Monday, January 25, 2010

Eponymous

No, not the REM album. Instead, it's this compilation of Jake interview answers that represents GyllenBabble at its finest. The article makes it seem as if it's a new, individual interview, but most of the questions are clearly from that New York press conference, others from TV interviews. We've read most of it before, but the "new" material is priceless, even if some of it is clearly taken out of context or badly paraphrased!

JG: “[Waving his hands around] Hi! I hope you don't mind but I get really animated!”

Q: Not at all, go for it. And what was with your look?

JG: “You mean in the movie, or in reality? Sorry, I have no concept of the difference between movies and reality!”




Q: Well, have you seen the movie?

JG: “Yes, Twilight. God, I loved that movie! (Laughs) No, I was just saying that, because it's the thing of the moment! Yeah, I'm up on stuff. But what did you want to know?”




Q: So how did the theme of this film resonate with you?

JG: “Which one? Sleeping with your brother's wife?!”

Q: The brother thing.

JG: “Wow...Well, I don't have a brother. Thank god! I do have a brother-in-law now, But that would be weird, because...anyway!




Q: How do you feel about what’s happening?

JG: “I still have great faith in our president. And I believe that he'll make the right choices.




Q: What about that scene where Tobey wrecks his kitchen, did you all need some decompression time after that, or did you laugh about it?

JG: “Well, the making of a movie is always full of its own odd moments. And when somebody breaks a cabinet in a movie, and has an intense moment, you have to go and put everything back in. And that's what I love about movies. So that's just the great fun and irony of movies. That people are made to look like idiots!




Q: So how did the prison system change your life?

JG: “I mean, you make movies, and so much is about this process now. You know, selling a movie. Or making it look good for an audience, or whatever. And the special moments that happen in movies, are the lessons that every movie has, for everybody involved in it. And I went through a journey in the prison system. But look, I don't know how it can't change your life when you meet a kid, who the day before was sentenced to life. And whose girlfriend had to testify against him. So I don't know how you could be breathing, and not have something like that change your life. Like they get one hour outside a week, and they're fourteen years old. It's now changed to an hour a day, but it was an hour a week when I got there. That is not to say that they've done perfect things. But it is to say that it can't not change my life. And another kid, Jim ended up putting in the movie. And another kid with the LA Conservation Corps started telling us all these stories, and they were unreal. To me. Like hiding meth in the back of a lamp of a four-wheel drive vehicle, driving over the border. And he was sixteen years old. And he told these stories like he was Homer. They were literally like tales. But he's changed his life. He's actually working now in the governor's office in Sacramento. So it's those things. It's like you look at a movie and go, yeah. It's a movie. But that's the stuff that I care about. So anyway. that's all!”




Q: How about the chemistry between you and Tobey, can you talk about that?

JG: “I think our relationship existed before we started shooting. With someone who is your contemporary, there's bound to be that. You are brothers in arms. There is admiration, and competition. A mixture of all of those things, and a confusion of all of those things. And the belief in yourself over them, and their belief in them over you. Your love for them, your want for their success. Your struggling for that. All of those things exist. I mean, I could go on, with a list of contradictions. And that exists between two people who do the same type of thing, in any job. So we just had to kinda show up, and it was there. But it was just easy.




This doesn't have a connection to the interview, but I thought it was a beautiful scren cap:




(Photos courtesy of IHJ. Brothers screen caps courtesy of NataliePortman.org. Photo of Jake and Tobey from Jake Weird.)

68 comments:

Office of Nancy Pelosi said...

Oh dear, where do you begin? It's gyllenbabble at it's finest! The brother-in-law comment is too funny, I needed this laugh this morning after a rough weekend, thanks! I will have to read the whole interview.

Speaking of Brothers, any UK peeps see it yet? I know Sheba gave her review (Thanks Sheba!). How about Agent K? Would love to hear your review!

UltraViolet said...

It's too funny, isn't it, OONP?

I wonder if Jake has seen that bit of agitprop, where he "challenges" Obama. I don't necessarily agree with all the points, but it's an interesting bit of remixing. And it makes a pretty powerful point.

Total Film has a one-page PoP feature. Nothing we haven't already read.

brothers spy said...

