Jason Reitman
While second-generation filmmaker Jason Reitman grew up in the comic shadow of his father, director Ivan Reitman of "Ghostbusters" (1984) fame, he had no problem establishing his own individuality and point of view, earning significant acclaim in his own right. Reitman cut his teeth directing commercials and went on to develop his satirical style as a short filmmaker. He successfully brought his wry social commentary to feature films with "Thank You for Smoking" (2006), an adaptation of Christopher Buckley's novel about a slick lobbyist for the tobacco industry, starring Aaron Eckhart. He went on to direct the indie success story of 2007, "Juno," showcasing Ellen Page in a coming-of-age story that balanced breezy pop culture references with real heart. When Reitman's follow-up feature "Up in the Air" (2009) was released to nearly unanimous critical applause, the former indie talent went wide as one of Hollywood's best new filmmakers, giving his father a run for his money at the box office and in the all-important critical arena.