Showing posts with label WDW adventures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WDW adventures. Show all posts

Sunday, 15 May 2011

WDW Interlude - a report from my Pirates 4 press day at Blogomatic3000

Something different and hugely special in the post this evening. I am truly delighted to give a link to my Blogomatic3000 report from the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides press conference and premiere in London last Thursday.



The rest of my photos are also there. With big thanks to Blogomatic3000, Disney, Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz and all for a day I will never forget.


My review of On Stranger Tides.

While I'm about it, here's my review of JIG.

Friday, 8 April 2011

Berlin Part 2! The Source Code screening with Jake Gyllenhaal and Duncan Jones, and a WDW Berlin Interlude

It is a truth universally acknowledged that you can't see Jake Gyllenhaal everyday. Nevertheless, I'm quite prepared this evening to ignore that the globe has spun on since yesterday and so I'll post here all of my photos of Jake from last night in Berlin (I may have some other images when I'm back home with video tecchie stuff). I know there are other bits and pieces to post but I'm sure you won't mind that those will wait til Sunday when I'm back. I'm also hoping to have more pictures from Berlin. And because I know you're too polite to complain, this post will also contain a WDW Interlude from Berlin. No Jake today so I've been seeking solace in culture.


But without any more ado, here are all my pictures from Berlin last night. I think you'll agree that Jake was gorgeous, and caring and warm and lovely with it. I'm posting these in the order in which they were taken. It is true that there were nerves and hearts leapt into mouths and it is true that breaths were missed. But you know what I mean... I will, however, omit my photo which seemed to capture only Jake's forehead, fine as it may be. By the way, did I mention Jake Gyllenhaal held my hand last night? I'm getting ready to sacrifice it for the mantelpiece.




















I'm beyond thrilled that Mrs JG got a photo of Jake and me together so I can't wait to get that and post it. There will be some other things too, not to mention more goodies from Madrid.

Berlin

One of the many things I love about Jake is that he's a wonderful excuse to explore the world. This time, Berlin. I'm a sucker for history, as you know, and so today I took refuge from an incredibly windy day (there were times when I wanted to lie flat on the pavement) in a bunch of museums, notably the Neues and the Pergamon. This meant I fulfilled a lifelong ambition to see the Nerfertiti bust. It was oceans more beautiful than pictures can capture (which is fortunate as it's the one thing they don't let you take pictures of) and I swear I had a little moment. I had another when I walked into the Pergamon Museum and saw first the Pergamon temple front and then the Milet temple. I think this was particularly significant for me because I spent some time in Turkey years ago and visited both these towns (or the ruins thereof) and suddenly I had context for these wonders. And then there were the Ashti Gates...










Although a museum image, this is what today was all about.


So back home tomorrow night! Images from WDW (except for Nefertiti). If you use please link back to WDW - danke schon!

Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Source Code in Madrid part 2! And Jake Gyllenhaal and Duncan Jones reach Rome

Greetings from Berlin! I've made it at long last and I'm doing the great self-sacrificing task of sampling the beer ahead of the arrival of Jake Gyllenhaal and Duncan Jones tomorrow. I am using a little notepad that doesn't believe in putting letters in the right order so apologies for excessive typos. While some of us may be in Berlin, Jake and Duncan have been sprinkling the Source Code magic across Rome. This post includes pictures from Rome but it also includes more wonderful photographs from Madrid yesterday, courtesy of Eureka and Carlota. There are video and audio goodies to come but I'm not able to deal with that this evening in my haggard state. But, now, I can put my feet up because the rest of this post is Eureka's account of a day I think she's going to remember for such a long time. Over to Eureka...



'What a Wonderful Day.That's how I'd start the account of yesterday. I met with Carlota and Carmen to go to the hotel where Duncan and Jake were to meet the press. My first time ever to attend an event like this. So it was great to be in their company.The hotel was really nice, Kate posted already a link to the hotel website. And old palace with garden. We were shy and took our seats in the conference room. Waiting for Jake and Duncan to enter the room. While we waited, Carmen looked out one of the room windows and noticed there was a photocall poster and photographers were already there waiting for the stars. We wanted to go out, but we did not know if we were allowed. She asked and they said yes.'


