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George Clooney and Jason Reitman - Team Awesome?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:30:47 -0700

I'm really happy about this movie news: George Clooney and director Jason Reitman (Juno, Thank You For Smoking) may be teaming up for the film adaptation of the Walter Kirn novel Up in the Air. Variety has details:

Clooney will play an unapologetic corporate downsizer whose untethered life is consumed by collecting air miles. . . . Reitman had separately been infatuated with the book and came into Montecito [Picture Co.] with 30 pages that showed how he saw the film. He has been writing it on and off for five years, putting it down when he read Diablo Cody’s Juno script. Reitman returned to the project in the Spring. He completed the script weeks ago and just showed it to Clooney.

It's clear that this is a labor of love for Reitman, and now he's got the dapper Clooney on his side. I can't wait to see what these two cook up.

Source, source and source

Adam Brody, J.K. Simmons Join Jennifer's Body

BuzzSugar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:33:49 -0700

Former O.C. nerd-hunk Adam Brody and Juno's dad J.K. Simmons have joined the cast of Diablo Cody's horror-comedy Jennifer's Body. They round out a cast that already included Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried. The Hollywood Reporter has more:

Cody's script centers on Jennifer (Fox), a cheerleader possessed by a demon who starts feeding off the boys in a Minnesota farming town. Her bookish best friend (Seyfried) must take drastic measures to protect the town.

Brody will play Nikolai, a hot lead singer of an up-and-coming rock band with a penchant for evil. Simmons will play Mr. Wroblewski, a high school science teacher.

Nice - I hope this means we get to watch Brody rock out onstage. I bet he'd be good at that. I'm so curious to see how Cody's follow-up project to Juno shapes up.

Source and source

Juno Director Teams Up With Jim Carrey For Pierre Pierre

BuzzSugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:30:52 -0800

This should be interesting: Oscar-nominated director Jason Reitman will team up with Jim Carrey for the Fox Atomic comedy Pierre Pierre. According to Variety, the story of Pierre Pierre is a "politically incorrect" one that "centers on a self-indulgent French nihilist who transports a stolen painting from Paris to London."

I'm so curious about this project. Reitman seems to have a wry, understated kind of humor, which should prove interesting when combined with Carrey's sometimes larger-than-life goofball style. No matter what, though, I am happy to see Reitman climbing back into the director's chair so soon after Juno's success.

What do you think about this pairing?

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Best Picture Breakdown: Juno

BuzzSugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:30:03 -0800

Just a few more days before the 2008 Oscars air on Sunday night! I've been breaking down the five contenders for Best Picture this week, giving you the scoop on why each film could win and why it might not stand a chance. Having examined There Will Be Blood, Michael Clayton and Atonement, today's nominee is Juno.

This charming, disarming "little" movie climbed all the way up to take a place among big Best Picture nominees like No Country for Old Men and Atonement. Who's "little" now, punk, huh? Jason Reitman (Thank You for Smoking) directs a talented cast in this tale of one quirky teenage girl's pregnancy and the young couple poised to adopt her baby. Screenwriter Diablo Cody's sharp dialogue and well-crafted story combined with great direction, quality performances and a fun soundtrack make for a highly endearing film. To see how I think this movie might fare in the Best Picture race, read more.

Why It Might Win

Well, frankly, it's freaking adorable. Despite the growing number of Juno haters out there providing an intense backlash, there are plenty of us Juno backers who say this film is incredibly enjoyable. It's sweet, it's funny, it reminds us of a more innocent time. And we like that. Of all the movies in this category, Juno is the only feel-good one. Unlike the creepy, dark feeling left in your stomach after No Country for Old Men or the heaving sobs induced by Atonement, Juno might elicit a happy tear or two, but then you can just go out for cheeseburgers and get on with life. It's nice.
Similarly, it's possible the Academy won't want to reward a darker movie because, as the Best Picture winner is sometimes considered a representation of our life and times, it may be too bleak a message to give the award to, say, There Will Be Blood. It would be joyful and satisfying to hand the award to something as affirming as Juno.
Juno's win might be a matter of simple math. As New York Magazine writer David Edelstein points out, it could happen that "No Country and There Will Be Blood split the nihilist-horror vote and little old edgy feel-good smash hit Juno sneaks in."

Why It Might Not Win

It's a known fact that comedies rarely win out over dramas at the Oscars. This will probably be one of those "it's nice just to be nominated" situations.
As I mentioned above, there has been an incredible backlash to Juno's popularity. The Academy might be having second thoughts about this one.
Juno could garner awards in other categories - most likely a win for Diablo Cody - thus fulfilling the Academy's urge to honor the film.
It might actually still be too little. Universal themes of motherhood and teenage angst aside, Juno may be slightly too homespun and humble to take home the grandest prize of the night.

Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight

Link Time! 2/5

BuzzSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:30:40 -0800

Popwatch wonders: Is "I drink your milkshake" from There Will Be Blood the best movie quote of 2007?
Vulture picks the top 10 Arrested Development inside jokes that better make it into the movie.
Television Without Pity has launched its own online video shows.
Watch a video of Juno director Jason Reitman being interviewed by middle school kids over on /Film.
The TV Addict wants your Smallville questions for an upcoming interview.
CitizenSugar has video of the amazing Stephen Colbert-Jon Stewart-Conan O'Brien smackdown over who "made" Mike Huckabee.
Cinematical wonders what Amy Adams' role will be in the Night at the Museum sequel: Betsy Ross? Susan B. Anthony?
Wanna see the first-ever 3-D video, courtesy of Missy Elliott? Stereogum has got you covered.

