Jake Card

No doubt inspired by suvee's post, an enterprising ad agency has created some new, compelling ads commemorating the Year in Jake Gyllenhaal:

The first warms my local-team loving heart:

Fenway frank: $4.00



Souvenir cap: $31.99




Ticket for the Green Monster: $2999.00



Watching the Red Sox beat the Yankees? Priceless

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And this travelogue is pretty cool, too!

Gelato from Zodiaco Cafe: $1.50



Private tour of the Eternal City: €500.00




First-class flight from NYC to Rome, return to LA: $1999.00



Finally being able to hold hands in public? Priceless.

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I forgot the presents! A few pre-Christmas treats for you all - just a grab bag of small but rare goodies:

Pictures of Jake and Reese from the Rendition press conference.

A video with some Reese/Jake answers from the same press conference.

Very brief shots at the end of this video of Jake outside a BBM pre-Oscar party.

A couple of old "Day After Tomorrow" cast interviews. In the second one, Jake talks about Emmy Rossum.

Finally, a trailer for the movie Highway. They manage to mispronounce Gyllenhaal and Leto, so I don't know if it's authentic, but I've never seen a highway trailer before.

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Merry, Merry to the Christmas folks. We wish you all joy and peace. And Jake under your tree : ) Thanks to you all for the present of your presence!

(Photos courtesy of IHJ.)

Zodiac Director's Cut

Available on January 8, the DVD will be a two-disc set, with the director's cut of the movie (four minutes added to the theatrical release), a behind-the-scenes look at the film, in-depth case analysis and two commentary tracks. One is David Fincher alone.



The second commentary track is a bit more sprawling (participants include Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., producer Brad Fischer, screenwriter/producer James Vanderbilt and author James Ellroy; the actors were recorded together, while Vanderbilt, Fischer and Ellroy were recorded together) but just as fascinating, with the actors chatting amongst themselves while the trio dive quite deep into the source material, the project's genesis and theories about the killings. Taken together, it's an exceptional look behind the scenes of this compelling film

I can't wait to hear Jake and RDJ together, but I had hoped Jake and David Fincher would be in the same room and commenting together. I also really wanted to see this scene:



I had hoped for more Jake in the extras. And that made me wonder about the Rendition DVD, which is due out on February 19. I hope that Jake does commentary. Whom would you choose as Jake's commentary partner - Reese, Peter, Gavin Hood? All of the above?

It would be fun to listen to the Jake/Reese interplay, but only if they were relaxed. We don't want it to be like this!



The Observer listed the big hook-ups and break-ups for 2007:

Actors Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philippe's divorce was finalised in court. Ryan Philippe later revealed that he felt 'suicidal', which may or may not have had anything to do with the fact that Reese Witherspoon quickly moved on with the help of Jake Gyllenhaal.

Finally, in case folks missed it in the comments, Jake was seen on set on Saturday. As always, more details, please!

It's the weekend!

Do you think Jake and his badboy tattoo will have to work this weekend?



It was all I could do to concentrate on work today. And Jake's thoughts might be wandering to Christmas. And to Reese, who is apparently also working this week. Yesterday, Splash News posted this picture of Reese arriving at the Four Christmases set:



The end of the week brought some happy news for Jake. Both of the Entertainment Wekly critics placed Zodiac on their 2007 Top 10. Owen Gleiberman put it in the 10th slot:

...The killer creates a reign of terror metaphorically evocative of the one we're in now, and as the case gets bounced from one precinct to the next, finally landing in the hands of a cartoonist and amateur sleuth (Jake Gyllenhaal, in an underrated performance), we're trapped in his desire to look the monster in the face — and, more impossibly, to make the monsters go away.

Lisa Schwarzbaum gave Zodiac the sixth slot, and also mentioned Jake:

With a sure feel for manifestations of mass-media frenzy (the way it was then, the way it is now); a great cast of dark-eyed souls, including Robert Downey Jr., Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo; and a primo character actor in John Carroll Lynch as the prime suspect, Fincher turns a police procedural into a nerve-racking thriller.

