Friday, December 4, 2009

Whew! What a week!

Information overload has been full on this week. Topping it off with Jake's hilarious appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Thursday night.







Oh Jake.



Go check out IHJ for 11 pages of screencaps.

Personal highlights of the week:




  • Hearing Jake call himself a Patriot's fan.

  • Getting a tour of Jake's T7 through L4 spine on Kimmel when showing off his Steeler's "tattoo".





Adding to the abundance of riches, a new Prince of Persia poster:





Some further confirmation that Jake did attend a Brothers screening, followed by a Q&A. It was at the Arclight in Los Angeles. Tobey is there, obviously, as well, and oh look, Ryan Kavanugh. Jake was described as "awesome and hilarious." Would love to hear more from this event!









Don't forget: If you have the TVGuide Channel, Veronica De La Cruz has an interview with Jake airing Friday night at 8pm.

Don't forget #2: GO SEE BROTHERS THIS WEEKEND!

(Photos courtesy IHJ and flickr/currentevents.)

38 comments:

get real said...

About to go see Brothers!!
Jake was fantastic, adorable and sexy on Jimmy Kimmel.

What a week!

mary said...

off to see brothers now too will check back later

UltraViolet said...

Oh, get real, I know you are enjoying yourself right now! Have fun, Mary! Can't wait to hear your reaction and other people's thoughts.

So much has happened this week that I know I've missed commenting on much of it. I have to go back over many of these interviews over the weekend.

Here's my headline of the week, though, from the NY Post Pop Wrap:

Jake Gyllenhaal almost charms his own pants off

Hee! I love how much they love Jake. I hate their first line and don't agree with it at all. But I do agree about Jake's charm and sexiness.

Spoilers ahead!

Jim Sheridan interview:

Jim Sheridan: The script is very similar, of course, but [screenwriter David] Benioff did make a few changes, and we did improvise a lot…

Eye Weekly: I’m guessing that you mean the scene where Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his pals are fixing up Natalie Portman’s kitchen and one gets drenched in white paint — it’s like a little oasis of human comedy in the middle of a very intense drama.

JS: I think I’m humanist in that way. I let people play and then I shoot it. Once I set up a reality that we all believe in, I just shoot. The painting sequence was totally improvised. The danger with the story is that it can be too schematic — one brother goes one way, one goes the other. We didn’t want it to feel too organized and worked out.

EyeWeekly: Were any other key scenes or moments improvised?

JS: The scene on the bridge, where Tommy is talking to his niece and the final dinner scene — all the dialogue with the kids — was made up on the floor, even the business with her little turtle. We just went with what was there, and it all happened organically.


It's incredible to think of Jake and Bailee improvising that scene. And the turtle thing! I love it that Taylor Geare made that up. And that painting scene is so funny! I can't wait to watch again, knowing this stuff was improvised.

FL said...

The painting sequence was totally improvised.

Except that most of the dialogue in that scene is the same dialogue from the original. Soooo... not so sure about the whole improvisational aspect there.

UltraViolet said...

Oh well - guess Jim Sheridan forgot that part.

Spoiler: I do think it's incredible if Jenny Wade improvised that dinner table dialogue. Good for her!

Paula said...

Oh I plan on seeing Brothers tomorrow, I will give you my impressions/review of the film after I see it.

Love reading the review you and UV posted!

Yes it's been a very hectic snd fun week. He was so funny on Jimmy Kimmel, thanks for posting the video so I can watch it again!!

bobbyanna said...

OK. I literally just got back. Haven't even taken off my coat.
I cannot think of two more deserving people than Jake and Natalie for an Oscar nomination.
Jim Sheridan can say what he likes, but Jake and Natalie OWN this movie. Don't get me wrong. Tobey was very good. But Jake and NAtalie were extraordinary. I loved it. I know I'm biased, but I really do think Jake gave a flawless perfrormance. His facial expressions, his eyes,the first dinner table scene, his interaction with Sam Shepherd, and one on one with Tobey. The way he handled his scenes with the kids and with Natalie. It was so natural and so real. He is really a pretty amazing person. For some reason,the scenes in Afghanistan while Tobey was a prisoner, I remember them as being more powerful in the Danish version. Don't know why. I didn't think it had a "gollywood ending" as some reviewer criticized. I thought the ending was real and honest. I'll definitely be seeing it again. At least twice.

