Jennifer Aniston Watch

Are they watching the ball fly into the outfield . . . or Marley?

Friday night marked “Bark In The Park” night at Dolphin Stadium, meaning that dog owners could bring their furry friends to watch the Marlins play. However, few could have anticipated the excitement that would ensue as the evening progressed - they would be in the company of famous dog owners John and Jenny Grogan. Well, the onscreen version, anyway.

Jen and Owen were on hand along with several crew members (and “Marley”) to film a scene in which Marley, watching the Marlins play, decides that he wants in on the action. As he runs out onto the field, John and Jenny chase him down. According to Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez, Jen was in fine form - he told the Miami Herald, “She’s pretty athletic. She made some zig-zags out there.” See for yourself here - that woman can run!

She also made an injured player’s day a little bit brighter. Josh Willingham, currently on the Marlins’ disabled list due to a lower back strain, didn’t just sit idly by as his teammates took the field - he met Jen! An account of their meeting, from USA Today:

While the Marlins were in the process of dispatching the San Diego Padres, Willingham was in the tunnels of Dolphin Stadium shooting the breeze with Aniston.

“She said, ‘So why aren’t you out there playing?’” Willingham recalled. “I said I hurt myself a few days ago and I can’t play for a while. So, you guys shooting a movie here?”

Marlins fan blog Fishstripes speculates that this could trigger something of a chain reaction among the players - who wouldn’t want to hang out with Jen? For now, though, a few more pictures will just have to suffice - enjoy!

It’s all fun and (baseball) games for now . . .

. . . until someone runs away! Time to spring into action . . .

. . . and they did exactly that, in front of an audience of thousands. Well done!

Ok, so the Chicago sky is trending a bit more towards the gray end of things as I write this - however, that does not mean that tabloid publications have suddenly decided that plausibility is important in deciding what to write. The latest? OK! has “reported” that Jen has undergone an “extreme summer makeover,” citing plastic surgeons’ opinions on recent perceived changes in Jen’s appearance. Of course, these speculations are accompanied by the requisite disclaimer that Jen has never actually been within a 100-mile radius of any of these individuals.

So let’s look at this factually - Jen looks great in recent pictures, but is that necessarily new? Jen has long been noted as looking significantly younger than her age, and with her healthy habits, that is not surprising. However, the latest pictures from the Marley & Me set seem to have given the folks at OK! material for some very tenuous speculation. She does, in fact, look slightly different than she has in the past, and in certain circles that means that she must have achieved this appearance surgically.

Frankly, I think that their entire case is mitigated by the fact that the pictures were taken on the set. Here’s the crazy thing about film actors - they do, on occasion, change their appearance for their roles, and it appears that Jen has done just that. Not only is she sporting some (most likely faux) bangs as part of her “Jenny” look, but it appears that makeup artist Angela Levin has used different makeup effects than usual in making Jen look more like Jenny. Check out John Grogan’s Marley scrapbook for pictures of Jenny in her “Marley days” to compare. While Jen has been photographed sunbathing on several occasions, perhaps the clearest pictures that have been taken of her off the set in recent weeks were taken at the fundraiser for EBMRF. It is clear that in those pictures, she looks far more like her usual self.

As for that nose surgery last year that they suggest served a more vanity-oriented purpose? Having undergone a medically necessary septoplasty myself, I’d say that what little the public actually knows about Jen’s procedure is consistent with my own experience. My opinion may be somewhat partial, but it is also thoroughly informed - Jen was telling the truth here.

Sounds to me like somebody just needs something to write about - I know that Britney actually seems to be behaving herself lately, but don’t take it out on Jen!

Owen and Jen on set as John and Jenny

One of the really cool things about playing the part of a real person is, if you’re lucky, the opportunity to meet the person you’re playing. Well, according to John Grogan’s blog, the real John and Jenny paid a visit to the set recently, affording Jen and Owen the chance to learn a bit more about their characters - and have a bit of fun.