'It was a sunny and beautiful day in Madrid so it was very good the photocall was outdoors. So there we went speedy and joing the photographers, there were many, so it was hard to squeeze to be able to take a shot.We waited for a while, very anxiouly...and finally Jake did this nice entrance down the stairs Kate posted yesterday. Waving and smiling. My first thought was: He is indeed very nice. Photographers took lots of shots and then Duncan joined Jake. They were joking while posing. And then Jake left, I did my best to picture him leaving but I got his back. Then was photos just for Duncan and that was easier. There were less photographers for Duncan. It's true Jake was the star for the pictures.'



'After that we ran again indoors to the conference room and waited a little. They entered the room smiling. My eyes could not believe it at first, after so many internet pictures and videos I felt I was in front of my laptop. But this time, no, this time was for real. They were there, there was Jake in flesh and blood. I wanted to take pictures and video but I also wanted to see it all with my own eyes.'


'The questions they received were both for Duncan and Jake. But the biggest part were for Duncan. It was somewhat different cause they were escorted by two interpreters one for Duncan and another one for Jake. Some people asked in Spanish others directly in English. But it was fun to watch their faces listening the Spanish questions and waiting for the translation. They asked things about the conection of this movie with Moon, the free will of human beings. At one point a person asked several questions in a row for Duncan and Jake. And Jake said, let me answer first cause I'm an actor and I forget very quickly. That made us all laugh. At some point he did forget something and we all laughed again.'


'Duncan was also asked about the movie budget but very nicely said he could not share that piece of information since producers did not either but he joked. He said that "as Director it was never enough and it will never be enough but I will always make it work". Jake was asked if we was in the same situation as Colter what would he do, and he said he had thought a lot about that. And that what gets the character through the situation is his expertise as a pilot. That he is told in his job to try his instict, what sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. But Colter's expertise as a military man helped him. But him knowing all he knows at this moment he would be fine.'


'"I know all about the source code. I know what it does, I know who is in control, and I know I'm screwed so I think I'd be ok knowing about it all now". That answer made us laugh. A neat question for Duncan was: Do you think our reality is an illusion and if it is so what is the path to scape from it? And Jake jumped in (funny cause I think he understood the question in Spanish cause interpreter did not translate until later) and said "You should ask that to an actor. For an actor reality is an illusion" Duncan said he wished he knew how to escape his question. He said all he could say is that what drew him to the script and working with Jake was he believes good films are relying on the care the audience has for the main character. The situation Colter finds himself in is unique, bizarre but he wanted the audience to relate to him.'


'Before closing Duncan, who was such a wonderful sweet and warm person, said he was very excited for the football game there was yesterday in Madrid, Real Madrid vs Tottenham. He said he wished he could play for Tottenham cause he's awful bad and that would make sure Real Madrid would won. That won even more the audience if possible. By the way the result was: Real Madrid 4 Tottenham 0.'



[You can see the whole press conference here. Thanks to Snow for the link.]

'After that came the most exciting time Jake stepped down the platform and all the ladies in the room rushed forward and he posed with them for pictures. He received gifts. I had printed some stills for the movie with the idea to have his autograph. It was hard you know. Carlota and Carmen met their goal. They will explain themselves but you already saw their picture with Jake. Me, I met and surpassed mine. I got his signature. OMG! I saw his face and his eyes so close.... I just can say they are incredibly beautiful. More than in the movies. He then moved forward to the end of the line of ladies. And on his way back I asked for a picture with him. And he did stop and got that moment too. That's AMAZING. He is super professional and nice. And he listens with intention to the people. Then he left for the one to one interviews with the press.'


'First part of the adventure was over. I was in a levitating trance. I tell you. Me and Carlota and Carmen. Jiggling and smiling like tripping. He,he. We went for lunch and came back to the hotel thanks to a friend of theirs and there was another little adventure with Ducan which they will tell. Pretty exciting too. We saw Jake briefly, he was seated in a table with reporters but it was an instant then the door closed.'


