Sunday 11 May 2008

Dr. Parnassus, Sessions One & Two

Yesterday someone paged Dr. Parnassus and made me want to read his comments again. I've decided to repost them here – they are too good to be left hidden.

Feb 10, 2008

Q: Doctor Parnassus, why did Heath Ledger die?
Doctor Parnassus: My child, he died so his family could exploit his death for their own aggrandizement.
Q: And is Heath a bad man?
Doctor Parnassus: Oh yes. Seeking to avoid pain by using artificial aids is a sign of unremitting wickedness. Mr Ledger was feeling anxious and blue, so his doctor gave him Valium and Xanax. The Xanax disrupted his sleep, so he was prescribed Restoril. It didn't work so well and he was having headaches, so he took ibuproferen for the pain. Then he got a cold after working long nights, so he took some antihistamine. I wouldn’t be surprised if he drank wine regularly as well. It’s not human weakness, it’s simply evil. Tom Cruise agrees with me on this.
Q: So why did Cate Blanchett give a eulogy at his funeral?
Doctor Parnassus: CAA made her step in after one of their other clients dropped out.
Q: But why did Daniel-Day Lewis, one of our great actors, say admiring things about Heath?
Doctor Parnassus: Sentimental Anglo-Irish, you know. Plus self-aggrandizement.
Q: Doc, it’s coming clear. Heath was no good and everyone who paid tribute to him was faking or selfish.
Doctor Parnassus: Exactamundo, dear one.
Q: Family and mother of his child, too?
Doctor Parnassus: See my first answer.
Q: Jake Gyllenhaal didn’t pay tribute so…he’s the only non-phony. And unselfish?
Doctor Parnassus: One of my interesting cases. On this, he is a paragon of perfection, my sweet. He stayed silent as the grave (no pun intended!), avoided the spotlight (except in appropriate places such as People magazine), and kept shooting his movie (work comes first) and living his life with Ms Reese (another client of mine). I’m quite impressed with the boy.
Q: Now that you’ve explained it all, me too.

Source: Waiting for Toothy blog comments

***

Feb 11, 2008

Q: Doctor Parnassus, why do the haters keeping hatin’ on Jake?
Doctor Parnassus: Oh my pumpkin, the homosexualistas love to devour their own.
Q: Jake is gay?
Doctor Parnassus: Hellooo! He is one of the most cheerful people I know!
Q: But I mean, why knock him for being public with the girlfriend and private with the dead friend?
Doctor Parnassus: These kvetchers are confused people who think inconsistency is bad. Inconsistency is good! PDA with Ms Reese but no display for Mr Heath is actually a sign of solidarity with all those dedicated to living lives of integration and wholeness.
Q: Hmmm. Doesn’t it suggest the maturity of a 6-year-old?
Doctor Parnassus: Not at all. I would say that people who speak out are immature. Mr Daniel Lewis is six.
Q: But about the haters…
Doctor Parnassus: Irrational need for integrity. Integrity is the last refuge of the insincere. You know, the good end happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.
Q: You’ve lost me.
Doctor Parnassus: Ok, how about this? Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much.
Q: You mean forgive the Jake haters?
Doctor Parnassus: No, I mean forgive the Heath lovers. They’ll hate that.

Source: Waiting for Toothy blog comments

***

May 13, 2008

Dear Becky:
As Ted isn't giving us so much as a bone lately, what do you know about Toothy? Anything?
Kyle

Dear Smiley Secret:
I know enough not to give away his identity while Ted’s gone.

Source: Ted Casablanca's The Awful Truth

520 comments:

1 – 200 of 520   Newer›   Newest»
Jackie said...

@
@ Previous post's comments
@

Anonymous said...

Huh? So Heath was an asshole who neither was liked by his colleagues nor family? The people paying tribute to him were all liers or attention whores?
Really?

Anonymous said...

No, 2:44, you have to be smarter.

Anonymous said...

No, just the opposite.

Anonymous said...

No, just the opposite 2:44 PM.

Anonymous said...

Oh sorry, I should be smarter!

Anonymous said...

10th May 2008

US network on trail of Ledger family secrets

Tight secrecy surrounding Heath Ledger’s family may soon be blown apart with US celebrity network E! Entertainment, famous for airing the dirty laundry of superstars, coming to Perth next week.

News of a TV expose on Ledger, who died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs in January, comes after recent dramatic revelations he may have fathered a love child. Whispers have swept the world about Ledger’s alleged affair with a woman close to the family that is said to have gone on soon before he left Perth at the age of 17 for Sydney, where his film career took off.

It is understood Ledger’s family declined to be interviewed for the one hour episode of E! True Hollywood Story to be broadcast in 120 countries, including Australia, on July 20, and crew will be looking for friends and former colleagues to lift the lid on Ledger’s life as a teenager in Perth.

“Our intentions are to produce a thoughtful and heartfelt program about one of the greatest talents of his generation,” Dana Drake, US producer of the Emmy-nominated show, said.

Beginning with his Perth childhood, our goal is to chronicle his life by utilising interviews from people who have known him and or worked with him during different periods throughout his life.”

Drake will arrive in Perth on Monday, where she has secured interviews with a former Guildford Grammar School student and Perth casting director Annie Murtagh-Monks, who discovered Ledger as a 15-year-old in a school production of Hamlet. While the show aims to gently document Ledger’s rise to fame, Drake said she was open to broaching the tough subjects, including the deep rift engulfing the family and Ledger’s state of mind in the final exhausting weeks before his death.

She did not make clear whether program-makers would approach the woman at the centre of the Ledger paternity row, whose identity has not been published by The West Australian to protect the child. An investigation by The West Australian in March revealed Ledger lived the kind of narrative that would leave Hollywood’s maw hungry for pieces to a puzzle that the Australian media have been reluctant to look for.

Two months after Ledger was found dead in a New York apartment, his alleged affair with the woman, who gave birth to a daughter, was the talk of the town. The whispers were given vim when the woman at the centre of the mystery declined to answer direct questions from The West Australian about whether Ledger was the father.

A bitter family rift spanning 15 years was also exposed when the mother of Ledger’s half-sister Olivia was not at his funeral, along with about 16 other members of his family. It emerged the row was sparked over money soon after the actor’s great-grandfather Frank Ledger became too infirm to run his own affairs and Heath’s father Kim was accused of mismanaging the multimillion-dollar estate.

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=22&ContentID=72354

Anonymous said...

This shows how easily celebs can be exploited when their dead and can't defend themselves! :(

Anonymous said...

2:44, No, not at all. It's the opposite. Dr. Parnassus is the master of double talk and irony.

As for E True Hollywood Story: Heath Ledger airing in July, damn them...but I knew it was coming.

Anonymous said...

Matilda Ledger

Anonymous said...

Matilda looks so much like her dad, but a bit like Michelle too in the 3rd photo. Her eyes, especially in the 7th picture, look like Heath's:

Heath

Anonymous said...

God Matilda is the spitting image of her father. What a cutie!

I know it's not a popular idea since it was taken days before his death but I think Heath looks very hot in that picture .

Anonymous said...

I know it's not a popular idea since it was taken days before his death but I think Heath looks very hot in that picture .

Perhaps it's not a popular idea, but I agree, he does look hot in that picture.
Matilda is a cutie pie!

Anonymous said...

I love Dr. Parnassus, thanks so much for posting this :)

Anonymous said...

Jackie thanks for the Dr. P posts, they are brilliant, hopefully he'll pay us a visit in the future.

Anonymous said...

Heath & Matilda

Anonymous said...

Aww look at Matilda's cute little feet! Thanks 7:25!
I feel sorry for her, I think it won't be easy growing up w/o her father. When she sees other kids with their dads, she'll probably ask her mother where her dad is! :(

Anonymous said...

3RD UPDATE: David O. Russell Film Drama

I'm told the Directors Guild is getting involved same as the Screen Actors Guild vis a vis the indie Nailed and Capitol Films' financing woes.

Posted by Nikki Finke on Sunday, May 11th, 2008 at 01:38PM
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/

Anonymous said...

"I don't care about Nailed, I'm the Prince of Persia now"!

Anonymous said...

Not yet.

Keep your fingers crossed!

Anonymous said...

7:49, we'll supposedly find out at the end of the month!

Anonymous said...

We could find out tomorrow!

Why on Earth do you believe some anonymous IMDb poster?

Anonymous said...

Why on Earth do you believe some anonymous IMDb poster?

There's a possibility that he said the truth. We will find out soon enough!

Anonymous said...

Come on, how could he/she know? And why would they wait weeks before the announcement?

Anonymous said...

Don't Ask, Don't Kiss:
"Grey's Anatomy" goes gay with military smooch


Grey's Anatomy has long been a favorite of the gays thanks to out superstar T.R. Knight, but for this writer Grey's fell from Grace a long time ago. I'm fickle though, say "G.I. Joe's kissing another man" and my queer eyes are there!
...
As the show opened I wondered how much of Meredith's selfish banter I'd have to endure before the reason for me tuning in popped up on screen. Thankfully it was within the first few minutes of the show that we were introduced to Darren Covington (FNL's Benny Ciaramello), the newest patient in McDreamy and Meredith's clinical trial of doom (the poor boy has a brain tumor).

