn't. Many thanks to IHJ for the very welcome pictures! There are lots more there. Good to see you Jake!



Update: Thanks to Monica for the ID of the gent in the pictures with Jake - he is Marc Silverstein, Busy Phillips's husband. Their daughter celebrated her birthday on the 13 August and, judging by when Busy posted a photo of the magnificent cake, the party was yesterday. I wonder what's in the middle of the cake - I would've throught a globular cake is very difficult to slice.





As a note, the Chilmark road race took place last Saturday and, while Jake and Chris were absentees this year, I'm very pleased to report that Dou Liman ran and finished 75th in this group! Good going, Doug.

Brothers DVD out today! And a first verdict on PoP - we have love chemistry, wiggling ostriches, fridge magnets

It's 23 March and that can mean only one thing: Jake Gyllenhaal has the perfect gift for his Source Code co-star Michelle Monaghan who celebrates her birthday today - the Brothers DVD, now in your shops! Or, if you're not in America, available to order from a bunch of places. If you prefer to wait for the R2 version, that is out on 7 June. However, it's worth pointing out you may be in the cinema on that day...


To mark the occasion, I Heart Jake and Lionsgate Home Entertainment are running a competition in which two people - from anywhere on the planet with a multi-region player - can each win a Brothers DVD. Visit IHJ for details and good luck.

As for The Other Film, we've had some more details from the top secret ShoWest screening of Prince of Persia in Vegas last week. It's very spoilery and so I will quote very little but you can read the full account at IGN and it's a goodie.


Here's a non-spoilery description of one scene: 'The scene is overrun with special effects -- high-flying acrobatics off walls, swordplay of all kinds, cinematic bow & arrow near-misses, fires, explosions and more. It's fairly epic and well-choreographed. It's clear from the start that the movie comes from Disney and director Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), not Uwe Boll.'


The love interest: 'Dastan believes Tamina is a pampered princess who has never suffered a day in her life and she thinks he's a corrupted brute who lacks proper morales. Their on-screen chemistry works. Indeed, the admittedly predictable hate-turn-love story is just as interesting as some of the awe-inspiring special effects scenes because the chemistry is so tangible.'


Ostrich racing: 'Comic relief is supplied by the always-reliable Alfred Molina [see below] (Spider-Man 2), who plays a money-hungry tradesman whose first love is ostrich-racing. And yeah, you even get to see some dudes riding atop wiggling ostriches as they race awkwardly over dirt roads.'


Verdict: 'The action is big. The effects bigger. And the storyline just interesting enough to keep you watching. Gyllenhaal -- probably not anybody's first choice for the Prince of Persia; although, to be fair, he's a hard character to cast -- serves the role just fine. And Arterton has sex appeal to spare. This movie will surely be compared to Pirates of the Caribbean series and it shares much in common. Perhaps the only thing missing is the equivalent of Captain Jack Sparrow -- Johnny Depp's ludicrous, but unforgettable antihero. By comparison, Dastan and Tamina are straighter and side-players like Kingsley and Molina unremarkable. But the movie is well-produced and sparkling with polish from beginning to end, and we doubt any potential shortcomings will stop moviegoers from seeing it and doing their part in adding another notch to Bruckheimer's already-considerable blockbuster belt.'


Actually, referring to the verdict above, Jake Gyllenhaal was somebody's first choice for the role - Mike Newell's. (And also mine, but I don't think I pull as much weight with Jerry Bruckheimer.)

In other Prince of Persia news, we have fridge magnets - oh yes we do...


Wanted to finish today with a lovely picture from last weekend when NYC wallowed in a taster of spring.


Includes pictures from links and here and the coolest website in the world. Thanks to Monica for additional ostriches. Happy birthday Michelle!

Ramona takes Uncle Jake out for lunch, Ammo, 31 January

With a big smile like that, dancing feet and dressed to kill, who can resist? And Jake's not bad either. Great to see Jake Gyllenhaal going out for Sunday lunch with Peter, Maggie and Ramona at family favourite Ammo. And it all starts with a wave. Looking good, Jake! This is what I call a proper start to the new week.






Many thanks to IHJ for the lovely pics.

Jake Gyllenhaal talks Brothers - 'I hope you don't mind but I get really animated!' And the PoP Giant 3D poster book! And more...

I'm glad to say that the release of Brothers has attracted some attention in Jim Sheridan's homeland. We've heard some bits and pieces from the press day in NYC and since then we've been given the odd Jake sentence, pulled out of nowhere. But the pieces come together and today we have more. Apart from some familiar quotes about working with the kids in prisons and about being mistaken for Tobey Maguire, but we get some fun preamble and the source for some of those lines that have been floating round the net. And keeping playful Jake company are signs of that earnest Jake who's been told he thinks too much. Here are some of the bits that are new to me. I do like the beginning...


