Tuesday 15 July 2008

Gay Heroes

Handsome, charming and openly gay, actor and presenter John Barrowman has become one of the best-loved faces on British television. But, as he explains to Alice Wignall, success has brought unexpected responsibilities

John Barrowman thinks that I fancy him. I'm not sure why - I said something complimentary about the male characters in Doctor Who, the series in which he makes occasional scene-stealing appearances as Captain Jack Harkness, and he appropriated it for himself, because he's gorgeous and used to people fancying him. Now we're talking about the fluid nature of sexuality and attraction. "You could find Captain Jack attractive. Hey, you could find John attractive," he says, twinkling away at me like a rope of promenade lights on a gusty night, "and I could find you attractive. But that doesn't mean that anything's going to happen." I am suddenly hotly aware of the close confines of the dressing room buried beneath the BBC's Television Centre in which we are cocooned. "Right?" he says.

Too right - not least because of the new BBC1 show he's here to talk about. The Making of Me asked three celebrities to use scientific testing, psychology, brain science and genetics to investigate the origins of their defining characteristics, each in their own show. Vanessa Mae asks why she is musical, Colin Jackson wonders why he is fast, and Barrowman finds out why he is gay: a fact which I think is going to stand in the way of our blossoming mutual attraction. The results of the programme - is it nature, is it nurture? - are a closely guarded secret, though Barrowman has always been convinced that sexuality is not a choice. "I've always known who I am," he says. "That's what I believe. I feel I was born this way. I've never questioned that."

Until now, of course, and the issues that the programme addresses do raise one potentially uncomfortable point: if the conclusion is that homosexuality is a choice, learned behaviour or the result of a particular experience at a certain time, does that mean that gay people can choose again, or unlearn their preferences? Could he? "It's not going to change who I am," he replies, instantly. "I always said, if the outcome is you're born this way, I'm going to be ecstatic. If the outcome is that it's something that happens to you, a trauma or it's your choice, I will have to reflect and think about that, but it's not going to change who I am because I like who I am." If it is a choice, it's a choice he'd make again.

And why wouldn't he? As he tells it, Barrowman's experience of life as a gay man has been overwhelmingly positive. At 41, he has a supportive and devoted family, a 15-year relationship with his partner, Scott Gill, and a successful career (before starring in Doctor Who and its spin-off series, Torchwood, and graduating from there to appearances as a judge on the find-me-a-star reality shows Any Dream Will Do, How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? and I'd Do Anything, he enjoyed a long and happy period as a leading man in the West End, mainly in musical theatre).

He mentions interviewing a Seventh Day Adventist "ex-gay" man while filming The Making Of Me, who believed that homosexuality was incompatible with a fulfilling life. "His idea was that you had to have the white picket fence and the farm and he was talking about it like it was something that I could never have," says Barrowman. "And I actually said to him, 'Yeah, but Ron, I have a partner, I have a dog, I have really nice cars, I have a beautiful home, I have a home by the sea and the beach. You can have that and be gay.' But he just couldn't see that."

Barrowman can see it. He and Gill are thinking about having children. "We're building a house in Cardiff on the beach. We're going to have six bedrooms in it and we feel like we've got a lot to offer." He says that from talking to different families for the show - both accepting of homosexuality and not - he learned that "a family unit is what you make a family unit".

Almost the first thing Barrowman does when he starts talking about the programme is insist that he's not a campaigner. "I never thought I would be like this," he says. "I never thought I'd be someone who would stand up for 'the cause'. I don't want to be a militant gay, because that's not me." But it's clear that he is naturally possessed of strong opinions. Since he and Gill became civil partners in 2006, Barrowman has always been adamant that it's not a "marriage". "I don't call it 'marriage' for my own reasons - and I would suggest to gay men and women that they don't call it a marriage, because it connotes religious organisations that don't like them, and why do we want to take that on board?"

But the recent escalation of his fame has put him in a position where he senses an obligation to do more. "I have to put it this way," he says. "There are some days that I sign, like, 400 pictures, autographs and stuff. And among those I generally get a bunch of, say, four, five emails and some written letters from young men and women who are struggling to come out of the closet and they don't know who to turn to because they're afraid of their family's reaction and they're afraid of their community's reaction. So when they approached me to do this [The Making of Me], I thought, 'Yeah, you know, I really kinda have to do it.' I do think I've got a responsibility to help change perceived attitudes or try to change them."

It's all a bit at odds with Barrowman's popular image, which starts with his showman's grin, an expert line in saucy banter and a reported fondness for showing everyone (especially co-stars who are trying to film a scene) his penis. His autobiography - Anything Goes, of course - tells stories of a carefree life in the limelight, hanging out with Claudia Schiffer on Valentino's yacht and having affairs with Spanish flamenco dancers called Paco. It's not that Showbiz John is a character that Barrowman plays for the public. Though he's clearly a born performer, there's no hint of concealed anguish beneath. It seems that he really is this upbeat, this positive, this happy, all the time. In TV appearances, he throws himself into the job with force: always eager to get the joke, make the joke, be the joke. It looks like uncontainable exuberance; sometimes it looks like he is having so much fun he may burst.

There is, actually, something slightly comic about Barrowman. He's so absurdly good looking, for one thing, and in such an obvious way: the teeth, the hair, the wide cheekbones and the blue, blue eyes. His American accent is almost too reassuringly warm (though he is able to segue into a broad Scottish brogue in seconds, a legacy of the first nine years of his childhood spent in Glasgow before moving with his family to Illinois, which is incredibly disconcerting; like being dragged across the Atlantic by your ears. He says both accents are his "natural" one) and his speech is peppered with phrases that, looking back, seem like fortune-cookie clichés: "I don't ask that you like me. I just ask that you respect me," is a favourite.

But at the time, and on him, it all works, because it's so patently sincere. He is just instinctively polite - waiting for me to turn over the tape in my Dictaphone before continuing a point, which hardly anyone ever does - and conscientious, diligently checking his notes from the programme to make sure he's getting it right. He is thoughtful and articulate, talking in long, seamless sentences, with passion and certainty. He might employ a hackneyed phrase every now and again, but it's because he believes them. And he has a natural solidity. You can see why he works on stage: he's tall and broad and booming; he's sure of what he's saying, and of himself.

In that, he's similar to his Doctor Who/Torchwood character, Captain Jack, who first appeared as a wayward interplanetary scoundrel who found friendship and redemption in the company of the timelord. On the one hand, he's cookie-cutter, old-school hero, all jutting jaw and big guns. On the other, he's a cheeky pan-sexual adventurer ("so many species, so little time") who landed a kiss on Christopher Eccleston's Doctor in the concluding storyline of the first series.

But - and this seems to be very Barrowman, too - Jack feels no tension or conflict about who he is. He lives in the confident expectation that the universe will order itself around him. Which it does. Captain Jack is one the best-loved of the returning characters - Torchwood was created pretty much to keep him on our screens - and his unapologetic eye for the gents as much as the ladies seems only to add to his appeal.

"I was doing a signing at a convention," Barrowman says, "and this father brought his son over and he said, 'Do you want Captain Jack's autograph?' and the kid said, 'Yeah, Dad, I don't care if he likes boys, he's still my hero.' And I thought, 'That's why I'm doing this.'

"I'd love to be a hero and that's why I love playing him, because he is a hero. But then, funnily enough, people have written to me and said I am their 'hero'" - he says the word with self-deprecating verbal air quotes - "because of standing up for what I believe in".

John Barrowman - The Making of Me is on BBC1, July 24, 2008

Source: The Guardian, I never thought I would stand up for the cause

341 comments:

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Anonymous said...

Heath Ledger's Family Attends Dark Knight Premiere

Heath Ledger's family attended Monday's The Dark Knight premiere in New York, where the late actor's father left the theater giving a thumbs-up sign.

Kim Ledger and his wife Ines – Heath's stepmother – bypassed the red carpet and ducked into the theater to watch his late son play The Joker in the latest Batman film. Also attending the premiere were Heath's mother Sally Bell and her husband, and Heath's older sister, Kate. As his father Kim left, he was asked how it felt to attend, responding with the thumbs-up. He also told reporters it was "very good."

Heath Ledger's costars, meanwhile, used the occasion to pay tribute to him.

"Working with Heath was fantastic," said Christian Bale, 34, who reprises his role as the Caped Crusader. "He steals the movie and I'm quite happy to say that. He's a hell of a talent and created a joker that's very iconic and one that will become a classic portrayal of the ages."

Michael Caine, 75, who plays butler Alfred Pennyworth in the film, which opens July 18, noted the "intensity and ferocity of the performance." "But when we were sitting down between takes, he was completely ordinary," Caine added. "He wasn't preparing himself or saying 'Please leave me alone, I've gotta do this.' Instead he was talking to me. "We would sit and chat and have a cup of coffee, then suddenly they'd say, 'We're ready, Heath,' and he'd go straight into The Joker," Caine continued. "His energy was astonishing, especially when it came from this kind of calm. He's certainly the best villain I've ever seen."

Melbourne-based Robert Collins, a Ledger family friend for 30 years and co-executor of the Ledger will, told Who magazine in Australia he saw The Dark Knight preview in Perth last night and described it as "a eerie feeling" watching him.

"I am aware that Kim Ledger and the family are over in New York for it, it was something they felt they had to do and it was a personal thing from their point of view," said Collins.

Ledger, who died of an accidental prescription-drug overdose on Jan. 22 has garnered Oscar buzz for his role as the smiley yet sinister Joker. Anticipation for The Dark Knight has been at a fever pitch with midnight shows having sold out so quickly that theater owners have had to continue to adding 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. showtimes.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20212519,00.html

Anonymous said...

Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight: 'Rave and Rage and Purge Acting'

So finally the next Batman film, The Dark Knight, lurches into theaters this Friday. Anticipation is intense, as Batman Begins, Christopher Nolan's reboot of the franchise, was such a dark success. Of course, though, the real reason to see the film is Heath Ledger as uber villain The Joker. The buddingly talented actor died all too young in a SoHo apartment this past winter, leaving this as his last complete performance. So yeah, that's all we really care about when surveying the early reviews (we already know that Christian Bale will be gruff and brooding, Morgan Freeman sage and weary, Maggie Gyllenhaal unsurprisingly better than Katie Holmes, the film as a whole loud and jangly). So what do the critics say? Mostly, that he's fantastic. The increasingly-irrelevant Peter Travers, of Rolling Stone, calls the performance "mad-crazy-brilliant." The Davids Edelstein and Denby worry that Ledger stepped perhaps too far into the abyss to access the character. Basically, we're excited. Read a digest of the reviews after the jump.

"Nolan was wise enough, however, to give Ledger plenty of room to shine — albeit in the actor's indelibly perverse, twisted way. There's nothing cartoony about his Joker. Ledger wrested the role from previous performers Cesar Romero and Jack Nicholson and reinvented it completely." [AP]

"Ledger's performance is a beauty. His Joker has a slow cadence of speech, as if weighing words for maximum mischief and contempt. He moves languidly as if to savor his dark deeds, his head and body jerking at times from an overload of brain impulses." [THR]

"It's a stupendously creepy performance, wild but never over the top. He cuts a figure so dangerous that you wonder if Batman is up to the task—or if our hero himself will have to become as ruthless as his foe. When you're fighting an enemy who plays by no rules, do you have to abandon your own moral code to vanquish him?" [Newsweek]

"I can only speak superlatives of Ledger, who is mad-crazy-blazing brilliant as the Joker. Miles from Jack Nicholson's broadly funny take on the role in Tim Burton's 1989 Batman, Ledger takes the role to the shadows, where even what's comic is hardly a relief. No plastic mask for Ledger; his face is caked with moldy makeup that highlights the red scar of a grin, the grungy hair and the yellowing teeth of a hound fresh out of hell. To the clown prince of crime, a knife is preferable to a gun, the better to 'savor the moment.'" [Rolling Stone]

"How is Heath Ledger? My heart went out to him. He’s working so very hard to fill the void, to be doing something every second. It’s rave and rage and purge acting. This Joker is a straight-out psychopath—a Stephen King clown-demon with smudged greasepaint and yellow teeth and hair that appears to have never been washed. As written, the Joker is like a souped-up Andy Robinson in Dirty Harry (only this Harry won’t blow him away with a .44 Magnum), and Ledger revs it higher and higher. He bugs his eyes and licks compulsively at the gashes that extend his mouth. He tries on different voices. First he sounds like Cagney in White Heat, then slides into a prissy singsong like Al Franken’s Stuart Smalley, then throws in some fruity Brando flourishes and a dash of Hannibal Lecter. He’s lethal—fast with sharp objects—but apart from a gruesome bit with a pencil not terribly prankish. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, but in truth, I found the performance painful to watch. Scarier than what the Joker does to anyone onscreen is what Ledger must have been doing to himself—trying to find the center of a character without a dream of one." [NYMag]

"[Bale's is] a dogged but uninteresting performance, upstaged by the great Ledger, who shambles and slides into a room, bending his knees and twisting his neck and suddenly surging into someone’s face like a deep-sea creature coming up for air. Ledger has a fright wig of ragged hair; thick, running gobs of white makeup; scarlet lips; and dark-shadowed eyes. He’s part freaky clown, part Alice Cooper the morning after, and all actor. He’s mesmerizing in every scene. His voice is not sludgy and slow, as it was in 'Brokeback Mountain.' It’s a little higher and faster, but with odd, devastating pauses and saturnine shades of mockery. At times, I was reminded of Marlon Brando at his most feline and insinuating. When Ledger wields a knife, he is thoroughly terrifying (do not, despite the PG-13 rating, bring the children), and, as you’re watching him, you can’t help wondering—in a response that admittedly lies outside film criticism—how badly he messed himself up in order to play the role this way. His performance is a heroic, unsettling final act: this young actor looked into the abyss." [New Yorker]

http://gawker.com/tag/reviews/?i=5024928&t=heath-ledger-in-the-dark-knight-rave-and-rage-and-purge-acting

Anonymous said...

Ted and Lisa's Excellent Adventure - A day with Jake Gyllenhaal:
"... we can say the old Jake that many people feel is now gone, is still alive and kicking, as we hope many of you picked up from our story"


I'm sure parts of the old Jake are still there, and Jake may see himself as a good friend of Heath's, but actions speak louder than words.

This was a PR-sanctioned encounter (no fan gets time with a star otherwise). Jake was presenting himself to BBM-loving, slash-writing (!) (did Jake realize!?) fanatics - people he didn't know from Adam but who he was certainly conscious would talk about the meeting. What's he going to say, "Heath stinks"?

Image is important for an actor and you can bet that Jake is very, very conscious of how he appears.

Now, Jake may sincerely believe everything he told these fans. And even given the calculation of his camp's damage-control PR leaks after Heath died, there was no doubt that Jake was strongly affected by the death. People who said he and Heath weren't friends didn't have a clue what they were talking about. Jake never wallowed in places where Heath wallowed, but he has always been a Heath fanboi. Trust.

My beef is that this actor I quite like never lifted a finger to defend his pal when the wolves were circling.

Most people will forget about all this as the memory of Heath fades, TDK moves on into the next installment, etc. And Jake will talk about Heath eventually. But timing is all. The man who says after the lynching, "well, he was actually quite a good guy," has nothing on the one who steps into the seething crowd and says, "stop - this person does not deserve this treatment."

Some said it was just a (in my opinion, misjudged) desire to stay above the fray, but then the whole Reeke thing came along, with all its sly image-making, and you realize, PR rules Jake's world.

Ah, fame.

As for Paris images, no way TeamJG was going to allow even the slightest hint that Jake was moping alone while TDK [etc etc CUT]
Xcuse the verbiage.
You all know that.

Anonymous said...

During the meeting with Jake, Ted and Lisa, she asks him to autograph her favorite picture. It's of Jake and Heath, laughing, looking at each other with huge smiles. Jake related the story that they shot 4 scenes that evening. One being the one with all the meat hanging from the elk. They broke up laughing all night thinking about the homo-erotic image conveyed by the large display of meat, including that moment caught on camera. I really liked learning what was behind the photo.

You've convinced me. I'm going to get LJ account and read it.

Anonymous said...

Dear Ted:
It’s the paparazzi you should be pissed at, not Tobey Maguire. If you watched the video you can see that their camera flashes were blinding him as he was trying to drive, and they were blocking his way—making it a very dangerous situation. There’s a difference between “being photographed” as you call it and what he and other celebrities have to endure. By the way, with your new unshaven look, you look just like the poster of Kevin Costner for Swing Vote.
R.H.
Glendale, Calif.

Dear Pique Fuzz:
Cry me a $20 million (or however much green that shrimp gets paid) river. Tobey could hire a limo if he’s so delicate on the road. But thanks for the compliment! It was a compliment, wasn’t’ it?

Anonymous said...

Posted on OMG

Jake Gyllenhaal plays by Reese's rules

For Hollywood “it” couple Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon, domestic bliss is simple, as long as they follow the rules. Reese’s rules, that is. According to Star magazine, before Jake moved into Reese’s $5 million L.A. home last month, the “Legally Blonde” star laid down the law.

“Reese believes in wide-open communication, and she discussed at length with him what is best for her household,” an insider revealed. “Some of (the things she insists on) are run-of-the-mill. He has to take off his shoes when he’s in the house; trash must be taken out when the can is three-quarters full; and no feet on the coffee table.”

Then there are rules catered to providing an appropriate environment for Reese’s children, 8-year-old Ava and 4-year-old Deacon. For instance, Jake has to leave his potty mouth at the door.

“Jake used to swear like a sailor, but not anymore,” the source told Star. “If he does, he has to apologize.” Reese’s system for success is also said to include daily discussions around the dinner table and consultations with each other before making plans for dinner, home décor or even yoga sessions.

As for Jake, the insider says he’s had his fill of the single life and couldn’t be happier with his new, orderly home life. “He’d much rather stay home, make popcorn and watch a movie than step foot in a club,” the insider assured. “So when he was looking for a girlfriend, he looked for someone who was past all that — and he found her in Reese.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25681135/

Anonymous said...

Posted on OMG

X17 video - Reeke shopping and shopping in Paris

Anonymous said...

So, essentially, he got himself a surrogate mommy. Guess Austin was not maternal enough for him...

Anonymous said...

Reese’s system for success...

To get dumped for another, normal woman? lol

Anonymous said...

"Ledger ... [is] part freaky clown, part Alice Cooper the morning after, and all actor. He’s mesmerizing in every scene. His voice is not sludgy and slow, as it was in 'Brokeback Mountain.' It’s a little higher and faster, but with odd, devastating pauses and saturnine shades of mockery. At times, I was reminded of Marlon Brando at his most feline and insinuating. When Ledger wields a knife, he is thoroughly terrifying (do not, despite the PG-13 rating, bring the children), and, as you’re watching him, you can’t help wondering—in a response that admittedly lies outside film criticism—how badly he messed himself up in order to play the role this way. His performance is a heroic, unsettling final act: this young actor looked into the abyss." [New Yorker]

Thank you, David Denby.
(A critic who knows his ass from his elbow.)

Anonymous said...

Thank you, David Denby.
(A critic who knows his ass from his elbow.)


An audacious and rude critic who instead of doing his actual job which consists of analyzing only the performance and being unbiased, he speculates on Heath's state of mind all because he craves attention. Too bad the rest 36123727987977 critics don't agree with him, eh 7:47 AM? ;)

Anonymous said...

So Jake described Heath as one of his best friends? That makes his behaviour regarding Heath's death even worse. He's just playing the bbm fandom like he plays everything else.

Anonymous said...

HEATH Ledger's family has side-stepped the red carpet at the world premiere of The Dark Knight in New York, quietly slipping through a side entrance.

Kim Ledger was clearly emotional as he got out of a black four-wheel drive and hugged friends outside the premiere of his son's last completed film.

Ledger's mother, Sally Bell, and his sister, Kate Ledger, are also believed to have avoided the star-studded red carpet and gone through the side entrance to the AMC Loews Lincoln Square theatre.

