Brothers wraps on BAFTA Sunday

At noon today, New Mexico time, so in just a few hours' time, the cast and crew of Brothers will pack up and leave Los Alamos with the film in the can. And the countdown to the projected release date of 4 December 2008 begins.


While one commenter on IMDb posted their sighting: 'This past thursday I saw Jake in the bar where I work which is across the street froma home where they were shooting some scenes. God is he gorgeous!! He was in there with the director and some of the crew drinking.', another mentioned that all the stars had been in town filming last week. Always good to hear reports of Jake's gorgeousness, which, of course, is never in doubt.


There are indications that this has been a strenuous shoot, with little regard for the tedious 9 to 5 routine. Extra 'Mike the Taliban' has posted more information about life on the Brothers' set: 'This last gig on “Brothers” was the most active (less time sitting around) and certainly the c-c-c-oldest for all of us. The sets really looked like Hollywood back lots, with gung-ho Marines, guys with guns and turbans running around, and tons of lights and equipment. But this was back-country New Mexico in the middle of a cold winter. We kept warm by the fires and occasional portable heaters, keeping on our Western parkas until we heard the AD shout “picture’s up” and we’re placed for the next shot. We then take off the extra clothes and leave on the costumed stars like Tobey Maguire have costumers that keep on their parkas until the last possible moment then whisked them away - when that same AD (Assistant Director) shouts “rolling, rolling…!” My last Friday on the set, now way out in the middle of the Zia pueblo, we had an 18 hour day! Even for an extra, that’s a lot of overtime!'


With a release date set for December this year, Brothers has already been mentioned by Variety as a possible contender for the Oscars in 2009, particularly for its interesting director-actors combo. Of course, Heath Ledger's Joker may well be remembered at the Oscars in 2009.



Talking of the awards season. Tonight is the British Academy Film Awards, again from the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. But this time, of course, it's all very different from last year. This year, I'll be watching the ceremony from home, but my thoughts will be back there a year ago to the day when I first saw Jake Gyllenhaal. I'll also be crossing my fingers for Daniel Day Lewis and Cate Blanchett and trying to hold it together when the Academy remembers those who have been lost. Here's a happy reminder of last year.



Here's another video of Jake on the red carpet at the BAFTAs - although you have to sort of lie on your side or turn your monitor around - which I'd never seen before. It shows the moment when Jake has his picture taken with a girl and I realised that myself and my friends were just a few feet away at that point, as I remember watching the photo being taken. I think the chaos (and angle!) of this video gives a great impression of what it was like as we tried to follow Jake down the red carpet.



So my thoughts and love are also with my three BAFTA Sisters on our anniversary (strictly tomorrow I know, but it feels like it should be today)! Includes pictures from IHJ.