'JG: “[Waving his hands around] Hi! I hope you don't mind but I get really animated!” Q: Not at all, go for it. And what was with your look? JG: “You mean in the movie, or in reality? Sorry, I have no concept of the difference between movies and reality!”'

'Q: Well, have you seen the movie? JG: “Yes, Twilight. God, I loved that movie! (Laughs) No, I was just saying that, because it's the thing of the moment! Yeah, I'm up on stuff. But what did you want to know?”'


'Q: What attracted you to Brothers? JG: “The director Jim Sheridan attracted me. He's made some of the most extraordinary movies, and gotten the most extraordinary performance out of actors - more than many of the directors working today. And his inherent trust in me, as an actor - six weeks to work with someone as extraordinary as him is like a godsend.”'


Q: So how did the theme of this film resonate with you? JG: “Which one? Sleeping with your brother's wife?!” Q: The brother thing. JG: “Wow...Well, I don't have a brother. Thank god! I do have a brother-in-law now, But that would be weird, because...anyway! Themes...I think that we all have a great ability to move towards our impulses. Anger, or violence. And I'll just speak for myself, I think inherently as a man, there are things that come up about what you want to do, and what you should do. But then to me, this movie is about forgiveness, ultimately. And about somebody who does something unbelievable. You know, to get back to the thing that they love. And to me, I just feel that's what life is all about. If you have something that you love and you care for, then I would hope that anyone would do anything to get back to that. No matter what. And the complications of what has to be done are unfathomable. Like it won't compute in any logical sense, of even storytelling. Because Tobey's character is put in a position where there is no right choice.”'


'Q: What do you feel about the war theme of Brothers and that this country is sending more soldiers to Afghanistan, even as we speak? JG: “Well do you want to talk about the movie, or do you want to talk about current politics? Because I hate hearing actors talk about politics! But if you want to hear me talk about politics, then we can have that discussion.” Q: Yes, I'd like to know how you feel. JG: “Well, to be honest - because I haven't been, before this moment! - to be clear, I would like to say that I think there's a tendency for journalists to want to corner a movie like this into a certain...corner! And in this movie, it's hard to separate the soldier, from the life that a soldier lives, you know? Like if you see a man in uniform, then the movie is about war, and the movie is about a man getting to get back to the things he loves, in my opinion. I've made movies about war. So I feel like I can say that. And I've answered many, many questions about that before, you know?“'


'Q: So you have finished wrapping on Prince of Persia - how difficult or gruelling a production was that for you? JG: “It wasn’t difficult at all.” Q: Really? Putting on all that weight and running around like crazy wasn’t gruelling? JG: “Well it was long - we shot for a long time. I guess putting on the weight for Persia was challenging. Doing all that physical activity and doing all that physical work to get into a part is a certain type of challenge but I had to do it and I did it.” Q: Is it going to be weird having little action figures of you out in the summer? JG: “It’s great, in fact it’s awesome! I can’t wait.”'

Source: Movies.ie. You can read their Jim Sheridan interview here.


This line is definintely one of my favourites: 'I think there's a tendency for journalists to want to corner a movie like this into a certain...corner!' And when Jake says it's awesome that thousands of kids (and certain bloggers) will be playing with mini Jakes this summer, you just know he means it. I also sense that after two movies in a row which have led to questions on war and politics, Jake'll be ready for Prince of Persia. Unless he is asked about the relative advantages of battle on horseback versus battling on an ostrich.

Talking of the Prince... Thanks to Silver for the heads up that Amazon.co.uk is now taking orders for the Prince of Persia Amazing 3D Never Seen Before Poster Book! It features a giant 3D poster and a collection of stickers. Giant.... 3D..... Jake. And all for £3.99. I knew those 3D Avatar glasses would come in handy.


Update: How about a jigsaw puzzle?


The PoP figures are now available to order from various outlets, including here in the US and Play.com in the UK.

And finally

A lovely picture of Maggie and Ramona enjoying an LA winter's day at the Melrose Flea Market in Hollywood yesterday (Sunday), as sightings continue of Jake around and about in Berkeley.


Includes pictures from IHJ and links.

[Updated] Jake at Friday's Buffalo Club party - Who needs a Globe when you have an Obelisk?

