Jake Gyllenhaal of Fame

Lili’s pick: Donnie Darko

Lanie’s pick: Source Code

I take full credit for converting my sister into a Jake Gyllenhaal fan. Before she was certain that he had crossed her in a past life because as she admitted: she “hated him for no reason”. But once I successfully listed “5 Jake Gyllenhaal movies she actually likes”: City Slickers, Zodiac, Nocturnal Animals, Spiderman: Homecoming, (and confidently knowing she would love) Donnie Darko—she finally agreed to a Jake Gyllenhaal night. Much to her chagrin, she enjoyed both films, and eventually became a Jake Gyllenaal fan. I hardly had to think at all when making my selection for this evening, Donnie Darko was a film I was anxious to explore again, though I was somewhat worried my angsty teenage self had given it more credit than it deserved. My worries quickly subsided though, as our viewing reminded me how clever, dark, and instantly quotable this movie is. Source Code, another Duncan Jones film, was new to us both and took us both by surprise. It’s one of those movies that pulls you in almost immediately, and for the remainder of it, you might just be gripped to your seat. It’s a mystery that continues to unravel even when you think you’ve finally solved it, and I promise you won’t see the ending coming.