The picture is being produced by Turner and Jennifer Klein with Nicholas Chartier under Voltage Pictures. Turner spills a bit more to Variety on the debut.:

Turner told Daily Variety that directing “is something that I’ve long held in high regard. I approach it cautiously and reverently. This script was the first I’ve written that made me feel like I had no choice but to embark on my directing career.”

Turner had considered helming his own project for some time, but found it difficult to decide which pic to choose as his first directorial bow. In the end, he said he chose “By Virtue Fall” because “I cannot imagine anyone else directing this script.”

He also wanted his directorial debut “to stand on the strength of the characters and the power of the performances. This is a film that’s designed to showcase and challenge two great actors.”

The pic chronicles a day in the life of two brothers, one a loser (Segel) who lives at home and the other (Helms) more together but overbearing (THR). The Duplass brothers’ latest film Cyrus will be showcased at this year’s South by SouthWest Film Festival along with many other features that include Kick-Ass and the documentary When You’re Strange.

The Film:

If Thank You for Smoking was Jason Reitman’s hello to us, then Juno was his hello to Hollywood. He mixes humor and drama, with a great ear for music, crafting some really good films. Intelligence and hilarity are benchmark for what now is the definition of a Jason Reitman film, yet the Juno backlash seemed to rope him in unjustly. Up in the Air should squash all of those unruly Diablo Cody haters for good, as many viewed her script as some sort of template that made everyone better because of it. Let’s get this straight: Juno is a fine film, with a sense of honesty that came from Jason Reitman, and Up in the Air proves this due to the maturity he has now gained as a director. His voice is clear here; there’s a sense of relevance in the film, timeliness, and earnestness in the comedy, as well as the drama.

Up in the Air tackles our tanking economy head-on, yet there’s a series of interesting subtleties that aid into making this film so good. Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) flies out to various companies in different cities to fire people, because the companies themselves cannot find the gal to do so. Knowing our country’s dilemma is key to understanding the film’s message, yet it’s also interesting to note on how the film is just as much as a story of a man and his attempt at redemption, as it is of the Midwest with it’s economic climate and values. Clooney’s character is from Omaha, NE one of the few cities not to be rocked with historic layoffs. Omaha has had its share of closings and layoffs, but it is also a city that has blocked much of America’s woes, with being on the edge of the changing economy. His job is very much modern, especially when Natalie (Anna Kendrick, Elsewhere) comes into the film, a symbol of a new, blossoming career, as the ones in Detroit, Wichita, or Cleveland are dying out. Omaha is one city in America that is growing steadily with the changes in America, and all for the positive.

Mixing that with comments on a changing dating scene, makes for an interesting peak at the dawning of a new decade in America, one that is being met head-on with failures and uncertainty. But don’t mistake Up in the Air for some deep document, as Reitman is having even more fun with the comedy he is finding in situations based on Clooney’s character’s own vapidness. He looks down right alien when he comes to Wisconsin for his sister’s wedding, let alone a man that is finding love in suspicious Alex (Vera Farmiga, Orphan). While layoffs and the acceptance of being incomplete can be dour stuff, one must not forget where Reitman gets his funny bone from, because Up in the Air is still a funny film. But it is this dour stuff; this look at our sinking economy, the nature of who one is with or without their job, these types of subtle looks aid a ballsy final act, making Up in the Air a great film.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: Paramount delivers a superb looking transfer. Rich, textural, and nearly three-dimensional, for a drama/comedy with a muted color palette, this is excellent. The DTS track is good, but it’s a dialogue driven film. Expect it to be front heavy, but warm and ambient.

Commentary: Reitman is here with his first unit director and cinematographer. They all offer up some neat info, for a laid back track on the filming. Pretty technical, yet informative.

Shadowplay: Before the Story: This is a look at the company Reitman uses for his film’s title sequences. Short and sweet, but nothing to riveting.

American Airlines Prank: Used to get the bigwigs all up-in-arms on how the airline is portrayed in the film, as it runs about 40 seconds.

13 Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary, Trailers, and a Music Video finish out the slim helping of extras.

Conclusion: A superb film, worthy of the praise and award nominations. A must own. Blu-ray is great, but the extras could have had more meat to them.

The Film: Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The Blu-ray: Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film (2009)

• Katheryn Bigelow – The Hurt Locker (Summit Entertainment)
• James Cameron – Avatar (Twentieth Century Fox)
• Lee Daniels – Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (Lionsgate)
• Jason Reitman – Up in the Air (Paramount Pictures)
• Quentin Tarantino – Inglourious Basterds (The Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures)

Among this list the only two directors that have previously been nominated were James Cameron and Quentin Tarantino, the rest of them being the first time they got such a high nomination in this particular guild. The 62nd Annual DGA Awards takes place on January 30th in the Hyatt Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.

