Last night, Jonathan Glatzer, director, and Robert Lawson, co-writer, enjoyed a tremendously successful VIP Premiere at the Pacific Design Center with several hundred people in attendance, including Aubrey Mozino (Blythe), Max Hoffman (Fenster), and other cast members.
There, and at the after party that immediately followed, scores of fans and filmmaker guests greeted their first glimpse of the film with an extended applause. This initial success proved especially worthwhile as the film opened today with 16 screens across the nation, including Buffalo; Chicago; Las Vegas; New York City; and Moorpark, California. (You can also find listing by visiting the Facebook Group page, which includes event listings and links for each city.)
In the clip below, complete with never before interview with Molly Shannon, Glatzer provides his personal insights into the film as well as the cast and crew who made it possible. This First Look is longer than any other, with a run time of more than seven minutes. Enjoy!
"The VIP Premiere provided us a high note that we don't intend to let go of. We are already looking to add two more cities in addition to the one night showing for our Hometown Hoopla contest winner so that more people can see the film as intended — on the big screen," said James Hoke, executive producer. "While the reviews have been mixed, we have been met with nothing but great feedback from fans, indie film lovers, and people who are looking for something different than the most typical movie formulas."
In truth, the reviews have not been all critical as mistakenly reported by some. And, even among the harshest critics, several reviewers have given the movie high marks for select performers and memorable moments throughout the film.
"It’s wonderful because it’s so true to life because most funerals are (or should be) filled with equal parts tears and laughter. It’s exactly what WHAT GOES UP strives to be — a funny movie about death, a sad movie about life. Most of the time, it works." — Kate Erbland, GordonandtheWhale.com
"Yet despite the contrivances and frustrations (and there are more than a few), there's also something endearing -- and, occasionally, achingly poignant -- about "What Goes Up" and its gallery of valiant misfits." — Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
"There's some nice filmmaking tucked inside "What Goes Up," a muddle of moods and intentions." — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
"I'm happy to say that despite faux-dark comedies like Juno, the rumors of the "quirky" movie's demise have been greatly exaggerated. What Goes Up starring Steve Coogan and Hillary Duff, brings back the uncomfortably dark comedy with a vengeance." — Alex Dorn, UGO.com
"I think you’ll enjoy the movie - Hilary Duff has shown a whole new side to us in this film, which is always her goal as an actress. I hope you get a chance to see it in the theater - but if not, I’ll let you know when it officially comes out on DVD!" — Arieanna Schweber, HilaryNews.com
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oh what a nice idea behind the scences ^____^!!!
ReplyDeleteyou do know that behind a hilarynews is a very biased hilary duff fan? Not a very respected and good choice of source
ReplyDeleteAnon,
ReplyDeleteDid you read the Hilarynews review? It's fair, balanced, and not overly glowing, which provides a stark contrast to Tom O’Neil who is biased against Hilary Duff.
So maybe the question ought to be ... who better than a Hilary Duff fan to review a movie that Hilary Duff fans might want to see? Why give all the weight to people who don't like her, for whatever small minded reasons?
There are plenty of reviews out there. It's fair to say they are mixed.
Since I could not review the film with any sense of objectivity (I could, but who would believe it?), I recently took to reviewing the reviewers.
The best of middle are Mahohla Dargis, The New York Times, and Carol Cling, The Las Vegas Review-Journal. Their praises and criticisms are backed up with logical points that only the best critics observe.
All my best,
Rich
This movie isn't starring just Hilary Duff. The reviewer for Hilarynews is only good for one thing and that's to cater to Hilary Duff and her fans. The movie was about an ensemble cast. To say that the film should have focused less on other characters or side-plots, only confirms that the reviewer has no objectivity. It mentions how some of the movie was better than other times, but does not cite any specific examples. It's not what I would call a balanced or well thought out review piece.
