Darko Metaphilmed

"Donnie Darko is a coming of age film. Donnie is at a time between childhood/adolescence and adulthood. He is struggling with the concept of applying childhood logic to high school/adulthood indoctrination, that is illustrated through adult attempts to look at the simplistic as complex which paradoxically attempts to simplify the adult world (for example via the love-hate dichotomy) when it is not. Adolescence is long-blamed for difficulties within the individual's inability to adjust rather than the schizophrenic organisation of the adult social collective. Growing up is difficult; being grown up is when we all give in to untruths in order to accept the world view of those who set the rules and over which we have no control." - courtesy by Vanzmotorbike

"Fascinating to see just how literally the average viewer/reviewer experiences the role of time travel in the film. Much more interesting to include a metaphoric reading of its function in the film.

Donnie's schizophrenia is his response to a "mad world" in which all human action takes place in an apparently unstoppable procession. Any teenager with enough confidence and intelligence can see the inevitable results of the actions of the individual characters and the society in which they play out, the overwhelming hypocracy. Time travel is a potential solution that makes enough sense to offer hope of salvation for an increasingly desperate Donnie. Only by travelling ahead of the crap served up to him as reality might Donnie be able to save himself and his world from "the hostile reality" he perceives as beyond his control in the present.

The slide of the school towards vacuous box-ticking activities, the pathetic offering(s) of jim Cunningham (so perfectly close to pure cliche that we get that 'of course' sensation on discovering the depth of his corruption), the danger facing Gretchen, the isolation of Susita (sp?) [Cherita], all appear to us, as to Donnie, as inexorable. Donnie finds himself squarely in the fallen world. Unable to return to the innocence of his younger sister nor advance to the adjustment of his elder, he becomes tragically and painfully aware of the fate awaiting us all. He 'invents' Frank to ease the acute despair and isolation such awareness engenders.

Time travel is an extension of Frank in the sense that it actualizes an escape for Donnie, an escape whose reality is reinforced by the existence of both Roberta Sparrow and her book. This also moves Donnie closer to the 'real' world and the notion of success in it. And yet, however possible it may be in the theoretical world of science, whether it can save Donnie is doubtful. Look what it's done for Roberta.

In the primary reality of the film Donnie is as helpless as Oedipus in avoiding his fate. As a teenager, heroic anti-hero of higher intelligence and great compassion that Donnie is, he pushes the bounds of reality all the way and, thanks to the power of (cinematic) story telling, manages to tear the sky open just wide enough for us to stare up helplessly at our own addiction to clean, linear explanations. There are stranger mysteries than an unaccounted for jet engine, something Donnie would agree with as he goes off to sleep."
Posted by: david zoh on Sep 28, 05 Source: Metaphilm.com

With Maggie, Peter, baby, dog...

The day before yesterday, on Sunday 26th November the newly parents Maggie and Peter together Jakey walking Atticus went out for a walk in L.A. Pictures courtesy by IHJ and Popsugar.

Even in the most bohemian chic Hollywood clans there are often confusing direction signs!

Donnie Darko by Metaphilm

"Like most people who watch DD, I tried to work out what was going on rationally, and always there was something that didn't fit. I gave up in the end and assumed that the writer wanted to just mess with people's minds. But now, the explanation which satisfies me the most is that the whole thing is just a dream. Okay, bear with me...

Donnie is mentally ill, lets say some form of depression. He decides to take his own life; an overdose before he goes to bed. As he lays there, he justifies his actions by coming up with the story that we watch.

I've almost been in that position myself. Everyone is saying "things will get better", and "something might happen tomorrow which could change your life entirely", and "if you kill yourself, it will harm your family".

So, he imagines a scenario in which even if he met the girl of his dreams, she and his family would still be better of without him... well, they would be alive. He justifies taking his own life to save others.

The only bit that we see for real is towards the end when he is in bed, laughing quietly to himself. From this perspective, it's a very empty, sad film. But the saddest thing is that somewhere, right now, someone is seeing their own version of it, just as they breathe their last breath."