Cue the stud in uniform named Todd Vernon (Road Ruler David Giuntoli) who was called in because he's Darren's "closest friend" and while things are looking bleak in the room, things are looking damn fine on my flatscreen! Two strapping young lads with a secret for some sexual healing; it's kinda hot...

Obviously Darren's upset that Todd showed up, seeing how he's being deployed in five days and all, but with only Meredith in the room Todd lets Darren know that he's not going anywhere and he makes his way to the bed and reassures his secret lover with a crazy intense stare that leads to one of the most sensual, emotional and damn near heart-breaking gay kisses I've ever seen on network television. [second video]
...

Grey's Anatomy - Don't Ask, Don't Kiss

Anonymous said...

8:07, I can't answer your questions! At the end of the month we'll find out how truthful his/her comments were!

Anonymous said...

Paging Dr P!!

Anonymous said...

Why is Jake so desperate to star in a franchise? It seems he has a 10 yr old boy inside of him who won't give up his dream of being a superhero!

Anonymous said...

"Why is Jake so desperate to star in a franchise?"

I think that he's been needled for years by some of his colleagues/acquaintances/family about the franchise thing : Toby (Spiderman), Natalie (Star Wars), Maggy (Batman), Bloom (Pirates), Heath (batman), Kirsten (Spiderman)and perhaps Clooney (Oceans) and Matt Damon (Bourne). He wants his piece of the pie now, but he can't attract support with the gay rumors hanging around his neck. Enter Gen. Witherspoon.

Anonymous said...

Posted on OMG

Production of a Movie Stops Over Funds to Pay Its Stars

LOS ANGELES — The Screen Actors Guild on Friday pulled its members, including the stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Biel, from a movie being directed by David O. Russell after producers of the film failed to keep sufficient funds to pay actors in a union-mandated account.

The independently financed film, “Nailed,” halted production but is expected to resume shooting early this week, according to a person who is involved with the film but spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid conflict with colleagues.

While financial jolts are common in the world of independent film, the mid-production shutdown grabbed attention because it sidelined some high-profile stars. Mr. Gyllenhaal received an Oscar nomination for his performance in “Brokeback Mountain,” and Ms. Biel has been a fixture in studio films like the Universal Pictures comedy “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry.”

Word of the production’s troubles was reported on Deadlinehollywooddaily.com over the weekend.

Mr. Russell is known for off-center comedies like “I Heart Huckabees” and “Three Kings.” A spokesman for the Endeavor agency, which represents him, had no immediate comment.

The movie, which began shooting in South Carolina in mid-April, is expected to wrap by mid-June. Co-written by Kristin Gore, the daughter of former vice president Al Gore, it tells the story of a waitress who falls into Washington misadventures, sexual and otherwise, after accidentally getting a nail lodged in her head.

Ms. Gore was among the writers of “Arctic Tale,” an animal-themed documentary released by Paramount Vantage last year. She has also worked on the “Futurama” television series for Fox and the “Charlie Lawrence” series for CBS.

The film is being produced by, among others, the veteran studio producers Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher, whose credits include “Jarhead,” with Mr. Gyllenhaal, for Universal, and “Memoirs of a Geisha,” which was distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Efforts to reach David Bergstein, a principal of Capitol Films, which is helping to back the movie, were unsuccessful, and a call to the film’s South Carolina production office drew no response.

A representative of the Screen Actors Guild had no immediate comment.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/business/media/12russell.html?_r=3&ref=media&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Anonymous said...

The First Dark Knight TV Spot!

The first TV spot for Warner Bros. Pictures' The Dark Knight aired during the season finale of "Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites" Sunday night and you can watch a low-quality version below.

The First Dark Knight TV Spot

Anonymous said...

Nikki Finke site - http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/

One of the Nailed comments:

"Let me make this clear. The crew has two weeks work into this film (70-80 hour weeks) without pay. plus health and welfare benefits not payed. This production did not have a payroll company until one week ago. The top hacks knew what was going on and treated the crew like mushrooms. we probably donated two weeks of our lives for free. Now we are powerless to the LLC Gods and lawyers. WERE Screwed!!!"

Anonymous said...

^^^ No wonder diva-ish behavior by the Prince of Persia wasn't appreciated. I particularly liked the parasol carrier.

Anonymous said...

Page Six magazine 5/11/08 Question Of The Week

Which married, high-profile actress has a girlfriend on the side? To keep her on film sets, the actress calls her a personal assistant.

http://blinditemsexposed.blogspot.com/2008/05/page-six-magazine-51108-question-of.html

Anonymous said...

Which married, high-profile actress...

Nicole Kidman.
Jessica Biel also has a "personal assistant." Wish she'd just come out.

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm, the trouble at Nailed seem to be increasing. What a mess! Third rate movie with third rates actors...is there anyone out there who still thinks Gyllenhaal's career is flourishing??!
Hell, with all the spare time he has he should get on the net and read WFT2 and Oh My Godot!!

Anonymous said...

Everything about Nailed sounds awful! I feel sorry for the crew.

Anonymous said...

...is there anyone out there who still thinks Gyllenhaal's career is flourishing??!

Try some forums and fansites, you'd be amazed.

Anonymous said...

At least we know now why the reeke photo ops happened on the film set. Trying to sell that filming was going wonderfully!

Anonymous said...

Nicole Kidman.
Jessica Biel also has a "personal assistant."


"Personal assistant" option is very handy - Queen Latifah has very cute "personal trainer".

George and Waldo?

And the whispers are not quieted by the continual presence of Waldo Sanchez, a handsome and charming hairdresser who often accompanies George on his world travels. They met in the mid-1990s, when Clooney was just becoming famous as Dr Doug Ross on ER.

Sanchez, who was doing hair on the TV show The New Adventures Of Superman, bumped into him in the studio car park and they became close buddies. Since then, Sanchez has been the credited hairdresser on no fewer than 15 Clooney films — actually, he's worked on only a handful of movies that don't star Clooney.

Anonymous said...

Paging Dr.Parnassus! Paging Dr.Parnassus!

Anonymous said...

Posted on IMDb & OMG

THINGS SEEM TO BE FALLING INTO PLACE IN COLUMBIA. HOPEFULLY THIS LITTLE GLITCH IS THE LAST OF ITS KIND AND THINGS WILL RUN SMOOTHLY FROM NOW ON.

scprincess67, 56 minutes ago (Mon May 12 2008 06:39:25)

Anonymous said...

Briana gets Dark-O

Everyone's going to have a shit attack over the proposed sequel to 2001's cult hit DONNIE DARKO, tentatively entitled S. DARKO. It was the UK based production company named Velvet Octopus who set forth the sequel wheels and sadly it was Fox who snapped up the North American rights. Time can only tell how this is going to end up.

Hordes of emo-tastic children born in the '90's will be vowing to pierce the hearts of whomever gets behind the project. We know that former lead, Jake Gyllenhaal will not be returning, but actress Daviegh Chase will reprise her role as Donnie's younger sister. Woo.

At least I can praise the fact that Jena Malone isn't going to be returning either, but instead we'll get a chance to see a little more of Briana Evigan, who (make fun of me if you like) has some potential for going on to a successful hottie career. So what if her introduction to audiences was in STEP UP 2: THE STREETS? The girl is FINE. And as we all well know, sometimes a good looking woman can make an unanticipated disaster a little less agonizing.

http://www.joblo.com/moviehotties/index.php?id=3509

Anonymous said...

THINGS SEEM TO BE FALLING INTO PLACE IN COLUMBIA. HOPEFULLY THIS LITTLE GLITCH IS THE LAST OF ITS KIND AND THINGS WILL RUN SMOOTHLY FROM NOW ON.

I never had doubts! It was much ado about nothing!

Anonymous said...

I'm going to wait unitil there is word from Nikki Finke, not some random on IMDB.

Anonymous said...

I never had doubts! It was much ado about nothing!

Oh really? Perhaps you should let the crew who haven't been paid for weeks know that!

Anonymous said...

Matilda seems to be such a sweet little girl. There are times when I feel Heath totally screwed her over. He should have worked harder to get rid of his issues/problems. Did he even try? I'm sorry he had to battle depression and other issues, but I feel this could have been prevented.
His poor daughter has to grow up without her Daddy and I can't help but blaming Heath sometimes, I know it's proabably not fair! :(

Anonymous said...

Read Dr.P's first post 11:38 AM, that may help you. ;)

Anonymous said...

11:38 AM

Life is not fair; get used to it.

If you can't fix it, you've got to stand it.

Anonymous said...