The return to New York for the family comes almost six months after the Perth-born actor was found dead in his Manhattan apartment from an accidental prescription drug overdose at 28.

Ledger's former girlfriend, fellow Australian actor Naomi Watts, and her partner, Liev Schreiber, also avoided the main entrance and arrived about 10 minutes before Ledger's family, also discreetly entering the theatre through the side.

Ledger's performance as the Joker in the latest Batman film is winning rave reviews and he is firmly in the running for a posthumous Oscar for his sinister interpretation of the arch villain.

While the Ledger family and Watts kept their arrival low key, the stellar cast of the blockbuster sauntered down the red carpet. They included stars Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman.

source

Anonymous said...

Ledger's former girlfriend, fellow Australian actor Naomi Watts, and her partner, Liev Schreiber, also avoided the main entrance and arrived about 10 minutes before Ledger's family, also discreetly entering the theatre through the side.

Classy. Love Naomi and Liev.

Anonymous said...

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-07-14-dark-knight-premiere_N.htm

Gyllenhaal, in a custom-made Dries Van Noten dress, kept things light before walking the carpet. "I had a glass of wine. I did some yoga," she said.

As for Ledger, "It's very difficult to talk about. This isn't really the place where you open your heart up," said Gyllenhaal. "It's terribly sad that Heath is gone, and of course I feel bad, but it's difficult to talk about here."


Is it just me or does Maggie always come across as pissed off that she has to talk about Heath? I bet she doesn't like it that he's hogging the attention. Michael Caine, Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart and Gary Oldman always talk about him so generously.

I can't wait for TDK. The last time I was so hyped up over a film like this was BBM!

Anonymous said...

"Is it just me or does Maggie always come across as pissed off that she has to talk about Heath? I bet she doesn't like it that he's hogging the attention. Michael Caine, Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart and Gary Oldman always talk about him so generously."

I have a feeling Jake isn't too thrilled about all this Heath hype either.

Anonymous said...

I think part of the reason that Maggie is hesitant to talk about Heath, is that she knows that the questions about why Jake didn't say anything, why it appears that Jake didn't go to a memorial service or see Michelle and Matilda, etc., are coming and she doesn't want to either bad mouth or have to try and defend her brother.

Anonymous said...

Just say the new pap pics. Looks like Reeke had another successful weekend long photo shoot. All those family pics I'm sure are counteracting the horse riding pics and the restaurant pics. Reeke's PR must feel that they've set everything back on course with the latest 4 day photo shoot.

Anonymous said...

He does look a little straighter with the long hair.

Anonymous said...

... but he looks better with the short hair ;)

Anonymous said...

An audacious and rude critic who instead of doing his actual job which consists of analyzing only the performance and being unbiased, he speculates on Heath's state of mind all because he craves attention. Too bad the rest 36123727987977 critics don't agree with him, eh 7:47 AM? ;)

Being audacious and having a different opinion from the majority are qualities I rather admire in people. It's what I liked in Heath (and Old Jake).

That said, I don't often agree with Denby (prefer Anthony Lane), and don't like all Denby had to say about The Dark Knight, but I appreciate that amid a critical review, he had praise for, and insight into Heath's performance.

Love him or loathe him, Denby knows a lot about film and his opinions are generally well written and argued. He's a legit critic.

As for his speculating on Heath's state of mind, I don't think Denby did it for attention (spouting negatives about the #1 fanboy movie of the year achieved that), but out of weakness. It's hard to resist. Everyone is speculating; the Chicago Sun-Times actually has an article that asks "Did Ledger get lost in the depths?" It sucks, but people are people, they will wonder. Warner Bros & a lot of PR suits involved in the film are also to blame for this - during the filming they were stoking the rumors of Heath's demented turn as the Joker, that he was going to the edge, over the edge, whatever. Then that tale about Heath phoning Michelle when he was wired-crazy and she having to talk him down over the phone so he could calm himself and sleep.

All the usual hype, half of it spin, that no one expected would become a back story to Heath's actual death. So while a hack reviewer like David Edelstein says Ledger "tries on different voices" as if the Joker wouldn't or shouldn't (has he even read the comic books?), and concludes "Scarier than what the Joker does to anyone onscreen is what Ledger must have been doing to himself" — well, at least Denby got it. He got that his speculation about "state of mind" lies outside film criticism. And he got that it was a young ACTOR who looked into the abyss while playing the Joker.

Whatever his other problems were, Heath didn't "freak out" because he played a comic book character called the Joker. To suggest he did is only to take away from his work as an actor. Denby didn't do that, and I thank him for it.

Anonymous said...

Being audacious and having a different opinion from the majority are qualities I rather admire in people. It's what I liked in Heath (and Old Jake).

You're not the only one.

Anonymous said...

Just read that Naomi Watts went to last night's premiere of "The Dark Knight" (and with Liev). She didn't do the red carpet (just like Heath's family--which is very understandable) but she was definitely there (splash photographed her walking to the side entrance).

She definitely is what my mother would call a "mensch." A real class act.

Anonymous said...

"Is it just me or does Maggie always come across as pissed off that she has to talk about Heath?"

Maggie and Jake think it's low-classy to talk to the press about anyone close to them other than each other.

In interviews, Maggie often mentions her brother. I seem to remember Jake mentioning Maggie on Letterman and Leno and such. It's nice reciprocal promotion.

Anonymous said...

9:57, I agree with you--plus, she's in a rough position because she is in "The Dark Knight" and she, like the other cast members, has to promote the film and is fielding questions about Heath (they seem to be constant).

Anonymous said...

a bouquet to naomi watts.

Anonymous said...

My beef is that this actor I quite like never lifted a finger to defend his pal when the wolves were circling."

That's my big problem with him, too. If you're SO offended by Heath's name being dragged through the mud and you and him were SO close, then WHY didn't you defend him? Why?

Anonymous said...

Heath Ledger's final cut: An exclusive, on-set diary

The cult of the late Heath Ledger is set to grow with his astonishing performance in the new Batman film. Sean Porter was on set with the troubled Hollywood star for his last ever shoot. Here, he reveals what happened during those three manic – and spookily portentous – days

Sunday, 13 July 2008

I'm breathless and Heath Ledger is downright furious. He rips off his frilly clown hat and hurls it to the floor. It's a minute past midnight and the cameramen are looking at their watches and mumbling stuff about "the union". The director Terry Gilliam is beside himself too, as he scrambles around the set of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus to persuade his mutinous crew to agree to one more take; but it's too late – the permit to film ran out at midnight, and pieces of equipment are already being hastily stashed into their silver flight-boxes, ready for the next job.

In a final attempt to salvage the situation, Heath joins Terry in petitioning them: "C'mon guys... Please! Just one more take... Just one more. I mean, c'mon, what difference is another 10 minutes going make?" But it's all in vain as they continue packing.

As it will transpire, the scene that's just been shot – a vile mob giving chase to Heath Ledger through the winding backstreets of London's East End – will be the last he'll ever shoot. I was a member of that mob; and in roughly 72 hours, Ledger's dead body will be found by his personal masseur in his loft apartment in New York City.

Nearly six months after his death, as the PR machine for The Dark Knight swings into gear, the actor will unavoidably be in the spotlight again; there's also a suggestion that he'll be nominated, posthumously, for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, for his role as the Joker in that film.

The first time I saw a publicity still from the Batman film, it was a disconcerting experience: a live man, looking like a dead man already. Heath Ledger as the Joker, with lax, yellow hair, caved-in face, and smudged, blood-red lipstick, bright and colourful and terrible, like a Japanese water-demon, or something from a Corman horror. This image, loaded with ghostly resonances, speaks solely of death; and this is what I find strange, because in those last three days I worked with Heath, I encountered a man who was so full of life.

This was my first job as an extra, and on the first day, before I'd even had the chance to sit down and quaff a quick coffee, we were given our call and escorted down to the set: a tatty and forgotten pub in the heart of Clerkenwell – The Ring O Bells. Terry Gilliam was dashing about, a hand on his battered, suede cowboy hat, to stop it flying of his head; in his wake, a small retinue of production minions struggling to keep up with him. The willowy and strangely beautiful Lily Cole was making her way across the set, and as if from nowhere, a tall, thin figure appeared and pranced and jigged his way towards us – it was Heath and he was dressed up like some daft and dishevelled Pierrot doll.

"Jesus! Heath, you look crazier than a clown's cock!" I offered. He creased up with laughter.

"And.... CUT," shouted a distant voice; then "Good... Good... We'll go again in five..."

"That's hilarious," said Heath. "Where'd you get it from?"

"A film called Kenny," I told him. "A mockumentary about this guy who's got a Portaloo business in Melbourne".

"Oh, Jeez... I know the one you're talking about, it's got what-his-name in it? Shane Jacobson – that's it! Shit, I really must get to see it..."

And with that, Gilliam beckoned him over to the monitors. It was soon apparent that Heath was utterly immersed in this role and in this whole project. After each scene had been shot, he'd be running off to watch it played back, regardless of whether he had starred in it or not. He was so active on set that if he wasn't wearing such an outlandish costume, it would have been impossible to distinguish him from the any of the production team's top brass.

All the talk on the set of was of his performance as the Joker. The buzz was that once it was released, Heath would to be seen in a whole new light – as a "proper" actor, a "brilliant" actor, possibly. He would be massive – absolutely massive; and after what I'd seen of his work ethic on that first day, absolutely wasted too. '

The following day, I happened to arrive at the unit base at the same time that Heath and his PA pulled up in some outrageous super-car a certain German manufacturer had loaned him while he was staying in London. The roar of the engine drowned out my quick "Hello", so I nodded casually and walked straight past, headed for the catering truck.

I popped back after lunch to have another look at the car. As I inspected it, I noticed Heath sat on the steps of his trailer, a black hoodie pulled tight over his head, skinny black jeans and a pair of sneakers, and sucking on a fag as usual. After a minute or so, he wandered over, his PA lurking behind him carrying his Starbucks bucket and Camel fags. "So what d'you think of the car, mate?" he asked.

"I'm not too sure, cars aren't really my thing, but I know what Freud would say..." I replied.

