Let me get this straight.....

So Bret Easton Ellis tweeted this:
 
 Let's just say it.  Epically stupid.

Sadly this does nothing to help bring change in Hollywood. And is indicative of the closet that Hollywood wants to continue to keep stars in.


But here's the question that struck me after I read it.

If Ellis  believes a gay man can't play straight, is he then saying a straight man can't play gay or bi?

And what does that say about Austin playing Martin in Ellis' The Informers?

 OMG Olympics 

Tennis

Because who wouldn't want a match between the tummy peeking

 and short shorts?

 Who needs medals?

Strained Bedfellows?

Austin's tweet yesterday from American Psycho (Do you like Phil Collins? "Sussudio" is a personal favorite. -Patrick Bateman) triggered a thought about Austin's own work on a Bret Easton Ellis' story. Yup, The Informers.

Austin played Martin who was sleeping with anything that moved, including Graham (Jon Foster), Christie (Amber Heard) and Graham's mom (Kim Basinger).

And with Graham and Christie at the same time.


Now could be a little difficult for any actor to do in front of a camera and a bunch of union guys standing around.

But here's the real sticky wicket.

According to comments this past summer, regarding the "history" of Austin and his OTH co-star's relationship, that it was on and off for four years.

And during that time she was seen dating other guys. Hey it's on and off.

One of the other guy was Jon Foster. And as recently as August 2007 on a gossip site that's very enamored of the lady.

The Informers was shot in November of 2007. So who was dating who by then? Was it Jon? or Austin? Who was on and who was off?

Austin and Jon had the bulk of their scenes together and it never seemed like there was a trouble between the two. Which you think could be so when two guys are involved with the same woman. But as professionals you can put those things aside.


But still what kind of conversation starter do two naked guys in bed who have "dated" the same woman around the same time, have between takes?

Just wondering.

Maybe it's good thing

After all the critics, comments and buzz from Sundance and its opening weekend, this week The Informers were shut out.

The Academy Awards? Ok yeah. But something even more obtainable for The Informers.

The Razzies were announced this week and not one nomination for The Informers. No Worse Picture. No Worse Screenplay. Nothing. Not one single one.

Come one Land of the Lost, Something about Steve, even Academy Award nominee Sandra Bullock got one. Yet The Informers got nothing.

You know, despite what the critics and the box office said, maybe point is not getting one Razzie means The Informers wasn't as bad as everyone made it out to be.

Mean there were some parts that were pretty damn good. ; )

A-bomb

Talk about dropping while its hot. There's so much Austin today that I had to start in the wee hours of the morning to give it enough space. It's a blitzkrieg of Austiness. And we're just talking about regular scheduled Austin business. Not the BushNic (thanks LoL) that dropped over the weekend.

It might have bomb at the box office, but there's new life in DVDs. The Informers comes out today on DVD and Blue Ray. All eyes are looking for those delete scenes and missing minutes. And more more more of Austin in all of his blond bad boyness.



Another Sortee:

Season Six of One Tree Hill is available today too. And if you haven't check out the sneak peeks of Austin dancing in Clothes over Bros with Sophia and creator Mark Schwann what are you waiting for? Go check it out over on Austin Nichols Journal!!! Spooky has this and one of the deleted scenes with Julian and Sam. Check out the Texan snacking on popcorn.

Spooky and Vesperlynd do such an awesome job keeping on top of all the Austin news and pics, just need to give them another shout out.

Oh you know this make Jake's Jiffy PoP.

And dropping the big one for Season 7.
The first pictures of from the first episode of Julian and Brooke. It looks like it they are going for a direct hit this season and will make their target.

Surf

and turf

Where are the other set of my favorite magical floating shoes ?

Where are my heels when I need them?

Pictures: Informers/ Austin Nichols Journal/ Daemon's TV

Informative

A little more about The Informers coming out on DVD on August 25th (US). Sony Home pictures will be releasing it on both DVD and Blu-ray.


Extras include director and cast commentary and Human Intersections: Making The Informers featurette. Human Intersection - what is that?

Deep introspection of the human condition and relationships?


Description of Chris Isaak's cheesy pick up lines in Hawaii?

"How about we meet up at IAWANA and LAIU"

That unexplained "we cut it you just have to keep up" scene was that you walk into when the movie starts ?


Or how to describe Martin's intersextion moments - T-boned, Rear Ended and Hit & Runs?



But what about those mystery minutes they cut? And are they going to show what was going on with the cast in Uruguay? Like this?

