Jason Reitman is one of my favorite directors -- new realization

[Morrison_Lad]

I was watching "Young Adult" last night, after receiving the BD copy. And yeesh, what a film. It's truly brilliant, with a sort of naturalness which isn't necessary always my favorite style, but works in Reitman's works perfectly. I was watching the Q&A with Janet Maslin, and listening to the commentary track, and I came to the realization that the man just keeps making films that I truly love.

"Thank You For Smoking" -- probably my least favorite of his films, but still totally enjoyable.
"Juno" -- Love it. But then, I'm a big Diablo Cody fan, too.
"Up in the Air" -- I think this is brilliant, and one of my favorite films from recent years.
"Young Adult" -- This is his masterpiece, I think. It's very powerful, and works on so many levels.

So, I was thinking that he's 4-for-4, which is pretty rare for a guy starting out. I mean, if your "weakest" output is "Thank You For Smoking", then you're doing something right. And actually, "Up in the Air" may not only be one of my favorites of recent years, but one of my favorites period. I have never gotten sick of watching it. And I've already watched "Young Adult" (with or without commentary) three times since getting it the other day.

I can't wait for "Labor Day" which his is next film. It stars Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin, and sounds like a intense thriller. That will be a big departure for him, so it will be interesting to see what he does with it.

He's so talented, seems to work with great actors and get along with them, is able to create excellent atmospheres with mixtures of humor, drama, and much else into sometimes just one scene.

I guess it hadn't occurred to me -- for whatever reason -- that Reitman's easily one of the handful my favorites working today.

[saintsaucey]

I really liked juno but up in the air not so much. I was a big fan of the book and they kinda butchared it. Though I love Anna Kendrik. Really looking forward to young adult though.

[C.B. Nerdlinger]

I also enjoy all of his movies.

[Morrison_Lad]

I really liked juno but up in the air not so much. I was a big fan of the book and they kinda butchared it. Though I love Anna Kendrik. Really looking forward to young adult though.

Yeah, I never read the book, so the film's all I know.

Anna Kendrick was great in that film, but that's all I've ever seen her in.

[saintsaucey]

Shse is in this great suspence/horror movie allong side the girl who played alex russo on lost and a few other slightly recognisable faces. She's also in the cancer movie with Joseph Gordon Levit and Seth Rogan and she plays Stacy Pilgrim in Scott Pilgrim and she is in a movie with Ben Stiller and Gideon Graves from Scott Pilgrim. Then of course there is twilight

[Morrison_Lad]

Shse is in this great suspence/horror movie allong side the girl who played alex russo on lost and a few other slightly recognisable faces. She's also in the cancer movie with Joseph Gordon Levit and Seth Rogan and she plays Stacy Pilgrim in Scott Pilgrim and she is in a movie with Ben Stiller and Gideon Graves from Scott Pilgrim. Then of course there is twilight

Ooh, that thriller is called "Elsewhere." I've never seen it, but I should. Looks like my kind of late-night movie.

And yeah, I keep meaning to see "50/50" but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

I've really tried with "Twilight," on more than one occasion, but I just can't get into it.

ETA: Ooh! Just checked, and Netflix has "Elsewhere" for instant play. :)

[saintsaucey]

Elsewhere was really fantastic imho. I need to see 50/50 as well. I think the one with stiller is called the mike piez experiance.

[C.B. Nerdlinger]

Well Twilight is terrible and her appearances amount to little more than cameos. I think she's in maybe a total of ten minutes of the last three movies.

50/50 is very good, though, and she's good in it.

[Morrison_Lad]

Well Twilight is terrible and her appearances amount to little more than cameos. I think she's in maybe a total of ten minutes of the last three movies.

50/50 is very good, though, and she's good in it.

Reitman seems to get excellent, superb performances from those acting in his films. Granted, it helps to be a good actor to start with.

There's a funny story he tells about a scene in "Young Adult" where Charlize's character is supposed to be really pissed off, and the camera closes in to a medium close-up of her. He just told her to look scary. It's such a great, short shot, and she was indeed really, really scary (I'm guessing maybe "Monster" helped there), and Reitman said that the whole crew was creeped out by it. :)