Up in the Air tackles our tanking economy head-on, yet there’s a series of interesting subtleties that aid into making this film so good. Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) flies out to various companies in different cities to fire people, because the companies themselves cannot find the gal to do so. Knowing our country’s dilemma is key to understanding the film’s message, yet it’s also interesting to note on how the film is just as much as a story of a man and his attempt at redemption, as it is of the Midwest with it’s economic climate and values. Clooney’s character is from Omaha, NE one of the few cities not to be rocked with historic layoffs. Omaha has had its share of closings and layoffs, but it is also a city that has blocked much of America’s woes, with being on the edge of the changing economy. His job is very much modern, especially when Natalie (Anna Kendrick, Elsewhere) comes into the film, a symbol of a new, blossoming career, as the ones in Detroit, Wichita, or Cleveland are dying out. Omaha is one city in America that is growing steadily with the changes in America, and all for the positive.

Mixing that with comments on a changing dating scene, makes for an interesting peak at the dawning of a new decade in America, one that is being met head-on with failures and uncertainty. But don’t mistake Up in the Air for some deep document, as Reitman is having even more fun with the comedy he is finding in situations based on Clooney’s character’s own vapidness. He looks down right alien when he comes to Wisconsin for his sister’s wedding, let alone a man that is finding love in suspicious Alex (Vera Farmiga, Orphan). While layoffs and the acceptance of being incomplete can be dour stuff, one must not forget where Reitman gets his funny bone from, because Up in the Air is still a funny film. But it is this dour stuff; this look at our sinking economy, the nature of who one is with or without their job, these types of subtle looks aid a ballsy final act, making Up in the Air a great film.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Up in the Air has been one of the more anticipated movies coming out this holiday season, and for good reason. With director Jason Reitman helming the drama with George Clooney as the main character, it’s actually a fairly great recipe for a promising good movie. In order to further your appetite for the Christmas Day release of the film, Paramount Pictures and Killer Film are showing off one exclusive clip from the film featuring Anna Kendrick and George Clooney. Underneath, there are three more clips with one-on-ones from Jason Reitman, author Walter Kirn and producer Ivan Reitman. Check them all out below.

Exclusive Up in the Air clip ’5 Good Meals’:

Jason Reitman sits down and talks more about making Up in the Air:

Here’s a better viewpoint on the creation of Up in the Air from author Walter Kirn:

Here’s producer Ivan Reitman chatting it up on the upcoming movie:

Ivan Reitman and Tom Pollock will be producing with Pollock under Montecito Picture Company. Pollock is attached as executive producer to several films including the Jason Reitman directed “Up in the Air” and the Amanda Seyfried starring “Chloe”.

An Education: Winner of the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, An Education is the one of the biggest front runners in this year’s Oscar race, with across the board praise for its female lead Carey Mulligan, and raves for lead actor Peter Sarsgaard, and supporting performance by the under appreciated Alfred Molina. At this point, Carey Mulligan is the biggest front runner in all the races combined with an assured nomination and possible victory.

The Lovely Bones:  Peter Jackson‘s highly anticipated return comes in the adaptation of the Alice Sebold novel The Lovely Bones.  The film tells the story of a young woman who is brutally raped and murdered and watches from heaven, as her family tries to cope with the loss, and try to solve what or why it happened.  One of the biggest front runners in this year’s Oscar race has already been screened  a  few times, and is slowly loosing steam as reviews come in saying the film is magnificent, but plays more as a thriller, rather than solid drama.  Keep a look out for technical nominations, as well as nominations in lead for past Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan of Atonement, and supporting nominations for Rachel Weisz, as with as the big ones for Best Picture, Director and Adapted Screenplay.

Avatar:  To put this film, as being highly anticipated would not do the film justice with fans and fanboys, to see what the master filmmaker has conjured up with his first feature length film since 1997′s record breaking phenomenon Titanic.  Oscar prognosticators seem to be at odds whether the film will be a Best Picture nominee, with the Academy changing to 10 films, but those  who have seen cuts or scenes from the film overwhelmingly believe it can.  Expect the film to sweep the technical categories.

Precious: Based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire :  Already the front runner for a Supporting Actress win, Mo’Nique seems to be on every one’s radar at the moment, since the film’s reception at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where the film went on to win the coveted Grand Jury Prize, along with the Audience Award.  The film has been slowly gaining steam towards a Best Picture nomination, as well as, a nom for Gabourey Sidibe as the film’s lead playing an overweight black woman who is pregnant with her second child, and under pressure from her cruel mother (Mo’Nique), while seeking guidance from a social worker (Mariah Carey).

Nine : On the Oscar train since the film’s announcement; Nine marks the return to the musical for Chicago director Rob Marshall in an adaptation of the Broadway play of the same name.  The film stars a virtual roster of Oscar winners and nominees, with Judy Dench, Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Sophia Loren, Nicole Kidman and in the singing and dancing lead, Daniel Day Lewis.  Early buzz has been mixed, but likely to take a Best Picture nomination, as well as, acting categories going either way for Judy Dench and Marion Cotillard.