Cast Away

No doubt Jake and Maggie share a lot. While there is competition between them sometimes, they are each other biggest fans. They have one of the best brother sister bonds in Hollywood. They are both are there for each whenever the other needs it, ready to give a helping hand, an ear to bend, a brain to pick, a warm heart or tough love. They've also shared the screen, and you might even know that they have shared some of the same co-stars and even directors.

So who pops in your head first? Peter? Heath? But then who?

Well how about John Kraskinki - he was in Jarhead with Jake and Maggie is in the new release Away We Go with John. Which both by the way, were directed by Sam Mendes.

You think Sam is the only director they've both worked with, well besides their dad? How about Mike Newell. He directed Mona Lisa Smile with Maggie and of course Prince of Persia with Jake.

And while Maggie may not have worked directly with him in Stranger than Fiction. Dustin Hoffman has shared credits with both Gyllenhaals.

But lets look at some other co-stars that might not be so obvious. Danny Trejo. You remember him as Slim in Bubbleboy. But did you know that he co-stared in Sherry Baby with Maggie? This interviewer did when he asked Danny who he would rather kiss Jake or Maggie. (Check out around the 5 minute mark)



Maybe Danny remembered Heath saying "I got a better kiss from your brother!" after Maggie gave him a peck on the cheek as thanks for putting out her dress that caught on fire on the set of Dark Knight.

But since Father's Day is Sunday here in the U.S. , let's looks at Jake and Maggie and fathers. Well they've worked with their own dad, and Holmes Osborne played their dad. (Donnie Darko) But they've also had the same dad, well actor as their dad but in different films. Any guesses? It might surprise you.

Peter McRobbie. He played Jack's disapproving father John Twist in Brokeback Mountain. Later he took the part of Allison's father in World Trade Center. Two totally different dads but worked because you could see him as father to both.



Now there is a challenge of casting a dad (and a family - Mom and baby brother) for Jake in his new movie with Anne. " The ideal actor should be between 55 and 60 years old and it couldn’t hurt if he has gorgeous blue-green eyes with long lashes like Jake’s. But anyway, the character is a doctor who disapproves of his son’s career."

So who would you cast as the Jake's dad?
Another co-star of Maggies?
Or someone else?

And who would play his Mom?

But maybe the best casting fun would be
who would you cast as his little brother?

Ask and you shall receive! The Informers info:
Those who saw The Informer might say it was dark. Others would say it is offensive. But did you ever think it would incite threatening mail. Producer Marco Weber said he got some. (Who had time to see it and write?) But he said “ 'If you think it's dark and f***ed up, wait until you see what we cut out,' Weber said. The DVD and Blu-ray include a making-of featurette and a commentary." Check out the rest of the interview and review at Homemediamagazine.com.


Reminder: OMG's Movie Club this Friday night (5pm EST)-Saturday. The movie is Big Eden.

Un, Deux, Trois

Jake seems to be in two places at once yesterday and not on Twitter but on purpose!

Un

While Jake is in the fashion capital of the world, he appeared at the Oscars of Fashion. At the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards in New York,last night Tom Cruise, Jake and Jon Hamm via video paid tribute to GQ Creative Director Jim Moore, who accepted the Eleanor Lambert award. Some would say the threesome represented variations on the Mad Man but it looks more it was for their sense of GQ style.

Deux

The setting might not have been as GQ, but Jake was sporting a similar casual look, well this time avec chapeaux, while at the flea market with Peter & Maggie. Didn't look like he was shopping, but bet he picked up tea from Mariage Freres, one of the best tea purveyors in the world again. And a foodie in Paris, how can he not visit the open markets even for a look at the beautiful displays of farm fresh food. Maybe he picked up some copper pots or add something else to his kitchen collection. Then again he went shopping for someone(s) while there.

and Austin makes Trois
Mark you calendars! - The Informers is coming out on DVD in the US - August 25th. No word on if the those 90 missing minutes will be included.


Reminder :

OMG Movie Club Second Feature:

Join us this Friday night and Saturday as well discuss the second movie of our Double Feature Movie Club. The movie is Big Eden. It's the story of Henry Hart, a successful gay artist from New York City who returns to his Montana hometown to care for his dying grandfather. While at home, Henry is forced to confront his unresolved feelings for high school friend Dean Stewart, while simultaneously beginning to fall in love with someone else. All the while the town helps Pike Dexter, the shy Native American owner of the town's general store find love too. There is no doom or gloom, twinks, or club scenes to Big Eden but a sweet quirky romantic love story.




My friend Mark. From moment I sat in his office for my job interview, we knew we would be friends. The Italian love child of Barney Fife and John Waters, he took me on a Queertastic ride of pop and gay culture. He was my very own Datalounge before Datalounge existed. Together we were like Michael K is today, complete with our own love of MahBoo Anderson Cooper. We shared a love of kitcsh, pop culture, art, gourmet food, Dusty, music, Moonstruck, and dirty jokes. And I still loved him even though he was a Steelers fan.

