Director: Steven Soderbergh

Stars: Matt Damon, Melanie Lynskey, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale

About: Based on the nonfiction book The Informant, which describes Mark Whitacre’s involvement in a price-fixing conspiracy in the 1990s, The Informant! has Matt Damon suiting up to play the Illinois biochemist-turned-businessman. When the FBI starts looking into Whitacre’s employer, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Whitacre’s wife-played by Melanie Lynskey-forces him to divulge the company’s price-fixing business. This begins Whitacre’s adventure of wire tapping, recording audio and secret video footage to use as evidence against the company, who price-fix lysine, an additive used in everyday products. Remarkably-and hilariously acted by Damon-Whitacre believes that when the FBI tells ADM executives of his actions, the ordeal will blow over and he will continue working his way up in the company. But what is even more surprising than his commitment to climbing ADM’s corporate ladder is the secret Whitacre is hiding from the FBI, which certainly takes the story in a whole new direction.

Rent if you like: Up in the Air, Thank You for Smoking and/or The Insider

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Films:

Film: “Up in the Air” Nominated for:

• Performance by an actor in a leading role (George Clooney)
• Performance by an actress in a supporting role (Vera Farmiga)
• Performance by an actress in a supporting role (Anna Kendrick)
• Achievement in directing (Jason Reitman)
• Best motion picture of the year
• Adapted screenplay

Film: Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire Nominated for:

• Performance by an actress in a leading role (Gabourey Sidibe)
• Performance by an actress in a supporting role (Mo’Nique)
• Achievement in directing (Lee Daniels)
• Best motion picture of the year
• Adapted screenplay

Film: Julie & Julia Nominated for:

• Performance by an actress in a leading role (Meryl Streep)

Film: Sherlock Holmes Nominated for:

• Achievement in art direction
• Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)

George Clooney at T.I.F.F.

Back in September, I waited at the barricades, shuffled between fans and paparazzi, to see the stars of Up in the Air. I got a glimpse of Jason Bateman, Anna Kendrick and George Clooney on the red carpet. I even wrote about the experience in a blog post. I hadn’t heard anything about the film back in September, I only knew that George Clooney would be at the premiere and that was enough for me.

When commercials starting popping up for the film, I realized that this was the film I had seen the stars of back in September. But it wasn’t George Clooney, Anna Kendrick or the Arrested Development star that brought me to the theatre, it was writer/director Jason Reitman.

In my first year of university, Juno had just came out and was a smash hit, catapulting director Jason Reitman into a new league of fame. It was during this rush that Reitman paid a visit to Ryerson University, speaking to students interested in the film industry. I was there, along with many other students, to listen to the charismatic director. He was funny, engaging and not one bit pretentious. As a fan of Thank You for Smoking, I was thrilled to hear Reitman speak, and his humbleness made his success even sweeter. Reitman told the room packed with students that he had just cast Mean Girls’ Amanda Seyfried in a new Diablo Cody film and over a year later that female vampire comedy was revealed to be Jennifer’s Body. Reitman produced the piece.

Today, Reitman’s Up in the Air is nominated for six Golden Globes. After watching the film, I say it deserves every nomination. I will be honest, however, and say that many people in the audience left the theatre asking, “What was that about?” Reitman films focus on dialogue over action, realistic change over dramatic character development and, rather than a climactic ending, typically end on a more subtle note. Up in the Air is closer to Thank You for Smoking than Juno, so if you are a fan of Smoking, you will surely enjoy Up in the Air.

Up in the Air follows Ryan Bingham (Clooney), a man who fires people across the United States on behalf of employers unwilling to do so themselves. Bingham leads a commitment-free life, even delivering motivational speeches on this lifestyle choice, and begins a casual relationship with a like-minded career woman named Alex (Vera Farmiga). Bingham’s only goal is to earn 10 million frequent flyer miles, which would make him the seventh person to ever do this, and thanks to his career of constant travelling for Integrated Strategic Management, Bingham may just accomplish this feat.