Does anyone happen to have the Box Office numbers for Brothers in Britain?

Sheba baby said...

This has got to be my favorite Jake interview so far and all for the wrong reasons! God bless him, yes I know some things got lost in translation but a lot of it I bet wasn't, love the pic of Nosferestu (sp?), ha, ha!!

I don't know if the weekend BO for the UK is out yet Brothers spy.

bobbyanna said...

One of the scarey things about gyllenbabble is when you realize that you know what he means...sometimes. LOL! This made me laugh! Thanks.

"I think there's a tendency for journalists to want to corner a movie like this into a certain...corner!"

The only UK box office I could find was from January 15th WE. No Brothers.

Unknown said...

Can they inform me if Brothers is in DVD?

Anonymous said...

Does anyone here know if Jake speaks any foreign languages? Besides his "Gyllenbabble"?

Tweety said...

My favorite bit:

Well, have you seen the movie?

JG: “Yes, Twilight. God, I loved that movie! (Laughs) No, I was just saying that, because it's the thing of the moment! Yeah, I'm up on stuff. But what did you want to know?

I love this interview!!

Sounds like he is back in L.A.:

Addicted2ei: Just saw Jake Gyllenhal @CPK Hollywood!!! Where I'm dining with my friends!!!
about 15 hours ago from txt · Reply · View Tweet

UltraViolet said...

The Twilight bit was my favorite, too, Tweety. Hee. Jake, people love your Babble.

Leonor, I think the Natalie Portman site must have gotten their hands on a DVD screener for the film, something they send out for Oscar and Golden Globe voters. It's definitely not out on DVD yet.

I'm always so jealous of the Academy members, et al., who get to see these movies at their leisure. I saw Chicago on a screener from a friend of a friend and felt very in-the-know.

Lionsgate said...

Brother will be released on Bluersy in March:

http://www.highdefdiscnews.com/?p=34836

Unknown said...

Thank you very much for the information

UltraViolet said...

More Jordan Mechner press. Some highlights:

In your mind, what are some of the key defining moments of Sands of Time?

That would be the action scenes. Action remains a key part of the Prince of Persia series so we put in lots of amazing fighting stunts that the Prince can do in the game into the film, but at the same time (we) grounded it in realism.

We wanted the movie to be totally believable and authentic; this is also why we shot so many scenes on location in Morocco and several other similar spots. The action sequences are simply stunning and I find it hard to believe that these are being done by real people.

Can you think of any memorable moments during the filming of the movie?

One of the coolest moments for me was seeing Jake Gyllenhaal in costume as the prince — he looks so much like the character I created for the game. Then one time, Jake handed me the Dagger of Time after the cameras stopped rolling, and although it was just a prop, I imagined that it really could stop, reverse and slow down time like it can in the game. I felt like wielding the dagger to see if it would really work (laughs).


I love his enthusiasm for the movie.

Anonymous said...

I love his enthusiasm for the movie.

So do I, can't wait til May!.

Tweety said...

This tweet is from a studio in L.A. that does music videos:

devdoyle: Jake Gyllenhaal just showed up. For some reason.
about 6 hours ago from Tweetie · Reply ·

I wonder if this has anything to do with Source code or maybe he is doing another music video!

Mechner is reslly excited about this movie and so am i, can't wait!

Chica said...

This interview is priceless! I remember someone suggesting that we do an archive of all of Jake's gyllenbabble. This interview would be a great start! I think he has so much in his head that it jsut all spills out and gets jumbled!!

Five more months for Prince of Persia, this movie is going to be huge!

UltraViolet said...

Chica, I think you mentioned that James Mitchell, who played Palmer Courtlandt on All My Children, died. I forgot to comment on that. Sad news, though he did have a very good run on AMC.

The UK box office for Brothers wasn't great, coming in at number nine for the weekend:

Mind you, Toy Story 2 was a glorious success compared with the other new releases. Brothers, starring Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal, didn’t quite win the reviews to perform as a critically driven specialist title, but nor did it have the commercial punch to play successfully in the mainstream – it landed uncomfortably in the middle, with £366,000 from 214 cinemas.

Sag actor said...

Thanks for that BO from the UK UV. It is dissapointing and a shame, it was a really good film with a solid performance from Jake.