And what does it have to do with you? Well, there really wouldn't be an OMG without him. You see he was one of my influences that helps shape a lot that comes out in my posts. Jakey was on our list of boys to discuss, way back when he started out as an indie boy, and that EW cover for TDAT - still remember Mark saying - Honey have you seen this? And Mark was the first person I told when I read Ang was making Brokeback. All things connect.

Call it The Martinize?

The last movie that I saw?
Hmmmmm.....

Is this what all the cool kids will be wearing to the playground now?
Or will it be the new look for L.A.M.B. and the No Doubt Reunion?

Reminder JFC Discussion Episode 5: His Visit Day 4 - Friday starting 5pm EST- Saturday

Field Trip

This past Wednesday night was a field trip for today's Austin Friday and NE joined me on this mission to gather information on The Informers.

And where would you go for best information, a seat of higher learning of course, and there is no seat higher (or at least they seem to think that) than Harvard University. So just off Harvard Square, we went to check out The Informers at the Loews Harvard Square just us and 4 other people ( hey private screening with stadium seating) and here is our virtual coffee talk follow up.

NE: I really liked The Informers, because I was starting to have sympathy for the characters - it was like a character study.

SK: I liked what I saw but I kept thinking did I miss the beginning ? Wait we've been here since the previews. It just seemed like they chopped the start off. I felt like I got dropped into a movie that already started. I don't think they really gave a back story to anyone. I was missing the 90 minutes they cut five minutes in. And I realize now that a lot of the Austin stuff from the original trailer is in that 90 minutes.
So what did you like?

Especially Brad Renfro's character, and Kim's character. As you say, it seemed like there should have been more, and I read a little bit about the book of stories by BEE and some of the stories seemed slightly different, like the Mickey Rourke/Brad Renfro story. BEE did co-write the screenplay tho. I think it would make a very interesting read. Mickey was beautiful, and a great actor; he really becomes a character, but in this case his character was a absolute horror! Brad Renfro's character seemed to have been abused as a child, and he seemed to be used to using his body as currency, as I thought was implied when he wanted a part in a film. :(

I think was interesting about both Brad's character and Kim's characters, is that they had moments of moral conviction, and someone had to in the movie. BEE did co-write the movie, but I think with the way Gregor Jordan filmed it and edited it that it became Gregor's Informers not Bret's. Mickey's character skeeved me out big time.


The ossified rock star who only seemed to come to life when he was walking out onto the stage, or when he missed his son. Kim Bassinger's fragile mother and wife who gained strength to leave her husband. Only in LA would the kids not want there parents to get back together, but I think we can see why. Billy-Bob Thornton's husband and father's very contained feelings, and living in such an artificial world.

It was totally artificial, it reminds you of an 80's video. It reminds of what the band says to Martin when they are shooting the video, to paraphase, it doesn't have to make sense its a video. The Kim, Billy Bob and Winona storyline just reminded me of people who are not only fragile but almost brittle like they could snap at any moment. You're right about only in LA would kids not want to get their parent back together. And Winona, you think it was way too many espressos, or what? Cause man was she twitchy. And she made Nancy Reagan look fat, I mean most in the movie was that LA 80's thin, but man, she had them all beat. I'm glad she and Billy Bob didn't have a love scene, cause that would have been disturbing and dangerous with all those sharp angles.

Interesting point about Brian Metro. Have to say though the concert of the Greek, well that brought back some concert memories.

What did you think about the others?

Graham/Kristie/and Martin and friends - all young, jaded, rich and beautiful, drugged and sexed out indolence, wanting for nothing, feeling nothing, not even when a mutual friend dies, all but one barely able to work up enough feeling to mourn. Thinking they were invincible. Until Graham starts to care about Kristie, to his surprise. Martin was beautiful but rather soulless, becoming anything that anyone desired, living from place to place.


Couldn't put it any better. My one thought during the more was, "Man, Martin is an equal opportunity slut." You could see why everyone wanted Martin he was beautiful the description in the Washington Post of him as a "like Rubens's cherub as hallucinated by Elton John" is a perfect.

But was Laura (Kim's character) convicted by morals or just crazy to say no to Martin as he perched on top completely naked. See that's what made it a movie, cause in reality who would do that? ; )

I liked the story about Chris Isaak's character and his son - trying to bridge the distance between them, and failing. There seemed to be more to this story.