Although one of the few movie-related blogs that will not be livestreaming the Golden Globes tonight, I don't want anyone to think there's not a dresscode here today. Except for Jake Gyllenhaal who can wear as much or as little as he likes. So, while you get out that party mascara for extra pointy lashes and wedge some notes and a buspass into your shoe, here's a reminder of what we won't be seeing this evening, live from the Beverly Hilton (home of the very fine Friday seafood buffet).

Jake Gyllenhaal did not get a nomination for Brothers. However, Tobey Maguire is up for an award - maybe the panel muddled them up? And so is U2. Here's hoping that success comes their way, if only to prevent the Avatar song 'I See You' from winning. Maggie and Peter Sarsgaard have also not been nominated despite, as with Jake, having given critically-acclaimed performances in 2009. But best of luck to Carey Mulligan who is up there alongside two other British actresses, Emily Blunt and Helen I'm-Running-Out-Of-Dresses Mirren. Here's a flashback to 2009 when Jake drew the short straw of presenting during the comfort break.



Maggie, Peter and Ramona arrived back at LAX this weekend amid twitter sightings of Jake buying cookware at Surfas. Time to try out a new recipe on the family? Maggie did attend the BAFTA tea party yesterday and there's an amusing account from the function here.


From the sound of it, people have been doing their hair and picking suits and dresses for the last 11 months. But not Maggie: 'Former Globe contender Maggie Gyllenhaal decided only recently to go to the Globes, in part to show support for her "Crazy Heart" costar Jeff Bridges, who is nominated for best Actor in a drama. "When I've been nominated, you get like 20 dresses and you try them all on and you do the whole thing," Gyllenhaal said. "I came out here actually for work, and only decided last minute, actually, to go to the Globes. And I tried on one dress and that's the dress I'm wearing."' I'm imagining a mealtime Gyllenhaal debate over the relative merits of Tobey Maguire and Jeff Bridges for Best Actor, with Peter in the middle saying 'It should have been me!'


All this talk of awards, reminds me of two of my favourite quotes from Jake, which come from when he was given a New Power Award by Premiere back in 2004. Fashion Wire Daily reported: '“I know you guys came to see me tonight, not Tom Cruise,” kidded Gyllenhaal, whom presenter Mark Ruffalo (news) crowned “the new punk rock movie star,” “This award means a lot to me because my girlfriend and my sister already have one. But it really does look like a penis. Oops, sorry ‘Premiere.’” At the afterparty, Jake elaborated: ''"This award looks like a penis," remarked Jake Gyllenhaal, who received one of the obelisks. "Not a particularly normal one. In fact, I feel sorry for any woman or man who have to accept a penis like this."'



One shudders to think what Jake will say when he wins his first Oscar...

Good luck to everyone. A full list of nominations here.

Update: Thanks to Get Real for the heads up about this video of the CAA pre Globes party which includes Jake, Maggie, Peter and Anne Hathaway and a galaxy of other stars... Jake is at the 2 minute mark. And you'll see him below - less beard and big smiles. It seems like almost everyone was at the Buffalo Club in Santa Monica on Friday night!

What's in a name? - much more than double vowels and excessive consonants

With just a twist of a vowel, Dastan, the name of our Prince, not only has its literal meaning Trickster but also its symbolic meaning of Story. In his blog, the creator of the Prince of Persia game franchise and the screenwriter of the PoP movie, described the act of giving Jake Gyllenhaal's prince a name - something not gifted to the original prince of the game.


'First, several people (including Jake Gyllenhaal the first day we met) have pointed out to me that Dastan is also a Persian word meaning ”story.” And so it is, although the vowel is pronounced differently. According to wikipedia, a Dastan is a type of Central Asian oral history “centered on one individual who protects his tribe or his people from an outside invader/enemy.” Hey, just like every video game. As it turns out, the word dastan has shadings I wasn’t aware of — shadings that make it an even more appropriate name for the prince than I realized.'


Elsewhere on the blog, Jordan discusses his literary influences for the movie prince: 'The story and screenplay for Prince of Persia were inspired by many sources, especially the tales of the 1001 Nights and Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh (Book of Kings). In doing the research I read pretty widely, including the lives and writings of Omar Khayyam, Rumi, and Ibn Battuta, and modern histories such as Frye’s The Golden Age of Persia, but my goal was to create an entertaining fantasy in the spirit of the 1001 Nights.' And, as someone who grew up on 1001 Nights, that sounds perfect.


Elsewhere on the site you can enjoy some of Jordan's sketches from the PoP set in Morocco and some experiences from the filming, in North Africa and at Pinewood, at the end of that Roman Road.

