Please see the Guidance Counselor

Does this look like your high school guidance counselor? Mine neither. What school has guidance counselors that look like this? Oh...high schools on TV.

Friday Night Lights Speculation and Spoilers

Chatter and speculation leans to Austin playing a science teacher/guidance counselor, named Glenn Reed. The sides say that Glenn Reed is in his 30's, nice looking, and a little uptight. He appears in episode 2, and stays through episode 6, which fits the arc the The Statesman reported.

JFC ad in the Hollywood Reporter

Save JFC.net put this ad in yesterday's Hollywood Reporter. Don't know if it will save the show, but it can't hurt to try.

Picture courtesy of Defamer. Read more about it at the link below.

Save JFC campaign

Boston Bound Brothers

It looks like Boston might be the location for Jake's new movie The Brothers. Shooting would begin in November. Sadly Jake will miss the Sox post season,unless he feels the need to come up early to soak up the local culture. But he may still be here for one of Boston's newer traditions. I'm talking about the Santa in Speedos Run in December. We know he runs, he's got the hat, from past interviews we know he has been dared to wear the speedo. Now to do that with a hundred or so guys down the streets of the Back Bay of Boston in December?

Boston has great restaurants, great music, and great hotels. Will we see him in the North End for great Italian? Probably. In Cambridge, soaking up the academic vibe, and visiting Natalie's old haunts? Maybe.

My money is on Jake front and center at the Celtics/Lakers game, November 23rd. Thanksgiving on the Vineyard and Celtics/Lakers the next day, it could be a great weekend in New England to share.


Thanks to Pure for the early morning Boston heads up.
All pictures courtesy IHJ.

Brothers in Boston

Santa Speedo Run

Doubled up

Seems like the summer vacation of not being photographed is over and Jake is back in LA and backed to being snapped again. Jake seen here leaving one of his favorite spots - Joan's on Third, narrowly missing meeting Kiki as the she arrived for lunch.

With Austin playing a teacher on Friday Night Lights this fall, no wonder why Jake doesn't mind school vacation over.

Is he trying to recreate his cover shot as a subliminal message to buy this month's Interview magazine ?
Interview Magazine
The Stateman - Austin on Friday Night Lights
Just Jared - Joan's on Third
IHJ - Jake at Joan's On Third
Buzz Foto - Jake at Joan's

Buck Stops Here

If we must, we must.
A sighting of Ashley Olsen and Austin at the Chateau Marmont calls for just one thing. A rewind to that very special movie Holiday in the Sun.

Austin played Griffen Grayson, the love interest of not Ashley but Mary Kate's character Madison Stewart. Sun, sand and smuggling the Olsen twins were on the case, finding love and solving crimes on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Fast Forward. In the upcoming film The Informers Austin may play the studio executive boyfriend to Ashley' character Anne.

How many guys can say they have been with both the Olsen twins? (ok, on screen)

And how could he not, if he is using this memorable line from Holiday in the Sun.

Everyone has a hobby, right? You're mine.

Ashley and Austin sighting

Pass the "Ammo"

Jake and a friend leaving "Ammo" restaurant in West Hollywood, after having lunch on Saturday afternoon.

From Just Jared: The pair also grabbed dinner together at 50’s style diner Fred 62’s on Thursday night. Actress Erika Christiansen was also reportedly at his table, but she was with some other guy. Simmer down, she looks like a PR person! Jake is currently in the middle of doing press for his CIA flick Rendition..."

More pictures at Just Jared.

Lunch at "Ammo"

Photos from Interview Magazine

House of Usher

While waiting for me to grab a copy of the latest Interview Magazine with Jake, how about some Austin to tie you over?

How did this slip past us? House of Usher came out on DVD, September 11th in the U.S. A modern interpretation of Edgar Alan Poe's Fall of the House of Usher, it is another chance to catch Austin. Usher is a small independent film that premiered at last year Boston Film Festival. But there are some things you might not know about the film.

Usher was shot in 16 days entirely in Massachusetts for a whopping $200,000. And the house of Usher? That is the Sea View Nursing Home, in Rowley MA, which the owner generously donated to the cast and crew to use. It was business as usual for the residents of Sea View, while crew shot from 2 pm to 3 am during their six days there. Jealous of those grandma's aren't you? The crew used the attic, basement and storage spaces to create the set for the classic horror tale. They also found a hidden door and passageway, as well as greenhouse at Sea View they incorporated this into the storyline.