None of the stars or Sheridan did any publicty for the movie over there which is odd . Looking forward to it coming out in Blue ray.

bobbyanna said...

I blame Lionsgate. Period. They did nothing with the Eurpopean distributors. It makes me mad, really. When people work so hard and then have Lionsgate just walk away. They didn't even submit Brothers for a screening to have it considered in any category for BAFTA. Creeps!

Chica said...

I had no idea that they didn't submit Brothers for a screening for the BAFTAS. I was wondering why it wasn't listed. First I thought it was because it wasn't released there yet but Crazy Heart wasn't and Jeff was nominated. What the hell???

He definately won't have that problem with Pop, but it still pisses ne off that Brothers got the shaft big time.

bobbyanna said...

Lionsgate didn't submit it to any film festivals either.

UltraViolet said...

I blame Lionsgate, as well, Bobbyanna. Or whoever is doing the international distribution. No PR, no marketing beyond some ads, no promotion. Just a shoddy effort.

I remember getting my hopes up a bit when Jim Sheridan mentioned wanting a big Irish premiere. Ha. That was a pipe dream.

It's frustrating when you see lesser movies getting so much more play.

Carla said...

And we do not even have a release date over here in Germany. This is very odd - I was able to see "ZODIAC" and "Rendition" in the original version in one of our arthouse cinemas and I am sure that "Brothers" would find an audience as well.

Looks like I will have to wait for the DVD....:-((

The more I read and learn about film making, distribution etc. the more I dislike it.

PoP has already a release date over here (surprise!)and will hopefully a big success, but I am also very happy that Jake continues working on smaller, interesting low-budget films like "Source Code".

BTW - I just read that Anne Hathaway will be announcing the nominations for the 82nd Academy Awards next tuesday!!

brothers spy said...

The people to blame are Ryan Kavanaugh and Relativity more than Lionsgate. Relativity used Lionsgate to distribute the film (they have some sort of agreement whereby they release 3-5 pictures a year through them) while Mandate Pictures (owned and run by Lionsgate) released the picture outside the US, but Relativity was responsible for the Prints and Advertising. Relativity is the company which ultimately owns Brothers, just like they'll own all the other films released through this agreement (next up is that Nicholas Cage film Season of the Witch).

Brothers was the first film released through this agreement and Relativity messed it up royally.

Don't expect the film to get a push anywhere else either and it's coming out on DVD in March from what I hear.

Ryan Kavanaugh is in over his head, IMO. He still has a decent reputation in Hollywood, but all of his films bomb. This past year three of his films bombed BIG TIME.

He was forced to take a new loan (for $300 million) this year and still hasn't made good on his last one by a longshot. It's almost like he's taking a new loan to make the payments on his last one because he has no other way to generate revenue other than acquiring debt.

That's the beginning of the end for any company, in any industry.

I think he's only a couple of years away from David Bergstein territory. I don't see him with much of a future.

bobbyanna said...

That's some great research, Brothers Spy!I'm surprised and confused that Relativity was responsible for the advertising. How could Lionsgate effectively function as distributor without controlling the advertising? Wouldn't Lionsgate have to provide the budget and lay out the media plan? I can see them using Relativity to make the buys, etc.

Relativity has some pretty good titles coming up, $$$ -wise, but it's not hard to believe Ryan Kavanaugh's over-extended. I just know if you have a sub-standard marketing operation,as they obviously do, it doesn't put butts in seats.

brothers spy said...

bobbyanna,

I don't think Lionsgate had much to do with the film at all. Relativity was the one who financed the film and, as I wrote, put up all the P&A (and ultimately own the film).

I think Lionsgate just gets a fee or a small percentage, similar to the deal George Lucas had with 20th Century FOX for Star Wars.

Want to hear something funny though?

Relativity's films have been such a disaster this past year (with Land of the Lost and Year One losing $100 million for the company between them) that when pressed to name a single success they named "Brothers." LOL

As I wrote, I don't see Relativity lasting.

Sheba baby said...

Wow, thanks Brothers spy. HW has pegged Ryan as the new wunderkid and yes Relativity has some good titles coming up but it does sound like he is over his head.