Neither is my favorite critic, but that was a nice turn of phrase to decribe Jake, RDJ and Ruffalo. And Jake's performance IS underrated, so it was nice to see that acknowledged.

Sideshot of Jake from Zodiac set:



Do you think he's wearing these jeans in the Brothers shot, too?

Rendition has been criminally underappreciated, but Roger Ebert did give it an honorable mention in his year-end review, describing it as one of the 10 films tied for 11th place:

Gavin Hood’s “Rendition,” starring Reese Witherspoon as a wife whose Egyptian-American husband “disappears” on a flight from Cape Town, and Jake Gyllenhaall as the CIA temporary station chief who is shocked by discoveries he makes about the outsourcing of torture.

Let's all join Jake for a nightcap!



ETA: For anyone who hasn't seen it, doesn't have it downloaded or just wants to see it again on TV, Jake's Dreamgirls skit will be on the SNL Clip show special tonight (12/22) at 8:00 EST.

Jake: The Year in Pictures

People Magazine chose this photo of Jake and Reese as one of its Celebrity Photos of the Year:



What would your selection for Jake or Jake and Reese photo of the year be?

I do know what the photo of the day is - Jake on the Brothers set yesterday. Happy Birthday to us! He looks great.



More year-end plaudits for Jake and Reese! Life and Style proclaims Reese one of 2007's Most Stylish:

Reese Witherspoon: The comeback queen

As cute as apple pie, Reese's dimples, petite frame and blonde locks make her the list's cutest contender.

Her new arm candy Jake Gyllenhaal is SO a good look for her.

And proving that the Brits love Jake, he makes The Guardian's Top 20 Best-Dressed:

12) Jake Gyllenhaal

Winner of "best facial hair" and "hair of the year" for starters. Jake's sartorial attitude is classy with not a jot of try hard.

Yes, effortless is definitely the way I'd describe Jake's style. (Though I'd also put him at 1 and not 12!)

Here's the happy, stylish couple together, in one of my favorite pictures of the year:



So, what are your favorites? (I think this one is the winner, so far.)




(Photos courtesy of IHJ.)

Picture Time

Figured we could take a look back at how Jake has celebrated his birthday. Happily for him, but sadly for this post, he's mostly been able to celebrate in private.

But in 2003, he had a big day - getting his car serviced:



And then buying a juicer!




Love the artistic touch. Or maybe the pap just realized that Jake's arms are a work of art! Last year, he went for a bike ride:



We don't yet know how he enjoyed his 27th birthday. Though he does have another distinction to make him proud. From the Beverly Hills Institute of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery:

Happy Birthday to Jake Gyllenhaal, one of our Hollywood’s Hottest Looks! For the last two years, our patients have voted Jake as one of the most desired features for eyes and nose they would like to have and we can’t blame them!

Have their patients not seen Jake's lips?

In any case, we hope Jake's birthday was filled with fun, friends and frivolity. And that it left him overcome with happiness:



To many happy returns of the day, Jake!

Jake At 25 and at 27

Thought it would be a good time to take another look at a poem that Jake's father wrote for him:

At 25
a man now stand you
on roots no one can claim
as good as you
(pure born god-son
look at you anywhere
across the globe).
At birth you were blue
I witnessed you suck
that first breath in and turn
as white as snow on top
of Everest. Pure. Pure.
Goodness and Mercy.
Jumble of words my only
clue to give to you
for your mountain view
to burn the libraries
and burn us too
(all that’s come
before you.)
Your (my side) grandfather’s
head handed him
on a silver Salome platter (he knew
more than he could hold on to)
and your great grandfather
stumbled and I shamble
and out of the phoenix ash
of my/your ancestral men you flew
out of the John Baptist ash
you flew beyond the pebbles
in the Jordan where we, the men
before you wash our sad, sad feet
but not for naught—the truth
when sung soothes far beyond
all gold.
I remember your grandfather
(not sober) singing, weeping
in my high gliding stone dead
gothic church—
“A voice of one, crying
in the wilderness, prepare ye
the way of the Lord.”
I remember holding you, screaming
with good rage in a Sea Ranch night.
Taking you outside under the moon
and the giant pines—screaming, screaming.
Holding you. I didn’t know what else to do.
Kicking. Screaming with good rage
till you slowly trembled yourself into rest.
Forgive us, Lord, we know
not what we do.
Good rage. Burn us to the ground.
Good rage. So little good seems
to have come of John the Baptist
and what followed. Your grandfather
loved John the Baptist. Wept and sung
his words and went too easily
into their good night
which I won’t do.
All these words and others too
are here for you, may they be true.

