[Updated] Prince of Persia Superbowl TV Spot! Brothers DVD artwork

The problem with watching the Superbowl in Britain - apart from some serious sleep deprivation - is that it runs here without commercials. This means you have to make do with analysis, bits of The Who (to make me feel young) and sport. But no such worries for the US - there, 80 million people (give or take) can settle down and enjoy the real point of it all: the Prince of Persia TV Spot! I'm trying to imagine Jake Gyllenhaal's own reaction to watching this. As for the sport: England beat Wales 30-17 in the Six Nations.



Update

With many thanks to Carol for the heads up, the Brothers DVD artwork is now on Amazon. I like!

Jake Gyllenhaal: 'He's exceptional - as good a cook as he is an actor'. Hot prince too...

The Prince of Persia has (almost) robbed me of the power of speech... Moody, grubby and deep, just how I like him. The more I see of Jake Gyllenhaal as Dastan, the more I look forward to seeing not only the movie - and I'm looking forward to seeing that rather a lot - but also the publicity images that we will see more of over the next few months, as Disney introduces us to their prince. Many thanks to IHJ for this stunning image.


Go to the official PoP website for more delights.


Maggie Gyllenhaal has been talking to the press this weekend as the Oscar publicity machine goes into full gallop. Maggie reminisced to the Guardian about her earliest memory: 'I was tiny, less than three, looking up at my mom, who was pregnant. We were saying, "When is this baby going to come?" about my brother, Jake.' Good to know it was about Jake, even as a bump he was worth talking about.


There is more in the Telegraph: '“My brother and I used to be competitive when we were younger,” muses the 32-year-old. “But now I feel we’re different enough, old enough and love each other enough that competition feels like a waste of time.” So it’s all happy families these days, except when it comes to cooking... “He’s exceptional – as good a cook as he is an actor,” she admits. “He was just here for the holidays and he cooked a lot. I have basic skills – I know how to steam vegetables and make pasta and salads – but I’m not so good at the harder stuff. I’d like to learn how to easily cook up something really great.”


'I suggest that the test of a person’s skill in the kitchen is whether they can whip up “something great” without following a recipe. “Actually, it’s very telling about me,” she admits, warming to her subject. “For me, the challenge is following the recipe, because it’s so difficult for me to be a beginner at something. I don’t like things when I’m not good at them.But I’m learning how nice it is to be a beginner. It used to be that if I wasn’t good at something, I wouldn’t even want to try it, but now I’m learning how nice it is to try.”'

Arguably, it's even better to let Jake cook for you... especially cakes...


And finally...

Thanks to Uli, for coming across the IMDb link to the 'Unnamed Jame Foxx Documentary' which, it says, is currently filming and will include Jake Gyllenhaal, along with Jake's Blame It co-stars. Something to keep an eye on...


As to Jake today, quite a few tweets and Facebook sightings have Jake in Austin, Texas. In Whole Foods (no surprise there), at parties and in parks.

Includes pictures from IHJ.

Damn Yankees moves to second base and gets a director!

Jake Gyllenhaal and Jim Carrey were first linked to the musical Damn Yankees a full year ago and since then there's been Zilch. Nada. All those of us who believe that if there is one actor with a musical in him itching to get out it's Jake Gyllenhaal can sleep a little better tonight because Damn Yankees has a director! He's Todd Graff and not only is he the director, he's also going to be licking the screenplay into shape. It will be a modern version of the original.


I'm sure I'm not the only one who's not heard of Mr Graff and this is a contrast to Jake's previous films where he has been influenced by the choice of director. It has been suggested, for instance, that Jake was insistent on Duncan Jones for Source Code after seeing Duncan's sensational debut, Moon. For an interesting discussion of how Hollywood is having to look elsewhere for big movie directors - including the director for Damn Yankees - look here.


As yet there is no date and a rewrite suggests the film may be some time off. However, after a year of nothing but hope for Damn Yankees, this is good news indeed. Now, to continue the sporty themed weekend, all we need is an update on the Joe Namath Biopic.

Very lovely and sporty pictures from IHJ.

'Gorgeous' 'lovely' 'goofy' Jake Gyllenhaal pumps gas, 31 January

After all the excitement of watching sunrises with Oscar nominees, it's time to get back to the nitty gritty of Los Angeles life. Cars still need fuel, irrespective of how hot the driver may be. Thanks to IHJ, here are pictures of Jake Gyllenhaal filling his car on 31 January. Please note how I'm not mentioning that Jake is making a phonecall while manhandling a pump, a practice not to be encouraged.