I'm a bit confused with the advertising bit with Lionsgate, I would think they would be responsible for that.

I'm angry too at the lack of promo for Brothers, handled right it could have been a contender this year along with Jake.

I was thinking about Nailed because of a very sharp commenter on a previous thread pointed out that Reese was seen having lunch with Kristin Gore, who wrote the book Nailed. I was really looking forward to this but last I heard the film has several scenes that were not filmed and they may never be filmed.

What a shame, I loved the script.

I heard about Anne Carla earlier, great news!

brothers spy said...

Sheba Baby,

Lionsgate has its own films it releases, those films are separate than the ones which are part of this agreement. Relativity is a financing/production company, it doesn't have the infrastructure to release films. That's why they need Lionsgate.

As I mentioned, Lionsgate allows Relativity to use its distribution platforms to release its movies. In exchange for this, Lionsgate receives a fee or a small percentage of the gross from the film. Lionsgate makes no other investment in these films, thus all the money it takes in is essentially profit. That's what's in it for Lionsgate.

I believe Relativity have a similar deal with Universal as well.

Unknown said...

In France they love Brothers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIrwsnBD64U

Unknown said...

Love the babble.

Great post, thanks.

Hope we see Jake out and about soon.

Extra said...

I love his gyllenbabble! Yeah it is scary Bobbyanna that we actually understand most of it! That pic of Max Schreck is creeping out a bit...

Jake and Obama, whoever did that video is very clever and they did make some interesting points.

Thanks for the background information on Ryan Kavanaugh and Relativity Brothers Spy, it sure explains a lot. I can't believe that it's coming out on Blue ray in March, isn't that a bit too soon?

Has anyone heard from Agent K or Suvee lately?

Anonymous said...

DVD's now are usually released 4-5 months after they're first in the theaters. "New Moon" was out in Nov. (I think) and it's going to be on DVD in March.
Now and then you'll see a movie released maybe even 6 months after but the norm is 4-5
At least now more people will see it. Think it will do well in DVD.
Have a friend who recently saw it. Thought it was great. But didn't go around Christmas because she wanted to see something a bit happier. And I think that may of been the feeling of a lot of people.

Ginny said...

I am from the UK and am hoping to see Brothers this weekend as I have been unable to go until now. I checked the times and our local cinema only has one showing for Saturday and Sunday.

Extra said...

You are right Anon., DVD's, movies are coming out a lot quicker. I just hope it finds a bigger audience on DVD.


Well lawgoddess, I know it's several weeks away (The event is on 2/12) but Peter will be receiving an award for the SB Films festival. Jake may appear to support his brother in law. He was there last year to present an award to David Fincher:

http://sbiff.org/main/2009/sbiff-cinema-vanguard-vera-farmiga-peter-sarsgaard-stanley-tucci-christoph-waltz/

Hopefully we wiil see him before that!

UltraViolet said...

Ginny, I hope you get to see it! Let us know your impressions. It's a bad sign that it's only playing at two times!

Extra, I was wondering about suvee and Agent K, as well. Hope everything is okay.

Leonor, thanks for that French video. I even understood a lot of it. Nice to see Lionsgate/Relativity trying something different. Though it's always so odd to hear the dubbed voices.

Melissa Leo talks about working on the latest David O Russell movie. Mark Wahlberg acting the auteur is still making me laugh. Sounds like it was an odd environment.

Also, she's playing Bale and Wahlberg's mother? I'm assuming it's in flashback or heavy make up!

FL said...

Also, she's playing Bale and Wahlberg's mother? I'm assuming it's in flashback or heavy make up!

I don't think she really needs the heavy makeup. She's not as youthful looking as she was a couple of years ago.

Ah well, it happens to the best of us. :)

Chica said...

Melissa Leo briefly played Cliff Warner's sister on AMC back in the 80's! More useless trivia, ha,ha!

Loved her on Homicide and was great in a otherwise mediocre film IMO: Frozen River, she was nominated for best actress last year for that. Yeah, she's no spring chicken!

James Mitchell did have a nice long run on AMC UV. I became ferklempt when I heard he passed away and dug up one of my old photo albums and found a pic of me and Palmer Courtland at some AMC fan luncheon. I used to love that show back the, heck all of the soaps! Now I can barely watch Y&R these days.