11:45, I read Dr. P's post. It looks like for every problem he took a pill. That wasn't the right way! He should have tried to get rid of the initial problem(s), so there wouldn't be side effects, for which he took even more pills.
It became a vicious circle!

Anonymous said...

My point was this 12:35 PM: Doctor Parnassus: Oh yes. Seeking to avoid pain by using artificial aids is a sign of unremitting wickedness. Mr Ledger was feeling anxious and blue, so his doctor gave him Valium and Xanax. The Xanax disrupted his sleep, so he was prescribed Restoril. It didn't work so well and he was having headaches, so he took ibuproferen for the pain. Then he got a cold after working long nights, so he took some antihistamine. I wouldn’t be surprised if he drank wine regularly as well. It’s not human weakness, it’s simply evil. Tom Cruise agrees with me on this. with the proper opposite interpretation of course.

It was an extremely unfortunate accident, tons of celebs like Whinehouse, Kate Moss, Pete Doherty, etc who’ve been hardcore drug users (pills, illegal drugs, alcohol, the whole deal) for years are still alive. Heath was just unlucky, simple as that. He wasn't any worse than the celebs I mentioned yet he's dead and they're living and breathing. Life's plays really cruel tricks sometimes and it played one on him. :(

Anonymous said...

We live in an era of "quick fixes". True healing is painful and takes time.

Anonymous said...

We live in an era of "quick fixes". True healing is painful and takes time.

Ain't that sad?

Anonymous said...

That's modern life - there's always a price to pay and it isn't always financial.

Anonymous said...

Not only is his passing sad for his child, his career was just about to take off. Even after BBM his popularity with fans didn't rise that much, he was completely overshadowed by Jake, which is understandable as he has a very winning, outgoing personality. But I think after TDK his fanbase would have grown.
When you have so much to live for, you fight for your well-being, the right way! Not try to artificially make your problems disappear for a short while.
He really is a tragic figure!

Anonymous said...

Gay Saturday Gay Night Gay Live

Another addictive digital short from Saturday Night Live’s Andy Samberg, with host Shia LaBeouf, was only one gay puzzle piece of one of the gayest jigsaw puzzles of a gay episode of the series, like, evs. Even Macgruber went gay this week!

These are the silly videos you missed on Saturday night, or the ones you watched on Sunday afternoon on TiVo, and you’re going to watch them over and over again, because you like seeing Shia in a dress.

Shia LaBeouf SNL silly videos

Anonymous said...

Someone on OMG posted that the fact that Jake is working out a lot lately and ordered fat free coffee at Starbucks with Reese are indicators that he'll play PoP!

Anonymous said...

Could be. Or there isn't much to do when he's not filming.

Anonymous said...

"Even after BBM his popularity with fans didn't rise that much, he was completely overshadowed by Jake, which is understandable as he has a very winning, outgoing personality."

I agree Jake was more popular on the net but look where it got him with his career. His online popularity didn't do sh*t for him, he can't get projects at least not decent ones. And now his fanbase is shrinking more and more every day. Popular or not online Heath didn’t have any problems getting good work offers and I agree with you TDK would've made him huge, sadly he didn't get to see it happen.

Anonymous said...

His online popularity didn't do sh*t for him, he can't get projects at least not decent ones.

"Zodiac" was great! "Brothers" could turn out to be great (the original is a very good movie). If he gets the part in PoP that, I think, will make him a superstar!

Anonymous said...

Is Tobey Maguire a superstar?

Anonymous said...

Is Tobey Maguire a superstar?

He's too unattractive to be a superstar!

Anonymous said...

6:30am, you are completely clueless.

Anonymous said...

OK, what about Orlando Bloom? Hayden Christensen? Are they superstars?

Anonymous said...

""Zodiac" was great! "Brothers" could turn out to be great (the original is a very good movie). If he gets the part in PoP that, I think, will make him a superstar!"

Zodiac didn't do well at the bo and Jake didn't stand out it in it except for his fans of course who are biased. The complete lack of buzz for Brothers is an indication of how it will do. PoP making him a superstar? Does Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen ring a bell, cause superstars they ain't despite the smashing hit that was LOTR and I doubt PoP can beat that. Orlando can't even get work.

Anonymous said...

OK, what about Orlando Bloom? Hayden Christensen? Are they superstars?

The difference is that Jake is more talented than those guys!

I don't think Viggo Mortensen wants to be a superstar, I think he could if he wanted too. He has the looks and talent!

Anonymous said...

Zodiac didn't do well at the bo and Jake didn't stand out

Zodiac isn't a movie that attracts the big audience and Jake did stand out, maybe not his performance, but he was on more covers than his co-stars.

Anonymous said...

The difference is that Jake is more talented than those guys!

It doesn't matter.

No one cared about Ewan McGregor's talent in the Star Wars: Episode III - movies like that are not about actors and acting.

Anonymous said...

Jake is still young! Look at Johnny Depp he became a superstar in his 40ies! ;)

Anonymous said...

"Jake did stand out, maybe not his performance, but he was on more covers than his co-stars."

No, RDj stood out. Jake was on the covers because his people bought his right to be on them. By the way your comment here just goes to show you have no idea what you're talking about because while he was everywhere last fall the studios are pretty much not interested in him as an actor. Jake was on covers and RDj was in Iron Man, now who stands out again?

Anonymous said...

FITSNews

“Nailed” Is Not Going So Well, Pt. II

FITSNews - May 12, 2008 - Ever since Director David O. Russell brought his political comedy “Nailed” to South Carolina for filming, the production has been only slightly less-plagued than Old Testament Egypt.

Whether it’s on-set tantrums, actors walking off, financial difficulties or - most recently - angry South Carolina government employees, “Nailed” is quickly turning into a case study of ”How NOT to make a movie.”

According to our source on the set, the filmmakers have run into trouble twice with state employees - once over the alleged “trashing” of an office on the State House grounds and a second time over a sex scene that state officials refused to allow the crew to shoot on state property. “For the sex scene, they were asked to recreate the office setting off of State House grounds,” our source says. “They even took a doorknob off one of the doors to make sure everything was consistent.”

Shooting was also delayed after an unidentified state employee working in the Calhoun office building complained that the crew had ”trashed” her office.

“That cost them a day of filming,” our source says. “This woman was writing letters to the Film Commission and raising all sorts of hell, but to say that her office was ‘trashed’ is stretching it. The crew left a window open which caused some papers to get blown around, but that was all that happened. They did all they could to make it right with her but she wasn’t hearing it.”

Phone calls to the S.C. Film Commission regarding the incident were not immediately returned, but sources tell FITSNews that the woman works on the fifth floor of the building, which has stood on the State House grounds since 1927 and houses the S.C. Supreme Court’s Office of Disciplinary Council, among other government offices.

“Nailed,” which stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Biel, is reportedly set to resume filming as soon as its financial situation stabilizes.

http://www.fitsnews.com/2008/05/12/nailed-is-not-going-so-well-pt-ii/

Anonymous said...

RDJ another actor who bacame a superstar in his 40ies.
Not every actor can become a big star in his late twens, early thirties like Leo DiCaprio. That's rare!

Anonymous said...

According to our source on the set, the filmmakers have run into trouble twice with state employees - ... and a second time over a sex scene that state officials refused to allow the crew to shoot on state property.

Sounds promising! lol

Anonymous said...

Someone thinks Jake is more talented than Viggo Mortensen? LOL!

Anonymous said...

The Gay Hip Hop Book, Revealed: Actors, Rappers, And A 'Megastar'

Yesterday, I finally received my advance copy of Hiding in Hip Hop, former closeted MTV producer (pictured) Terrance Dean's much-hyped autobiography about all of the gays that are, well, hiding in hip hop. I've read about half of it so far. Dean has already proven himself eager to trot out blind items about male celebrities he says he's hooked up with, and the book doesn't disappoint in that regard. Today, an overview of what the book is and isn't, and then some of what you've been waiting for: three TV actors, a famous rapper, and a "megastar," anonymously outed.

When word of this book first got around, plenty of people hoped that Dean would just out some famous rappers outright, by name. Barring some unforeseen surprises later in the book, he's not going to do that. But he does like to tell salacious stories about people using pseudonyms, while giving enough identifiable details about them that it's certainly possible to make some very good educated guesses at their identities.

It should also be noted that this book is not just about hip hop. It starts off with Dean's life story—poverty, molestation, a heroin-addicted prostitute mother. He goes to college and moves to LA to break into the entertainment business. He socializes with a wide range of people from movies, television, and the random parts of the LA celebrity-industrial complex, as well as people from the music industry.

Finally, it's clear that this book is not a work of great literature. Nor is it intended to be, judging by the porny quote selected for the book jacket. It's basically an extended tease from a man who was deeply ensconced in the "down low" culture.