"It's ridiculous isn't it? Talk about a cock-extension... Ha! It's fun, but not really my style," said Ledger. But he seemed a bit uneasy and broke off the chat, saying something to his PA. They wandered back to his trailer together.

Back on set, Terry and Heath were soon having another of their private conversations. It was hard to tell who was directing who. I shimmied closer, only to overhear some scurrilous gossip about Tom Cruise. Heath eventually broke off and came over to ask if any of us had seen the new film about Joy Division – Anton Corbijn's Control: "Their music's amazing!"

On the final day of filming, Saturday 19 January, there were guns and explosions and violence on set. There were arguments, and a bad vibe descended on the pub. Heath himself no longer looked like a clown. He was dirty, wired and manic: he hadn't stopped for three days – kicking about the set whether or not he was due to shoot a scene. He'd be there when I arrived and after I'd gone. And I was doing a 10-hour shift. When he wasn't on set he was back in his hotel room reading or watching some of the Oscar-nominated movies that, as a member of the Academy, he'd be asked to vote on.

He'd been throwing himself around a lot, doing his own stunts, take after take – attempting to lob himself on to the "Imaginarium", a horse-drawn, travelling sideshow, decorated with a series of Gilliam's own hallucinogenic graphic confections – sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing.

It was common knowledge on set that he had a spinal injury and that he was on some hefty medication for it. Late in the day, with shooting behind schedule, Heath's back was playing up. He lay prostrate on the cobbles between the pub and the Imaginarium doing his Alexander Technique exercises, motionless, his eyes shut tight.
As I walked past I nearly tripped over one of his elongated clown shoes.

"You all right, Heath?" I asked.

"Yeah. I will be in few minutes..."

"I thought you'd snuffed it there," I said, trying to raise a laugh. Heath just closed his eyes. Once he had recovered, the filming resumed; Ledger pursued by an angry, drunken mob, all baying for his blood. Incendiary devices were popping everywhere, fired from a blunderbuss by Verne Troyer, the 2'8" actor who played Mini Me in the Austin Powers films. And this is the last scene Heath Ledger ever shot; it reached midnight and the union curfew kicked in.

By the time Heath and Terry calmed down, the set had thinned out dramatically. Heath walked around, thanking and hugging people, then came over to us few extras who were still left and thanked us and began walking off. I walked after him to ask if he was going to stay and have a few drinks.

"Sorry, but I'm on the wagon... have been for about 17 months now," he said, mock-triumphantly

"Oh... nice one!" I replied, somewhat tongue-tied.

"Cheers, mate" he said before turning and sloping off despondently up the narrow lane back towards unit base and his warm trailer. "Bye Heath..."

The following Tuesday, at about 8pm, I received a text-message from my sister, who I'd been keeping in the loop regarding my adventures on Doctor Parnassus. In that dull and toneless medium, and in the truncated vernacular of text-speak, it read: "Wot sort of effect do u have on people? U no that actor u were workin with... they found him dead!"

It took a while to register, then I turned on the radio and, within seconds of finding a news station, her message was legitimised: "Heath Ledger... found dead... being treated as a possible suicide... slumped on the floor of his loft-apartment in New York..." I called a couple of other extras to find out if they knew what was going on. All they knew was what I knew: Heath was dead – the circumstances open to speculation. They all expressed a sense of shock and loss. Some wept.

As I sit here, looking at his picture, I still really don't know what to say about Heath Ledger. All I can add to what's already been said is my imperfect but valid little story: the story of a man whom I met, but whom I never really knew; the story of a man who I worked with for just three days but left one of those indefinable imprints that make you feel you've known someone a lot longer.

My image of Heath is of a man envisioning a life rather than a death; of an actor deeply committed to his art – perhaps to such a degree that it contributed to his undoing. But looking back at my time on set, I also see strange portents of his demise: there was even a moment when one of the extras, a devout Christian, began reading aloud from The Revelation of St John. And after our conversation about Joy Division, whenever I think of Heath, I'm reminded of the band's lead singer, Ian Curtis – another young man with immense energy stubbed out in his prime. Heath would have liked such a comparison, I think.

This wasn't how the movie was supposed to end; I was shocked, I still am; but then, what do I know? I was just an extra.

The writer's name has been changed for the sake of anonymity. 'The Dark Knight' (12A) goes on release in the UK on 25 July

Source

Anonymous said...

^^I agree, Naomi Watts is most definitely is a class act. She was there for Heath from the start, and all along. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm going to take all of the latest revelations at face value, and believe the best because I simply cannot do otherwise, my mind can't quite comprehend it. I do realize that the spectre of PR is looming in the background of all of this, but it's time to get on with it. :(

Anonymous said...

The Dark Knight's tie-in with Reese's Pieces.
Gag!

"Special Edition Reese's(R) Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Bats and Reese's(R) Dark Peanut Butter Bats feature a unique bat shape to mark the debut of the highly anticipated new Batman feature, arriving in theaters July 18."

Anonymous said...

Oh please. ;)

Anonymous said...

Heath Ledger's final cut: An exclusive, on-set diary

Love it, I have a feeling I was there, on the movie set.

Anonymous said...

Given the apparently light training schedule of PoP and the fact that Reese has not acted in a play or movie for at least five months, Reeke needs a vacation as much as an elephant need a second trunk. I guess that it's a lot easier to manufacture hetero-friendly family visuals in Paris than bad-press-zone London. Ands it's so much much easier to forget about family responsibilities, your best friend and lingering emotional instabilities when you're doing nothing but staring up at the Eiffel tower.

I'm telling you, Jake has gone from a courageous, forthright professional role model to an reliable flake in record time.

He doesn't need a vacation; he needs a life and a better therapist.

Anonymous said...

The Reason I Hate Brokeback Mountain.

I just want to say before hand, I am a conservative but I'm not against the gay population and I have no problem that this is a gay love story. I just wanted to say that first. I have been having this arguement ever since this movie came out in theaters. Most of the time when I say this the other person says something like this "Why? You have a problem with gay people?" That is the first problem I have with this movie, that if you don't like this film you have to hate gay people. But thats not my big complaint about this film.

The whole story is about these two guys cheating on their wives with each other. I'm supposed to like these people after that. Also it doesn't even seem like they love each other. I think of it like this, these two guys are too ashamed to come out so they go on and get married and have kids but every now and then they see each other and do what they do.

This film is supposed to be a love story about these two people that can never be together but then there is a point in there lives that they can be together what do they do, get married or get a girlfriend or start doing another guy! There is no love story in that! It's just two terriable husbands who seem to like having sex together.

I have to say this, the first thing I thought of after the movie is that Heath Ledger did do an amazing acting job and the same goes for Gyllenhaal.

So let me type my problems one more time:

-I hate both of the main characters because they cheat on their wives

-This film says "It's alright to cheat on your wife as long as it's with another man."

-They are gay but they have sex with woman. Gyllenhaal's character comes off as gay around the end but Ledgers character seems straight for the whole movie but he 'loves' Gyllenhaal?

One last thing, if you make one of the two main characters a woman this movie would not be as liked as it is now. What I'm saying is the only reason why this movie is so loved and looked at as a great movie is because it's a gay love story.

http://my.spill.com/profiles/blog/show?id=947994%3ABlogPost%3A394716

Anonymous said...

I guess that it's a lot easier to manufacture hetero-friendly family visuals in Paris than bad-press-zone London.

You said it. The Paris pictures are basically movie stills. The movie that is Reeke.

London paps wouldn't cooperate.

Anonymous said...

1:01, the entire social climate that created the need for the secrecy and self-doubt in their relationship has been omitted in that oversimplified review. :(

Anonymous said...

The blogger quoted at 1:01 pm illustrates why is there a need for schooling people in watching/reading comprehension and why professional movie critics are still earning a good bread in this world.

Anonymous said...

^^:)

What bothers me about these Bastille Day pics is yes, they are very lovely, and may be true, but couldn't the Reeke promotion wait until after the TDK premiere out of respect for Heath? Is it so important?

Anonymous said...

but couldn't the Reeke promotion wait until after the TDK premiere out of respect for Heath? Is it so important?

Exactly, the hicking, the Soho, the Bastille Day photo ops speak of Jake's respect for Heath better than anything else. :(

Anonymous said...

^ hiking

Anonymous said...

Just to see him out having a grand old time without a care in the world, all smiles, and with the black carpet TDK premiere going on almost concurrently. Surely, the release of the photos could have waited a few days.

Anonymous said...

To the blogger quoted by 1:01:

They didn't cheat on their wives by having sex with each other.

They cheated on each other by getting married to their wives.

Anonymous said...

What bothers me about these Bastille Day pics is yes, they are very lovely, and may be true...

Lovely? True?

It was a nice try - that's it.

Anonymous said...

Just to see him out having a grand old time without a care in the world, all smiles, and with the black carpet TDK premiere going on almost concurrently. Surely, the release of the photos could have waited a few days.

ITA agree but to quote 6:34 "As for Paris images, no way TeamJG was going to allow even the slightest hint that Jake was moping alone while TDK [etc etc CUT]". I say it's a deliberate PR move just like the hiking and Soho stuff.

Anonymous said...

The blogger quoted at 1:01 pm illustrates why is there a need for schooling people in watching/reading comprehension...

ITA

Anonymous said...

2:16, it certainly looks that way, why else the urgency. :(

Anonymous said...

Yep, clear TeamJG PR message - Heath who?

Anonymous said...

And to have it come from Jake, of all people, is dismaying. Sigh.

Anonymous said...

From Dlisted:

“Reese Is The HBIC

When Jakey Poo moved into Reese Witherspoon's house, she immediately gave him a few ground rules. She told him that he couldn't have any boys after midnight, he has to wash his ass dildos after every use and he can only blast ABBA on Saturday afternoons.

A source told Star (via MSNBC) she also give him a few other rules, “Some of (the things she insists on) are run-of-the-mill. He has to take off his shoes when he’s in the house; trash must be taken out when the can is three-quarters full; and no feet on the coffee table.” Take out the trash? Um, doesn't she have a maid? And if she doesn't have a maid, that's what kids are fucking for.