FL said...

Yay! So happy you liked it, Bobbyanna.

And re Vernonica De La Cruz's interview with Jake on TVGuide Channel? If that's all there was, literally one sound byte, if I were Veronica I'd check to see which editors I pissed off.

bobbyanna said...

You know what, FL, I don't want to sound nitpicky, but I honestly think the actors were stronger than the director at certain times. I sure hope there's a Director's cut. I also think the young woman Jake brings to the birthday dinner was overlooked. I thought she was very sympathetic and handled her scene really well.

I loved it.

FL said...

I get the impression that Jim Sheridan is a real loosey goosey type of director, the Anti-Fincher if you will.

bobbyanna said...

One more thing. Sheridan mentioned how self-confident Jake is, and how cool he is and ready for anything. How he noticed everything going on, (360degrees) and sort of integrated it into his character.

For me, I think it indicated how enthusiastic, how hungry Jake was, to collaborate with Sheridan, Benioff, and this amazing ensemble cast.

The end result certainly indicates that he was completely comfortable with every aspect of his charater. I remember his interview when he said Tommy was exactly who he wanted to be,not Sam.

FL said...

At what point do I share that within the first 7 minutes of the movie I started getting teary-eyed and pretty much stayed that way throughout the whole film? Too soon?

me again, :) said...

That was my reaction, too.

mary said...

great movie jake was great so good to see him on ilm again hope this film gets some recognition at awards time as you say jakes facial expressions are so moving and revealing

UltraViolet said...

Paula, hope you enjoy the movie tomorrow. I hope to see it again tomorrow, too.

Bobbyanna, I'm so glad you loved it. I had a feeling you would. A lot of the reviews have basically said that the actors are let down by the direction.

Did you see that the actress in the dinner scene (I think that's Jenny Wade) improvised her dialogue. Pretty impressive.

I agree that Jake outdoes Tobey. I never quite bought into Tobey's performance.

One of the other criticisms I've seen and agree with is that even though the film is 110 minutes, it feels a bit rushed. I think they needed a little more time on Jake and Natalie, as well as on Tobey post-Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan parts didn't really work for me.

Jake really is fully engaged, doing so many of those little things that FL mentioned and many reviewers have noticed, because it makes his performance more fully realized.

I do love hearing about how confident Jake is because some people like to paint him as a confused boy.

And FL, I teared up at a few points. Though not quite as early as you :)

UltraViolet said...

Oh, Mary, thanks for checking in. So glad you enjoyed it. For both you and bobbyanna, I'm curious about the audience size at your showings. Were they crowded?

mary said...

my show i went to wasnt very crowded maybe a 1/4 but i went to a 440 showing and i agree with youthat jake and natalie relationship could of been worked on more but they probably didnt want to make the film too long jake does give a natural performance in all his films

UltraViolet said...

Thanks for the audience report, Mary!

Spoiler ahead:

FL pointed out to me that I keep referring to Jenny Wade's improvised scene but hadn't posted the link. I've posted so much stuff I can't remember what I have and haven't linked - sorry! Here it is: You leave it to the actors, really, to the acting:

There's a great moment in Brothers where a minor character completely sums up the dilemma faced by the major characters, and if you aren't paying attention, you would miss it. Did you script this kernel, and, if so, why give it to a one-scene character?

Jim Sheridan: Ha! It's funny, but we never scripted that at all. At first, the character was supposed to be a kind of ditzy blonde, but I didn't like that, it was too easy, so I let the character alone, let her talk, and she, the actress, came out with this analysis that was succinct. But I didn't plan it, didn't think of her at first as this important person who would give a revelation. It was luck, really.

bobbyanna said...

I had a pretty decent crowd. About 2/3 of the house at th first evening show.The later shows do much better. I don't think it will get a big box office this weekend. I'm hoping it comes in third!