And now, today's highlights—there are lots of gay scenes with anonymous people in this book, but these are the ones that seem to involve the most famous subjects:

* Dean is at Keenen Ivory Wayans' birthday party. "There were two male celebrity actors standing a few feet in front of us. They didn't notice us because the club was dark. Both men are young and very attractive and have starred in some comedic and dramatic films. One of the actors, "Junior," is a tall, muscular, brown-skinned brother who got his start in television and is known for his comedic roles in films. He never married, but has a couple of children with a girlfriend. The other dark-skinned actor, "Fritz," has been in a few movies and has starred in a popular television drama."

The two are obviously a gay couple, which surprises Dean, although he says there has been much speculation about "Junior."

* Dean's friend Sandy is working on a film with some major stars in it. "The lead was "Lucas," who is a megastar. No matter what film project he was attached to it was bound to be a box office smash. In Hollywood, he is considered a golden boy and very bankable. However, there were already many rumors swirling about his sexuality, and even though he married, it was hard for him to shake those pesky gay rumors."

Every day, Sandy says, Lucas' friend "Kareem, a leading [married] sitcom actor," visits his trailer, where they go inside and—everyone believes—have sex. Dean also says that Lucas runs with a circle of high-level superstar down low types. He later meets Lucas again and finds him to be "smooth, charismatic, and charming," and his wife even brings goodies to the film crew.

* Dean's friend "Corey" is a singer-songwriter who was featured on the MTV series The Cut, opened shows for Jay-Z, appeared in a Broadway musical, and then signed with "Eli, a popular multiplatinum rapper, who had just started a label at the time (in the 90s)."

"Eli was a force to be reckoned with. He flew out the gate with his debut album and would become a mainstay in the ever-changing Hip Hop industry, where many rappers are one-hit wonders. He has been hailed as one of the greatest rappers to bless the mic."

It turns out that Corey has been giving oral sex to Eli (whom Dean describes as "fine as hell") in Eli's home studio. "Up until that moment I had never heard anything remotely close about the rapper being gay. Eli was a burgeoning superstar who parlayed his marketability into television and movie credits. He even had a promising clothing line. But every man's got needs and Eli's needed tending to."

I have some guesses. Do YOU?

More tomorrow!

Gawker

Anonymous said...

"Jake did stand out, maybe not his performance, but he was on more covers than his co-stars."


“No, RDJ stood out.”

ITA. Jake did not stand out in Zodiac at all. He wasn’t bad but he didn’t stand out the way RDJ did. He didn’t do too much better in Rendition either. His performance was boring to say the least. I’m sure the directors/studios look at that too which is why he’s not getting too many really good offers. I think he got caught up in all the HW hype and got lazy and now he’s paying the price. I don’t think this thing with Reese is going to help him get better roles either. Just having good looks is not going to cut it.

Anonymous said...

"He didn’t do too much better in Rendition either. His performance was boring to say the least."

His performance was still one of the best of the year according to Esquire Magazine!

Anonymous said...

His performance was still one of the best of the year according to Esquire Magazine!

Wow are really really naive, his PR pulled some serious strings to get him in Esquire. Jake in the same league with Denzel Washington, Cate Blanchett, Javier Bardem, Robert Downey Jr.? Yeah right.

Anonymous said...

his PR pulled some serious strings to get him in Esquire.

Your PR can bring you on the cover where actors are featured whose performances are the best of the year? How is this possible? PR can't be that influental! I don't believe it!

Anonymous said...

"His performance was still one of the best of the year according to Esquire Magazine!"

Do you honestly believe that or are you going by what the magazine said?

Would you put his performance in Zodiac/Rendition on the same level as BBM?

Anonymous said...

Would you put his performance in Zodiac/Rendition on the same level as BBM?

The roles in Zodiac and Rendition weren't as challenging as the role in BBM! No, i wouldn't put them on the same level!

Anonymous said...

Your PR can bring you on the cover where actors are featured whose performances are the best of the year? How is this possible? PR can't be that influental! I don't believe it!

If you think PR can't be that influential then what are you doing on WFT2? Just curious.

Anonymous said...

UPDATE: Production Resumed On 'Nailed'; But More Capitol Films Indies Suffered
Coming...

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/

Anonymous said...

“For the sex scene, they were asked to recreate the office setting off of State House grounds,” our source says.

America the puritanical. Lol.

Anonymous said...

Popular or not online Heath didn’t have any problems getting good work offers.

I remember people dissing him because of the way he dressed and his receding hairline all the time. I know internet comments shouldn't be taken too seriously, but if I were him and read such comments, I'd have been quite upset! I think he was one of the very few young Hollywood actors who was dissed constantly online because of his looks!

Anonymous said...

Heath is beautiful, sexy and very masculine. I can't imagine anyone dissing his looks! He was amazing looking. Beautiful jawline and lips, beautiful hair, fantastic body. A fine actor most of all.

Anonymous said...

And let us not forget Heath's beautiful voice! :)

Anonymous said...

For the sex scene, they were asked to recreate the office setting off of State House grounds,” our source says.

OMG - it just gets worse and worse. It's simulated sex, for crying out loud, it's not even real sex, lest we forget what happened in our Oval Office for real. How puritannical is that? Well, that'll teach 'em to film elsewhere next time, no matter how "reasonable" a place sounds or whatever inducements they offer. I hope this stuff is enough to get Jake out of his contract so he can begin working on PoP.

Anonymous said...

^^Sorry, that should read, how hypocritical is that, as well as puritannical. This film is just fraught with problems.

Anonymous said...

Would the person who keeps abusing exclamation marks please stop! It's over the top! It's tiring! It's irritating! It dilutes your writing! It makes what you say seem immature! Yawn!

F. Scott Fitzgerald: "Cut out all those exclamation marks. An exclamation mark is like laughing at your own joke."

Anonymous said...

^^And you, sir (or madam) are no F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Nobody cares if you are irritated over exclamation marks. Get a life, or take some Prozac to relax. Maybe Dr. P can prescribe some for you to relieve your irrational fear of exclamation marks.

Anonymous said...

^ you forgot to add an exclamation mark to that.

Anonymous said...

Popular or not online Heath didn’t have any problems getting good work offers.

After BBM, Jake became an even bigger heartthrob (er, obsession) and a more respected actor. But among working actors, Heath's performance was seen as transcendent and he was viewed as a kind of acting god. The only other up-and-comer with similar stature was - is - Ryan Gosling. Heath got the kind of offers than come to a fine actor, not the kind that come to a movie star. I think he was very okay with that.

Anonymous said...

"Zodiac" was great! "Brothers" could turn out to be great (the original is a very good movie). If he gets the part in PoP that, I think, will make him a superstar!

Keep telling yourself that, dear!

Anonymous said...

Would the person who keeps abusing exclamation marks please stop! It's over the top! It's tiring! It's irritating! It dilutes your writing! It makes what you say seem immature! Yawn!

F. Scott Fitzgerald: "Cut out all those exclamation marks. An exclamation mark is like laughing at your own joke."


lol

Anonymous said...

5TH UPDATE: 'Nailed' Tip Of The Iceberg: Capitol Films' Cash Woes Impact Indies

MONDAY 11:30 PM: Tonight I've been informed by a reliable source that "Capitol Films just had another movie shut down" -- identified as An Invisible Sign Of My Own starring America Ferrera, the star of ABC's Ugly Betty.

So add her name to the star actors and directors like John Cusack, Helen Mirren, Gina Gershon, Joe Pesci, Jan de Bont, and Taylor Hackford whom I've learned have been, and Jennifer Lopez with writer-helmer Don Roos, may soon be, impacted by Capitol Films' cash crunch. "This is a big story that involves many projects," one of my sources informs. All weekend I reported on the on-set drama surrounding Friday's shutdown of the David O. Russell film Nailed shooting in South Carolina, sidelining stars Jessica Biel and Jake Gyllenhaal. SAG ordered the actors to leave because insufficient funds were on deposit with the guild. Other unions are looking into the situation. For instance, some Teamsters and IATSE union members left the production because of payroll problems. The film is back shooting today after a Friday-Saturday-Sunday hiatus. But other media sources are now reporting what I revealed on Saturday: that the South Carolina Film Commission may withhold its incentive monies. (A decision will be made when an audit is completed by the panel within 30 days of the end of production.) Now I've learned that Nailed was not the only indie film shut down Friday because of Capitol Films' financing problems: other indie movies have been affected as well. I'm told that "a shitload of people are owed a lot of money," in the words of one film financing expert. One NYC movie funder told me this is going to be "a big crash and burn story" because he'd heard last week that Capitol's major financing source, a hedge fund, had shut down and left it in the lurch. David Bergstein's Capitol Films behind the pic is troubled. David Bergstein in 2006 acquired Capitol, the leading UK-based international sales company which over the years had built a good reputation in the movie biz and made a wide range of commercial and critical successes, including Robert Altman's Gosford Park. But that was then, and this is now.