Speaking of the word "fucking," Jakey Poo can't use it word anymore. The source went on to say, “Jake used to swear like a sailor, but not anymore. If he does, he has to apologize.”

Boring! Who's going to teach the kids important words like cunt and slutbag? I bet Reese has one of those annoying swear jars where you have to give a dollar if you curse. I'd be fuckity fucked. Poor Jakey Poo. You know he loves saying, "Bitch, please" and now he can't.

Strict ass Reese also forces her family to eat at the dinner table and to tell each other in advance if they have other dinner plans. Reese is such a mom! And who the hell wants to eat at the dinner table unless there's a big TV in front of it!?

According to the source, Jakey Poo apparently loves all the rules. He would. He's a total sub.”

Dlisted

Anonymous said...

I wonder why are Jake and his PR so intent to distance him from absolutely everything related to Heath now when all the drug rumors seem so irrelevant compared to his performance in TDK.
Why try so hard to cut all ties to someone who's going to reach cult status thanks to the Joker? My only guess is because of bbm.

Anonymous said...

"Why try so hard to cut all ties to someone who's going to reach cult status thanks to the Joker? My only guess is because of bbm."


Heath will be remembered as the joker soon and his "privileged" co star is christian bale now.
What do you expect ? jake honoring heath till the end of his life because he reaches cult status?
Who care frankly?
BBM is over , now it's dark knight!

Anonymous said...

Not until the end of his life, but at least sometime (once?)during it. If he truly is in an all-consuming romance, it's understandable, but immature. We've all been there, where initally nothing else matters but the (supposed) beloved. I hope he doesn't wake up one day and regret that he wasn't there for Heath, if for the only reason that he'll feel badly.

Anonymous said...

“Jake Gyllenhaal is Reese’s bitch

Jake Gyllenhaal has moved in with Reese Witherspoon’s $5 million L.A. home claims Star Magazine and with the relocation comes a few rules Reese has laid down for Jake.

First, the basics: no shoes in the house, empty the trash when three-quarters full, no feet on the coffee table.

Second, the domestic bliss rules: no swearing, if he swears, he must apologize, daily discussions at the dinner table, consult before making plans for dinner or yoga.

Third and final, the more personal rule: leave your balls at the door, you won’t be needing them in this house. Muahahaha.

Honestly, this house sucks. It’s like having your very essence raped over and over again by a strap-on. So, in other words, perfect for Jake.”

Jake Gyllenhaal is Reese’s bitch

Anonymous said...

3:07 LOL Did Jake EVER honor him? That thing called a brain isn't something you've heard of, is it?

Anonymous said...

We've all been there, where initally nothing else matters but the (supposed) beloved. I hope he doesn't wake up one day and regret that he wasn't there for Heath, if for the only reason that he'll feel badly."

When I was in my early 20s, even younger than Jake, a very close friend of mine suddenly died. It was a shock but I still went to his funeral, his memorials and other events honoring him. And I was DEFINITELY in a relationship (with someone who had also been close to my friend who passed). I also got pregnant with my son around this time. But that and my relationship didn't stop me from honoring my friend. But I guess there's a different standard of behavior when it comes to movie stars as opposed to nobodies like myselfl.

Anonymous said...

If he truly is in an all-consuming romance...

Please, we are not blind AND stupid.

Anonymous said...

Oh please, the relashionship excuse is pure merde. Obviously the back turning on Heath is a PR move cause no way can Jake have anything to do with him.

Anonymous said...

I know, I know, Anons. 3:28 and 3:35, but still I look to find a reason to believe. :(

Anonymous said...

H.B.I.C - Head Bitch In Charge

Anonymous said...

relashionship = relationship

Anonymous said...

Well you all have really serious isue with "the jake not honoring heath"
I couldn't care less, if he doesn't want to do it publicely what's the deal?
Move on!

Anonymous said...

The thing is, he does everything else publicly, so maybe some of us can't figure out why he ignores Heath publicly.

Anonymous said...

^ Buzz off, trolly!

Anonymous said...

Buzz off, trolly @ 4:18 pm !

Anonymous said...

Looking at those Bastille Day pics, I'm amazed that more people don't realize that they are obviously staged. You mean to say that in that huge crown, this lone pap happened to find Reeke with no one to close to them so that the pap could get those pics? Also, all the streets would have been crowded with people going to see the fireworks, and Reeke found the only block that wasn't crowded and the pap found them. What a coincidence.

Anonymous said...

Posted on OMG

Fireworks picture on Mr. Paparazzi:

"While rumours circulated that Jake Gyllenhaal might put in an appearance at the world premiere of The Dark Knight in New York we spotted the Brokeback Mountain star with his long term girlfriend Reese Witherspoon in Paris….

Following a meal at André Allard the loved up duo along with Reese’s daughter Ava Elizabeth headed to the Eiffel Tower to watch fireworks to mark July 14th. Looking every inch the happy family Jake put 8-year-old Ava on his shoulders so she didn’t miss the display. Aw, happy families, they makes us feel all warm and mushy inside and by warm and mushy what we actually mean is uncomfortable and curious. Clearly some tomfoolery is a foot.

Anonymous said...

BBM fandom loves them some Jakey again after Ted and Lisa's heartbreaking story. Jake says Heath was one of his best friends, his "special" friend (what does that mean anyway?) and yes, he's Mattie's Goddaddy. Everyone's happy now. Forgotten is the Soho shopping spree weeks after Heath died, forgotten is the lack of defending Heath when he was put down by media. Everything's foriven and forgotten now. Life's good again ;)

Anonymous said...

Not jet. Jake is trying to bore us to death with Reeke shit.

Anonymous said...

"Not jet. Jake is trying to bore us to death with Reeke shit."

Oddly, more and more comments on ontd, justjared etc. are positve towards them nowadays.

Anonymous said...

Fangirls are always positive and the rest depends on the photo opportunity.

Anonymous said...

Jake made the babblers very happy, now they are going around yelling "I told you so" to those who dared questioning Jake. He went to a memorial that's great, still his public behaviour and lack of tribute bother me. I have to admit I'm glad he attended a memorial service though.
UltraViolet is probably one of them yelling "told you so", but I'm betting she's not too fond that Heath was one of Jake's best friends. I'm telling ya that gal can't stand Heath, she'd never admit though. IDK what her problem is, is she jealous Heath is getting so much attention for TDK? The guy is death for God's sake.

Anonymous said...

About that Jake lunch story, posted on OMG:

alot was left out said...
the guy who wrote it is very happy.

radar said...
zoom zoom

alot was left out said...
some things cant be rehersed or avoided.

gaydar said...
like me

Anonymous said...

UltraViolet is probably one of them yelling "told you so", but I'm betting she's not too fond that Heath was one of Jake's best friends. I'm telling ya that gal can't stand Heath, she'd never admit though. IDK what her problem is, is she jealous Heath is getting so much attention for TDK? The guy is death for God's sake.

Yeah UV hates Heath. Why? Probably because he's a man Jake looked so adoringly at and that's a terrible thing in the babbler's book. I'm surprised that the part where Jake said they were very close didn't give her a stroke. lol

Anonymous said...

UltraViolet is a stupid bitch.

Anonymous said...

Jake made the babblers very happy, now they are going around yelling "I told you so" to those who dared questioning Jake.

This is what I don't get; you are never supposed to question anything Jake does if you are a true and loyal fan, according to them. So instead of being nice, understanding and forgiving that people may have doubted Jake because they were upset over Heath's death, they are being supercilious and nasty. But hey, why stop now? That blog has a very sarcastic and superior tone anyway, and not much sympathy for Heath. And if you disagree with them, you get a virtual tazering! ;)

Anonymous said...

Alert!!! New Reeke pics on justjared! ;)

Anonymous said...

5:51.. i was going to say, have you read justjared recently.

Anonymous said...

Those JJ pictures of Jake are from previous days, aren't they?

Anonymous said...

"Given the apparently light training schedule of PoP and the fact that Reese has not acted in a play or movie for at least five months, Reeke needs a vacation as much as an elephant need a second trunk."

Oh, LOL!!

Anonymous said...

About that Jake lunch story, posted on OMG:

alot was left out said...
the guy who wrote it is very happy.

radar said...
zoom zoom

alot was left out said...
some things cant be rehersed or avoided.

gaydar said...
like me


Huh?

Anonymous said...

actually when you think about it this paris trip is a perfect Reeke set up. she's busy getting ready for her fashion shoot (apparently us vogue are putting this fug on the front cover), the kids get looked after by the nanny, and Jake can meet up with austin and have some nice private time before morocco.

All they need to do is meet up for a few lunches, go and see some fireworks (for like ten minutes or something) and its a perfect lovers week in the city of lights. You'd think these two had the same management team or something.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know where Austin Nichols is at the moment?

Anonymous said...

No, but Austin should arrive in Italy this week (if I remember correctly).

Anonymous said...

"You'd think these two had the same management team or something."

They do.

AS for Jake going to a memorial for Heath, I don't believe it. I don't care if Jake said it himself. What has he done in the last several months to make me believe that he tells the truth? he has done everything to make me believe he is a lying PR whore who is hell bent on success and fame. Jake and his web of deceit!

Anonymous said...

No, but Austin should arrive in Italy this week (if I remember correctly).

Jake is currently in France. Is he going to continue filming in England or will he go to Marocco after vacation?

Anonymous said...

7:14 PM, well I guess you can either believe Jake's words or not.

Anonymous said...

alot was left out said...
some things cant be rehersed or avoided.

gaydar said...
like me

Huh?


I think someone is implying that Ted (from Ted and Lisa) is very happy because meeting Jake confirmed he's gay.

Anonymous said...

Austin could be anywhere....for all I know Jake probably sneaks off to see him after the photo ops ;)

Anonymous said...

Is he going to continue filming in England or will he go to Marocco after vacation?

Jake knows. There wasn't any filming in UK, filming will start in Marocco.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

... you are never supposed to question anything Jake does if you are a true and loyal fan, according to them.

Works great if you are a brainless fangirl.

Anonymous said...

AS for Jake going to a memorial for Heath, I don't believe it. I don't care if Jake said it himself.

I don't believe it either.

Anonymous said...

