Dear Friend, last night I watched and finished Donnie Darko. Now you’ve read the title so you might understand a little of what I’m doing. But in case you haven’t guessed, I recognized a lot of actors in this movie. Let’s do a little run through and determine where abouts they were in their career.

Jake Gyllenhaal (19 in 2001). Two years after October Sky. Four years before Brokeback Mountain. I hadn’t really picked up what I’ve seen him in until I was researching this. Zodiac, Jarhead, Prisoners, Nightcrawler, Southpaw, Spider-Man: Far from Home, Road House. Sorry Mr. Gyllenhaal, I didn’t realize you’ve been the lead in a lot of my favorite movies of the past five years.

Maggie Gyllenhaal (23 in 2001). Not nearly as successful as her younger brother, but who am I to compare siblings. All of mine are smarter than me. I recognize her from The Dark Knight as Rachel

Patrick Swayze (49 in 2001). I am at an age where I can appreciate the man in many of his movies, but I didn’t watch them in theaters. Nearing the end of his acting career at the time, I know him from Ghost, Point Break, Dirty Dancing, Road House, Red Dawn, Outsiders. His role in the movie is so weird and so gross.

Noah Wyle (30 in 2001). I know him from E.R, Friends, and The Librarian. I know he typically plays a doctor or a man of science. My particular favorite is E.R. One of my mothers favorite actors.

Drew Barrymore (26 in 2001). The bulk majority of her career was while she was a kid or teenager. This movie is a little above halfway through her career. I know her from E.T, Scream (LOL), Babes in Toyland, The Wedding Singer, Never Been Kissed, Charlie’s Angels and 50 First Dates. Upon further research, her last five years has mostly been doing her show The Drew Barrymore Show.

Now were getting into the territory of, “Huh, they were in this movie?”

Seth Rogen (19 in 2001) I know Seth Rogen from a lot of projects, producer and actor. But as far as I can tell, this was his first movie appearance. I know him from Invincible, Kung Fu Panda, Superbad, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Pineapple Express, Monsters vs. Aliens, Paul , The Super Mario Bros. Movie, TMNT: Mutant Mayhem and The Interview

Jena Malone (16 in 2001) I know her from the Michael Jackson stuff as well as The Painted Lady and Hunger Games

Ashley Tisdale (14 in 2001) This role of hers makes me laugh. I can’t think of Phineas and Ferb or High School Musical without her characters. I also know her as the English voice of Yuko Harada from Whisper of the Heart.

Jerry Trainor ( 24 in 2001) I saved the best for last, he’s in the film for less than two minutes but I nearly spit out my drink when I saw his character. He’s playing a highschooler and looks so out of place. It’s also his first movie ever. I know him from ICarly (Duh) as well as Evolution. This man just lives at NickTV

Dear Friend, thank you for indulging me on this little game, I hope all is well. You will be alright.