'Next stop was the cinema premiere for Source Code for fans. These tickects were won by a Tweeter and Facebook contest. I'm so thankful to Carlota and Carmen who won tickets and they invited me to join them. So we arrived so early we made it to the front row. What can I say. A perfect, perfect day. Moving from one thing to another enjoying the ride. And then they came, went down the stairs from the projection room. They were introduced by the Director of AURUM (the movie distributor in Spain). And you can see what happened here:'



'It was brief but funny. The Aurum director told Duncan he knew he was a great tweeter and asking to tell a tweet about what SOURCE CODE is about, he said: "Colter Stevens on a commuter train, blows up things get weird". And Jake said : "You have your whole seat but you'll only need the edge" Duncan said he had a great feeling presenting the movie in Madrid cause here he got his first award for MOON and that motivated him to continue making movies. And when making movies you are always at work even when the movie is done. Duncan asked people, please, if you do like the movie please tell everyone you know to come and see it, cause if the movie does not work he would have to go back to his old job selling second hand cars. That made us all laugh. Then they left off to Rome as we were told earlier. Then SOURCE CODE movie and this amazing adventure was over. Go and watch it!'


'I want to thank Kate for putting me in contact with Carlota, Carmen and Snow who finally could not come to Madrid for the screening. We had an amazing unforgettable day. I wish you the same for Berlin.'


Thank you so much, Eureka! It makes me feel as if I had been there...




Pictures thanks to Eureka, Carlota and IHJ.

Tuesday, 5 April 2011

First exclusive report from Source Code's day in Madrid with Jake Gyllenhaal and Duncan Jones! Much more to come...

This is an emergency post, brought about by the extraordinary experiences that WDW friends Eureka and Carlota enjoyed today in the beautiful city of Madrid. Indeed, the city was made even more striking today by the addition of Jake Gyllenhaal and Duncan Jones. This is a stop gap post, giving them the time to digest their adventure - and it involved chatting with Jake, giving him presents, talking about football (with Jake and Duncan) and selling secondhand cars - and me to process the files. In the first picture we have the lovely Carlota and her cousin Carmen with Jake.


These pictures were taken by Eureka. As you can see, our friends were able to watch the photocall.





There is a lot more to come, including the press conference itself, and some great video, but I think it's time to let Eureka and Carlota sleep and recover. And thanks so much to them for sharing this incredible day with us all!

And finally...

As mentioned in the post earlier this evening, I have not one but TWO tickets available for the screening on Thursday night in Berlin, introduced by Jake and Duncan. The tickets are not together but they are in the theatre (which is what counts). You will need to be in Berlin for 8.30pm on Thursday night. If you're interested email me using the contact link on the top left hand corner of the front page here. Thanks to reader Mrs JG for contributing one of the tickets.

Photos from Carlotta and Eureka!

Monday, 24 January 2011

Jake Gyllenhaal back in LA, Oscar nominations livestreamed on WDW and a WDW adventure

After a few days of more veggie breakfasts, sea breezes and rocky outcrops than you usually get in a month of Sundays, I've made it back to Oxford and I'm now catching up. Firstly, Jake Gyllenhaal has made it back to LA, complete with a hat we've not seen for quite a while.



Tomorrow, the Academy Award nominations will be read at the traditional ungodly hour of 5.30am in LA (8.30 in NYC and 1.30pm over here in Blighty). With thanks to PoPSugar, you can watch the live streaming of the announcements here on WDW.



Update: You can see all the nominations listed here. Unfortunately, there is nothing for Love and Other Drugs. Congratulations are due, however, to Michelle Williams and to another particular favourite of mine, David Fincher, for their nominations.

We've been talking quite a bit here about what might be next in store for Jake and for us in the way of movies, and in this video from the Globes Jake gives us no help whatsoever. Just the suggestion that things may be taking shape away from the spotlight.



Thanks to IHJ for the new pictures and for these images from a Love and Other Drugs photoshoot.



A WDW Interlude

During the last few days I've been exploring the Welsh Marches and Pembrokeshire, as part of a celebration of Mr WDW's birthday. It may have been cold but the sun peeped out on occasion and the local ales could be seen to flow. I scaled more castle slopes than your average medieval army. And so, to go off piste, here are some pictures to let you know a bit of what I've been up to while removed from access to the World Wide Web.

Arthur's Stone and Hay-on-Wye



Carrig Cenna castle


Manorbier




Carew



Tenby


St Non's and St David's



Lovely. But good to be back!