Today's Blind Items - Kindness

This one is a little hard to disguise because honestly there are not that many directors names that would just pop in your head. Yes, I know you can name a million, but think of the average person. How many directors can they name? This is one of them. Oh, and he always writes his own stuff as well.

So, this director bought a farm/estate about 4 years ago. It has been in existence for awhile and so had a number of employees already there when he bought it. Even though it isn't really related to the kindness, our director has treated the employees who remained much better in the past four years then they ever were treated by the past employers.

One of the guys who worked on the estate was given some new jobs when the director took over. The director hired him to work on his films as an electrician, handyman, and bartender for parties on the sets. He even gave the guy some bit parts in his films. Well about a year ago, the worker was diagnosed with liver cancer. Over the course of the year our worker had his ups and downs but finally died last week. From the time he was initially diagnosed, our director made sure that the worker received the best care in the world wherever in the world it could be found. He made sure the worker's girlfriend could travel with the worker.

The director made phone calls, called in favors, consulted with the best doctors in the world all for his employee. No matter what he did though, it just was never enough. The director now feels he could have even done more to help, and has been in terrible shape over the past week since the worker's death.

http://www.crazydaysandnights.net/2008/07/todays-blind-items-kindness.html

Anonymous said...

Jake is an actor whose answers to everything are well-planned ahead of time. Anyone who thinks that he would go to a fan lunch and give heartfelt off-the-cuff honest answers to any questions asked is very naive.

Anonymous said...

I'm curious, all of the other times that Reeke has had their lovefest trips, they've always booked several rooms (Rome) or private bungalows (Napa,Mexico,London) according to the press. I always thought it was to cover the fact that they may not sleep in the same bed. Can't have people know that the world's most perfect and in love couple don't actually have sex. People might wonder about that. Wonder how many rooms they have booked in the Paris hotel?

Anonymous said...

I heard from someone they booked the entire 8th floor.

Anonymous said...

Hell, I don't know if they slept in the same bed or not, but J doesn't have sex with R! or if he did it must be real bad.. uh, explains the permanent sour look on her face. LOL!

Anonymous said...

That's probably the best BIs I have ever read; in fact one of the best stories I have ever read, period. What a wonderful person - any guesses as to who this great director is? :)

Anonymous said...

Spielberg. Trust.

Anonymous said...

July 11-14 4 days. 11 photo ops. Jesus!
The world's most private couple...
Those limp wrist pics must have pissed Disney big time. After all, they wouldn't want to spend $100 million on Princess of Persia. lol!

Anonymous said...

I wondered if it was Spielberg, Anon. 11:08. What a great person. :)

Anonymous said...

Jake and Reese wedding rumor:

http://dailyblabber.ivillage.com/entertainment/archives/2008/07/exclusive-jake-reese-wedding-s.html

Anonymous said...

The director now feels he could have even done more to help, and has been in terrible shape over the past week since the worker's death.

He shouldn't worry; he's already done more than 95% of the rest of the world ever would to help someone else. :)

Anonymous said...

Paris pictures: "Clearly some tomfoolery is a foot."

If Darryn Lyons (Mr Pap himself, who knows from staged photos!) thinks the photos are staged, they ARE staged.

The amount of disbelief the Reeke relationship and pictures are generating among people in the industry is unprecedented. Jake being labeled Reese's bitch is just the tip of the 'berg. Tom Cruise opened the door, so to speak, to this kind of cynicism. Right now it is seeping through bottom-feeders like Star mag. If it spreads, Jake's PR will have a Cruise-like crisis on their hands, where their boy draws snickers even from grandmothers, even after a wedding and a baby (Reese will do it, of course, she pretty much has to). They know it. That's why the all-out effort to control the image by showing Jake primarily At Work, or En Famille. You get the same sort of shaping from the Cruise camp. Actors without these kind of credibility troubles show up in more random pics or not at all (because they stay out of pap zones. Hello Sean Penn).

It's all for the gullible girls at IHJ or wherever. Hollywood management teams, amazingly puritan and sexist, fervently believe an actor cannot be a leading man without a firm grip on the loins of the ladies. Forget the lads. They $ee the world as:
- Throbbing vajayjays aged 16-45 with middle-class tastes and conservative morality
- Testosterone-addled youths who get boners over violence and cool comics stuff.

That's it.

To please both demographics, Jake has Reese in one hand and Prince of Persia in the other. (But some gamers are calling it Princess of Persia already. PR is gonna have to work to win the older fanboys.)

Jake is moving down the Tom Cruise lifestyle/blockbuster road for one reason: ambition. He wants to be a very, very big star, and the models for that are nice married men like Newman, Hanks, Smith, Cruise (cough).

Now, where exactly does a long-ago friendship with a guy you had sex with on-screen figure in this equation? (Or, for that matter, any relationship with another guy who isn't safely married?)

Does it further your hetero image positively? Does it highlight your stand-alone acting skills? Does it stress your clean-cut bankability?

Exactly.

Anonymous said...

That's probably the best BIs I have ever read; in fact one of the best stories I have ever read, period.

Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.

Anonymous said...

BBM fandom loves them some Jakey again after Ted and Lisa's heartbreaking story.

Keep dreaming. Parts of the BBM fandom are as delusional about Jake as the Reeke fans are.

It's very obvious that Jake and his PR keep track of what is said about him on the web and they play to them accordingly. He's one of the most image obsessed actors I've come across.

Anonymous said...

The New Blake

Remember when Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were the It duo at 2005’s Batman Begins premiere in New Yawk? They couldn’t keep the photographer’s flashbulbs off ‘em for a sec, to their great delight. Flash forward to the sequel—not only is Heath Ledger missing, but any semblance of big names were MIA the second time around. That’s what ya get when you recast a gossip-loving face with a better actress. This time around, Blake Lively and Penn Badgley played the role of TomKat 2.0—a downgrade in our book, as far as movie-star status goes. Gossip Girl’s B&P met while making the hit TV show, how utterly Zac and Vanessa of them. Guess if you don’t go to high school and can’t meet anybody at a dance, your next best bet is finding a crush on the set.

The impossibly cute duo strolled up to the premiere hand in hand, opting for the subway and their own two feet instead of renting a limo. Way to go green, guys. Unfortunately, here’s a note if you wanna be taken as serious celebs: Even Earth-conscious stars hire Hybrids when attending an event. Ya think you’ll catch Tom ‘n’ Katie walking anywhere? They’d hop in a private jet to go to Starbucks if they could.

Anonymous said...

Spielberg doesn't write his own stuff though. I'm with the posters on the site who think it's M. Night Shyamalan. Whoever it is, what a really lovely guy. :)

Anonymous said...

Keep dreaming. Parts of the BBM fandom are as delusional about Jake as the Reeke fans are.

It's very obvious that Jake and his PR keep track of what is said about him on the web and they play to them accordingly. He's one of the most image obsessed actors I've come across.


ITA, the part of the BBM fandom who believe that lunch report is the one that thought Jake attended one of Heath's memorials in the first place. They're nothing more than silly fangurls.
The people who had a problem with Jake's behavior still do and that report hasn't changed anything. Trust. ;)

Anonymous said...

*believes

Anonymous said...

Posted on OMG

Love your inner bitch

Brokeback Mountain - A Twist of Bitch

Anonymous said...

Watch Dr. Horrible and Be Happy

Hey, I'm just popping in for sec here. In case you forgot about or didn't see our Gawker interview with Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Firefly / Serenity creator Joss Whedon, his latest project, "Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog" starring Neil Patrick Harris and Nathan Fillion premiered on the Interwebs today. Each of the three acts—the first of which went up today—will only be available for free viewing for a limited time. So get thee here tonight damnit and check out Act One. I just did, and it is charming and hysterical. And, yeah, I am fanboy. Sue me.

Dr. Horrible - Gawker

Anonymous said...

People - a few sentences and a picture:

Caught in the Act!

Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon, celebrating Bastille Day in Paris with a bang. The couple took in the traditional fireworks display, with Gyllenhaal hoisting Witherspoon's daughter Ava, 8, on his shoulders to give her a better view. Earlier, the couple had lunched at L'Avenue, a restaurant on Avenue Montaigne, before setting off separately. (Witherspoon headed to the Vogue offices, while her beau went shopping in the trendy Marais district.) But they met up again for tea at Mariage Frères before the light show.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20212592,00.html

Anonymous said...

People - a few sentences and a picture

Just Reeke, they cropped Ava off.

Anonymous said...

I adore M. Night Shayamalan as well, love his movies. :)

Anonymous said...

M. Night Shyamalan

Born in India (1970) but raised in the posh suburban Penn Valley area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, M. Night Shyamalan is the son of two doctors. His passion for filmmaking began when he was given a Super-8 camera at age eight, and even at that young age began to model his career on that of his idol, Steven Spielberg. His first film, Praying with Anger (1992), was based somewhat on his own trip back to visit the India of his birth. He raised all the funds for this project, in addition to directing, producing and starring in it. Wide Awake (1998), his second film, he wrote and directed, and shot it in the Philadelphia-area Catholic school he once attended--even though his family was of a different religion, they sent him to that school because of its strict discipline.

His three supernatural thrillers, The Sixth Sense (1999), Unbreakable (2000), and Signs (2002), grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide.

Has in his office posters from 3 of his most favorite movies: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), The Exorcist (1973), and Die Hard (1988).

Anonymous said...

First Prince of Persia trailer hits the internet

Looking like a game worthy of a prince.

The first trailer has gone live showing off the visual splendour that gamers can expect to witness in the highly-stylised next chapter of the Prince of Persia saga.

As well as showing off the large game world - which in itself contains a striking similarity to the expansive world of Assassin's Creed, the trailer also depicts some of the game's combat in action as well as the high flying acrobatic abilities of the 'prince' and his AI controlled companion Elika.

Prince of Persia trailer

Anonymous said...

Yay! :)

Anonymous said...

The people who had a problem with Jake's behavior still do and that report hasn't changed anything.

I think Heath was To Know Him Is To Love Him kid of guy and I never doubted Jake liked & loved him too.
Everything else about this sad affair - the jury is still out.

Anonymous said...