Thanks so much for filling us in on the behinds the scenes stuff at Lionsgate and Relativity Brothers Spy. It's really a shame because could you imagine what would have happened if promotion for the film was done properly? Jake could have received a nomination and the film could have been a contender for one of the 10 slots for best picture.

Elena said...

I blame Lionsgate, as well, Bobbyanna. Or whoever is doing the international distribution. No PR, no marketing beyond some ads, no promotion.

It's so sad having seen "Brothers" overlooked in such oblivious ways at Sundance Festival 2010 (:

brothers spy said...

It appears that we aren't the only ones who thought the marketing of the film was disasterous, it appears that Relativity has hired some big wig from Marvel Studio to head up their new marketing department according to Nikki Finke.

UltraViolet said...

Kendra, I'd love it if Jake were to do a quick, indie movie and show up at Sundance again. I wasn't paying attention to him when he was there previously.

Brothers would definitely have benefited form some festival action, like Toronto or Venice.

Glad Relativity is figuring out that they need help now, now that it's too late for Brothers. Idiots!

UltraViolet said...

This is kind of a funny article, comparing Peyton Manning and Drew Brees (the Superbowl quarterbacks) on their likeability/appeal to the general public:

But on appeal, Brees outscores Manning 77.18 to 76.73.
...
As for appeal, consumers find Manning about as likeable as Jon Bon Jovi, Elvis Presley, Richard Petty and Jake Gyllenhaal.


I never would have thought of Jake, Jon BJ, Elvis and Richard Petty in the same breath! I think that's a fairly high score, so it's not negative. I just don't associate those four people!

On a separate note, has anyone seen the Red Cross ad on TV?

mary said...

no i havent seen the ad yet i have been watching for it so far no luck

Office of Nancy Pelosi said...

I haven't seen the Red cross PSA either.

Looking forward to your Brothers review Ginny!

Thanks so much for your insights and information on Lionsgate and Mr. Kavanaugh Brothers spy, very interesting and it just makse me more pissed off. I'm off to read the Finke article, thanks.

That is a funny article UV. Your're right, I never would imagine those 4 mentioned in the same breath!

Shondra said...

This interview, or compilation of interviews is a keeper! I swear he has so many thoughts in his head that they just come tumbling out and I do understand most of it!

I was actually thinking about the Obama/Jake video posted during parts of the Presidents State of the union speech last night, LOL!!!

Interesting and discussion here about Relativity and Lionsgate, what a mess.

I haven't seen the the Red cross PSA yet.

Extra said...

One of Jake's favorite author and mine as well, J.D> Salinger has passed away:

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/jd-salinger-91-is-dead/

bobbyanna said...

OT:

I just read that J.D. Salinger died. He was 91. He authored Catcher in the Rye, Franny and Ziiey and Nine stories, among other works.

And last night I'd heard that Howard Zinn, US historian and author of "A People's History of the United States",died.He was 87.

bobbyanna said...

I meant "Franny and Zooey."
Hey, Extra, we were posting at almost the same times. I loved Salinger, too!

Extra said...

He was one of my favorite authors Bobbyanna. I always wanted Catcher in the Rye to be made into a movie, but Salinger resisted it. I can't say that I blame him since a lot of books to movies turn out to be disappointing.

Heard about Howard Zinn too, so many people that I grew up admiring and loved are gone.

bobbyanna said...

I was thinking about that little passage in GG: "So what's your name, Catcher?" :)

I would've killed to have been in one of Zinn's classes back in the day!

Extra said...

Here is a great article o Zinn from Huffingtonpost.com:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-zirin/howard-zinn-the-historian_b_439757.html

I would have loved sitting in one of his classes as well, what a brilliant mind.

Love that line from GG too Bobbyanna.

Extra said...

Awards daily posted the letter from Salinger explaining why he didn't want Catcher in the Rye to be made into a play or movie:

http://www.awardsdaily.com/?p=18578#more-18578

After reading it I can understand why .The rights to his books were suppose to be turned over to his wife and daughter when he passed away, I think the daughter is still alive.

UltraViolet said...