Never enough vowels and consonants - GyllenGaard

The issue of vowels and whether you can have too many of them... Following on from yesterday, Peter Sarsgaard has been talking some more about Mysteries of Pittsburgh, in this case, the pronunciation of the author Michael Chabon: 'Chabon? He has a harder to pronounce last name than me! Mine is phonetic if you just really look at it — don’t get daunted by the number of letters. I think Maggie’s name is much harder. G-Y-L — still not a vowel — L — still not a vowel. Oh, there’s an E, then an H, and then I guess the double As make up for the lack of vowels in the beginning of her name. Compared to that, mine’s a snap.'



Making a good argument for Ramona (a name which incidentally means protector or counsel) not being given a double-barrelled surname, Peter has discussed this abundance of consonants before: 'After the SNL appearance, has it become difficult for even you to say your last name the right way? Peter: You mean without a pirate accent? My name has always seemed very normal to me. And it’s not hard to say. It’s phonetic. Whereas Gyllenhaal, for example, it’s perfectly understandable that you wouldn’t come out with that. Q: Yeah, it’s sort of like, “Buy a vowel!” Peter: I mean, there’s loads of consonants right in a row at the beginning—G-Y-L-L, still no vowel. The double a at the end is just to let you relax after going through all those consonants.''


Includes pictures from IHJ.

More than a name - Jake shines a light on 'something that has given my life more meaning than almost anything that I do' - and Jake goes shopping

The last 24 hours have been hours to savour indeed and it hasn't ended yet. We've had truly extraordinary and beautiful photographs of Jake Gyllenhaal walking in Beverly Hills, looking for all the world like he was intentionally walking towards that camera. Then, photos from last month of Ramona playing on the swings of Central Park with Uncle Jake and, finally, another set of photographs of Ramona having lunch with Uncle and Mum at Ammo in Los Angeles, just yesterday. And now we have a video from Jake's visit last month to a school in LA for Global Green Initiative. There is a short version and a long version, but why bother with the short when you can have a full ten minutes of Jake talking about what is clearly one of the passions he has in his life?



As someone whose best friend is a chef, and a chef who has been spreading the word about farming, harvesting, and the preparation and cooking of local produce, it's no surprise to hear Jake say that 'Some of my closest friends are farmers and it's something that has given my life more meaning than almost anything that I do.' That's some statement but in keeping with the comments that Jake has made over the years about his love for cooking, for growing food on Martha's Vineyard and for using local, fresh ingredients. This is that area of his life which has almost been presented as 'The Alternative' to how Jake's life has progressed in reality, in front of the camera. So, if any actor is suited to give his name to this cause, to turn cities green, then it's Jake.


'When you see something like a vacant alleyway that could be nothing and could just serve as a depressing view out of your classroom in the middle of a boring class, you can see that it can be transformed into something like this, that gives kids hope, that teaches kids about the science of growth and just about their environment and what they can do to change it. It's really inspiring and it's inexpensive and gives back so much more than we can put into it. So it's really an incredible thing to see.'


'They talk about how they walk around and how they don't see any green in the environment in which they live and this is one of the only places they can come where there's green and there's trees and there's life. And for most of the country, I think they are surrounded by a lot of green, but in a massive city like Los Angeles, it's surprising how little green there is.'


Global Green USA President Matt Peterson: 'Having Jake out here means a lot to us because he helps shine a light on not just the challenges that we face as society - everybody is aware now of climate change - but to really connect the dots between how something like this is - this school garden - helps improve the lives of kids. And him being here today, to give his time and learn from the kids and shine the light on what they're doing is so important.'


Jake: 'I wouldn't be involved in something I didn't feel like I could... I had actual experience in. I know all these plants, I've grown them myself. I feel like I know how much they can give to other people's and I know - I see how much he [Matt] has given to these kids, and so, it's not just someone coming in to lend their name - it's someone who cares very deeply about this and I really do...'


'I want the Inuit kids to see that things are possible, that people are doing things to help them as it's hard to grow things in the Arctic Circle! But to know that there are other children somewhere else helping them, helping the life that they love so much survive, somewhere they're all connected.'


'I think that making a garden like this, thought it has its own administrative challenges, ultimately, it's incredibly easy and really inspiring and with one seed many seeds can grow. You go to www.globalgreen.org, you can find out more about how to green your school and your life.'


Such a pleasure to hear Jake's voice at length, and Jake introducing himself on the Green Bus, and saying such delights as 'Those are tasty' - they are indeed.


Jake out shopping in Beverly Hills, 26 March

Many thanks to IHJ for new pictures of Jake shopping today in Beverly Hills wearing a favourite shirt.




Includes pictures from IHJ.