The Princess of Persia, Gemma Arterton, has been talking about her handsome prince: 'He's absolutely gorgeous and lovely, and quite goofy once you get to know him. The film was originally a video game so there was a lot of pressure on him from the fans, but he really went for it - he worked out every day, on top of filming. I've got no idea how he managed it.' Source.


Next Sunday is the Superbowl. This occasion is a mystery to me but apparently it's something to do with studios showing extraordinarily expensive adverts for their films with sporting action filling the breaks in between. After several weeks of rumours, it looks to be the case that Prince of Persia will be one of the main players.



And finally...

Calvin Klein's designer Kevin Carrigan has been describing his inspiration: 'Personally, I prefer my men to be more masculine and sexy. I love Jake Gyllenhaal; Carey Mulligan the new actress from An Education, I think she’s got a great style. I also love Sofia Coppola who’s behind the camera. I would love to dress her as I think she’s amazing. The ck men or women are sexy, edgy and cool.' I think it's fair to say that the admiration is mutual.


Jake has also been posing with fans for some phone pics.

Includes pictures from IHJ.

Watching the sun rise together on a special day - Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal - 'he knows'

Maggie Gyllenhaal's pure delight in receiving her first Oscar nomination comes with an added blessing for us - a glimpse into that close relationship she shares with her brother Jake. Maggie's nomination is a family affair. They've experienced this before and will undoubtedly do so again.


Maggie on ET: 'I wasn't nominated for anything else so I was really surprised this morning! We're staying at my brother's and so my daughter, my husband and I were all in the same room. I didn't want to wake them up and so I ran to the hallway and my brother's housephone rang. And my brother got up and he said 'Did you get nominated?' I said yes and we were just shaking! He said 'Your phone is going to ring all day'... He said he didn't do this stuff, interviews and stuff, as he was working so he just went straight to work. But I was thinking when I was sitting with him, I thought in these kinds of interviews, in junkets, journalists alwas ask me 'Does it help having your husband and your brother doing the same work as you?' I actually was thinking this morning, sitting with him, I thought 'This helps'. It helps that he's been through this. That he knows how it feels. So exciting and overwhelming and scary and thrilling. And he knew.'


Maggie told In Contention: 'The thing is, you know, I’m so proud of the movie and I always have been, more proud of it than any of the work I’ve done so far. But because I wasn’t getting nominated for anything, I wasn’t expecting it. My phone was ringing so early and I thought, “Wait, maybe!” I was staying at my brother’s in LA. He said to me, “Your phone is going to be ringing all day.” He made me a cup of coffee and then we watched the sun rise. It was pretty mellow. But this wouldn’t be happening for Jeff [Bridges] or me if it wasn’t for Scott [Cooper].'


You can see Jeff Bridges describing his own pleasure at Maggie's nomination here.

Edited to add: Another lovely interview with Maggie here for Access Hollywood. Just look at that face! That is a happy face.

Thanks to Monica for the heads up on In Contention. Thanks to IHJ for the pics.

[Update] Maggie describes her amazing morning - Many congratulations to Maggie Gyllenhaal!

[Update] Maggie's reaction to the news: '"Because I didn't get any other nominations, I was so surprised," she says. "I was completely shocked and so excited. I love the movie and I feel so proud of it. I'm excited about celebrating it and getting dressed up. I haven't done work I'm more proud of." One of the first calls this morning came from her on-screen love and best actor favorite, Jeff Bridges. "Jeff called me this morning. He was barely even making words. He was kind of singing and moaning. He was so excited. I feel thrilled," says Gyllenhaal.'


'Her day, thus far, has been all about family. There's a sense of excitement at home, because her husband Peter Sarsgaard's film, An Education, is also up for best picture. "We woke up at 5:30," says Gyllenhaal. "I've been up forever already. I just got up really early and had coffee with my brother (Jake Gyllenhaal) and my daughter woke up. I haven't had a second to breathe." She might have a mimosa to celebrate, but her night is wide open. "I don't know what I'm going to do," says the actress. Source.


It's so good to hear that Jake is very much a part of Maggie's day as they celebrate.

On with the post...