ReplyDeleteHere is an excerpt from Hilarynews.com so others can judge for themselves. Read the first line, carefully. :)
ReplyDelete"My favorite performances in the film came from Olivia Thirlby and Josh Peck, whose characters struggled with complex emotions and situations. Their stories were the most moving, and most disturbing, I think. I thought Hilary Duff did a great job at portraying Lucy, though I think some of the other sub-plots kind of distracted from Lucy’s storyline and the pain she’s trying to get across. My favorite scene of Hilary’s was one where she was with co-star Olivia Thirlby during a particularly emotional segment - to me, this was a lot more moving than Lucy’s infatuation with her teacher or the reporter."
Best,
Rich
I love these BTS of the film. Very interesting to read and diffidently makes me want to catch the movie even more. I can't wait to see the whole cast in action. This will no doubt be a witty comedy.
ReplyDeletelove to see the Behind the scene :D Well reviews ARE subjective, they're opinions. If you like or don't like a film I think it's rather personal and it depends on if you like the topics, the characters perhaps ther is somone from the cast you don't like... and just a tiny thing you don't like can already make you watch the movie with bad eyes...
ReplyDeleteI only can say, from my part, that i'm really looking forward to this film because it really looks like a DIFFERENT kind of movie ( as it's said.. ) and sometimes that's what we are looking for.. not the typical comercial movie... and that's what I believe i will find in WGU.
I only hope you guys who have work hard for the movie and it's promotion are happy with the results... which it seems to me you are, or at least you should be :)
- N
I was privileged enough to see this film with one of the producers tonight in Las Vegas. I went with some trepidation as I had heard from my DIL, who's the producer's niece, that while she thought the first cut was good, it had some issues. And unfortunately, I am very critical when it comes to movies due to my writing background.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I was truly amazed at the quirkiness and depth of this story. Yes, it did have some issues. There were places where I would have liked to have more in-depth characterization, there were places I thought the pacing was slow. The acting was good and dead on with what characters had on their plates. And in all honesty, this is the type of movie that comes out of the blue and ends up a cult favorite. It is that good in some strange way.
Maybe part of this is because I can remember this week so well myself. I was just out of college and worked for Lockheed. We were on top of the world and it just came crashing down on us all that Thursday morning. I can't imagine having the whole week being that bad. LOL!
Then again, maybe it's the part about being adult enough to understand when you've done something wrong yet there is no way to ever take it back. I remember this lesson well.
Or maybe, it's just that the misfits are so true to life that I can empathize with what is going on in their lives. I know that I would have been devestated if my favorite teacher had died during my high school years no matter what the cause.
Still, it would have been worse if said teacher had committed suicide. I was angsty enough then to have wondered if it were my fault in any way at all.
Adding all these elements up, you have one heck of a story that can appeal to the masses. I have to say, I liked it.
Come by my blog on Wednesday as I will be talking even more about this movie. Hope to see you all there!
Lynn Crain
www.lynncrain.com
www.themanyshades.blogspot.com
i'll check it for sure, thanks for your comment... interesting opinion....
ReplyDeletei just hope i can see the movie sooon!!!! goood everyone here seems to be from usa and have been able to see it !!!!!!!
HilaryNews.com?, GordonandtheWhale.com? LOL. Good choice of sources (worst and critics parts have been eliminated, like the new york times review). What next, perezhilton.com?
ReplyDeleteReally review here
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrdCsTMZyjo
Anon,
ReplyDeleteThe New York Times was a fair review. We think Manohla Dargis is great! So was the LVRJ and Jeff Simon's with The Buffalo News. The latter two are in markets that What Goes Up will be in the longest.
The film was also given three stars and a full page by OK Magazine. And we haven't been hiding from the less flattering.
As for the YouTube opinion; we're sorry she didn't like it. She's entitled to her opinion.
All the best,
The Insider Team
www.filmcritic.com, one of the best reviews pages I know is very hard, 1.5/5, the lowest valoration I have seen in months for a movie
ReplyDeletePep,
ReplyDeleteThen you must not have looked closely. There are a few films that have received the same or worse.