-- So I'm told by two significant sources that Capitol Films was also funding the $5M-$7M budget of the Rob Schmidt-directed horror indie Bad Meat. According to one of my insiders, that production was shut down while shooting in Canada on Friday by ACTRA (the Canadian actor's guild) for non-payment of actor salaries. He tells me: "Not sure if this is on SAG's radar yet. The various crew unions have told everyone to go home as well. They claim to be getting more money tomorrow, but most everyone (SAG members) flew home Saturday morning. If they are having trouble with both pics, that does not bode well. Capitol's problem is looking bigger than it initially seemed." The second source details for me what went on behind-the-scenes:

"The start of the Bad Meat shoot was delayed for ten days because Capitol didn't provide the promised funds. They claimed that Bergstein's father was ill and that he was unavailable to sign checks. Capitol finally came up with starting money, and the shoot was going well. Suddenly on Friday, two weeks away from completing principal photography, we were told that the money has completely run out and production is shutting down. My client came home yesterday. Many, many people are ending up unpaid-- actors, crew, catering, travel, etc. Capitol is claiming that money will be flowing by the end of the week for Bad Meat. They're asserting that they have a very large credit facility coming from Comerica Bank. We all think that's nonsensical."

-- I'd heard there were financing problems and delays with Jennifer Lopez's upcoming star turn in a film because of Capitol's money woes. But a source close to the project now tells me that Love And Other Impossible Pursuits, written and directed by Don Roos, is still supposed to commence principal photography beginning July 8th. "Supposedly, the cash is in the bank." Others contend it may be put on indefinite hold.

-- A source tells me that International Media Films was producing and shooting Jan de Bont's and John Cusack's film, Stopping Power, in Berlin when they ran out of financing. Capitol Film took over and was suppose to continue shooting and pay everyone "and never did. No one was paid from International Media or Capitol Films. All the actors and the crews had to fled Germany. It was and still is a nightmare!"

-- Still another source informs me: "This isn't the first time Capitol has run into trouble. They've developed quite a reputation in New Mexico for running out of money. The Taylor Hackford film, Love Ranch, was shut down for one day because of a 5th straight week of late paychecks. As of the last week of filming, several actors hadn't been paid.

-- From yet another source: "Another one of Capitol's films, Five Dollars a Day, also had the same kind of trouble." I hear the film has been completed.

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/capitols-money-woes-with-bad-meat-movie-shut-down-suddenly-friday-too/

Anonymous said...

Exclamation marks are evil.

Anonymous said...

Dear Becky:
As Ted isn't giving us so much as a bone lately, what do you know about Toothy? Anything?
Kyle

Dear Smiley Secret:
I know enough not to give away his identity while Ted’s gone.

Anonymous said...

Dear Becky:
Do you have any photos from Ted's wedding? Would love to see some from the happy event! Please post one or two...
Natalia
San Francisco

Dear Say Cheese:
No photos of the happy pair yet, sorry to say—don’t wanna bother the dude while he’s honeymooning. I’m sure a tanned Teddy will be all too pleased to share when he returns.

Anonymous said...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

"Your PR can bring you on the cover where actors are featured whose performances are the best of the year? How is this possible? PR can't be that influental! I don't believe it!"

WTF? How else do you think actors get press without the help of their publicists/managers? That's what they are paid to do. And that was an oscars hopefuls cover, hence Jake wanting to be on it so badly. Of course, then Rendition was released and everyone realised it was crap.

Anonymous said...

The saddest thing about Heath Ledger? His fans taking over a blog created for Jake and Austin. What a pity. The good actor does not even have a web space of his own - one that celebrates him and his memory.

Anonymous said...

"Of course, then Rendition was released and everyone realised it was crap."

LOL!

Anonymous said...

After BBM, Jake became an even bigger heartthrob (er, obsession) and a more respected actor.

His popularity was thanks to the sexual ambiguity and his looks. With the bearding and his physical appearance becoming ordinary among hw actors his fanbase is slowly dying except for a few rabid fan girls, a few very loyal tbs and a few brookies. I'm sure he couldn't care less anyway.

Anonymous said...

Nice try 5.35!

Anonymous said...

The saddest thing about Heath Ledger? His fans taking over a blog created for Jake and Austin. What a pity. The good actor does not even have a web space of his own - one that celebrates him and his memory.

Nope, not working.

Anonymous said...

"His fans taking over a blog created for Jake and Austin."

No one is stopping you from talking about Jake and Austin. But why do that when you can be an annoying troll instead, right?

Anonymous said...

Looks like I have hit the right chords. LOL.
Toothy Tile space utilized for celebrating Heath Ledger's memory. What an irony. Sad. Sad. Sad.

--5:35

Anonymous said...

^^ Talk about Jake and Austin then.
Make it a happy place, come on, you know you can say whatever you want.
So instead of complaining do something about it which you won't cause you're only mission is trolling. Prove me wrong.

Anonymous said...

What is your problem 5:35 AM?

Anonymous said...

5:53, it is the bitter truth that is annoying you. LOL.

--5:35

Anonymous said...

6:14, whistle blowers usually don't have any problems.

--5:35

Anonymous said...

--5:35

See I was right you don't want to talk about J&A so you're no better that the other trolls. You're not worth getting annoyed over, don't flatter yourself sweetie. :)

Anonymous said...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

S***.
No exclamation marks for you.

Anonymous said...

May 8, 2008

PEREZ SLIMES US ALL AGAIN

Perez Hilton's [open sewer] blog must have been having a dip in traffic this week as he decided it was time to act like a certain Star Wars villain (who thinks of no one but himself and his desires) by outing another supposedly closeted actor.

Actually, since Perez named the actor's supposed boyfriend, he got his revolting self a twofer. I realize everyone probably knows who the actor is, but I'm not going to mention him specifically or link to Perez's post.

So did Perez provide "journalistic" proof of his assertion? No, he quoted an anonymous source and then both he and said source scuttled back into their rank little holes. I've said before I don't hold with the glass closet and hate it when the media conspires to help someone pretend they are straight. If I were attending a public event and saw some famous guy canoodling with another guy, I'd mention it exactly the same way I would with a straight actor (much as Andy Towle did with Lance Bass).

But citing an anonymous source and offering no substantiation makes Perez the lowest of the low, not to mention a hypocrite as he doesn't seem to go after those sexually ambiguous stars who hold their noses long enough to pal around with him.

I find Perez's outing of this particularly actor to be especially loathsome. This young actor's current gay role has already been enmeshed with controversy through no fault of his own, and now he's got Perez splashing his personal life all across the internet — news that he apparently isn't ready to share with the rest of us, a choice which should still be his to make, even in this day and age.

So let me get this straight: it's not enough that this person plays a gay role when plenty of others won't, that he appears at gay events, and is pretty much all-around supportive of the gay community. No, he's got to also come out on Perez's terms and time-line.

Sheesh, no wonder some folks think we're often our own worst enemies. Then again, just because Perez is gay, I'm not sure I'm willing to say we share the same community.

But what do you think? Do you all agree with Perez's actions?

How bad is Perez?

Anonymous said...

Hi, I'm a troll with too much time on my hands. Like omg Heath Ledger sucks you know? I'll just add 'LOL' to the end of my sentences for no reason, too. LOL.

Anonymous said...

Why is it again that we are not supposed to discuss Heath on a J&A blog? I can't for the life of me figure that one out. Some of you trolls are really out there with your reasoning, or lack thereof. Gratuitous exclamation marks !!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Trolls are bored because Jake is no longer interesting to anyone. Without the sexual ambiguity he's just one more actor trying to make a name for himself. His acting isn't enough on its own to garner any interest. If he does PoP it will solidify his image as a mediocre actor.

Anonymous said...

Then let's just not talk about Heath Ledger anymore. It's true he hasn't as much fan blogs as Jake and if some posters feel he is taking over this Jaken and Austin blog and start to bad mouth him because of it, it's best his name is kept out of here!

Anonymous said...

^^Never. Heath is a fine actor who deserved to be discussed and not forgotten.

Anonymous said...

Screw the trolls.

Anonymous said...

We can - and will - discuss Heath as much as we want. I bet these trolls were the same ones whinging the other day when there was a discussion about Maggie happening.

Anonymous said...

Then let's just not talk about Heath Ledger anymore. It's true he hasn't as much fan blogs as Jake and if some posters feel he is taking over this Jaken and Austin blog and start to bad mouth him because of it, it's best his name is kept out of here!

Change of tactic, eh? I'm sure you care very much about his reputation, hence your request to quit talking about him (rolling eyes). Discuss Jaustin then, I’d love to read what you have to say about it. Who’s stopping you again?

Anonymous said...

...Toothy Tile space utilized for celebrating Heath Ledger's memory. What an irony. Sad.

Huh? What's sad is that Jake has lost so much luster even TBs can't find much to say about him anymore. What an irony! LOL

Jackie said...

We can - and will - discuss Heath as much as we want.

Of course we will.

Anonymous said...

