Happy Birthday, Maggie Gyllenhaal!

Today we're celebrating the birthday of Maggie Gyllenhaal, who turns 34 today. The older sister of Academy Award-nominated Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie got her acting start in the 1992 feature film Waterland. From there, she appeared in bit parts until making a name opposite her brother in the 2001 cult favorite, Donnie Darko. However, she truly hit her big break in 2006's SherryBaby, for which she received rave reviews for her performance. Since then, she's starred in major films like 2006's Stranger Than Fiction, 2008's The Dark Knight and 2009's Crazy Heart, for which she earned her lone Academy Award nomination. She'll next appear in the 2012 films Learning to Fly and Voice from the Stone. So, to celebrate her birthday, I've listed my five favorite of Maggie's roles. Please help me in celebrating and wishing her a happy birthday!

5. Elizabeth Darko
Donnie Darko (2001)


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4. Jean Craddock
Crazy Heart (2009)

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3. Rachel Dawes
The Dark Knight (2008)


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2. LN Fisher-Herrin
Away We Go (2009)


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1. Ana Pascal
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Happy Birthday, Sam Mendes!

Today we've got the birthday of director Sam Mendes, who turns 46. Mendes splashed onto the Hollywood scene, winning Best Director for his directorial debut, 1999's American Beauty (which also went on to win Best Picture that year). Since then, he's only offered up four other films, but they've all been of rather astounding caliber, if I do say so myself. Despite the lack in quantity, Mendes's work achieves a quality that many directors would love to possess. So, for this post, I've listed his five films in the order of my preference, much like I do with other birthday posts. All that being said, I'd like to wish Sam Mendes a happy 46th birthday, and I hope you enjoy this list.

5. Jarhead
2005


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4. Revolutionary Road
2008


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3. Away We Go
2009


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2. Road to Perdition
2002


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1. American Beauty
1999