Bright Star: Still the only female to every win the best director award at the Cannes film festival, Jane Campion returns with Bright Star, an original screenplay of her own that tells  of poet John Keats and his lover Fanny Brawne, played by Abbie Cornish in a star making performance, whose previous work in Candy and Stop-Loss first put the talented actress on the Hollywood map.  Though the film’s reception has considerably cooled since it’s Cannes premiere, the film is growing a strong following hoping to muster up some Oscar attention, with its best chances in the lead actress and original screenplay categories.

The Road: Loved by many, and indifferent to others, the film tells the incredibly bleak story of a father and son on their trek to to the coast in a post apocalyptic America.  Viggo Mortenson returns in top form as the father protecting his son, played by Kodi Smit-McPhee.  Both actors are looking to earn Oscar nominations for their respective performances, but with Mortenson and the film’s cinematography so far the one’s up ahead.

The Hurt Locker:   One of the summer’s breakout films The Hurt Locker has been receiving raves since its premier at the Venice Film Festival last year and has not slowed down since.  The Hurt Locker is primed for Oscar gold with enough love for the film to earn its slot in the Oscar top 10 list, as well as, nomination love for Best Director Kathryn Bigelow, and possible nomination for lead actor Jeremy Renner and supporting actor Anthony Mackie.

UP:  With Oscar prognosticators still reeling over last year’s omission of Wall*E in the Best Picture category, UP seems to have all the right marks to fit the bill, and give Pixar its coveted Best Picture nomination, a first for an animated film since 1991′s Beauty and the Beast.

Amelia: Beloved director Mira Nair returns with the ambitious biopic of legendary pilot Amelia Earhart played by Oscar winner Hilary Swank in an attempt to get Oscar number 3.  Don’t expect Ms. Swank to obtain the win, but a nomination is very likely for the film, along with coveted Best Picture nomination and long shot nominations for Richard Gere and Ewen McGregor, to have the next possible acting nominations outside of the film’s technical nominations.

Invictus:  In the most obvious Oscar film out there, the secretive Invictus tells pseudo biopic of famed civil rights activist Nelson Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman and his hosting of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, in hopes to unify his country with Matt Damon, as one of the film’s rugby players.  With the film directed by Oscar winner Clint Eastwood and previous Oscar track record look for Invictus to do well at the big show.

A Prophet: France’s official entry into the Best Foreign Film race, as well as hopes to crack the Best Picture race, A Prophet has earned nothing but raves, with many calling the film the best prison film ever made, with comparisons to last year’s Gomorrah.

Up In The Air: Jason Reitman returns again from the Toronto International Film Festival, after his success last year with Juno, with his new dramedy Up In The Air starring a never better George Clooney, in what folks are describing as the best film of the year so far (up till September). It’s a story of a lonely businessman working up to 10 million frequent flyer miles, who falls for a similar woman on the way played by Vera Farmiga.  Look for the film to aim toward nominations for lead George Clooney, supporting noms for Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga, as well as luck for Best Picture, Director and Adapted Screenplay.

The Informant! : Based on the book by Kurt Eichenwald, Warner Bros. is looking to gain some serious momentum towards getting the Steven Soderbergh dark comedy nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay, as well as a Best Actor for Matt Damon as the corporate whistle blower.

A Single Man: After earning raves at this year’s Venice Film Festival and winning the fest’s Golden Lion Award, along with Best Actor Colin Firth, A Single Man is shaping up to be this year’s dark horse. The film tells the story of  a gay college professor, who learns his lover has died. It has just been purchased by The Weinstein Company, and we all know how  well they do come Oscar time.

Get Low: In the dark dramedy starring  Robert DuVall in a performance earning him raves surpassing his work in The Apostle, Get Low tells the folk fairy tale of a man about a 1930′s recluse who goes as far as throwing his funeral party while still alive.

And if the film gets released this year, look for Terrence Malick to score well with his highly secretive film starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn in The Tree of Life, but seeing as the man takes around 2 years per film and takes even longer in between, we can never count him in the race until  his film is completed.  The film’s plot has been keptsecret by the studio, but is known to be a 1950′s period peace telling  a multi-generational family story, with information leaked that Malick is indeed working with CGI for the first time including pre-historic dinosaurs.

Source: /film

Farmiga can currently be seen in the ridiculed The boy in the striped pajamas and the forthcoming oscar bait Nothing but the truth but is more known as the sole female in Martin Scorceses oscar winning The Departed.

According to /film Farmiga will play a businesswoman who develops a romantic relationship with Bingham through meetings in airports and hotels around the country.

Source: /film