John describes the experience of seeing other people playing himself and his wife as “out-of-body,” and indeed it must be surreal to watch what is essentially a reenactment of an earlier time in your life. He also spoke to the accuracy of the production in recreating the period, even going so far as to say that Jen “looked like she had raided Jenny’s wardrobe from the early ’90s.” However, perhaps my favorite bit is this moment between the two Jennifers:

Later, during a break, my smart-ass wife couldn’t resist sidling up to Jen Aniston as she sat in her Jenny chair and deadpanning, “Excuse me, but I believe you’re in my seat.” Fortunately, the actress has a good sense of humor.

This movie’s Christmas Day release cannot come soon enough!

Jen’s been a busy woman, hard at work on the Miami set of Marley & Me. However, she had a bit of a break this week, as Owen’s been filming scenes without her at the Fort Lauderdale offices of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, where John Grogan worked during his early “Marley days.” Owen and Eric “McSteamy” Dane have been filming their scenes this week; People shows the onscreen colleagues on the set on Monday. The Sun-Sentinel has shared their inside account of the action, as well as the insights of Sun-Sentinel employees who worked as extras and saw it all! While some of John’s actual former colleagues were on the set (including one who actually dogsat Marley), one thing has changed from real life to reel life - Eric’s character, Sebastian Tunney, is completely fictional.

Jen has used her time off to spend some time with friends back in LA. PopSugar has pictures of Jen leaving Courteney’s house earlier this week, looking gorgeous and with MacBook Pro in hand. The friends would meet up again very soon, in a more festive setting, as Splash News reports that Jen was later spotted at last night’s opening of Eva Longoria’s new restaurant Beso; Courteney and David were also reported to be in attendance, along with Jason Bateman, who played realtor Riggleman in The Break-Up. The video on Splash indicates that Jen’s trek into the restaurant was a swift one, as she almost evaded the paparazzi. Anyway, it looks like Jen’s fully enjoying her break!

Now you see ‘em . . .

now you don’t!

Are those bangs just a bit of movie magic? New Marley & Me set pictures show Jen sporting bangs . . . sometimes. Other pictures, presumably taken upon her arrival onset and prior to hair and makeup, show her without the fringe. It seems that some sort of styling trickery is involved, but as the old Clairol ads used to say, only her hairdresser knows for sure!

Anyway, PopSugar has other pics from the set, including an adorable one of Jen getting affectionate with her own furry friend Norman! Wonder if this project will afford Norman the opportunity to get back to his acting roots with a cameo, alongside Dolly, Jen’s other dog - either way, it does seem like fate that someone like Jen, with her real-life love for dogs, is involved in Marley’s tale.

Jen spent her St. Patrick’s Day hard at work on the Miami set of Marley & Me, wearing shorts bearing the logo of Central Michigan University (Jenny Grogan’s alma mater?). PopSugar has more pictures of Jen on the set; I’m particularly fond of this one, as it’s wonderful to see her sharing a laugh with her good friend Chris!

On a side note, here’s something totally random that I noticed: Jen’s next four movies will be released in alphabetical order! Check it out:

He’s Just Not That Into You - August 1, 2008
Management - September 19, 2008
Marley & Me - December 25, 2008
Traveling - early 2009

Clearly I spend entirely too much time geeking out about Jen’s new movies, but I think that it’s understandable when they all look like they’re going to be so good!

Production on Traveling continues to roll on, as an abundance of photographic evidence proves. Jen looks gorgeous as always, even as she bundles up amid increasingly chilly temperatures. PopSugar has even more set pictures; not the first time she’s made me really want a trench coat!