In the wee hours of a Los Angeles morning, Maggie matched brother Jake Gyllenhaal with her Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Crazy Heart. Jeff Bridges has had enormous success for his role as Bad and so it is good to see that Maggie too has received recognition. No doubt there'll be some celebrating tonight among the Gyllenhaal-Sarsgaards. I'm happy to get a round in.


Not a dickie bird for Brothers unfortunately, but that's probably not a surprise. More glory, though, comes the way of An Education. It gets a nomination for Best Picture and Carey Mulligan receives a nomination for Best Actress. It also received a nod for best Adapted Screenplay. But with the good comes the surprises and it was a shame to see no mention of Peter Sarsgaard or for Duncan Jones's Moon. Congratulations though must go to Colin Firth! Doctor Parnassus has received nominations for Best Art Direction and Costume Design.


No doubt this post will be updated! A full list can be seen here. Includes picture from IHJ.

Jake Gyllenhaal supports the Oscar top ten, Natalie Portman reminisces, and Sir Ben Kingsley speaks PoP

The American Academy's decision to widen its best film category to include ten films has caused controversy. There are arguments for and against. Jake Gyllenhaal has expressed an opinion for: '"I believe in a year where you would have 'Up in the Air' and 'Precious' alongside 'Avatar' and 'Up,' I think all it does is bring more attention to the smaller films maybe people wouldn't see," said Jake Gyllenhaal, a 2005 Oscar nominee for "Brokeback Mountain."' I couldn't agree more. Anne Hathaway announces the nominations tomorrow.


A great interview with Natalie Portman in Playboy UK reveals a little more about the background to her relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal and it's time for me to learn something new. Natalie was yet another of the people in Jake's life that he found through his brave decision to take to the London boards with This Is Our Youth. We know that Sam Mendes, Roland Emmerich and John Madden were all inspired to cast Jake in their films as a direct result of seeing him on stage. But from it, Jake also got a longlasting friendship with Natalie. Many thanks to Shoe89 for the headsup!


'And Jake I met, seeing his play in London, This Is Our Youth. Which he was phenomenal in. Playboy: Did you go back stage and say hi? Portman: Yeah. And then we became friends. And we've been really close ever since. So yeah, it was really a great opportunity.'

And Natalie, like some of us, maybe, thinks that more than a kiss may have been in order between her Grace and Jake's Tommy. 'Playboy: Did you feel like there should have been more sexuality going on between your character and Jake as your brother-in-law? It seemed a bit tame… Portman: Yeah, definitely. Just a kiss seems so... not a big deal these days! But yeah, of course in those circumstances, it was a huge deal. And if they had gone further you wonder, could they have ever recovered from that. And would you like forgive any of the characters. It's such a massive trespass.'

'Playboy: Finally, we must ask, Jake or Tobey? Portman: Um...All day long!' More here.


Ben Kinglsey - sorry, Sir Ben Kingsley - has been talking to IGN about his dastardly rrole in Prince of Persia: 'I really liked the character. Because of my years in Shakespeare, I really enjoy mining into the character, digging into the character to find out why he is what he is. Hoe he became. So in my portrayal of the uncle, Nizam, I was able -- very happily and enjoyably with Mike Newell -- to go into the script and speculate, "I see why he is this way. I see why his behavior is that way. I see how he's motivated and what drives him." So Mike Newell, being the lovely director he is, turned a plot-driven piece into a character-driven piece. It was very, very appealing to me and then it becomes, honestly, like any other film that one is enjoying making. You didn't feel the crushing weight of franchise, of Jerry Bruckheimer who really let us go, let us get on with it. We just got on with the job of telling a straight story with Mike Newell. It became a character-drive piece, which was tremendously enjoyable for me.'


'IGN: Did you get to do any action sequences? Kingsley: Oh, I do a lot of my own stunts. I do a lot of my own fights. I had a wonderful climbing sequence and I did a lot of that myself. Not too much of my horse-riding -- I'm nervous of horses -- but a lot of the other stuff I did, yeah. I had a great fight trainer. Great stunt guys to work with so that was very exciting.'


I do get the feeling that Prince of Persia was fun all round. And Dastan is hot. This evening, while walking home, something caught my eye as I strolled past a cinema - a big poster of Dastan, flourishing his blades and armour at me and insisting I see his movie - I will... I will...

Sunday's pictures of Jake going out for lunch with Maggie, Peter and Ramona are so wonderful - the perfect antidote to Mondays - but I thought here I'd zoom in on two things that caught my eye - bedhead hair and bedhair laces.




Inclides pictures from IHJ.