Ask the AfterElton Flying Monkey! May 13, 2008

Q: I can’t quit Brokeback Mountain! I’m still obsessed. Ideas? – MountainMan, Portland, OR

A: The Monkey watched the movie three times in the theater, but oddly, he can’t bring himself to watch the DVD he bought recently. I know I’d be devastated for a week afterwards.

But consider a new book, On Brokeback Mountain: Meditations about Masculinity, Fear, and Love in the Story and the Film by Eric Patterson. It’s a little scholarly, but in an accessible way. Much tasty food for thought!

http://www.afterelton.com/askmonkey/5-13-08?page=0%2C2

Anonymous said...

On Brokeback Mountain: Meditations about Masculinity, Fear, and Love in the Story and the Film
by Eric Patterson

On Brokeback Mountain provides accessible close and comparative readings of the story and the film, discussing them in relation to the social history of sexual minority men in America, to American cultural construction of masculinity, friendship, and sexual relationships between men, to the sources and effects of homophobia, and the the literary and artistic traditions of the homoerotic pastoral, the popular tradition of the Western, and the tradition of the tragic romantic love story.

Amazon.com

Anonymous said...

I love tasty food for thought, I've been wanting to read this. :)

Anonymous said...

Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal are like Paul Newman and Robert Redford. They will be linked together forever. Whether Jake and his PR like it or not.

Anonymous said...

Couldn't have said it better. :)

Anonymous said...

They will be linked together forever. Whether Jake and his PR like it or not.

And doesn't that suck? ;)

Amen 12:04.

Anonymous said...

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Heath Ledger - short career, lasting images

On a seemingly routine Tuesday afternoon, word came that 28-year-old actor Heath Ledger, best known for his Oscar-nominated role as a gay cowboy in "Brokeback Mountain," was found dead in a downtown New York apartment. Apparently, a masseuse showed up for an appointment and was led in by a housekeeper, who discovered Ledger's body about 3:30 p.m. The police found pills near his naked body.

The news spread fast, and crowds gathered outside the building and watched as the body was taken away on a gurney. According to the Associated Press, people in the crowd snapped pictures with camera phones and rolled videos and said, "He's coming out!"

There was no obvious indication of suicide, New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said. An autopsy is planned for Wednesday.

In a little while, perhaps, the rest of the details will become known. Was it an accident? Was it suicide? Was there an unknown history of drug abuse? The answers to these questions will become part of the legend, and Ledger will be enlisted into that ghoulish gallery of movie stars who, for one reason or another, died a good half-century ahead of schedule.

But before that happens - before the false hand-wringing begins on the nightly entertainment shows, before the interviews with ex-girlfriends reveal unknown truths that are probably false, and before the media show up with their microphones and cameras - it might be worthwhile to take a moment to remember why the death of this particular 28-year-old rates all the press attention today.

Like few who ever lived, much less lived to be 28, Ledger left behind moments and images that were guaranteed even Tuesday - even a week ago, when he was presumably healthy and had the world before him - to outlive his mortal life. When I got the news, I immediately flashed on one of them.

In "Brokeback Mountain," having said goodbye to Jake Gyllenhaal's character after their summer together - which is the only thing they'll ever have in their lives, and they seem to know it - he walks stoically away, then enters the frame as he passes an alley. In the background is the sky. Limitless. He stops, enters the alley and becomes a silhouette. He puts his head against the wall and sobs, struggling to hide his face with his hat. He curses. He punches the wall. He yells angrily at someone who passes by and stops to look. And two seconds later, we see him in close-up, looking boyish and yet somehow like the world has just closed up, standing at the altar getting married.

The portrayal of the secret male relationship made Ledger an instant icon in the gay community, according to Neil G. Giuliano, president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

"His powerful portrayal changed hearts and minds in immeasurable ways," Giuliano said in a statement.

"Brokeback Mountain" also was where he met actress Michelle Williams, with whom he lived until the two split up last year. The couple had a daughter, Matilda. Ledger also had relationships with actresses Heather Graham and Naomi Watts.

Ledger was born in Perth, Australia, in 1979 to a mining engineer and a French teacher, according to the Associated Press. At 16, he began appearing in independent films in Sydney. When he was 19, he came to Los Angeles and landed a part in "10 Things I Hate About You," a modern-day version of "The Taming of the Shrew."

His roles in "The Patriot" (2000) and "A Knight's Tale" (2001) earned him heartthrob stature. But his career path steered him back to the independent movies, including "Monster's Ball" in 2001, and "The Lords of Dogtown" and "Brokeback Mountain" in 2005.

In 2007, Ledger was seen in "I'm Not There," where he played one of the Bob Dylans, and had finished filming "The Dark Knight," a sequel to "Batman Begins" in which he plays the Joker. He was in production for the movie "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus."

"I had such great hope for him," Mel Gibson, who played Ledger's vengeful father in "The Patriot," said in a statement, the Associated Press reported. "He was just taking off, and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss."

In an interview published in November in the New York Times, Ledger said he was "stressed out a little too much" while making "I'm Not There" and had trouble sleeping during the filming of "The Dark Knight."

"Last week, I probably slept an average of two hours a night," Ledger told the Times. "I couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going." He said he took two Ambien pills, which worked for only an hour.

Unlike most of his contemporaries, Ledger had an old-fashioned manliness - the kind that seems to have fled America and gone south in recent years, as far south as Australia. But unlike most of the old-fashioned manly stars of America's macho period, Ledger was at his best playing men in turmoil, men in trouble, men suffering from deep wounds to the spirit. At 28, he had 25 prime casting years ahead of him. Just to be selfish for a minute, think of how that talent may have grown.

The Hollywood of today doesn't nurture acting talent. That is, it doesn't look for roles that explore the actor's soul. But even accepting that, just by chance and the law of averages, just with a little dumb luck, Ledger should have had two or three or five or six more films in his life that challenged him the way "Brokeback Mountain" challenged him. I think that would have been Ledger's career, from here on out: a combination of OK movies in which he played men who were as magnificent as he looked. And better movies, in which he played men whose imposing physical presence and locked-down stoicism were a facade for an emotional life of desperation and helplessness.

Instead of looking forward, we're forced to look back - to the fragile young man he played in "Monster's Ball," who shoots himself in a fit of anguish. Or to "Casanova" and those scenes when the great seducer discovers his capacity to love one woman. Or to movies like "Ned Kelly," those ones with nothing much to recommend them besides what I once called Ledger's "big-slab-of-a-guy magnetism."

There's no way to make sense of this. No way to end an appreciation like this on an up note when the news is so sad. If there's something positive to be said, it's that the best work Ledger left behind will last forever, and the rest is already forgotten.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/23/MNG6UJRN4.DTL

Anonymous said...

Ang Lee is fierce in his timidity, his humbleness and his respect for everyone around him. He's frustrating and so damn wise.

Anonymous said...

I'm not good at future planning. I don't plan at all. I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow. I don't have a day planner and I don't have a diary. I completely live in the now, not in the past, not in the future.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Jake should take a few lessons from Ang about respect especially.

Anonymous said...

We certainly weren't going out of our way to make a change in the world. We didn't make the film for any kind of political movement. We never expected to change people's minds; but if it does affect people's hearts, if perceptions can get altered, that's a good thing.

Anonymous said...

Question: Why Brokeback Mountain after this [Jarhead]?

Jake: I did Brokeback Mountain before I did this movie so, frankly you don't say no to Ang Lee and you don't say no to Sam Mendes and you beg both of them no matter what you're doing in either of the movies, whether you're wearing a Santa cap over your dick or whether you're making love to Heath Ledger, you just don't say no to them. I think that the short story of Brokeback Mountain and the book of Jarhead are just two of the most kind of extraordinary pieces of literature.

Anonymous said...

^ oh you wicked person. not really fair to quote jake and heath side by side.

Anonymous said...

whether you're making love to Heath Ledger

Oh no, he didn't! lol

lol @ 2:02 PM

Anonymous said...

...His fans taking over a blog created for Jake and Austin....The good actor does not even have a web space of his own - one that celebrates him and his memory.

heath was a beautiful man, but he was rated for his acting ability more than for his looks. he fought the hot like crazy, challenged himself with challenging roles, strove to be a serious actor rather than just a heartthrob movie star. I’d say any “lack” of silly fangirl blogs only shows that he succeeded.

orlando bloom has silly fangirl blogs. sean penn? no.

jake has some doozies.

thank goodness this site is never silly, just insane (that's a compliment).

Anonymous said...

Every day, Sandy says, Lucas' friend "Kareem, a leading [married] sitcom actor," visits his trailer, where they go inside and—everyone believes—have sex. Dean also says that Lucas runs with a circle of high-level superstar down low types. He later meets Lucas again and finds him to be "smooth, charismatic, and charming," and his wife even brings goodies to the film crew.

Awww... Jada is so nice.

Anonymous said...

heath was a beautiful man, but he was rated for his acting ability more than for his looks. he fought the hot like crazy, challenged himself with challenging roles, strove to be a serious actor rather than just a heartthrob movie star. I’d say any “lack” of silly fangirl blogs only shows that he succeeded.