So it wasn't just me that thought that. It was almost as if he was trying too much to be the stud, when he was trying to pick up the in the bar. And who picks up women with their 20 -something year old son? Then he was checking out guys on the beach in Hawaii, and then mentioned later that the guys were checking out his son. (Again ewww) You don't know what the reason the divorce was so bitter, is it somewhere in the magic missing minutes?



Lots of interesting stories to tell. I loved the opening sequence with New Gold Dream by Simple Minds, perfect song, and I Ran by Flock of Seagulls, and some of the cinematography. But whether it was out of focus or grainy by design, I don't know! I forgot to watch for the soundtrack in the credits! The Hollywood sign's white letters all defaced by grafitti, when the rest of us see it as unmarred. The beautiful LA lights, and the ugly urban sprawl. The beach scene at the end when Kristie was dying, and the fly landed on her, as if she were already dead.

The opening was good and captured the feeling of an 80's video. But yeah some of the stuff looked out of focused, one point I looked like Austin's ears were doubled. I like your mention of the Hollywood sign and the graffiti, and the LA lights and urban scrawl, Christie on the beach was is Jordan's visual cue to tell you that appearances are not always the reality.

I had heard so many mixed reviews that I wasn't sure what to expect. I think it wasn't that bad, and had a lot of potential. I think Austin is maturing as an actor.

No it wasn't as bad as some of the review made it out to be. And I think Austin had one of the stronger performance in it, as did Brad Renfro.

But you know what? It's gonna make an awesome drinking game. Times Martin sleeps with someone drink, Christie topless drink, Christie sleeping with someone else drink, Martin in bed with a guy take a shot, threesomes - take a shot, someone lights up drink, Raybans take a drink, Flash of a Rolex take a drink, Members only jacket a shot, Topsiders take a shot, Billy Idol mention take a shot.

You know what it need a least one joke or something - ok, I am admit I did laugh out loud when they played Pat Benatar's Running with Shadows of the Night at the funeral but I don't think you really were supposed to.
Excuse me, Martin is that a bolo or a broach?

Miss(ing) Informers

We saw a little bit of behind the scenes of Informers when it was being filmed, but know as the movie comes out we are finding out more about what happened behing the scenes. We knew that they cut out Brandon Routh's (the vampire storyline) part in Informer even before shooting started, but looks like that they edited more than that.

In an interview with The Cult, author Bret Easton Ellis says that there many different cuts of Informers.

DW: Were there other cuts that were floating around at one point?

BEE: Yeah, many cuts. Even some that they showed. Personally, I prefer longer cuts. There’s about forty minutes that I think are missing from the movie. So it feels… (pauses)… I don’t know, it’s just that, there are endings to a lot of these stories that just aren’t in the movie now. There was like four or five more very long scenes…

DW: But important scenes?

BEE: I think very important scenes. Simply within the Chris Isaak / Lou Taylor Pucci father / son Hawaii scenes that comes to a head.

DW: I forgot how that storyline ended?

BEE: Because it doesn’t.

Read more of The Cult interview here.

Talking to the AV Club Ellis says there are 45- 50 minutes of it that you won't see.

AVC: How much does the finished film resemble the script?

BEE: Very little. [Laughs] Gregor would have to admit that too, and so would Marco. This is not me complaining. That’s the fact. The 95-minute version of The Informers is very different from this sprawling, epic movie that Nick and I had in mind when we wrote the script. For some people, that probably sounds like its own kind of hell, but there’s a lot more resolution in our script, and it was also kind of lighter, funnier, more Altman-esque. This is a very different creature. I like the movie. It is very different in terms of tone and style from the movie we were thinking of when we were writing the script. There’s also literally 40 or 50 minutes missing from it in terms of stories being resolved, and…

Read more of the A.V. Club

While many have wondered if some of Austin's less than dressed scenes were editing to get the MPCAA's R -rating, now you wonder if there are more scenes of Austin's that were in those 40-50 minutes. Wonder if it will show up on DVD. ; )

What we do know is that Martin is sleeping with Laura, friend Graham's mother, Graham's girlfriend Christie, and Graham himself. He's a Billy Idol fan (had to get that in there). And is a music video director.

We had pictures of them filming this scene when they were in Uruguay, and now we see what they were filming.

Party scene

Martin and Graham

It's been hot this week in LA and it looks like things are heating up for Austin too.

Signing a two year contract for a One Tree Hill (and you know it he made sure it was pay or play), The Informers opening nationwide in the U.S. (which unbelievably which is the first time since Glory Road) , and oh yeah and he's the big birthday guy tomorrow , and as a diva who shares the same birthday put it best, "hello gorgeous." (name that picture)

The Cult

A.V. Club

Check out more clips trailers and pictures from The Informers over at Austin Nichols Journal