Posts Tagged ‘Jason Reitman’

Kathryn Bigelow accepting the DGA's award for Best Director for "The Hurt Locker"

Kathryn Bigelow, director of The Hurt Locker, won the Director’s Guild of America’s award for Best Director, beating out ex-husband James Cameron (Avatar), Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds), Jason Reitman (Up in the Air), and Lee Daniels (Precious).

She is the first woman to ever receive the award.

The DGA’s decision is seldom challenged by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, as the winner of the first has won the second with only 6 exceptions since 1948 (the most recent being the DGA awarding Rob Marshall for Chicago and the Oscars awarding Roman Polanski for The Pianist).

Bigelow’s win continues The Hurt Locker’s momentum, as it also won the Producer’s Guild of America award for Best Producing, and the National Society of Film Critic’s award for Best Picture. Mark Boal, the film’s screenwriter, is also nominated for the WGA’s Screenwriting Award (the winners will be announced Feb. 20th). The American Film Institute also listed the film among its Top 10 films of the year.

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Quick Opinion: Kathryn Bigelow deserves a loud congratulations from the filming community indeed, as with any woman who breaks down a barrier in Hollywood. But even though the DGA’s pick is usually a reliable bet for the Academy Awards, I don’t think her winning the Best Director Oscar is a sure thing. James Cameron’s Avatar will surely be nominated for Best Picture, and his technical innovation for the film still makes him the front runner for the award in my opinion. Bigelow broke down social barriers, and Cameron broke down artistic and technological ones. It all depends on what the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences believes is more impressive.

Short Take: Full of potential, but ultimately indecisive

Director: Jason Reitman (Juno, Thank You for Smoking)

Screenwriters: Jason Reitman (Thank You for Smoking, Consent), Sheldon Turner (Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, The Longest Yard); Walter Kirn (novel)

Cast: George Clooney (Michael Clayton, Ocean’s 11), Vera Farmiga (Orphan, The Departed), Anna Kendrick (Twilight Saga, Rocket Science)

Length: 1 hr 49 mins

Synopsis: Ryan Bingham (Clooney) is constantly on the move as a man who fires people for a living.  He seems at home in a world of frequent flier miles and few meaningful human connections.  During his travels, he meets Alex (Farmiga) who enjoys a similar lifestyle.  However, his way of life is threatened when ambitious new employee Natalie suggest a method of cutting costs by firing people through videoconferencing.  Bingham’s boss insists Natalie learn the business by travelling with Bingham.  At first, they don’t get along, but as they spend more time together they both influence each other for the better.  As human connections become increasingly important to Ryan, he begins to question his solitary lifestyle. Read the rest of this entry »