I should reread Catcher in the Rye at some point. I didn't really like it when I read it in high school.

Interesting letter, Extra. I think Salinger sells the other arts short while overestimating the uniqueness of his own work. That said, odds are that a movie version would be dreadful.

Part of the book's continuing power is the fact that it hasn't been diluted by other formats.

On a completely separate note, if you're going to Disney in May, get ready to meet the Prince.

Anonymous said...

UV your links goes to the Salinger letter on Awards Daily.

UltraViolet said...

Oops - thanks, anon! Here's the link.

mary said...

thanks uv that be interesting to see what his character will look like ill try to get to disney in may my brother works for disney so when ever i want to go he can get me in

UltraViolet said...

Oh, you might be hitting your bro up for a lot of PoP-related things, Mary! That's cool for you.

I forgot to say thanks to you and Shondra for reporting on whether the PSA ad has been seen on TV. Hopefully someone will see it!

Josie said...

This has to be from the press conference form Dec. 3rd, oh to be a reporter in that room, I love the gyllenbabble!

Salinger was probably one of the few authors that was required reading in school that I didn't mind reading. I actually liked Franny and Zooey better than Catcher.

RIP J.D.

Wow, you get to hang with Dastan at Disney, too bad it's not Jake, thanks for the link UV!

Hi Brothers spy! Thanks for the lowdown on Mr. Kavanaugh, i'm still pissed at the lack of push for Brothers. Glad to hear that it's getting a good response in France Leonor! Looking forward to you review on Brothers Ginny.

No sign of the Red cross commercial so far.

Tweety said...

Jake on the Sunset Strip:

SrEP: RT @ontheredcarpet: Spotted: Actor Jake Gyllenhaal on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood. What was he doing there? http://ow.ly/1nKYqH
8 minutes ago from web

Anonymous said...

From ontheRedCarpet.com:

"Our OntheRedCarpet.com spies caught a glimpse of Brothers star Jake Gyllenhaal, driving on the Sunset Strip toward Beverly Hills Thursday afternoon.

Our spy told us he looked "dreamy" with short hair and a bit of scruff, driving alone in a black Audi SUV, and talking on a Bluetooth.

Maybe he was discussing publicity for his upcoming blockbuster Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, out this May."

Chica said...

J.D. Salinger's Holden was the first rebel with out a cause and Catcher in the Rye was one of my all time favorite books. Salinger was a fascinating character, not too much was known about him since he was such a recluse.

I'll always think of Jake when I think of Salinger because of the GG and that Salinger is one of his favorite authors.

A sharp eyed FL noticed Jake and the Audi at the pre-GG party, i wonder if he still has his Toyota hybrid?

Extra said...

Holden Caulfield's influences on art and tragedy:

>The Good Girl: Jake Gyllenhaal plays Thomas Worther, who calls himself Holden Caulfield and is seen reading the book upon first meeting Jennifer Aniston's character, Justine.

http://www.windsorstar.com/entertainment/Holden+Caulfield+influence+tragedy/2499094/story.html

Unknown said...

I want The Precious to Hang Up and Drive!

Talking on a Bluetooth while driving is dangerous for him and others.

Surrogate!Mom has other advice for him, too. LOL

Anonymous said...

There's parties, and gridlock, and everything's all about the Grammys in L.A. this weekend. I have a feeling Jake's laying low.

bobbyanna said...

UV, have you been holding out on us??? LOL!

From Twitter:

UltraViolet150: The dude fixing our T.V. looks like Jake Gyllenhaal. "

This doesn't even "sound" like you, but it was too delish to pass up. Had to share it.:)

UltraViolet said...

Way to go, dude!

Hee. No, not me. I continue not to see anyone in real life who looks even remotely like Jake. I suspect most of these lookalikes don't really look anything like him.

Tweety said...

Oh my G-d, that is too funny UV!!!

Unknown said...

Already they promote it...

In Italy ... they will see POP ... only in the best cinemas!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPFmSEqbHdQ&feature=fvsr

Anonymous said...

X17 have a video of Jake, it's good so see him again.

UltraViolet said...

And Stephanie has the pics! New post.

(I'll have to check out that youtube clip, Leonor - grazie!)