Posted by: :-) mark on Aug 16, 05 Source: Metaphilm.com

New Award for Maggie

STOCKHOLM (AFP) - The US movie "Sherrybaby," starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and directed by Laurie Collyier, won the Bronze Horse for best film at the Stockholm International Film Festival, organizers said.

Gyllenhaal also took home the award for best actress for her role in the film as Sherry, a young woman released from jail after serving a three-year sentence for a crime she committed as a 19-year-old heroin addict and who struggles to reestablish a relationship with her young daughter.

"A pure and heartbreaking work about survival and dignity. It takes you on a desperate quest for love, through a landscape of struggle, guilt and broken dreams which at times is hard to watch yet impossible to forget," the jury said in its motivation.

The best actor award went to Ryan Gosling for his role as a junior high school teacher who is caught by one of his students in a compromising situation in the movie "Half Nelson", while best directorial debut went to Daniel Sanchez Arevalo of Spain for "Darkbluealmostblack."

The award for best screenplay was won by Beatrix Christian for the Australian movie "Jindabyne," while the best cinematography nod went to Anthony Dod Mantle of Britain for "The Last King of Scotland."

US family road comedy "Little Miss Sunshine" by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris took home the festival's Audience Award.

Earlier on Saturday, Swedish director Lasse Hallstroem, known for his movies "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," "The Cider House Rules," "Chocolat" and "Casanova," was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Source: News.Yahoo.com

More Lakers pictures

Pic 1: Bored, 2: Pensive, 3: Comfortable, 4: Pissed off.

Amidst Jen Connelly & Kiki

Thanksgiving Day

"Are you going on Thanksgiving Day
To those family celebrations?
Passing on knowledge down through the years
At the gathering of generations

Every year it's the same routine
All over, all over
Come on over, it's Thanksgiving Day

Papa looks over at the small gathering
Remembering days gone by
Smiles at the children as he watches them play
And wishes his wife was still by his side

She would always cook dinner on Thanksgiving Day
It's all over, it's all over
It's all over the American way
But sometimes the children are so far away

And in a dark apartment on the wrong side of town
A lonely spinster prays
For a handsome lover and a passionate embrace
And kisses all over, all over
All over her American face

It's all over, it's all over, it's all over

'Cause today she feels so far away
From the friends in her hometown
So she runs for the Greyhound
She'll spend hours on the bus but she'll reach town
For Thanksgiving Day

Come on over, come on over
Come on over, it's Thanksgiving Day

At a truck stop a man sits alone at the bar
Estranged in isolation
It's been a while now and he seems so far
From those distant celebrations

He thinks back to all the mistakes that he made
To a time when he was so young and green
Innocent days when they both looked forward to that
Great American dream

Now it's all over, it's all over, all over
And all over America people are going home
On Thanksgiving Day

Now Papa looks out of the window
The sight brings a smile to his face
He sees all his children coming back home
Together on this special day

Come on over, come on over
Come on over, it's Thanksgiving Day"
"THANKSGIVING DAY" song by Ray Davies.

Lakers, Clippers & Jake

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Jake Gyllenhaal sits courtside as the Los Angeles Lakers play against the Los Angeles Clippers on November 21, 2006 at Staples Center in L.A.
Source: Sports.Yahoo.com

How can anybody, including the players, concentrate on a basketball match if Jake is sitting in the audience (at Austin Nichols' side) with THAT FACE??

Dubious Romances

"Orlando Bloom has found new love in the arms of Marie Antoinette star Kirsten Dunst. The couple have been seeing each other for more than a month after becoming "close" on the set of Elizabethtown, released last year.

It had taken more than a year for the romance to develop as Orlando, 29, was still dating Superman star Kate Bosworth, 23, and Kirsten was in an on/off relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal.

They became good friends on the set of the film, made in Kentucky, but at the time Kirsten, 24, denied any romance, saying: "If you're alluding to whether Orlando and I got together then that's a no. No."

But last week they were spotted all over each other in Los Angeles hotel Chateau Marmont. We're told: "Kate [Kirsten?] and Orlando are definitely more than just good friends now.

"They were kissing and cuddling in the corner of the lobby bar and didn't seem to care who saw them. They even stayed past closing time because they were enjoying each other's company." [...]