~written by Stephen Gyllenhaal. Originally published in Claptrap: Notes from Hollywood, (Cantara Books, 2006)

(taken from a post on IHJ)

Thanks to IHJ for today's birthday surprise - a new picture of Jake (with Reese and her children):



Jake has probably gotten some wonderful insight - about his father, himself and how children will affect his own life - from reading his father's words.

(Photo courtesy of IHJ.)

Birthday bonus - outtakes from the Esquire shoot:





More at Jake Gyllenhaal Info.

Happy Birthday, Jake!

You're 27 years old, Jake Gyllenhaal. And from mini-cowboy:



To major star:



You've had what seems like a wonderful life.

Here's to a birthday filled with the same fun and joy you share with us:



And to a day of happy surprises :)

The Pick-Me-Up Artist

And sometimes, right in the middle of the day, you see something that makes you stop what you're doing and say, "I have to post that!"






Looks like Jake is racking up some important end-of-the-year honors. Sure, Oscars and Golden Globes are nice. But can they compare to being named The Bachelor You Most Want To Kiss? And lucky Reese. The privilege of kissing Jake has made her part of People's Most Intriguing Hook Up of 2007.

(New old pictures courtesy of IHJ.)

Jake Gyllenhaal - The Pickup Artist

Jake is a sporto. We all know it. We all love him for it. Today's blog will touch on Jake's love of the pickup game.

Some of the pickup games might be impromptu one-on-ones.



Sometimes one-on-mini-ones.


Or maybe a more organized two-on-two.


(I love the flavor of shooting pics through a 10' tall chain link fence; adds to that whole paparazzi experience.)

Other times Jake's pickup games come in the form of a challenge to a talk show host.




I've also read some great accounts of Jake's prowess, or some might say, his roughness, on the court, for example:

this morning I was playing in a pick up basketball game around 11, on the venice beach back court. Anyways, it was a 5 on 5 full court and Jake Gyllenhaal was on the other team. I am new to this site, but I found it because I was impressed by his height. I thought he was short, but he was the tallest on the court. Around 6'1, no shorter than 6.05. Also, he was playing really rough. It was surprising, but he was shoving a shorter defender around on offense and on D he was pushing through picks and cursing at people.

The above comes from the oh-so-humorous site - Celebheights.com

And oh how I envy those at the College of Santa Fe who were at the gym at just the right time last week after Jake returned from SFO and wanted to have a pickup game. They are the luckiest of all.

i went to the gym last night to play basketball with some friends, we played a pretty amazing game of five on five. my team = me, jenica, shannon, nick, nate. the vs. team? jake gyllenhaal, tobey maguire, their trainer, executive producer, and a set guy. (with a brief appearance by natalie portman). bottom line: i have jake gyllenhaal sweat on me. i'm never taking a shower ever again.

Whether he's playing one-on-one, two-on-two or five-on-five it sounds like Jake is always bringing his A-game to the court. I wouldn't expect anything less.

P.S. Happy Birthday, Janice.

All pics courtesy of the Amazing IHJ 2006/2007 Collection.

Impressions of Jake

While perusing my copy of the latest OK Magazine (the things I do for this blog!), I saw this comment from Terry Seymour, Extra TV correspondent, paramour of Simon Cowell and generally annoying "personality:"

OK: Speaking of stars, who has made a lasting impression?