Sea View's activity director also used the filming to inspire social time. Residents were told Poe's tale of Usher and then discussed how their building was being used to tell the story. Not you average nursing home activity time, now is it?

"I saw them all the time, but I didn't follow them," said Sea View resident Margaret Hertz, 84, of the crew that temporarily shared her residence. "They stayed in their place and we stayed in ours."

House of Usher official site

House of Usher at Amazon.com

Laughing Stock

Much can be dissected and discussed regarding Jake's answer to this personal question that he gave in a past interview. But it is the latter part of the answer that brings a smile. "I know when I wake up in the morning with the person I love, we end up laughing. It really is the morning time, the waking up time that I look forward to."

Full Disclosure

Yes, it's true. Jake did have a Red Sox hat on at Fenway, and has now gone and done it one better. Wearing it in NY. To those not with familiar baseball, or to the one of the greatest sports rivalries (Red Sox/Yankees) in the U.S., this was either incredibly stupid or one of the bravest moves ever. Sox hat in LA? Piece of cake, it's an accessory.Wearing in the heart of the NY, home to the Evil Empire aka The Yankees (my apologies to the Mets fans out there),that's not an accessory, that's a statement.

Then again Jake has been one whose actions speak louder than words.

Baseball? Give me a break. Well, for you I give you this. How can you not like baseball now?



And because you can never have enough of the tall Texan.

Deep in the Heart of Texas

Boston Friday, New York Saturday, Austin Sunday
Looks likes Jake was doing the Planes,(Austin) Trains (Boston) and Automobiles (New York) thing this past weekend. Ending up deep in the heart of Texas at Austin City Limits.

I wonder why? Was it Wilco calling, or just needing some Dylan?
Perhaps.
Or could it be he wanted to catch up with his favorite Austinite?

The stars at night are big and bright ....

UPDATE: Is that boy in the blue shirt to the right of Drew & Justin at ACL, a clean shaven Jake? (photo: Pink is the New Blog)




Austin360 Out & About

Austin(Nichols) - Outwithme.com

More Austin in Austin from Austin Media

Second Sighting of Jake at ACL

Brotherhood

From Variety:

"Gyllenhaal, Maguire eye 'Brothers'
Duo in talks for Sheridan remake
By TATIANA SIEGEL

Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal are in negotiations to star in Jim Sheridan's "Brothers" for Relativity Media.
The film, a remake of Susanne Bier's Danish-language war drama, centers on a man (Maguire) who is sent to fight in Afghanistan while his black-sheep brother (Gyllenhaal) cares for his wife and child.

Bier's film, which was released in 2004, stars Connie Nielsen, Ulrich Thomsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas.

In the remake, which David Benioff is writing, Gyllenhaal would play the younger brother and Maguire the older one.

"Brothers" is scheduled to begin shooting in early November.

Relativity's Ryan Kavanaugh is producing alongside Michael De Luca and Joni Sighvatsson.

Relativity most recently produced the Russell Crowe-Christian Bale starrer "3:10 to Yuma," which recently opened at No. 1.

Gyllenhaal, whose credits include "Zodiac" and "Brokeback Mountain," most recently starred in "Rendition," which unspooled last week at the Toronto Film Festival.

Maguire is hot on the heels of Sony's "Spider-Man 3" and also recently appeared in "The Good German.""

UPDATE BLOG NOTE: 9:30 EST Userplane Chat seems up and back.

Don't think Jake's Red Sox hat wearing has gone unnoticed by this Sox fan. It is too good not for it to have its own post!

Variety

Suits You

Just a little more Austy love today. Yesterday, the Emmys made me fast forward to next year. Will we see JFC nominated next year in the Emmy race? Milch and company should be recognized for their work. Great writing, great acting, great show -- JFC was some of the best television produced. And the Emmys love HBO! Here's hoping. But then, we might see JFC feted at the Golden Globes and won't have to wait.


