I find it pretty weird how we go about judging things. People spends weeks/months/years of their lives making something they feel is important. We look at it for moments (seconds/minutes/hours) and then we judge it. Is it possible for us to gather everything we want from an object of creative expression in that moment of comprehension? As I wrestle with that thought, I have to say that I loved Jason Reitman's UP IN THE AIR. So much so, that I'd consider it my favorite film from 2009. I saw and immensely enjoyed INGLORIOUS BASTERDS and AVATAR but neither film feels as pertinent to the current world we live in as UP IN THE AIR.

To me, UP IN THE AIR is symbolic of our current search for identity in a world of transience. All the things we've built our worlds around (money, family, nationality) are being challenged in this dynamic digital world. As much opportunity that comes with the new rules that exist around us, there is also a deeper sense of isolation and meaningless that permeates our lives. Whether we rebelliously reject the standard 'norms' of our society or we naively embrace the pure values of personal ideals, there's this gnawing feeling that we've got it all wrong. UP IN THE AIR captures that spirit brilliantly.