Then Natalie Keener (Kendrick) enters the picture. With a degree from Cornell to her name, the ambitious young woman is set to make her mark on Integrated Strategic Management by firing people via webcam as opposed to sending employees across the country to do the deed. Bingham objects to this idea and challenges Keener to actual fire people herself; thus sets off Integrated Strategic Management owner Craig Gregory (Bateman) to send the pair on a trip across the U.S. firing people together.

Up in the Air has its funny moments, tender moments and hopeful moments. It is not a romance nor a drama, rather an engaging dark comedy about life in general. There isn’t a huge life changing kerfuffle, but-as is the case in real life-change does occur, only in a more subtle way. Reitman’s writing is realistic and fun and will surely appease the appetites of Thank You for Smoking fans.

So what gave me this harsh dose of reality? Two words: Megan Fox. I’ve been a fan of Fox’s since her small role in How to Lose Friends & Alienate People, and would obviously love to get a glimpse of her in person. Well, I had my chance and I blew it. What was I doing instead of seeing Megan Fox on the red carpet? Sleeping.

Two of my roomates decided to check out the premiere of Jennifer’s Body hoping to see some of the stars. They left a mere two hours early. Well I, in my delusional state, felt that to see the cast of Jennifer’s Body one would have to leave a lot earlier than two hours before the midnight premiere. Thinking that my roomies would be shuffled to the back of a large mob of people, only able to see the top of some actor’s head or get elbowed by an obnoxious fan in front of them, I opted to stay cozy instead. Well…I was wrong. Not only did they get right to the front of the cold metal barricades, but they got a quick chat with Adam Brody along with pictures of themselves with the former O.C. star. And yes, they also saw Amanda Seyfried and Megan Fox.

Lesson learned. And luckily, I learned it on day #1 of TIFF as opposed to the last day of the international film festival.

Day #2 of TIFF unfortunately was a bust. I decided to scope out Matt Damon, who’s film, The Informant!, would be premiering at the Elgin Theatre. Because of the small crowded sidewalk, fans were forced to wait patiently for Damon across the street. Cars came and went, but no celebs arrived on the tiny red carpet. The carpet quickly filled with women in dresses and men in suits but no sign of Matt Damon. Finally, a black car pulls up and out walks a blonde haired man in a suit. “Matt! Matt!” hundreds of fans shouted from across the street. No wave, not even a turn around. I have a photo of the back of Matt Damon’s head, I still have no idea what he looks like in person. So much for that celeb spotting.

Matt Damon in a mob of people on the red carpet. Damon is wearing a grey suit with a white collar, standing behind the man wearing a headset. Too bad he didn't wave to fans. Sigh.

But that was only my first try at photographing a real movie star. So today I joined one of my roomates to the premiere of the Jason Reitman piece Up in the Air, starring the Holy Grail of celebrity himself, Mr. George Clooney. And yes, I did see him and I was thisclose to the Ocean’s Eleven star. Clooney spent time with fans across the street, fans beside the theatre and fans along the red carpet. Despite having a broken hand, he signed autographs and posed for pictures. And, unlike his costars, spent barely three minutes with all of the entertainment news crews.

Not only did I see George Clooney, but I saw Arrested Development’s Jason Bateman. Being a huge Development fan, seeing Michael Bluth himself was very exciting. And, although she spent no time with fans, Amanda Seyfried came for the Up in the Air premiere, so at least I saw one member of the Jennifer’s Body cast, plus producer Jason Reitman. Below are the pictures of my exciting experience photographing stars on the red carpet for Up in the Air. Oprah apparently watched the movie inside but bowed out of attending the red carpet. But since she’s out-and-about in T.O., perhaps I’ll run into her? How amazing would that be? Wish me luck star-gazing this week!

George Clooney spent time with all of his fans

Jason Bateman was friendly to fans and media alike

Twilight's Anna Kendrick

Melanie Lynskey

A blurry picture of Desperate Housewives' Dana Delany

Curb Your Enthusiasm's Richard Kind

Amanda Seyfried