Jake on the Monster Update:
The Inside Track girls are reporting that Jake was wearing a Red Sox hat while on the Green Monster. (little woo hoo! from this Sox fan)
Celeb's Green Monster ball

(No)Shirt Tales

It looks like Jake preferred keeping his shirt on, while Austin was rocking the shirt-free look this weekend.

BUT -- OMG was clamoring for a side by side shirtless shot. You asked and we delivered.
Please note: OMG is not responsible of any incidents caused by this picture.

Jake was in SoHo on Saturday and seen talking to critically acclaimed director Noah Baumbach. Boston on Friday? New York on Saturday? Where will he be by Monday?

But The Question of the Day: Could Jake & Austin be the exception to the "no shoes, no shirt" rule?

Jake in New York Saturday, September 15th

Jake on the Green Monster

(Boston.com Photo / Steve Silva)



Update: While Austin is at Austin City Limits

Jake was at the first game of the Red Sox/Yankees three game series, and taking it from the hottest seats in baseball.

Sitting on top of the famed Green Monster , Boston's left field wall, he watched the Sox lose their 5 run lead in the 8th to lose to the Yankees 8-7, in the second longest regular season 9-inning game in Major League Baseball history. He was not the only A-lister at the game, or on the Monster. Adrian Grenier of Entourage enjoyed the Monster view too.

That grin better be for the Sox early lead, if it is over the Yankees coming back to take the first game, he has some explaining to do.

Jake at the Sox

Austin at Austin City Limits

Side by Side the Best?

Austin (Texas) vs. Austin (Nichols)


TX: Hot Place in Texas
Nichols: Hot Guy from Texas

TX:It's hip and trendy in a vintage sort of way
Nichols: Dresses hip and trendy in a vintage sort of way

TX: Known for great live music
Nichols: Known to like live music

TX: Cosmopolitan, yet unpretentious
Nichols: Cosmopolitan, yet unpretentious

TX:Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble became stars here
Nichols:Got in trouble in a double (with BF)in city known for stars

TX:City slogan – Keep Austin Weird
Nichols: Kept John from Cincinnati weird.

TX:Known to many because of Willie (Nelson)
Nichols:Many know about his willie (Thanks Ted)

TX: Austin lives for the outdoors.
Nichols: Austin lives for the outdoors.

TX: Attraction for many- Waiting for the Austin Bats to come out each night.
Nichols: Attraction for many- Waiting for Austin to come out.

TX: Matt McConaughey has a trailer here where he likes to entertain people.
Nichols: Entertains people(ahem) in his trailer on the set.

TX: Associated with a Jewish cowboy who is interested in Politics.(Kinky Friedman)
Nichols: Associated with a politically active Jewish guy who played a cowboy

TX: Known to Hook'em Horn in public
Nichols: Known to Hook'em Horns in public ; )


Check out one of the coolest things about Austin (TX)
2007 Austin City Limits
3 Days 8 Stages 130 Bands

L'Shanah Tovah!

For a good year! As Jake and others around the world celebrate Year 5768, we wish for both Jake and Austin a good year, full of the sweetness of life.

Every Picture Tells A Story...

Pictures-IHJ

Something to say? Something to add?

UPDATE: Here is the Border's picture, BLTB suggested. Convinced TB - "The Lean" will be up on its, that is one that has no equal.

Jake and Austin in the National Enquirer

Love - Set - Match

Jake was at the US Open yesterday. I wonder if he if was trying to get some tips from Roger Federer? It isn't everyday that your (doubles) partner was mentored by tennis great Pat Cash.

On or off the court this pair is a perfect match.

Why haven't we seen the dynamic duo more? Well if you played Center Court every time it would be just another court, nothing special. Sometimes you have to save the blockbusters for just what they are -- once in a lifetime events!

Are you in for the whole tour? I am.