It definitely did seem rushed, UV. The pacing or flow, was off in a few scenes,too. Generally,improv works or it doesn't. The birthday dinner really worked. The director needs to structure and guide an improv scene or it will sputter along and stall sometimes.

In the original,I remember the scenes in Afghanistan were really harrowing. Funnily enough,they were also inauthentic, geographically. You knew they were in Denmark!:) But in Sheridan's movie,the geography was very authentic. It was the action that didn't gel for me. But maybe because I already knew the outcome. I wish the character of the widow with the little baby had been better established before she came to visit Natalie and Tobey.

I tell you, as time passes and I think about it, Jake is the glue that really holds the story together. Sheridan shouldn't hold back because he has someone who moves with authority on set. There is an aura of authenticity that Jake brings, Natalie Brings it, Sam and Mare Winningham,that Tobey came close to but didn't match.
There were glimpses of Badass Jake that really should have been fleshed out a little more. And Clifton Collins was seriously underutilized.

Anonymous said...

A current ad for the movie on tv has mentioned Tobey and Natalie for their great performances..and that's it...
The thing is - after people see the movie I think it will be Jake they will be remembering most.
No matter how the movie does it's one more movie for Jake that adds to his reputation as an actor who does different roles and does quality work.

bobbyanna said...

One thing that comes thru about Jake. He has a love for, and an insatiable curiosity about life, and people, and "stuff," that's all embracing whether he is acting a role or living in the real world.

That's all! :)

UltraViolet said...

I was incensed by that ad, anon. I can't believe Lionsgate continues to undervalue Jake. Idiots.

Some links:

Very brief Jake interview for a Minnesota station.

Another audio clip. This time, Jake talks about working with kids.

Hilarious article about Jake's Kimmel appearance - they actually asked Jake's publicist if the tattoo was real. Surprise - it's not!

Best part about the article is that shot of the tat, which I added tot he post. Hope you don't mind, FL.

I also added a new PoP poster. Same shot of Jake but different words, and it's widescreen.

Hope lots of you went to see Brothers tonight or are planning for the weekend!

UltraViolet said...

One more update - added some photos from a Brothers screening at the Arclight in LA on Thursday night.

Unknown said...

How I envy them!!! In Argentina it does not have date of premiere.
I will have to wait many months to see Brothers. Thank you very much for advances of the whole Gyllenbabble! Everything shows that Jake grows as a great actor. And he expresses as a wise person:

"I've learned so much from the kids in my life, and somehow they just become the center of your life and the way you look at things," he told Grazia Australia, referring to his 3-year-old niece Ramona (daughter of Maggie Gyllenhaal) and possibly Witherspoon's children, Ava, 10, and Deacon, 6. "Obviously I exist in my girlfriend's world and my sister's world in a different way, but it's opened my heart and I feel much more grown up and want to be grown up as a result of it."

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20324474,00.html
Friday December 04, 2009 10:30 AM EST

Chica said...

Thanks so much for your reviews Mary and Bobbyanna. I had plans to see it on Friday but they fell through. Once I get my chores done today I plan on seeing it tonight.

I noticed the current TV ads for Brothers too and the failure to mention Jake's performance. I don't get it either UV, he is getting good reviews for his performance, why couldn't they add that to the commercial?

The interview of Jake on TV Guide last night must have been edited, if you blinked, you would have missed it!

Thanks for the pics of Jake and Tobey from the Q&A Thursday, they both look really good. Still enjoying the video of his appearence on Kimmel!

Thanks for posting that Leonor, what a classy and mature response.

bobbyanna said...

It's conspicuously stupid to not mention Jake.We don't say it just because we love Jake. To say it's the best out of a cast of outstanding performances is no small thing. This movie is just an amazing piece of work from him a career best right there with Jack Twist.

It's not just Jake's "fans" who are raving, it's almost unanimous from 99% of the critics! It's impossible to overlook Jake's performance. It wasn't a smallish part. A "hidden gem." He was present throughout the whole movie like some beautiful,flawwed guardian angel.

I could slap those people from Lionsgate.

UltraViolet said...

Beautifully said, Bobbyanna. I am reduced mostly to profanity over it.