TS: Jake Gyllenhaal! He was hysterical. He has the most amazing eyes and eyelashes.

This Rendition red carpet interview made it clear that she was smitten by Jake. It's good that what Ms. Seymour lacks in brains she makes up for in taste.

Well, except for that whole Simon Cowell thing.



The quote made me think of all the wonderful things we've heard about Jake over the years - from directors, fellow actors and from journalists. We've compiled an assortment, but feel free to add some of your own.

Big sister gave a little insight into the sibling relationship:

"As you get older you start to look at things that are 'broken' about your parents. "Everybody's parents have those things - it's nice to have someone else to ask, 'Am I crazy?' "Or, 'Was this crazy?' Jake is very good at figuring that stuff out!"



Maggie is usually very guarded about Jake and this was from Contact Music, so who knows if it's true? But it's an odd thing to make up. And I like the idea that Jake is good at analyzing things.

The editor-in-chief for GQ paid Jake a real compliment:

Part of your job entails working with celebrities - any interesting encounters?

Nobody is more down-to-earth and genuinely cool than Jake Gyllenhaal. I just like him a lot personally. I feel that he has not been affected much by stardom.

The best thing about that answer is that he wasn't asked to name someone nice or down-to-earth. He was asked to name something out of the ordinary, and he thought of Jake. And who wouldn't?



I've read a lot of quotes from Kirsten about Jake. It's funny to see how open they both were about their relationship. And sort of sad that I don't think we'll ever see the same kind of candor, from Reese or Jake or anyone else Jake might someday love. But first love is special, and according to Kirsten, Jake was, too:

It does. Jake is a very intelligent and cool guy who makes it very easy to be in love and be happy. It's so hard sometimes to find what you're looking for in a relationship because you yourself don't always know what you want or need until you find it. So I kind of feel that way about him.



One last acknowledgment of Jake's good manners. From the JakeWatch archives, journalist Liane Bonin describes Jake as a polite, thoughtful, tall young man whom she met early in his career. When she encountered him again, she wondered if he'd have gone Hollywood:

He could have developed a swagger in his step, that bored cool guy attitude. But he was, amazingly, still the normal guy with the slightly embarrassed smile. He was a little older, his face a little leaner, but there was still that endearing, boyish quality to him.

He still said please and thank you. He still furrowed his brows when he listened, leaning in, giving his full attention. He was still the same old Jake. And that was a very good thing.



I could go on, but I'll save some for another post. Let's end with Reese's short but sweet and complete summary of Jake, from her appearance on Ellen:

"He's great."

Why say in a hundred words what you can say in two?



Finally, how about a different kind of impression? No, nothing bad. It's a hilarious clip of two Jarhead extras, Jocko Sims and Jamie Martz, taking the piss out of Jake, Jamie Foxx and Sam Mendes.



Please share your favorite Jake impressions!

(Pics courtesy of IHJ.)

Jake Gyllenhaal Party

Those of us in the U.S. who live in or near states with early primaries for the 2008 presidential election are now subjected to political ads on top of endless coverage of the race. It makes you actually consider leaving the house!

One of the big questions for celebrity Democrats is whom to endorse. We know that Jake was a Kerry supporter in 2004. It's a shame that we probably won't get to see him hitting the campaign trail next year the way he did then:



But how cool would it be for Stephen to direct a new "Rock the vote" ad, maybe with Reese this time?



Also, one wonders if Jake's old friend Chelsea Clinton is pressuring him to support her mother! Perhaps that was one of the topics du nuit when Jake and Chelsea had dinner recently.

I had always assumed that Reese was a conservative. When I learned that she supported Hillary Clinton in the past, I immediately liked her more. I wonder if Jake did, too!

Reese might be less of a partisan than I am, though. She recently did a PSA for "Divided We Fail," a campaign for all citizens to work together. Nice sentiment, especially at the holidays!



This post brought to you by The National Gyllenhaalic Party. Photos couresy of IHJ, Glamour Reese Witherspoon