WORD

Heath didn't want to be known for anything other than his acting. He was gorgeous, there is no doubt about it. But he wanted to "take the blond" out of his career in Hollywood for a reason. He had no interest in being a poster boy.

Anonymous said...

Posted on OMG

Jake & Austin

"The fierce five man dates

We tallied up the recent dates of these bromancers to see who has the most love" (OK! magazine)

5 MAN dates

Anonymous said...

You mean six man dates. Jake's PR ain't gonna be happy.

Anonymous said...

3:28 Will Smith? I believe it.

Anonymous said...

You mean six man dates.

They said five: Simon Cowell & Ryan Seacrest - Just missed the list.

Anonymous said...

With that man-date picture, both of their PR's must be scrambling. Guarenteed that within 3 days at most, we'll have a pap sighting of our loving couple walking hand and hand and arms around each other. This might even be drastic enough to let the paps catch them kissing.

Anonymous said...

Bonnie Fuller Leaving AMI Editorial Director Post

A bit of breaking news: Bonnie Fuller, blogger and comedian, is finally stepping down as editorial director of American Media Inc., a position she’s held since July 2003, silencing the months/years-long rumors that she would do so. The decision is effective tomorrow. She’ll stay on as editor-at-large for Star and will, says the release, serve as a consultant to CEO David Pecker.

This will give Bonnie more time to criticize Lynne Spears.

Update: Naturally, the speculation that Bonnie has been fired is bubbling up. We’re assured by multiple insiders that she’s stepping down voluntarily. Though perhaps unfortunately for Fuller, both scenarios are plausible.

http://www.jossip.com/bonnie-fuller-leaving-ami-editorial-director-post-20080513/

Anonymous said...

68 Celebrities Before They Were Stars

Anonymous said...

Not true. Bonnie was fired. She was never at her post and for the amount of money she was making, it certainly wasn't worth it considering she was rarely in.

Anonymous said...

Sweet poster! Poster of Jim Carrey holding Ewan McGregor in the film "I Love You Phillip Morris." A surprisingly sweet photo.
http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/13/cannes-2008-in-pictures-day-one-movie-posters-everywhere/

Anonymous said...

^ adorable. this looks like a must-see. jim's comeback?!

Anonymous said...

Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal are like Paul Newman and Robert Redford. They will be linked together forever. Whether Jake and his PR like it or not.

Yup.

Anonymous said...

I love that Jake and Austin made that list even though they haven't been seen together for ages. Reeke PR is gonna be pissed.

Anonymous said...

As announced on OMG last week:

OK! cover

REESE AND JAKE: The happy couple are ready to wed

Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal are ready to make their union official. OK! has learned that Jake is ready to propose, and both families approve. We’ve also got the deets on what type of ring would be perfect for their engagement and why Jake would make a great stepdad to her children.

Anonymous said...

Not true. Bonnie was fired.

Looks like she isn't going to be missed.

Anonymous said...

Sweet poster! Poster of Jim Carrey holding Ewan McGregor in the film "I Love You Phillip Morris."

Awww...

I Love You Phillip Morris poster

Anonymous said...

Squawk-a-Thon

... Plus, one particular piece of Reese Witherspoon ain't so sweet and delicious...

Talking the Talk, Not Walking the Walk

Some stars come off as so benevolent and compassionate for causes of all kinds, you'd swear they would be your best friend (and spiritual advisor) if only the two of you met. Surely a gal who's always altruistic would be the best person to listen to you bitch about boys over brunch, right? Angelina Jolie’s bounty of constant globe-trotting pretty much trumps everyone's attempts at procuring world peace, even while pregnant...the show-off.A more down-to-earth example is Reese Witherspoon, another constantly caring cutie whom we’d love to share a friendship bracelet with. Reesie simply radiates tons of appealing attributes—Oscar winner, doting mother, looks divine even after a divorce and is seen gallivanting around town with her Gyllen-pal. Plus, R.W. recently acted as the honorary chair for the Avon Foundation’s Breast Cancer walkathon. Wither-babe’s heart must surely be the size of a watermelon, right?
Maybe not.

Our Desk Dee-Cee, who acted as part of the crowd-control crew for the Washington walk (and who had participated for several years as a walker and supporter), was told all hush-hush that Ree-Ree would be walking the last mile or so, so the crew could keep an eye on her lest any of the walkers turn into autograph seekers midstride. Turns out R Dubs wasn't seen stepping an inch of the 39-mile, two-day walk. Gal just showed up at the closing ceremonies and spoke about how “exciting” and “awesome” the whole event was, soaking up all the energy vicariously, it seems.

Sure, a celeb’s name and face bring out the big crowds, not to mention the big cash. And cancer can’t be cured by good intentions alone—financing is always part of the problem, unforch, which means any way money can be made should be considered if it results in more research. But couldn’t this supposed sweetheart have found the time to actually walk a few measly miles for the cause she’s the friggin’ face of? Don’t just slap your smile on a charity and call it a day, babe. We know Reese-hon’s got the bod for a couple of kilometers, and what’s wrong with a little fresh air? Lord knows there isn't enough of that in Hell-Ay.

Squawk-a-Thon

Anonymous said...

Posted on OMG - May 9, 2008:

TR said...
A friend at a media consulting firm told me that OK mag has two covers prepped for next week a Jake and Reese proposal cover and a Katie takes control cover.
I wonder which one they will go with? They use focus groups to help make the decision so what the focus group says goes.
I don't think either story has any merit.

tr said...
If it's the proposal cover it will be a big picture of Reese with a tiny inserted picture of Reese with Jake.

Anonymous said...

I Love You Phillip Morris poster

It's not as hot as Jack and Ennis but it's very sweet.

Anonymous said...

Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal are ready to make their union official. OK! has learned that Jake is ready to propose, and both families approve.

It's a match made in PR hog heaven. Not physically - their bodies and their body language always seem out of sync, poor things. They need to work on that. But in terms of partnership, perfecto. Both have privileged upbringings, conservative tastes, and a love of gym clothes. Reese is smarter, but, culturally, Jake is hipper, so that balances out. (Though eventually, she'll start to treat him as though he's a dumb bitch, like she did Ryan.) Both are concerned with appearances, status, and stardom, so they will operate very well as a Hollywood power team. Ka-ching!
But don't tell me that Maggie actually likes Reese. You know Maggie is holding her nose and pretending to smile at that rival queen bee for Jake's sake. She knows little bro needs someone like Reese right now to save his ass.

Anonymous said...

But in terms of partnership, perfecto.

Nonsense.

Anonymous said...

Reese is smarter...

LOL!

Anonymous said...

Turns out R Dubs wasn't seen stepping an inch of the 39-mile, two-day walk. Gal just showed up at the closing ceremonies and spoke about how “exciting” and “awesome” the whole event was...

Thanks Becky!

Anonymous said...

Posted on OMG

Dear Friend,

In New York City, a very disproportionate number (up to 40%), of homeless youth identify as LGBT. Even more disturbing are reports that these young people often face discrimination and at times physical assault in some of the very places they have to for help. This is shocking an inexcusable!

That's why my manager, Lisa Barbaris and I are collaborating with Colleen Jackson and West End Intergenerational Residence to create the True Colors Residence, (TCR), a permanent supportive housing program for homeless LGBT youth 18-24 years old.

We'll be building from the ground up so our residents will have a brand new, modern building with studio apartments for each resident and both indoor and outdoor community space to socialize or attend education and recreation programs. Each resident will be responsible for paying affordable rent based on their income and will receive ongoing assistance in obtaining employment best suited to their individual interests and skills. Although TCR will not require participation in it's programs, a variety of social and educational support services will be available to all who request them. Our primary goal is to provide a physically and emotionally safe and supportive environment that will empower our young residents to be the self-loving, happy, and successful individuals they were meant to be.

As longtime supporters, Lisa and I know that West End has been a trailblazing forward-thinking organization that is willing to do whatever is necessary to serve those in need. Their services have, in our experience, always met the highest standards.

I am proud to work with Colleen and West End on such an exciting and important project as the True Colors Residence and I ask for your support as we move forward.

Sincerely,

Cyndi Lauper

http://www.intergenerational.org/truecolors.php

Anonymous said...

4:43 AM, that was very intersting. I know nothing about the magazine industry. What kind of focus groups/age groups do they use, I wonder? I'd be interested to know what group Reeke is supposed to mainly appeal to. Or is Reeke geared to those who are already reese fans? That's what I presumed.

Anonymous said...