News has also surfaced regarding additional cast members in the flick, via The Hollywood Reporter. Notably, John Carroll Lynch, whom Jen fans remember as Retail Rodeo manager Jack Field in The Good Girl will appear as a reluctant seminar guest. Dan Fogler and Martin Sheen are slated to play manager and father-in-law, respectively, to Aaron’s self-help guru, while Judy Greer plays an employee and confidante of Eloise. Joe Anderson of Across The Universe fame also appears - as Eloise’s musician boyfriend. The plot thickens . . .

In other news, Jen is slated to cohost the Night Before The Oscars party, as she has in years past. Details about the full list of cohosts can be found here, and I think that it’s safe to say that anything that can be said about that has already been said. So let’s focus on the important stuff - as always, the event benefits the Motion Picture & Television Fund, and it is entirely plausible that a good time will be had by all.

Speaking of a good time . . . here are a few other pics of Jen and Aaron on the set. As the temps drop (they’re positively frigid here in Chicago), just a little something to keep ya warm. Enjoy!

Jennifer Aniston, Aaron Eckhart, Traveling, Joe Anderson, Judy Greer, John Carroll Lynch, Martin Sheen, Dan Fogler, Night Before The Oscars party

Jen continues to film Traveling in Vancouver, and continues to look gorgeous all the while. As you can see in the above picture, her character is named Eloise! As more details continue to surface, I am getting even more excited about this movie. PopSugar has other pics of Jen and Aaron on the set; looks like they’re having fun together on the set, which can only mean good things for the costars’ chemistry. Jen looks particularly joyful lately, and it is wonderful to see.

It can be said that the true definition of a star is one who brings light into other people’s lives, and Jen’s new costar is not the only one who can attest to that. Someone whom Jen has known for far longer has recently revealed just how devoted Jen is to her friends.

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Back in 2001, Jen filmed The Good Girl with Jake Gyllenhaal, who at the time was a relative newcomer (his credits at the time included Donnie Darko and Bubble Boy). Not only did they share the screen in the quirky flick, but they shared a love scene, which for both actors marked a first. Jen was notably apprehensive about simulating such a private moment for all to see; she told In Style upon the film’s release that “unless you’re someone who gets off on having people watch you - which I’m certainly not - it’s weird having 40 crew members look at you in such an intimate situation.”

However, she did find solace in Jake’s own approach to the moment, as she told the magazine that “Jake was as nervous as I was. Finally you just go for it. I couldn’t ask for a better, sweeter person to be devirginized on film with.” For his part, Jake discussed his experience working on the scene: “We had been making out for weeks in other scenes, and this was just some more hip grinding; some more kissing. Jennifer turned to me at one point and said, ‘That wasn’t so hard. I’ve faked it before.’” Throughout the production, he developed something of a protective stance toward his leading lady; he says that at one point, “I remember we were in bed one day, and Miguel Arteta screamed, ‘Stop joking around.’ And I thought, ‘This is Jennifer Aniston, motherf***er. You don’t yell at her.’”

Furthermore, they have continued to show a great deal of respect for each other’s work over the years. In 2005, Jen was on hand at the Hollywood Film Festival to present Jake with a Hollywood Breakthrough Award. Earlier this year, Jake returned the favor, presenting Jen with her GLAAD Vanguard Award. He gave a great presentation speech, citing Jen’s warmth and integrity as traits that he has come to know personally, and upon her arrival onstage he greeted her with a kiss. As Jake himself put it, “Everybody falls in love with Jennifer, and I have to say, it’s always her fault.”

Jennifer Aniston, Jake Gyllenhaal, The Good Girl, costars, GLAAD Media Awards

Whether your nearest and dearest celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Festivus, or just a December birthday, you are most likely looking for gifts right about now. Well, if you have a fellow Jen fan on your list, here are a few ideas (provided, of course, that your recipient does not already possess these items):

DVD’s

Dirt: Season 1 Here’s one that nobody has yet, as its release date is December 11. Not only does Jen’s costar and confidante Courteney star in this FX series, but Jen herself appears in the season finale as rival editor Tina Harrod. And yes, they kissed. This set is currently available for pre-order on Amazon, and it hits stores on Tuesday.

