Up in the Air

Every year I try to see most of the movies nominated for Golden Globe awards & Oscars. I see every movie but I make it a point to see many of them or at least the ones that look entertaining & worthy of ten dollars. Considering the low quality of movies now days it is rare to find a movie worth laying down ten dollars but I still have hope.

I enjoyed Avatar's special effects & story book world but believe it is over hyped for awards. I can't say the same for Up in the Air. While it is visually interesting & the story can easily be dismissed as shallow on first glance. Most of the entertainment comes from exploring the uncanny story line & tense moments between characters. The main character lives a life alone without meaninful relationships & interaction while striving for elite flyer status with an airline by flying over ten million miles.

While the story line doesn't sound action packed or very exciting it is told well. The main character is put to the test as he does find a woman interesting enough to pursue. The question then becomes will he stick to his philosophy of living alone or will he begin a serious relationship. The premise is an age old story but it is told exploring the male's perspective. It is the type of move that sticks with you and does pull a few emotional cords. I won't give anything away about the ending or any more of the story. I will conclude that it was an excellent movie and worthy of ten dollars. Hopefully when I see the Hurt Locker, Precious, The Blind Side, and a few others they will also be worthy of ten dollars.