"There is a very clear difference between the prestige press and the tabloid press. The tabloid sources do not reveal any valuable information, however by studying why people read tabloids, the type of people who read tabloids and how people interpret them there is a lot to be learned about society in general. For example, I have interviewed ten people and asked them general questions regarding tabloids. My questions included: do you read tabloids? Would you rather read tabloids over a prestige press source? Do you believe the information in tabloids is true? What is your overall view of tabloids? Of the ten people I interviewed sixty percent of them read tabloids, however, only thirty percent of them read tabloids over prestige press. Seventy percent of them did not believe the stories they read in tabloids, and their overall view of tabloids was they are published for entertainment purposes. The people I interviewed seemed have the understanding these types of press are generally fiction and have no dominate effects on what they believe."

http://www.helium.com/items/325844-topic-society-discusses-every

Anonymous said...

Or is Reeke geared to those who are already reese fans?

Who reads rags? Women.

Single, married and divorced not very educated women like tabloid romances.

Anonymous said...

A while ago someone posted Reeke are gonna get married on MV this summer. I'm curious what'll happen!

Anonymous said...

It's OK! magazine.

The "news" is that Reeke are not engaged.
Standard tabloid crap. lol

Anonymous said...

Will the trip to the Toscana will be the honeymoon?
How is Ted C. going to explain this and then the first baby? ;)

Anonymous said...

Explain this?
Explain why Reeke are not engaged?

Anonymous said...

Reeke and the fans who love them belong in the 1950s. They are modern variants of Anita Bryant and her loathsome ilk. That line in the OK article about how Reese refuses to "live in sin" (what year is this?) with Jake and her "pal" saying about how that won't happen because "it's a very serious relationship" is completely obnoxious and retro. And I suppose Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie who's about to have their fifth child (or sixth child if she has twins) are not "serious"--and neither is a couple like Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell who've been together for YEARS. Yes, they're not serious and neither was Heath/Michelle when they were together and had Matilda.

Why do people like Witherspoon? Are they afraid of time marching on and people progressing into the Milleniall Age? This woman is a complete phony and tool--and she's a lazy sack of you know what. I'm not a big Angelina Jolie fan but you KNOW she'd walk that mile in that Avon walk--20 months pregnant and all.

Anonymous said...

This is also a woman who said earlier this year that she can't believe it when "legitimate" actresses do nude scenes.

Shortly thereafter, Angelina Jolie said she loves to do nude scenes.

I'm sure Jake's sister Maggie must have loved that Reese statement. But according to the rags, she thinks Reese is perfect. (Cough, does ANYONE believe that Jake's modern, smart sister actually likes this bitch? I don't).

Anonymous said...

That line in the OK article about how Reese refuses to "live in sin" ...

... is in line with her PR image: she complained about sex scene with Vince, she's against nudity in movies, she's "classy".

Anonymous said...

Reeke has to be geared to the Reese fans because why else would the Reeke articles always focus on her. It's always about What an amazing single mom Reese is! What a good southern gal she is! How wonderful that Reese found a perfect young man like Jake, the exact opposite of that cheating loser Ryan Philippe! etc. Jake only ever gets mentioned by defult.

Anonymous said...

Cough, does ANYONE believe that Jake's modern, smart sister actually likes this bitch?

Just babblers.

Anonymous said...

^Reese said that about nudity but she did nude scenes in a film when she was younger. She is hypocritical and a phony.

Anonymous said...

The whole Reeke thing gets funnier by the minute. After all those years of marriage and a high-profile divorce, Ryan is still largely unknown. Jake is stepping right into the same role. If you step back from the fandom you'll find that most people do not know Jake. They may know that Reese has moved on but they really don't who Jake is and they really don't care. They just care that she put the screws to Ryan by hooking up with someone else so quickly.

Anonymous said...

8:09 AM

ITA

Anonymous said...

... is in line with her PR image: she complained about sex scene with Vince, she's against nudity in movies, she's "classy"."

Yes, Susan Sarandon, Julianne Moore, Maggie, etc.--all really good actresses and all genuine liberals are not "classy."
How can ANYONE tolerate Witherspoon? She would make my flesh crawl if I were in a room with her. I feel sorry for Maggie.

Anonymous said...

They just care that she put the screws to Ryan by hooking up with someone else so quickly.

I keep repeating this - Reese and her PR started selling Reeke in November 2006, a few weeks after public was informed about the divorce.

Anonymous said...

So true, 8:20 and Jake was perfect because he needed some PR for his own image.

Anonymous said...

How wonderful that Reese found a perfect young man like Jake, the exact opposite of that cheating loser Ryan Philippe! etc.

That's why I think Jake seems to distance himself from Heath and didn't pay tribute. I don't think i'd be good for Reeke's image to be connected to someone who was on illegal drugs, true or not, rags wrote about it and it's in people's minds!
I don't think it's really Jake's fault, he didn't have another choice! He never should have hooked up or make a deal with Reese! :(

Anonymous said...

He needs to run away from Witherspoon as far as he can!

Anonymous said...

Victoria Beckham knows most of her male admirers admire other men: “All the men that like me are gay. It is true. I have a really strong gaydar. I do love gay men though.”

Anonymous said...

I don't think it's really Jake's fault, he didn't have another choice!"

Don't be idiotic. No one put a gun to that fool's head.

Anonymous said...

I don't think it's really Jake's fault, he didn't have another choice!

Oh give me a bloody break! He's an adult, nobody held a gun to his head he did it willingly.

Anonymous said...

From coverawards.com:

“OK SAYS REESE IS READY TO WED; IS BONNIE FULLER ALREADY EDITING OK?

Pasetsky’s Cover Critique

Pretty picture of Reese but that’s where the good news stops for OK Magazine this week.

This cover is COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS and is out of left field.

OK claims Reese is “ready to wed.”
Translation: No confirmation, no engagement, nada!

There’s also an inset that says “Jake’s proposal plans.”
Translation: No proposal has occurred as of yet.

This main cover story DELIVERS NO NEWS!

Bottom Line: OK Magazine will tank yet again. BTW - do they ever do their research. If they did, they would realize that readers DO NOT CARE ABOUT REESE AND JAKE AS A COUPLE! You could say she’s pregnant with his quadruplets and it still wouldn’t be a huge sale. (Okay, maybe that’s a stretch but you get my point.)

BUT WAIT - THERE MAY BE BONNIE FULLER NEWS HIDDEN IN THIS COVER

As I suggested yesterday, I believe Bonnie Fuller will be taking over as EIC or Editorial Director of OK! This cover adds to my theory.

Why? It’s no secret that Bonnie Fuller loves putting Reese on the cover. Did she have a hand in this one?

And in today’s New York Times, Fuller said that “she is working on a new venture, but she declined to provide specifics except to say disclosures would be made shortly.”

Stay tuned!”

cover awards

Anonymous said...

^^^ Bonnie Fuller? Interesting speculation.

Anonymous said...

<<<7:55 AM, 8:16 AM>>>

So true.

Anonymous said...

www.justjared.com has a copy of the OK magazine cover announcing the supposed engagement. Guess this is to counter the man-date pic in People. Can't believe Jake would be stupid and desperate enough to actually marry Reese just to get better public perception. Does he realize he's lost his own public perception since he's been with her? He's now known as Reese's good looking, younger, pussy whipped boyfriend.

Anonymous said...

Statue of gay rights hero to be unveiled next week

Harvey Milk, the first out gay male politician in American history, is to be honoured with a statue in San Francisco City Hall.

The memorial will be unveiled next Thursday, on what would have been his 78th birthday. It is a rare honour for someone who never held the position of Mayor and will be a permanent reminder of the unique place the city of San Francisco had in forming a new, politically active gay identity in the 1970s.

Milk, known during his lifetime as The Mayor of Castro Street, is regarded as a political icon among gay activists for his ability to build the LGBT community into a grassroots political force. He was elected to the city's Board of Supervisors in 1977.

In his 11 months in office he sponsored a gay rights bill and helped to defeat a proposition that would have seen openly gay and lesbian teachers sacked.

He was gunned down at City Hall by Dan White, a disgruntled former Supervisor, on November 27th 1978. White also killed the city's mayor in his gun rampage.

Milk had foreseen his own untimely death, and made several audio tapes to be played if he was assassinated. One had recorded upon it his most famous statement, "If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door."

When White only received seven years in jail for Milk's murder, San Francisco's gay community rioted. More than 160 people were injured.

Sean Penn is playing Milk in an upcoming biopic.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7634.html

Anonymous said...

Guess this is to counter the man-date pic in People.

No, it was OK! magazine.

Anonymous said...

9:10, 9:11, no nobody forced him with a gun, but I think he was under enormous pressure!

Anonymous said...

10:59 AM With this reasoning anything he did/does/will do is excusable because he was under enormous pressure . This has been used so many times and it’s still crap. Sorry

Anonymous said...

11:47, if you want to be one of the big players in Hollywood, you have to follow rules and listen to your PR. It's all about image! The competition doesn't sleep! That's a lot of pressure!

Anonymous said...

3 exclamation marks?

Anonymous said...

12:03 Well you can think his behavior is understandable because he badly wants to be big in Hollywood and would do anything to make it happened but I sure as hell don't have to. No need for so many exclamation marks lol

Anonymous said...

Exclamation marks are evil. lol

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