Happy Birthday, Jake Gyllenhaal!

Today, we're celebrating the 31st birthday of Academy Award-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal. The brother of actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jake got his acting start in the 1991 film City Slickers. He worked sparingly throughout the 1990s, but he made his first real splash on the Hollywood scene with his starring role in 1999's October Sky. From there, Jake nabbed the lead in cult-favorite Donnie Darko in 2001. He nabbed his first - and to date, only - Oscar nomination for his supporting role in the critically-acclaimed but controversial Brokeback Mountain opposite the late Heath Ledger. Since then, Jake's career has been a little hit-and-miss, but he's managed to continue to bring a solid level of acting to his performances. Most recently, audiences saw him in 2011's Source Code, and they'll next be able to see him in the 2012 film, End of Watch. So, to celebrate his birthday, I've listed my five favorite Jake Gyllenhaal performances. I hope you enjoy the videos I've supplied. Once again, happy birthday, Jake!

5. Colter Stevens
Source Code (2011)


*****

4. Anthony Swofford
Jarhead (2005)


*****

3. Tommy Cahill
Brothers (2009)


*****

2. Donnie Darko
Donnie Darko (2001)


*****

1. Jack Twist
Brokeback Mountain (2005)

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