Check It. Vampire Weekend's "Giving Up the Gun" video.

Nothing like a good cameo start off your morning. My future hubby Jake Gyllenhaal is no stranger to making surprise appearances in fun, fantastic all-star music videos, but when Ron Howard shows up to party, you get a bit overshadowed.

This time around, Gyllenhaal gets his time to shine--and takes advantage with an amazing pants rip-off. Other notable celeb pop-ups: a grungy (but quite adult?)-looking Joe Jonas, a stoic RZA, Lil Jon shilling out advice, and of course, the boys of Vampire Weekend, who strangely look more pretty than usual.


-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Pitchfork

Do It. Donnie Darko at the Devil's Night Drive-In.

It's been a long and winding road going in completely separate directions for Jake Gyllenhaal ('sigh') and Richard Kelly since they made Donnie Darko, but man, was that an awesome film, or what? Angsty teenagers in the '80s stuck against the perils of time travel--with Tears for Fears as your soundtrack? It probably shouldn't have worked--and maybe some can argue that it doesn't (come on, it's part of the fun!)--but either way, it's worth the repeat viewing. Especially at a drive-in. In the middle of downtown Los Angeles.

The Devil's Night Drive-In is taking place this Saturday at 7:30pm (doors at 6pm) at the parking lot at 4th and Broadway for $10. Presale tickets for cars are sold out, but you can still have a picnic and walk-in if you get there early. So bring a blanket (there's Astroturf to sit on) and BYOB, save room for food from the Angel City Derby Girls, and get ready for some time travelling, a la a really creepy bunny.

-- Chau Tu

Check It. A book and two films.

Leslie Caron (An American in Paris, Gigi) is discussing and signing her new memoir, Thank Heaven, at where else but a place of worship? The Vroman's Bookstore Friday night event will be held at the All Saints Church in Pasadena. In the book, the Golden Age actress shares stories about everyone from Gene Kelly to Warren Beatty.

All Saints Church is located at 132 N Euclid Ave. in Pasadena. Free. Doors open at 6 p.m., event begins at 7 p.m. Book price, $25.95.

At the movie theater this weekend, we have (aside from Up in the Air) the choice of: Everybody's Fine or Brothers. Barrymore, Beckinsale and De Niro, or Gyllenhaal, Portman and Maguire? For a couple of films that I have very little interest in seeing, these are impressive lineups.

With the former, you have the likely feel good family/holiday theme going on--in the vain of the flawless Planes, Trains and Automobiles and maybe some Home for the Holidays disfunction thrown in for good measure. The man who played Jack Byrnes (among many, many other great characters) needs no explanation, and Drew Barrymore is just plain adorable.

The latter appears to have the over-the-top domestic drama of, say, Enough, with a hint of Coming Home? Director Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot, In America) and screenwriter David Benioff's (25th Hour, The Kite Runner) involvement definitely help the case, along with the fact that Natalie Portman can do no wrong.

Choose wisely, my friends.

Or just stay in and rent a Disney classic in honor of Walt, whose birthday was December 5.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: www.artfiles.art.com