Photo - IHJ/Austin Nichols Fan

A Real Case of Rendition

Some of you may remember me writing about Sabri Ben Kahla, a man who underwent extraordinary rendition by the United States government. Briefly, here is his story. The source for the following information is a copy of the letter that Sabri Ben Kahla wrote to the court at his sentencing. Sabri is a Muslim American, born here in the US. He was studying Islamic Law and Jurisprudence in Saudi Arabia when he was abducted at gun point and imprisoned by a Saudi intelligence agency at the request of the FBI. He was held for a month and then transferred to FBI custody. The FBI continued to hold him under horrible conditions where he was stripped, photographed naked, and humiliated. Judge Leonie Brinkema said, "The uncontested evidence again is the defendant had been held under conditions which would not be acceptable for a United States-based defendant in a criminal case." Sabri was charged with providing material support to the Taliban, but Judge Brinkema found him not guilty. He was then brought in for further meetings with the FBI and eventually had to testify before a Grand Jury. His family's and friends' homes and businesses were raided. Sabri was then charged with perjury to the Grand Jury. In his words, "Essentially saying that I wasn't telling the truth when I said I didn't do what I was acquitted of doing during the last trial." Sabri was convicted of perjury in July 2007 and sentenced to 10 years, an offense that typically yields a sentence of about a year. He is the only citizen ever to have the terrorist enhancement applied to his sentence, even after the judge had given the jury the explicit instruction that this trial was not a terrorist case. The judge ordered Sabri to be placed in a minimum security prison close to home (VA). Instead, he was placed in a maximum security prison in Ohio in solitary confinement.

BBC story on Sabri-http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/file_on_4/5145970.stm

Some of you have asked how you can help. Letters of support can be sent to Sabri via his father at-

Sabri Ben Kahla c/o Anthony Ben Kahla
P. O. Box 1794
Falls Church, VA 22041

Contact the VA elected officials and urge them to investigate the civil liberties violations in this case-

Senator James Webb
Russell Senate Office Bldg. C1
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-4024(phone)
202-228-6363(fax)

Senator John W. Warner
225 Russell Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-2023(phone)
202-224-6295(fax)

Rep. James Moran
Eighth District
2239 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-4376(phone)
202-225-0017(fax)

This post will also be linked to in the sidebar.

Rendition Premiere - Toronto International Film Festival

RENDITION

World premiere at Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto

6:30 pm, 7/11 TIFF 2007


Rattler’s Thoughts


There is a certain point in Rendition when a haunting image will strike you. As the good battles despair, the bad seeks glory and the ugly raises its hydra-heads, Douglas stands and watches. He turns, as shadows on his face coagulate; and suddenly the light balances the dark. You notice the sadness within the blue, and the rest just turns into mundane. It is this simple sense of grief that will permeate through the rest of the film, linger while the note on the flute turns into whisper, gradually seeping into your heart. You realize that this sadness is meant to be universal; for the derivative emotions invoked will just depend on who is watching the film. A rapid chill will run through every immigrant’s heart, some will polarize into red and blue, some may just shake their heads, while quite a few will be glad that Arar received a settlement.


“This is my first torture”, you will hear Douglas say. You will laugh at the wordplay, and will be sad again. And this, indeed, is Gavin Hood’s coup the grace. He has done his homework well, and uses Morocco and Washington deftly, like an artist mingling two colors on her palette. Two cities and two cultures contradict and contrast each other, but in the end turn into shades of gray. He develops characters with both naiveté and brilliance. Some are stereotypes – Meryl Streep scorches, Alan Arkin slithers, while Peter Sarsgaard’s empathy soothes Reese Witherspoon’s despair. But it is the brilliance of Omar Metwally, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Yigal Naor that will mesmerize you. Three sets of eyes will cut your attention into three equal parts.


The plot is well-known, so there is no point going there. The plot twist is not novel; you have seen time wrapping up into one, and space splitting into two. Wong Kar-wai, Alejandro Iñárritu, and Chris Nolan have been there, done that. But what Gavin Hood offers is a poignant point of inflexion. Moral polarities neutralize amidst blood and gore. It is also at this point that the broken pieces of Douglas simply glue up. There is just one thing that irks you in the end – every sub-plot has a conclusion except one. Is there a hidden message after all? Perhaps hope is not supposed to end.


Rendition, like any other film that deals with moral issues, treads on thin ice. You always wonder – what is right and what is wrong? The answer could be simple – embedded within a name. While Metwally scintillates, that name belongs to Jake Gyllenhaal.


If Rendition does not win an Oscar, you will hear Rattler’s sigh for sure.

Sharp Dressed Man

Jake once again did not disappoint in Toronto. Mixing and matching looks for his interviews, press conference and premiere effortlessly.

Sealing the deal as the best dressed man of the evening.




