Happy holidays! A Prisoners update and a WDW Italian Interlude

Now that we've survived the Apocalypse, I feel that I can safely wish you Happy Holidays without fear of spreading some dreaded Mayan pestilence. And so, whatever you celebrate, however you celebrate it, and even if you celebrate nothing at all, have a wonderful few days doing what you like to do the most before having to do a lot more of what you like to do a lot less.

Jake Gyllenhaal is about ready - one hopes - to shave off the shaggy Face Pet once and for all, putting it to one side with the end of the hugely successful If There Is.... run. Who knows, Jake may have shaved it off already. He may even have shaved it off into some elaborate pattern. We must wait and see what the next photos reveal. Maybe it'll be even longer. This might be time to open a betting  book. Of course, he may wait until after Christmas because with the beard he is a ready made Father Christmas for the Gyllenhaal-Sarsgaard Clan. All the beard needs is a bit of flour or icing sugar.

With the play out of the way, and while we wait for the release of An Enemy, it's time to look ahead to the filming of Prisoners. The release date of 20 September has now been confirmed along with more details of the story, also confirming that Jake will play Detective Loki:

'In the rural New England town of Brockton, Massachusetts, neighbors and friends the Dovers and the Birches gather for Thanksgiving dinner, but by the end of the night, their celebration turns to panic when the families' two youngest daughters go missing. As the hours pass and the girls don't turn up, it becomes terrifyingly apparent they've been kidnapped. After the cops fail to find them, Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) decides to take the law into his own hands, running up against dedicated Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal). But even as Loki is diligently working against the clock to solve the case, Keller will stop at nothing to get their prime suspect to talk before it's too late.'

Thanks very much to IHJ for the scan from Spires Oxford and to BBMISwear for the scan from Entertainment Weekly's review of the year!

WDW Tuscan Interlude

Last week I got back from a fantastic break in Tuscany, a place that perfectly combines beautiful countryside, ancient towns (often on hills), art and architecture, tasty food and luxuriant wines. Florence and Pisa might be ridiculously off season at this time of year but in December the towns of Tuscany are quiet, Christmassy and spectacularly atmospheric, with the most incredible light. Not being one to spare you an Interlude or two, I thought I'd inflict some photos* on you. (* The photos are best viewed while imbibing a hearty chianti.)

Pisa

Siena

Certaldo

Florence

** Have a wonderful time over the holidays - see you on the other side! **

A belated Merry Christmas and a GyllenCatchUp

A belated Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you!

It is now the day after the day before and I hope you're still able to move your stomachs. No doubt this post catches you eating the last of your veggie turkey and wringing the last few drops out of your festive whiskey. Either that or you're down the shops buying toasters and cameras. Jake Gyllenhaal, however, has been up to his usual tricks of flying around and eating, not necessarily at the same time.

Perez Hilton was sent a photo of Jake with his old friend Adam Levine at the Mustard Seed Cafe in Los Feliz, LA, apparently taken on 21 December (but probably taken before Jake's birthday). This would mean that Jake was in NYC for his birthday on 19 December, flew back to LA for a day or two, and then was back to the East Coast in time for a number of sightings on 24 December, not to mention the holidays themselves. However, if there's one person who's not going to let something like a continent get in the way of a good meal it's Jake Gyllenhaal.

On 24 December, Jake was seen queuing up at Liquiteria in NYC. Apparently, this isn't another name for an Off Licence (UK) or Liquor Store (US) but a place that sells cleansing liquids, and not for the car or windows either. The same day Jake was spotted at a regular haunt, the wonderful fish specialists Russ and Daughters. Caviar as a Christmas starter perhaps?

I want to take this opportunity to thank IHeartJake for all their continued hardwork over 2011 and all the other years. They have just managed the feat of getting all the Source Code images up and for that they deserve an extra helping of Christmas Pud. There are also a few new on-set photos from Brokeback Mountain.

My review of Arthur Christmas is now on MovieBrit.

All I want for Christmas is... Jake Gyllenhaal - WDW's Christmas shopping guide and a Brothers interview

I'll try and talk quietly this evening because I have no doubt that you're all still sleeping off the effects of Jake Gyllenhaal's 29th birthday party last night. I don't know about you but it was quite a night and I hope Jake's neighbours have cheered up this morning... With Jake's birthday yesterday, this means we have entered that dangerzone when there is nothing for it - we must stop buying Jake birthday prezzies and instead turn our attention to Christmas. I must admit to not having bought a single present (well, I've bought one and it was a book about bricks - it therefore doesn't count). So, here are my helpful suggestions for presents for your nearest and dearest who are just waiting for you to buy them a Jake present. You know it's what they want. Don't let them tell you any different.


10. How about a Swoff doll, accurate to within a tenth of a million. With this Swoff doll you are ready for anything. Shop.



9. Prince of Persia lego minus shirt lego. No need to waste your money on shirt lego when you get your grateful loved ones Dastan stocking fillers. You can also get shirtless Tamina lego but obviously they won't want that.


8. We can forget last year - this year Jake Gyllenhaal is back on the calendar scene!


7. Your perfect New Year's Eve party getup...


6. The Brokeback set including dog ('The Mirror reports that a fan has turned Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhall into dolls based on their characters in the hit film. They come equipped with two horses, a campfire, a dog, a tent, a liquor bottle and a tree.) I think you'll agree - the tree is vital.


5. A Steelers tattoo. You know you want one - don't fight it.


4.A dog that is 'too cute not to get'. Obviously a dog is not just for Christmas, so borrow it (and maybe not give it back).


3. Undies. You can never go wrong with undies. They're a safe bet. I recommend Calvin Klein.


2. A cardigan. Watch this space - this is the vital fashion accessory for 2010. Big buttons are a bonus.


1. Jake Gyllenhaal. With a ribbon.


And finally... Jake and Sam Shepard discussing Brothers. Thanks to JakeWeird for the heads up.


Includes pictures from IHJ.

Happy Holidays to Jake and all his Gyllenhaalics!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all! Whether you're on a roadtrip...


to see family, friends or lovers...


or whether they're coming to see you,


I wish you Happy Holidays - in snow or sun,



with lots of good food and TV (or internet)



and delightful surprises - maybe a new jumper?


I hope you finished your shopping...


Here's a cracker...




Happy Christmas, Jake!


Meanwhile...

Maggie and a newly-shaven (and very Uncle Vanya-esque) Peter show us how to keep warm and cosy on a walk in New York City on 23 December.


Includes pictures from IHJ and links.