Up in the Air soars with pre-Oscar awards
Last Updated: Saturday, December 5, 2009 | 10:46 AM ET
CBC News
Canadian director Jason Reitman, left, and actor George Clooney pose while promoting the movie Up in the Air at the Rome Film Festival on Oct. 17. The movie garnered an acting honour for Clooney as well as best picture by the U.S. National Board of Review. ((Andrew Medichini/Canadian Press)The George Clooney movie Up In the Air, directed by Canadian Jason Reitman, has scored a major coup, garnering four awards, including best film, from the U.S. National Board of Review.
It marks the first big prize of the film awards season in the lead up to the Oscars in March.
Reitman said he was "overwhelmed with gratitude" for the accolades, handed out on Friday just as the film launched in North American cinemas.
The 32-year-old director said that the days leading up to his movie's release date are filled with "anxiety and anticipation" and thanked the NBR for "making today perfect."
The film — about a corporate hatchetman who spends much of his time on the road — also picked up best actor honours for Clooney, who tied with Morgan Freeman for Invictus, a best supporting actress trophy for Anna Kendrick and best adapted screenplay.
The awards are a good prediction of another possible Oscar glory for Reitman, who garnered wide praise for 2007's Juno, starring Canadian Ellen Page as a pregnant teenager. Juno won an Oscar for best original screenplay.
Previous Board of Review best film winners, such as No Country for Old Men and Slumdog Millionaire, went on to nab best picture at the Academy Awards.
Other prizes announced included:
- Best director prize to Clint Eastwood for Invictus.
- Best actress for Carey Mulligan for An Education.
- Best supporting actor to Woody Harrelson for The Messenger.
- Best documentary for The Cove.
- Best animated film to Up.
The board also gave a special filmmaking achievement award went to Wes Anderson for his stop-motion animated The Fantastic Mr. Fox, which he co-wrote, directed and lent his voice to. Clooney also voices the main character.
The judges on the National Board of Review consist of film historians, students and educators. Awards will be handed out on Jan. 12 in New York City.
Share Tools
FILM REVIEW: Men in Black 3 by Eli Glasner May. 25, 2012 11:40 AM Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back in the action sequel Men in Black 3, a third instalment of a series now 15 years old. Though new addition Josh Brolin manages some amazing mimicry as a younger version of Jones, the story doesn't measure up to the weird and wonderful charms of the original, says film reviewer Eli Glasner.
Top News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- Wildfires, high winds put northeastern Ontario on alert
- It's going to be a tense weekend in northeastern Ontario where strong, shifting winds have been fuelling a forest fire that has blanketed the Timmins area with smoke and ash. more »
- Labrador fire out of control
- A forest fire continues to burn out of control in Happy Valley-Goose Bay today, according to provincial firefighting officials. more »
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest
- The deaths of five climbers last weekend on Mt. Everest, with more summits underway this weekend, fuels the debate about the risks and responsibilities of high altitude climbing. more »
Latest Arts & Entertainment News Headlines
- Modern and traditional art scores at Joyner auction
- Both traditional and modern works fared well at Joyner Waddington's spring art auction in Toronto, with buyers snapping up lots by Group of Seven members as well as more contemporary artists. more »
- Prophetic Cosmopolis premieres at Cannes
- David Cronenberg says he didn't anticipate the Occupy Wall Street movement as he prepared to shoot Cosmopolis, his new film which made its world premiere Friday at the Cannes Film Festival in southern France. more »
- Jennifer Egan's newest story debuts on Twitter
- The latest short story from Pulitzer-winning writer Jennifer Egan is emerging 140 characters at a time via Twitter. more »
- Miller Brittain sketches restored by museum
- Canadian artist and social satirist Miller Brittain's larger than life chalk drawings may once again hang in Saint John. more »
Q Blog
Toni Morrison on her two selves May. 25, 2012 5:57 PM Jian speaks with the celebrated African American author and academic about her two conflicting selves, and her new novel, Home.
CBC Books
Talking about war May. 25, 2012 4:57 PM The public conversation around war has always been complex and thorny. How does Canada's military approach differ from that of other countries? Are we a society of peacekeepers or warriors? These are some of the questions that Noah Richler explores in his new book What We Talk About When We Talk About War.
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- Canada ending 'Buffalo shuffle' for visas, closing consulate
- What a Greek euro exit could mean for Canada
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest
- Police probe Halifax homicide after shooting
- Ottawa man in hospital after lightning strike
- RCMP officer charged in fatal crash