Source

Juno Was the Real No. 2 Movie Last Weekend, Not Legend

BuzzSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:29:14 -0800

Though the initial estimates on Sunday put I Am Legend as the No. 2 movie at the box office this past weekend with $16.4 million and Juno in the No. 3 spot with $16.2, the actual numbers indicate that this order is really reversed! Thus, Juno is the No. 2 movie in the country, beating out the big Will Smith thriller I Am Legend at the box office. Hooray for Juno!

In related news, Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody just won the Critics' Choice Award for her screenplay. She's currently working on her next project, a teenage horror movie called Jennifer's Body, starring Megan Fox and produced by Juno director Jason Reitman. Now there's the news that Girlfight writer/director Karyn Kusama has signed on to direct.

Cody, whose favorite horror movie is apparently Rosemary's Baby, recently told the MTV Movies Blog that Jennifer's Body is "a horror movie, and it’s also about teenagers...It’s a lot darker [than Juno], and it also has comedic elements. Horror is my favorite genre - and like Juno, I like horror movies." I can't wait to see the next project to come out of Cody's awesome imagination.

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Juno: Sweet, Cute, and Funny as a Newborn Puppy

BuzzSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 07:30:00 -0800

As you may have heard by now - since one can't throw a hamburger telephone without hitting another Juno lover - there are so many reasons to see Juno and basically no reason not to. So, just how endearing can one movie be? Let me count the ways . . .

The story.
The plot is basically this: Smart-talking teenage Juno (Ellen Page) and her goofy (yet self-aware) best guy friend/onetime sexual partner Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera) find themselves unexpectedly expecting, and Juno seeks out a well-to-do young couple (Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner) to adopt the baby. What's wonderful about this story is that it's simple, and the things that make it interesting are merely the things you would expect to make it interesting in real life: the actual emotions involved in being a pregnant high school kid; the strains of parenthood on a couple; the what-now limbo pains of two people who had sex and now don't know where they stand. It's sweeter and stranger than real life, but only by a little bit, so it's still relateable.

More reasons, "homeskillet," so read more.

The script.
First-time screenwriter Diablo Cody astounds me. There have been countless comparisons drawn between this movie and Napoleon Dynamite, but Juno simply has more compassion and is way cuter. Cody manages to balance humor and heart in a way that's accessible but not overdone, quirky but not "weird for weird's sake" and touching but not saccharine. She's my new American hero.
The music.
From the original music by Kimya Dawson to beloved favorites by Belle and Sebastian and Sonic Youth, the soundtrack to this movie is a hipster's dream. Every song in the film is so in keeping with the tone of Juno's world, you can't help but be swept along her journey with her. And if I think about the final scene's song too much, I will cry immediately. So, there's that.
The main character.
Juno is such an engaging character in every way. She's funny, sharply sarcastic, adorable, and a huge know-it-all. She's at times very young and scarily vulnerable, but this is easy to forget because she considers herself such a tough girl. Even if her adventure weren't so compelling, you would want to accompany her anywhere.
Jason Reitman's direction.
There is something about this director's attention to detail that is somehow comforting. The audience is completely immersed in this world, especially in the characters' homes, down to the last goofy-yet-still-preppy photo of the wealthy married couple and Juno's parents' worn furniture. Reitman truly wants us to sit cross-legged in Juno's room for a while, and this welcoming tone only deepens our affection for Juno and all the people she cares about.

Bottom line: If you're prone to enjoying these kinds of films - smaller indie movies with a lot of humor and some moments so sweet you might burst - Juno is for you.

To see the trailer and more clips from Juno check out movies.ivillage.com.

Photos courtesy of Fox Searchlight

Attend a Screening of the Award-Winning Juno - For Free!

BuzzSugar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:15:44 -0700

The indie comedy Juno has been drumming up buzz for weeks now based on its absolutely fantastic cast (Michael Cera, Ellen Page, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner, Rainn Wilson), its stellar trailer, glowing early reviews and now its brand new first-prize award from the Rome Film Festival.

And now there's good news for people (like me) who are getting antsier by the day to catch this movie in theaters: Juno will open on Dec. 5, a week earlier than originally planned.

Here's even better news: Fox Searchlight is offering a whole bunch of free early screenings, and you can RSVP here for the one nearest you - if the screenings aren't yet full.

Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight

Rainn Wilson to Join Juno Cast

BuzzSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 16:25:32 -0700

Wow, I was excited when I found out Michael Cera and Jennifer Garner were going to be in a movie together. But now that Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute on "The Office") has signed on, I am nearly beside myself!

The dark comedy, called Juno and directed by Jason Reitman, stars Ellen Page as a teen facing an unplanned pregnancy. Wilson will play the drug store employee who supplies her with "an EPT test, licorice ropes, and a guilt trip." I can just picture his disdain doled out with deadpan humor. The cast also includes Allison Janey and Cera's fellow "Arrested Development" alum Jason Bateman and is looking at a late 2007 release. This is fast becoming my most anticipated film of the year.