Jesse Hassenger clearly didn't care for the film, but he did enjoy the "a vaguely sweet little detour, for example, about the budding sexual relationship between paraplegic Peggy (Sarah Lind) and the goofy Fenster (Max Hoffman)."
Sarah Lind and Max Hoffman did a great job.
All our best,
The Insider Team
does any one know how much the movie made over the weekend? i cant find the numbers anywhere..
ReplyDeleteHmmm, out of the top 104 highest grossing movies for this past weekend, (as listed on boxofficemojo), What Goes Up didn't even crack the list. Is that even possible? Did no one go to the 16 theaters it was showing? Oh well, maybe people pay attention to a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes after all.
ReplyDeleteI finally got a chance to see the video and I think it was brilliant to see a director's take on the film and how it all came together and describing to us the characters. Very nice video.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a shame, that all these "First Looks" can't be bonus features on the DVD. It would add a great flare and appeal to buyers of the film.
Also, in terms of reviews, a nice selection up there. Rich, is there a link to Pete Hammond's review, or somewhere where it is published? I'm going to write up a detailed review of the film very soon.
ReplyDeleteKhizer,
ReplyDeleteThe Pete Hammond review leads ... "With a darkly funny and wonderfully twisted story that marches to its own surprising beat, ‘What Goes Up’ is definitely NOT your typical teen comedy."
It ends "Since this sleeper indie film is being self-distributed, theatrical exposure in 2009's crowed summer is going to be limited, so your best bet is gonna be DVD."
You can read the rest here.
All our best,
The Insider Team
Thanks guys. That review definitely nails it. Personally, if that is such a positive review, I don't see how its "0%" on Rotten Tomatoes. Not all the reviews have been bad, so it should get some more points up there...not that it really matters.
ReplyDeleteKhizer,
ReplyDeleteNoel Murray gave the movie a C+ and it doesn't rank. It's all good. :)
All the best,
The Insider Team
i still don't get reviews lool
ReplyDeleteit's something too personal ....
a movie can't go from an A to an F.... the rating just depends on the people who write it..
- N
OK. I meant that the valuation of filmcritic.com is the lowest for films that I see. I don´t read all the reviews.
ReplyDeleteTerminator has 2/5 and drag me to Hell 4/5. I don't share that opinion.
That's why I prefer the criticism and opinions of independent and free people, like video-reviews of youtube.
PD: Thanks Insider Team for replying to all and be so kind
Yeah it's weird. But hey, in the end its all about what people and the fans like and so far from that seems good. Keep in mind, some of the best movies get horrible reviews so don't let the reviews of critics take away from this great film.
ReplyDeleteBreaking News: What Goes Up opens in Brooklyn and Boston!
ReplyDeleteMore tomorrow! http://bit.ly/1tAS7
Don't forget to check out my blog today. I put in a plug for this movie!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Lynn Crain
Experience the Magic
www.lynncrain.com
www.themanyshades.blogspot.com
good review on Salon.com.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.salon.com/ent/movies/btm/feature/2009/05/30/munyurangabo/#
"director and co-writer Jonathan Glatzer handles his talented cast well, and the movie is dark, droll and sentimental in roughly the correct proportions. Worth a look."
That is a good review on Salon. My brother reads that. Also The Onion gave it a very good one and Hollywood.com was great. Also UGO.COM! My fav site. This isn't "parishilton.com", although i thought that comment was funny. Insider, seems like you got more good reviews out there than you're showing. C'mon! All these reviews should be front and center on your home page.
ReplyDeleteI'm figuring that a movie that gets a few good reviews and then a lot of pans probably has something I want to see. The trailer for your movie was okay, but in the first look videos, I could see this was really dark and good. It's weird cause it's like the bad reviewers are almost telling the good ones that they're idiots for liking it. Some of them are so nasty, it's like is the movie the problem or are you?? Clearly several really smart people liked/loved this film. They can't all be idiots.