His red carpet look is the epitome of men's fashion for Fall 2007. Monochromatic classic style with a twist of casualness. The subtle tone on tone striping of the suit with the patterned tie. The formality of a French cuffed shirt with a black cashmere sweater stepping in as a non traditional turn for a vest. Jake once again is keeping on fashion point and making every one notice.

And it is not only what he wears but how he wears it. Impeccably tailored, perfectly appointed, and layered with ease. He is the picture of the confidence, style and sophistication.

More Toronto Pictures:

Rendition Press Conference Pictures at IHJ

Rendition Premiere Pictures at IHJ

Rendition Portraits

Premiere Just Jared

Press Conference Just Jared

Earning his Wings

Arriving in Toronto, Jake looks like he is ready for TIFF. Cool, confident and casual, he will be making Air Canada wings the hottest new accessory by the weekend.

The big question is the red carpet. Will he or won't he?

Wear the wings I mean.

Just Jared

More Pictures at IHJ

photo- IHJ

UPDATE: Rendition Reviews
Globe and Mail

The Star

Rendition Press Conference
Just Jared

An Open Door is called (a)JAR

Jake's back at one of his favorite restaurants JAR. And was dining with a mystery man.

Now who could that be? There is one Man of Mystery that comes to mind. He may not be International yet. But I am sure he will be, and who's to say what Powers he possesses.

Jake's Jar-ing Dinner Date

Doctor Doctor, give me the news.....

Looks like Jake is in LA, with another trip to the doctor.

Looking healthy there Jake. Maybe it is all those Dr.'s visit that are helping helping him look so good.

More pictures at Just Jared.

Is there a Doctor in the House

Toronto

All eyes maybe on Venice, but don't count out Toronto!

Toronto International Film Festival has become one of most important film festivals and seen an ideal venue to premiere films. It is the considered the premiere film festival in North America. And has been described as "the most important film festival in the world – the largest, the most influential, the most inclusive."*

Rendition has a lot of company at this year's festival. 349 films from 55 countries, including 275 feature and mid-length films, 85 per cent of which are world, international or North American premieres, and 71 of which are feature directorial debuts. Who will be on that guest list with Jake? Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Lou Reed, Jonathan Demme, Peter Bogdanovich, Sidney Lumet, Lord Richard Attenborough, Shirley MacLaine, Michael Caine, and Mira Nair are just some of those attending.

Does Toronto have the touch at picking Oscar contenders and fan favorites? Yes the do. Do any of these ring a bell? Chariots of Fire,The Big Chill, The Princess Bride, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Roger and Me, Strictly Ballroom, Life is Beautiful, American Beauty, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, AMÉLIE, Hotel Rwanda, Brokeback Mountain and Gavin Hood's Tsotsi.

But really what is going to be the toughest competition of Toronto? It has to be who really has the bluest eyes. Christopher Plummer, Ed Harris or Jake? All of whom have movies at TIFF.

A big thank you to Rattler who has agreed to cover TIFF for OMG. We can't wait to hear what you have to say about Rendition and maybe who really does have the bluest eyes.

Toronto International Film Fest
TIFF's page for Rendition

Gotta give some Austin love today too.
Two polls about best summer shows. Go vote and show them that JFC and Austin were the best part of summer.

HBO's Viewer's Choice

E! Online's Best of the Summer


*Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail, September 3, 2005.

Natural Selection

Pushing past all the spin and buzz and smoke and mirrors, Rendition premieres in Toronto and brings with it an important and topical message. Not about co-stars, billing or Oscar contention, or the social political dialog about the War on Terror, but a message about the gray area of left and right and right and wrong. And more importantly, how there are no easy answers.

This seems to be a pattern in Jake's movie career. If we look at Jake's past few movies, we see this in the characters and stories he's chosen. From Jarhead to Brokeback to Rendition, and even in Zodiac, no easy answers or in some cases no answers at all. Movies that show that there is no right answer or no perfect ending that wraps up all the lose ends. Movies that are more like real life than escapism of Hollywood fantasy. Movies that you have more questions when leaving the theater than you did when you came in. Kind of the way Jake is to many of his fans right now.

Are Jake's movie choices showing us a reflection of him? Or is he a reflection of his movie choices?