Reeke vacation in Paris is on the cover of Us Weekly magazine.

Cover awards

Anonymous said...

All that hard work has paid off! LOL

Janice Min’s Us Weekly Loves Reese & Jake: AND THIS WEEK SO DO I

Us Weekly features Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon on its cover looking at trip vacation pics.

Hey, that could be me! This cover is what Us Weekly is all about. Stars really are like us. (Bonnie Fuller created that vision for Us Weekly and Janice Min continues to ride on her coattails.) In the past, I haven’t been a fan of this story because I don’t think a lot of readers are talking about this couple. But this cover photo is a winner and will walk off the newsstand. And, in the celebrity weekly category newsy photos like this are rare.

On another note, you can tell that the In Touch and Us Weekly did not have strong sales with the Madonna-A-Rod covers from last week.

Why? Both skipped them as main cover topics this week. However, Us Weekly does feature an interesting inset of Cynthia Rodriguez with the line “Destroyed by Madonna.”

I’m starting to feel very little sympathy for C-Rod because I believe she’s taking advantage of Madonna’s fame to embarrass A-Rod and get a bigger divorce settlement. And, the Katherine Heigl line “How She’ll Die on Grey’s” is really strong - especially if you’re a Grey’s Anatomy fan. In fact, this could have been a full cover for TV Guide. Bottom line: Summer is about vacation and many readers will grab this copy off the newsstand.

http://coverawards.com/2008/07/16/news_janice_mins_us_weekly_loves_jake_reese_3891/

Anonymous said...

PoP - sexy prince + sexy princess fight the evil and fall in love = success. No doubt!

Anonymous said...

Reeke vacation in Paris is on the cover of Us Weekly magazine.

Tabloids can sell anything. Us Weekly used "bad", "everyone for himself" smaller pic for the cover but I'm sure no one will notice anything wrong with the "family".

Anonymous said...

"PoP - sexy prince + sexy princess fight the evil and fall in love = success. No doubt!"

Looks good for the box office.
But no Oscars!

Anonymous said...

Oscars for special effects and sound editing!

Anonymous said...

^ ha ha!

Anonymous said...

I'm sure no one will notice anything wrong with the "family".

The public didn't see anything weird about those photos of a frozen Reese & haunted-looking Ryan when they were faking it, either.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous cover pic of him, but I don't know about the rest.

Anonymous said...

What's the rest?

Anonymous said...

(Should be) 100% committed, bonding with family, etc.

Anonymous said...

Why would you take seriously US Weekly crap?

Anonymous said...

I don't, it's just annoying to see.

Anonymous said...

Any publicity relating to Jake Gyllenhaal is crap.
I hope PoP flops & Austin runs off with some hot Italian dude!

Anonymous said...

I didn't see that cover photo before. Was that US Weekly cover photo op?

Anonymous said...

For what they are trying to achieve, it's a beautiful photo, one of the best and most convincing since Rome. Finally, she's smiling like any sensible woman with him in Paris would. And the one of Ava on his shoulders is incredibly lovely.

Anonymous said...

The tag line on that cover, where it says he's 100% committed should read "see, he's 100% straight". That is the story they are trying so hard to sell.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, I think you are right. :(

Anonymous said...

Austin and some gal (I have no idea if she's a gf or what) at the ESPY's Giant Event yesterday hosted by Eli Manning: http://www.wireimage.com/SearchResults.aspx?igi=325502&s=ESPYs&cbi=25839&sfld=C&vwmd=e

Anonymous said...

Sorry if this was posted ages ago, but there was quite a lukewarm reception for PoP casting at geek central (AICN). Fanboys not on board. Jake needs to win them over. Daniel Craig won the Bondies, eventually. Good luck, 100% Straight Jake!

Original Post:
First Wayne played Genghis Khan, then Heston played a Mexican and now Gyllenhaal plays the PRINCE OF PERSIA!

...In the grand Hollywood tradition of casting a well known actor in a role that is out of their ethnicity, Jake Gyllenhaal has been cast as the PRINCE OF PERSIA for Disney's next attempt at making a Pirates of the Caribbean franchise....


Sampling of the comments:

Yawn...
by ShogunMaster

THIS CASTING IS DOG SHIT
by Live.

Next... Shia LaBeouf to star as Conan
by Skywise

Disney hits the goal line...IT'S A FUMBLE!
by RetroActive

Without Depp POTC would be mediocre...
by RandySavage
Disney wants this to be their next live action franchise. I hope they understand that it was Depp's genius (with some help from the writers and Verbinski) which created an iconic character and hit film. Gyllenhaal is the Orlando Bloom for this film..

Worst bit of casting...
by The_Fredo M
...since they were bronzing Yul Brynner and Charlton Heston to play Egyptian royalty.
On top of which, it's not like they went and got someone who can appear to be brash, princely or dangerous. If they're going with Jake G, I guess we can expect a Peter Parker-type Prince

BAFFLED
by BurgerKing
My mind hurts putting Jake's face on the game case for Sands of Time...looks so.....awkward.

Conan O'Brien to play Bruce Lee!!!
by MonkeyManReturns
Stupid casting. Why? - Persian argument aside: Jake is too much of wimp too play such an iconic character. - Jake is not a physical actor. He doesn't really have that manly presence required for such a role. - Jake as the Prince? Really? This is a joke, isn't it?

POTC 2 and 3
by I AM ROCKO May 21st, 2008
06:49:42 AM
Were utter dog shit. The first one was entertaining mainly due to Depp, who became tiresome in the sequels. Knightley and Bloom barely registered, Nighy, Fat own the screen in other films but were wasted so I will give this a miss...Also they should really cast someone at least ethnic looking, so agree with Naveen Andrews who plays Sayid on Lost or the chap who plays Dr Suresh on Heroes. Gyllenhall has the screen presence of gangrine foot.

Anonymous said...

More shots of Austin at that event:

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=1&language=en-US&family=editorial&ep=3&p=Austin%20Nichols&src=standard

Anonymous said...

For what they are trying to achieve, it's a beautiful photo, one of the best and most convincing since Rome.

Reeke reading the text message in Paris - extremely lame.
Pictures with Ava are very effective, even without her smile.

Anonymous said...

Austin and some gal

Adrianne Palicki: "Friday Night Lights" .... Tyra Collette

Anonymous said...

Austin Nichols
Fencewalker (2009) (filming) .... Tweedy

Anonymous said...

Next... Shia LaBeouf to star as Conan

LOL

Anonymous said...

On top of which, it's not like they went and got someone who can appear to be brash, princely or dangerous.

Jake may surprise us, but this is the right track - brash, slightly arrogant, princely and dangerous, and maybe a comeuppance along the way. ;)

Anonymous said...

More shots of Austin at that event...

The ESPY Awards is an annual sports awards event created and broadcast by American cable television network ESPN. Justin Timberlake is set to host the 2008 ESPYs, which is taped on Wednesday, July 16, but is aired on Sunday at 9PM ET.

Anonymous said...

I bet Phoneyspoon crack open the champagne every time they get a cover. They probably frame them, too. And Reese probably sends Ryan a copy. I wonder what she will do if Ryan and Abbie get married? Get out the turkey baster, I guess!

Anonymous said...

I would hope that Jake has some self-respect left somewhere inside himself that would stop him from actually marrying Reese. I'm mean Reeke seems to be unraveling slowly. More and more avenues are voicing their opinions that Reeke is fake-Baur Griffin Photo Agency anyone? And, if Jake's wish was to be preceived as the straight, sensitive boyfriend who got huge money contracts, it seems to be backfiring. He's been reduced to being Reese's boyfriend, the one who's pussy whipped and she chopped his balls off.

Anonymous said...

"Fanboys not on board. Jake needs to win them over. Daniel Craig won the Bondies, eventually. Good luck, 100% Straight Jake!"


Yeah it's a challenge

Anonymous said...

Like Matt Damon said, if you don't want to be so much in tabloids you don't have to. Jake, unlike his more talented sister Maggie, is a famehore.

Anonymous said...

Wow, is Nichol's PR now also working overtime to prove him "straight" as well? Equally irritating.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of Matt Damon on tabloid fame--I was watching an old interview of him with Heath when they were promoting "Brothers Grimm." Matt did speak out about how there are celebrities who deliberately court the tabloids but then, he noted, there are those who are unwittingly caught up in it (shadowed incessantly by the paps) "like Ben" (during his Bennifer phase). He felt that at the time Brad Pitt was not deliberating courting the paps and he doesn't understand celebrities who want to expose themselves like this to the public. He turned at one point to Heath and said I don't know one who doesn't want to keep his private life private. Heath agreed.

Anonymous said...

Wow, is Nichol's PR now also working overtime to prove him "straight" as well? Equally irritating."

The shots are fine and neutral. It's not like he has his tongue down her throat.

There is a shot of Austin looking completely drunk though that's kind of cute.

Anonymous said...

Where? Which photo?

Anonymous said...

Baur-Griffin were the source of the Bastille photos, gone were the snarky remarks, saying that he was there with his sweetie Reese and Ava and how great it was to see that he was blending so well into the family, quite a change since the last time.

The Ok cover is really nice, sweet and very convincing. They look like a nice family touring Paris.

Austin and that chick look cute.

Anonymous said...

" More and more avenues are voicing their opinions that Reeke is fake-Baur Griffin Photo Agency "

Where? i would like to see "more and more avenues"

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

The Ok cover is really nice, sweet and very convincing.

Yeah, right!

Anonymous said...

Us

"Reese & Jake's Family Vacation." The story opens with a super cute picture of Jake, Reese and Ava holding hands, awww (Fig. 2). The group went to London and Paris and it was a "trial run" for Jake to see if he could handle the kids. It's a 6-page story with tons of pictures but it was pretty run-of-the-mill: They went into through The Chunnel, watched fireworks, swam in the pool, ate pizza.

Grade: D+ (wet, damaged, wilted lettuce)

http://jezebel.com/5025810/this-week-in-tabloids-lindsays-gay-reese--jake-on-vacay-honors-ok

Anonymous said...

It's a 6-page story with tons of pictures but it was pretty run-of-the-mill...