Office Space - Special Edition with Flair This cult classic was rereleased a couple of years ago with additional special features, including behind-the-scenes interviews and deleted scenes. Available on Amazon and anywhere DVD’s are sold.

Friends - The Complete Series Collection While the Frienatic on your list most likely already has all, or at least most, of the series on DVD, those who don’t will without a doubt regard this comprehensive, collectible 40-disk set as the ultimate Friends jackpot. Available on Amazon.

Decor

Rumor Has It poster Allposters.com carries this full-size, double sided poster - and promises delivery by December 24.

Derailed poster Poster Check Out carries this poster - as well as posters for Bruce Almighty and Along Came Polly.

Framed Rolling Stone cover This retro portrait of Jen and her Friends costars is framed for display - and also available for timely delivery.

Jennifer Aniston, gift ideas

Jen does not often appear in period pieces, but in 2001 Jen did just that, appearing in the 1980’s-set drama Rock Star. She played Emily Poule, the girlfriend/manager of Mark Wahlberg’s rising star Chris “Izzy” Cole. As compared to other women at rock concerts, Emily was meant to be a more level-headed, down-to-earth presence, so certain aspects of the “groupie” stereotype fell by the wayside. Nevertheless, in keeping with the time period, some edgier attire was necessary. Jen wore a lot of leather, in the form of both pants and jackets, and vintage items were in heavy rotation, with a bit of influence from earlier decades as well. In one very memorable scene (above), Jen wore a revealing crochet dress for a very period-appropriate evening look. Near the end of the movie, as she removes herself from the scene, Emily begins to favor a more relaxed look, as is fitting to her new life running a coffeehouse in early ’90’s Seattle.

The ’80’s were synonymous with big hair, and Jen’s look in this film was no exception. She wore very long hair, enhanced by extensions, and often wore it teased or tied back in ways that were typical of the period. A more extreme approach was necessary for her makeup as well; she wore bolder colors and for certain occasions she even wore glitter! Even though we are used to seeing Jen in more contemporary settings, in this film she showed that she has the range to play outside of the present day as well, and it does seem that she could even pull off a film set even farther back should she choose to do so.

Jennifer Aniston, Rock Star, period costumes, beauty, fashion

This is the song that doesn’t end . . . yes it goes on and on my friend . . .

Gossips know that there is nothing more profitable than flogging a dead horse. Even though all parties involved have moved on, the tabloids most definitely have not. So it only makes sense that nearly three years on, Brad Pitt has reentered Jen’s life - on the cinema screen, that is. From WPSD:

Jennifer Aniston shocked cinema-goers in Los Angeles - by sneaking into a screening of ex-husband Brad Pitt’s new movie.

The actress was spotted with fellow Friends star Courteney Cox at the Landmark Cinema watching The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford.

Aniston was seen walking into the cinema, attempting to hide beneath a baseball cap.

First of all, only for a celebrity does a trip to the movies make news. I’m surprised that no reports have surfaced of exactly how much salt she put on her popcorn. Second of all, given that Jen has been in Portland filming Management for nearly a month, I have some doubts about the timing and/or location of this sighting; therefore, I have doubts about the truth of it as well. Third of all . . . there is no third of all! She is a free woman, and if she wants to see a movie that just so happens to star her ex-husband, more power to her. If not, that’s her prerogative as well. But if it is true, that baseball cap disguise (?) just goes to show that she wants to be left alone.

Speaking of Jen whereabouts, here’s a bit of legitimate news. It turns out that filming on He’s Just Not That Into You isn’t over after all! The production is set to resume filming on location in Baltimore next month, and one local fan locked in the chance to walk on the set. This location shoot is said to involve all principal cast members, which means that Jen will likely make the trip (and this explains why going with a wig for Management was a practical choice!). Anyway, this definitely means more to come.

Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, gossip, He’s Just Not That Into You

KGW, an Oregon news station, has spotted Jen leaving the Management set on Thursday night. Check out their video here. It’s quick, and she’s wearing a big coat with a hood, but you can still see our girl looking terrific and waving to the crowd. Clearly, she is making a wonderful impression on local fans, and from the looks of it a great movie will come out of this production as well!

Speaking of Management, this article spotlights two locations to be used in the film. One location is Tulatin Indoor Soccer, an indoor soccer arena. In an exciting twist, stadium owner Monty Hawkins confirms earlier scoop that Jen plays soccer, saying that her character uses the sport to unwind. CI Bar and Grill is another Tulatin location to be used in filming; Jen’s character has a rendezvous with Steve’s character here. Owner David Phillips says of his bar’s selection for the film, “Everyone’s got a little ego, and it’s nice to have your place picked. It’s like putting it on the map.” He also says that film crews plan to redecorate the bar to create a Western-style environment.

Finally, backtracking a bit, a new interview with Jennifer Connelly gives us some new scoop on He’s Just Not That Into You. The actress plays a co-worker of Jen’s character, and reveals the unique challenges of filming with a Jennifer, another Jennifer, and a Ginnifer:

“I was a little bit more trepidacious, just because it’s new ground for me,” Connelly said. “I play a woman named Janine; Ginnifer Goodwin plays my best friend, and I work in an office with her and Jennifer Aniston’s character. You can imagine what that was like on set, and all the Jennifer jokes. Bradley Cooper plays my husband, and I’m really neurotic about my house renovations.”

So right now, our girl has one film in the can, another one filming, and many more to come. She said it in her Bazaar interview, and I’ll say it here: she’s back.

Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly, He’s Just Not That Into You, Management, filming locations

A new look?

Management has been very quietly filming for some time now, and I don’t know about all of you, but I have been on the edge of my seat waiting for a sneak preview. Well, thanks to Sky Showbiz, we have one! This shot shows Jen on the set, sporting a dramatically different look for the role, with darker, shorter hair and a very casual wardrobe. She has managed (no pun intended) to stay under the radar while in Oregon, and perhaps this explains her sudden magical ability to go incognito. Assuming that she has actually gone to the dark side (which she is no stranger to) and not just gone the wig route, that is. More on this as it develops; what do we think of this look?

Edit: More under the jump!
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In Friends With Money, Jen plays Olivia, a single woman who is searching for a career and a husband of her own while surrounded by friends who have already achieved these objectives. She cleans houses to make ends meet while she searches for her calling; therefore, she spends most of the film in very casual clothing. As a contrast to her wealthier counterparts, on a daily basis Olivia favors an aesthetic that falls somewhere between shabby chic and just plain shabby, although on Jen this look reads as simply natural and bohemian. However, this is not to say that she doesn’t clean up nicely; for a gala near the end of the movie, she wears a formal dress designed by Jane (Frances McDormand) and looks beautiful. While much is made of Olivia’s limited means, it seems that even outside of these constraints, Olivia is weary of the fussiness that surrounds her in L.A. and prefers to keep things simple.

This simple, go-with-the-flow approach extended to her hair and makeup. Prior to this production, Jen had recently wrapped Derailed. Having darkened her hair to play Lucinda, the look also worked for Olivia, whose low-maintenance aesthetic is well-suited by a natural-looking shade of brown and an unfussy style. Not much effort was made in the makeup department, either, due to director Nicole Holofcener’s commitment to authenticity. She has often expressed a distaste for the overuse of age-defying measures in Hollywood, and makes a somewhat ironic statement about it, with Olivia’s hoarding of anti-aging skin care. Nevertheless, Jen wore very little makeup as Olivia, and proved that in her case at least, natural is beautiful.

Jennifer Aniston, Friends With Money, wardrobe, beauty, Nicole Holofcener