Orlando and Kate broke up in September after a rather tempestuous four years. A close pal of Orlando tells us: "Kirsten reminds him of what Kate used to look like before her dramatic weight loss.

"It was so much fun for him to be with her because she seemed carefree and not obsessed about fattening foods. Kirsten can also let her hair down a bit and isn't worried about being the most fashionable girl in the room.

Orlando likes that she can look a bit dishevelled, he thinks it's sexy. Kate would never go out unless she looked perfectly coiffed and that got a bit tiring." Source: Dailymail.co.uk


On the other hand, we have the short video titled "Reese and Jake flirt on 'Rendition' set" and another new rumour about Jake, this time in the picture above he's leaving Madeo's Restaurant in Beverley Hills 12th November, supposedly on a date with Argentinian actress Mia Maestro. Jake brought Mia to his favorite restaurant, Madeo's in Beverly Hills, on November 12th, reports In Touch Weekly in their new issue.

"He's a regular here, but he never brings a date", reveals one surprised waiter at the Italian eatery. Jake allegedly "gazed deeply into the eyes of his companion", who has appeared in 'The Motorcycle Diaries', 'Poseidon' and was a regular on 'Alias'.

"He didn't pay much attention to his food," adds the waiter. A rep for Mia, 28, would only say, "Mia and Jake are friends, they're in the same social circle." Source: Daily Blabber
In my opinion, this story doesn't hold well because actress Mia Maestro has a long-term boyfriend, actor and director Ned Benson.

Kirsten and Scarlett

"Hollywood actress SCARLETT JOHANSSON is looking for love and has reportedly asked to be set up with newly single star JAKE GYLLENHAAL.

The LOST IN TRANSLATION star has met Gyllenhaal a few times, and friends say that the pair are perfectly matched.

Now she has asked her representatives to organise her a date with the actor - who recently ended his long-term relationship with actress KIRSTEN DUNST.

A pal says, "He's a little younger than her usual type, but they really clicked.

"They both grew up in dynamic and creative families and Jake has an old head on young shoulders, just like her."

Johansson, who is rumoured to have had a fling with BENICIO DEL TORO at last year's Oscars, makes no secret of the fact that she is looking for love.

She recently said, "I'm a girl in the prime of my life and I'd like to celebrate that with someone.

"The thing is, I'd definitely like to be in a relationship with the right person. That's why I'm looking." Source: Contactmusic.com
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I know these are 2 years ago news, but I wondered if a relationship between the sexiest chick in Hollywood and Jake would have worked out or not.

Young Date

"Palm Desert, CA (FV Newswire) - In celebration of National Singles Week, September 17-23, It’s Just Lunch, the premier dating service for busy professionals, has released statistics from its Annual Report on Dating about singles, dating and age. According to a survey of 3,571 singles 76% of women date men that are at least 5 years older than them, while 80% of men date women that are at least 5 years younger than them.

“A lot of women that date older men are looking for stability and maturity,” said Alana Beyer, Vice President of It’s Just Lunch. “They want someone that is settled in their career, is a good care-taker and is serious about finding a significant other. Regardless of whether singles are dating someone older or younger 67% think 1-5 years is a practical age difference between couples.”

Of the 18% of men who prefer to date women that are older, 6% admit to having dated a single, older friend of their parents. When asked if they could date an older celebrity, 34% of men said their celebrity of choice would be Annette Benning, another 22% chose Diane Keaton. 62% of women said they would date Harrison Ford.

When asked which younger celebrity they would date,
26% of women chose Orlando Bloom,

24% said Jake Gyllenhaal and another
23% chose Nick Lachey. When posed with the same question,
33% of men said they would date Jessica Alba,

while Scarlett Johansson and
Jessica Simpson came in tied at 21%." Source: FinanceVisor

Just beautiful friends

"If Reese Witherspoon wants to quash rumors of an on-set romance with co-star Jake Gyllenhaal, she should probably stop being photographed looking like his favorite cowgirl. Reese's reps deny any hanky-panky between the two, now in Los Angeles filming their new thriller, "Rendition." As the photos show, Reese is pregnant in the film." [...] Source: Tmz