Reeke worked so hard to do all those photo ops! lol

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

They look like a nice family touring Paris.

You forgot that we did see the pictures. LOL

Anonymous said...

LOL

bennifer'daughter is super cute

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

What do you think Ava and Deacon's dad thinks when he seese all the happy family pictures?

Anonymous said...

“Reese Witherspoon is Different
Reese Witherspoon has a gigantic forehead and a chin you could chop wood with, but sometimes, in the right light, with the right high-powered lens, and the right about of Bombay Sapphire before breakfast, she looks pretty fuckin hot. Like she does here in Paris doing a shoot for Nina Ricci. Needless to say, it's all going to waste, because according to reports, Jake Gyllenhaal just moved in with her. Instead of imagining this dress on the lampshade and Reese's panties around her ankle, imagine Jake Gyllenhaal braiding Reese's hair and secretly wishing for the day when they get their periods at the same time." "Reese Witherspoon has a gigantic forehead and a chin you could chop wood with, but sometimes, in the right light, with the right high-powered lens, and the right about of Bombay Sapphire before breakfast, she looks pretty fuckin hot. Like she does here in Paris doing a shoot for Nina Ricci. Needless to say, it's all going to waste, because according to reports, Jake Gyllenhaal just moved in with her. Instead of imagining this dress on the lampshade and Reese's panties around her ankle, imagine Jake Gyllenhaal braiding Reese's hair and secretly wishing for the day when they get their periods at the same time."

I don’t like you in that way

“Reese Witherspoon cleans up well, but Jakey would still look sexier in that gown”

Dlisted

Anonymous said...

Nice to see Austin with a sexy, hot companion (male or female)as opposed to the plain little control freak midget Jake has landed himself with--------

Anonymous said...

Yes, it is alot like Rome - another staged photo op in an exotic country. Even after all this time, they just keep spinning their wheels. Unless its exotic, they just can't get it up in the 'normal world'. And it's pimped by yet another magazine with the journalistic integrity of a cow on crack. What a pathetic, uninspired, desperate collaboration this is.

At this point, Jake looks better at running than he looks at acting. Oh wait, he's still acting. Maybe he can put it on his resume.

Bruckheimer must have scared the s**t out of him in London for the limp-wrist episode. His penance is pathetic beard-vacation duty in Paris.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Reese looks quitr good in that dress. Shame her mouth has that same little sour droop.

Anonymous said...

What do you think Ava and Deacon's dad thinks when he seese all the happy family pictures?

I bet Ryan doesn't have any problems with his gay (ex-?)friend. Reese was a PR whore while she was with him so no surprises there either.

Anonymous said...

Yes, it is alot like Rome - another staged photo op in an exotic country.

At least this time Reese didn't wear a fake smile all the time.

Anonymous said...

2:37..Austin actually looks really tired (jet-lagged?) in those photos. interesting how these should appear just now isn't it.

Anonymous said...

What do you think Ava and Deacon's dad thinks when he seese all the happy family pictures?

Ryan isn't just another tabloid reader.

Only "happy family pictures" so far are fireworks pics with Ava - obviously posed for paparazzi, Ava didn't manage a proper smile.

Anonymous said...

Isn't Austin filming Fencewalker at the moment?

Anonymous said...

Austin filmed Fencewalker in June.

Anonymous said...

Link please.

Anonymous said...

Hi, firsttime poster here, but I've been here from the very beginning of WFT1. Thought I would share a little Heath-Story with you all.

On Sunday I visited my friend and she told me about a friend of hers, who just came back from a year traveling around the world, and how amazing it had been. Said he had seen a lot of movies that aren't even out in our country yet, and she said he had seen The Dark Knight about seven times already. And I was like, no, thats not possible, the Worldpremiere is tomorrow. And she was like "yeah, but thats what he said". And I'm like "No way, ask him again". So thats what she did. And today at work she called me and told me that she'd asked him again, and her friend told her, that he hadn't seen the movie but actually Heath himself! Apparently he was doing some work in Heath's house or something like that and they went surfing alot and got to talking and stuff. Don't know much more, but she told me she saw a pic of the two of them posing with their surfboards.

I know it's not a major story or anything, but for me it was such an unreal experience. It really hit me then, that he is really and truly gone. Just because my best friend has a friend who met Heath 2 weeks bevore he died.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing, Evie!

Anonymous said...

It really hit me then, that he is really and truly gone.

:'(

Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Evie,

tell your friend to tell her friend not to be selfish and share the memories of Heath.

Anonymous said...

People Mag LOVES The Dark Knight. Here's a review: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20212604,00.html

Anonymous said...

Festival Internacional de Cinema de Catalunya (Spain), from October 2nd to the 12th

The official line up for the single greatest scifi film festival ever has finally been announced and the selection is looking incredible for fans of classic scifi as well as those looking to catch up the modern stuff.
...

In the out-of-competition Oficial Fantàstic Selection there will be famous proposals like Blindness, the screen version of the José Saramago novel by Fernando Meirelles; JCVD, the faux Jean-Claude Van Damme biopic directed by Mabrouk El Mechri; Synecdoche, New York, from the always unclassifiable Charlie Kaufman; Repo! The Genetic Opera, a rock opera directed by Darren Lynn Bousman with a futuristic horror film tone that could become this year’s cult movie; and The Informers, screen adaptation of the best seller by Bret Easton Ellis (author of American Psycho) directed by Gregor Jordan with stars like Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke.

http://www.cinemasitges.com/uk/index.php?a=news_fitxa&idNot=305

Anonymous said...

2:39 PM said Bruckheimer must have scared the s**t out of him in London for the limp-wrist episode. His penance is pathetic beard-vacation duty in Paris.

That's exactly what it looked like to me too. I'm glad - or rather I'm sad - to hear somebody else got the same impression.

Coming out of that restaurant they both looked like frightened children who had just found out what it means to sell your soul.

Anonymous said...

I think Jake should get out of the PoP deal now. This is not going to be good for him psychologically.

Anonymous said...

Coming out of that restaurant they both looked like frightened children who had just found out what it means to sell your soul.

Nah, don't underestimate them, they know exactly how to play the Hollywood game. I don't feel sorry for either one of them, they did this to themselves.

Anonymous said...

5:00 PM

Work is good therapy.

Anonymous said...

People Mag LOVES The Dark Knight. Here's a review: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20212604,00.html

By Jason Lynch

PEOPLE Review: No Joke – Heath Ledger Makes The Dark Knight Unforgettable

Step aside, Spider-Man 2 and Superman II: The phenomenal The Dark Knight now reigns as the greatest superhero film of all time. From its exhilarating first frame to its bittersweet last, it sets a new standard for the genre – and redefines what a summer popcorn movie can be.

After starting to clean up corrupt Gotham City by becoming the caped crusader in 2005's Batman Begins, billionaire Bruce Wayne (a superb Christian Bale) has the city's bad guys on their heels. He's joined in the fight against crime by the equally committed district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) – fated to fall from grace and become the ghastly Two-Face – who is romancing Wayne's old flame Rachel (Maggie Gyllenhaal, a spry upgrade over Batman Begins' Katie Holmes).

Enter the Joker (a fearless Heath Ledger), a jittery, terrifying fly in the ointment who goads Batman into a battle for no less than the soul of Gotham – and its residents. Fulfilling Begins' promise, director and cowriter Christopher Nolan skillfully weaves first-rate action and suspense with a stirring, startling emotional undercurrent.

While Bale again astounds, The Dark Knight's real star is the late Ledger. Many thought that Jack Nicholson's turn as the Joker in 1989's Batman would never be topped, but Ledger manages to do just that.

His angrily applied white makeup accentuates the hideously creepy scars carved into his cheeks. And while Nicholson was a merry, scary jokester, frying a foe with an electrified joy buzzer, Ledger's gags, like making a pencil "disappear" into a victim's skull, are even darker. His haunting Joker helps make The Dark Knight unforgettable.

Anonymous said...

Adrianne Palicki is pretty, but I think Austin Nichols is breaking out in the flop sweat because no one actually believes, despite the cuddling that he is actually dating her. Don't see Austin around as much now that he and Jake don't spend their weekends working out and going to bookstores together.

http://www.crazydaysandnights.net/2008/07/random-photos-part-one_16.html

Anonymous said...

"brash, slightly arrogant, princely and dangerous,"
Yeah sure, and takes the trash out when it's 3/4 full as instructed...!

I thought too that Jake got hell at the dinner with Bruckheimer and they looked really upset. Don't forget how they sat in the car...I wonder if there is anything written into his contract for PoP that addresses gay rumors? $100 million is a lot of money down the drain for Princess of Persia.

And yes, how strange we see nothing of Austin and suddenly, wow! here he is with a girul! just as the Paris "family" pics are coming through!

As for what Ryan would say? He said it before: "bizarre" hee...hee..

Anonymous said...

^^I hate that they wrote that ridiculous story about him, why would they do that? So that women at hair salons and in dentists' offices can read those rags and sigh over how Reese has him housebroken, oh how sweet! Blech! I'm sorry, she looks like a little girl playing dress up in her mom's closet, in those gowns in the photo shoot. ;)

Anonymous said...

I also thought that the number of photos coming out of this Paris trip were a sign that they were there creating photo ops for a magazine spread. And now, sure enough, US Weekly proves me right. I have no doubt in my mind that Bruckheimer read them the riot act at that dinner and that the riot act included his very specific instructions about this trip to Paris. It's all so transparent.

Anonymous said...

^^What a business trip! :(

Anonymous said...

Austin looks good in those photos. Isn't he supposed to be in Italy some time in July?

Anonymous said...

He does look good I thought. :)

Anonymous said...

ESPN and Disney are part of the same company.

Anonymous said...

Reese and the photo shoot...hell, if someone fixed up my forehead, chin & nostrils, I would look a hundred times better than Reese!

The ticket sales for TDK are going through the roof, I read. Hmmm, is Jake happy he distanced himself from Heath & TDK?? Man, isn't Karma a BITCH!

Anonymous said...

I think Jake should get out of the PoP deal now.

Like he would ever do that! PoP to him equals movie stardom. And that is what Jake wants more than anything.

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