Jake Gyllenhaal to head the Stand Up To Cancer TV spot tonight, and Donnie Darko released on Blu-ray

This evening, Jake Gyllenhaal will head a public service announcement for Stand Up To Cancer. The spot will air during the Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game (which begins at 8pm Eastern Time) and 'draws parallels between victory in baseball and the triumph of beating cancer through teamwork and collaboration with the message that an end to cancer is now beyond a dream; it is within reach.' The spot is in advance of a TV special for the charity which will be shown across networks in the US in September.


We've recently seen the very physical evidence of Jake's support for Stand Up To Cancer with his hoodie worn last month (perhaps a gift from the commercial shoot?). It is very good indeed to see this addition to the long list of charities that Jake supports - planting trees in Mozambique, encouraging young people to vote, New Eyes for the Needy, gay rights, the Green Schools initiative in LA, ACLU, literacy, Global Green, young readers and writers in prison, Haiti and LiveStrong (and no doubt I've missed a bunch).








On top of this, we've also seen Jake in films with a message, however entertaining that message has been - The Day After Tomorrow, Brokeback Mountain and Rendition, to name just three. There was, no doubt, a message in Donnie Darko, but I don't think I understand it (maybe something to do with smurfs).


Back on MV...

After recent sightings of Jake enjoying his holidays in Martha's Vineyard, there was another posted today - after previously 'yukking', this time he was supping - in the Chilmark Tavern. I can't post a picture of Jake in the Tavern but I can post a picture of the Tavern, which wasn't at all how I expected when I saw it. Much more intimate, friendly and low-key (even has a cashpoint).


Donnie Darko reborn on blu-ray

While we await the release of Prince of Persia in September, you could do far worse that spend some money on the release of Donnie Darko on Blu-ray. Ou on 19 July in the UK, Total Film has awarded this extraordinary film with 5 stars. It is clear that, despite this film being placed squarely in the culture of the 1980s and despite it playing with time, this movie remains a timeless classic. And when one wonders, as TF does here, what is it about this tale that still exerts such a pull. It's almost impossible to put a finger on it - maybe it's because it's almost everything about it.


This edition includes both versions (I can never decide which opening scene I prefer) and Jake's wonderful commentary. There are also some fun accompanying scenes, including Jake entertaining the crew with his infamous Irish jig. I can still only look at that through latticed fingers...


Includes scans from WDW, pictures from IHJ and WDW. Thanks to Stephanie for the logo!