Hello, Leonor. I'm sorry you have to wait so long to see the movie, but I know you will enjoy it. That quote from Jake is very thoughtful and poignant.

Hope you get to Brothers tonight, Chica! Let us know.

Sass, haven't heard from you - hope you get to see the movie this weekend. And where's Monica? She's missing all the excitement :)

Changed the tattoo pic because Stephanie got an HQ version and also added an HQ pic of Jake and Jimmy.

Nicole said...

Wow, what a week !! Thanks to FL and UV for keeping us updated with all the news. I envy all American babblers for having the chance to see "Brothers" this weekend. We Europeans will have to wait a few more weeks.

bobbyanna said...

http://www2.variety.com/screening/movie_listingsQA.asp?Region=LA

Here is a link to the site where Variety posts the Q&As for movies they screen. Brothers is not among them...yet. It will be.

mary said...

ive been to the arclight theater in la saw frost nixon there

UltraViolet said...

Pretty good Friday numbers for Brothers, placing third at $3.7million. It could go over $10million for the weekend, which would be good for this movie.

get real said...

Hey all,

What to say, the movie was great and Jake was excellent. Jake's talent shines through once again. Some of the scenes had me tearing up and they were mostly Jake scenes. His chemistry with Natalie was brilliant. And I loved him with the girls. I really loved the original but Jake brought something very special to this one. Overall though I think the original was better except for Jake.

And I was furious to see the new ad with all the accolades for Tobey and Natalie and no mention of Jake....WTF Lionsgate, WTF!

Also, there was a very good crowd for my showing, almost completely full and the next showing had a big crowd!

Carla said...

Great that you guys like the film - I am very excited for everyone who has the chance to watch it...

Lionsgate messed everything up - Jake is getting mostly very good reviews and I don´t understand why they are not treating the three main actors equally.

UV, the Box Office for Brothers is really great - I have to admit that I have not expected it doing so well. Its a difficult plot and surely not a feel-good-movie. It did much better than most predicted and I am very happy.

Now I have to watch him at Kimmel again...what a riot.....:-))

Paula said...

Saw Brothers last night !:

Jake, Natalie, Bailee and Sam had the best performances in the movie. Tobey was fine but I felt that his performance was a bit over the top and seemed a bit false. Jake, Natalie and Sam felt more natural, i liked Mare but she didn't have enough sceen time which is a shame.

Jake just shined in his role, one of his best since Jack Twist IMO. The only edge I would give to the original was that the actors were older, there were a few times I thought that the trio were a bit young, especially Natalie.

A became weepy over several scenes, the theater was about 90% full, it was a good crowd.

It looks like it will come in at #3 this weekend which is great!

It looks like Jake was giving you a shout out FL with his fake tattoo, LOL!

Love the Q&A pictures and thanks for posting that quote from Jake Leonore, it was the perfect thing for him to say.

Anonymous said...

Think word of mouth on "Brothers" will keep people going.
This time of year with a "intense" movie its not expected to be a "blockbuster"..but it looks like it will do fine.
And it should do esp. well in DVD.

The majority of people fighting now are young people in their early mid and late 20's. There are older ones of course but i think the characters in the movie fit a demographic that is correct.

Wish there was an e-mail for Lionsgate to tell them Jake might be the one that holds the movie together and I think the one people will feel the closest too.
Maybe they will do a better job on a supporting actor nomination after they see the impact he has.

Some comments have been made about how being someone in jail he should of been meaner or tougher or something not have this kind of sweetness. Not everyone who commits a crime looks like someone to run from. Would think his put-downs by his father through his life (some say cliche, but there are enough people who have had those very same circumstances in real life) led him to be just what his father expected. That doesn't mean that his real self wasn't bascially a person who could care and wanted to be cared for.

bobbyanna said...

Jake's scenes at the airport (no dialogue) were really heartbreaking. Understated, too.

mary said...

yea especially when jake just leaning there after everyone is walking down the hallway to the door his look just says it all i really got teary eyed there

FL said...

I'm about to close this post and add a new one, but I didn't want to lose the last few comments. So if you don't mind, I'm going to copy them into the comments on the new post. Thanks!