Obviously you did not see this the Sunday program this morning sailorgirl.
The following has been extracted from www.goingupriver.com.
KERRY'S APOCALYPSE NOW! Butler can be a powerful storyteller. What stares you in the face is the anquish and grief of men who put their lives in the line of fire for a government that undertook a pointless war, mismanaged it, kept it going out of hubris and then abandoned it. Watch this and try not to weep." Frank Rich, THE NEW YORK TIMES
"ANYONE WHO SEES GOING UPRIVER will find it hard to argue that what happened close to 35 years ago no longer matters in America today." Owen Gleiberman, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
"IT'S A MOVIE MUCH LIKE ITS SUBJECT: passionate but deliberate, avoiding sensation but DETERMINED TO TELL THE FULL, TRUE STORY." Richard Corliss, TIME MAGAZINE
”Grade: A” Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly Click for full article
"It's a movie much like its subject: passionate but deliberate, avoiding sensation but determined to tell the full, true story." Richard Corliss, TIME
“Kerry’s Apocalypse Now! Butler can be a powerful storyteller. What stares you in the face is the anguish and grief of men who put their lives in the line of fire for a government that undertook a pointless war, mismanaged it, kept it going out of hubris and then abandoned it. Watch this and try not to weep.” Frank Rich, THE NEW YORK TIMES
“One of the most anticipated political documentaries of the fall! Going Upriver provides an inspiring portrait of Kerry.” Liam Lacey, Toronto Globe and Mail
“Penatrating! A must see!” John Urbancich, The Sun Newspapers
“Stirring! A richly documented history.” David Ansen, Newsweek
“Butler’s unlimited access yields a mind-blowing amount of archival photographs and film footage, but what’s truly effective is the way he lets the images speak for themselves, rather than manipulating them in a maudlin fashion.” Christy Lemire, The Associated Press
“Going Upriver [is] that rare bit of filmmaking that might actually illuminate this election. What gives it relevance is its connection to Kerry’s performance in last Thursday night’s debate. By lavishly detailing Kerry’s anti-Vietnam pedigree, Butler’s documentary offers historical perspective on the candidate’s full-throated opposition to the conduct of the war in Iraq.” USA Today
“Absorbing.” Christian Science Monitor
“Unexpectedly poignant.” Ethan Alter, TV Guide on-line
“Superbly crafted.” Jack Mathews, New York Daily News
“A winning portrait.” Lou Lumenick, New York Post
“Stirring.” Jan Stuart, Newsday
“Heartfelt and terrifically edited.” Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
“An exceptional film. A calm, well-researched and thoughtful portrait of both a man and an era. It never rings misleading or untrue. Full of riveting interviews and remarkable archival material – that anyone who intends to vote this November should make every effort to see. Going Upriver would be a fascinating American documentary at anytime. But coming as it does now, amid the storm, thunder and vicious mud-slinging of one of the most heated presidential campaigns ever, this highly dramatic portrait of the first 29 years o the current Democratic presidential candidate’s life – focusing on his successive careers as Vietnam war hero and anti-Vietnam war protestor – is almost essential viewing." Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
“Required viewing for those with any doubts about who should be our next president.” Dan Pearson, Daily Southtown
“Butler’s made an important movie.” Ray Pride, Newcity
“Going Upriver [is] essential viewing for people on all sides of the political spectrum.” Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Daily News
“Essential viewing, even if you think you’re decided.” Los Angles Daily News
“A riveting film.” Jonathan Curiel, San Francisco Chronicle
San Diego Union-Tribune
“After so many manipulated and distorted attack ads, Butler’s film is like a positive jolt.” Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
“Solid, often revelatory. Regardless of your political persuasions, Going Upriver is worth seeing!” Ty Burr, Boston Globe
“Run, don’t walk, to see George Butler’s vivid, impressive, scrupulously researched documentary – and bring along an army of the unconverted! Anyone whose vision was blighted by those swiftboat ads should take a long look at Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry. Informative (and uplifting!) even or know-all partisans of Kerry, and it could be a conversion experience for those who doubt his heroism in Vietnam, his leadership, or his patriotism.” Gerald Peary, Boston Phoenix
“A lucid, emotionally affecting portrait not just of one man but of his times. A fascinating, often wrenching portrait of one of the most divisive and divided eras in America.” Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post
“It’s hard not to conclude that Kerry was twice a hero: first in risking his life for his country, then in trying to keep others from dying needlessly. Those without an ax to grind will be hard pressed to watch this film and not be impressed by the young man’s courage and intellect.” Joe Williams, St. Louis Post Dispatch
“Documentarian Goerge Butler is one of the best in the business.” Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
“Powerful! A gripping documentary.” Jane Sumner, The Dallas Morning News
“Powerful and poignant.” Robert Wilonsky, Dallas Observer
“Graceful.” Elaine Wolff, San Antonio Current
“An illuminating and even moving examination of the defining experiences of the Democrat’s young adulthood.” John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal
“An indelible portrait of Kerry as an honorable hero and leader. Butler’s filmmaking skills are unquestionable, but it’s his insight as Kerry’s friend of 40 years that makes him a unique cinematic biographer.” Betsy Pickle, Knoxville News Sentinel
“It’s difficult to leave this movie without the conviction that Kerry’s wartime experience was anything but honorable.” Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
“Moving.” Tom Long, Detroit News
“An unexpectedly moving, deeply mournful look at a whole generation of young men who went to Vietnam. Their testimony in the film is heartfelt and powerful enough to bring tears to your eyes.” Joanna Connors, Cleveland Plain Dealer
“Illuminating.” Gerry Shamray, The Sun Newspapers
“A fascinating slice of hidden history.” Charles Cassady Jr., The Free Times (Cleveland)
“Going Upriver captures the moments and events that served as Kerry’s running leap into politics. Seeing the story in its entirety – in what amounts to Kerry’s preface to public life – offers profound insights to his character. Heart-tugging speeches and chilling photographs. Going Upriver is a salient and stirring argument that Kerry has the goods to be a forceful leader.” Phil Busse, Portland Mercury
“Going Upriver is an invaluable document, one that cannot be faulted or lack of accuracy. I cannot imagine how any reasonable viewer will even think about buying into the shameless claims that question the integrity of Kerry’s service to his country.” Dan DiNicola, Daily Gazette (Albany)
“A compelling and dramatic story.” Sean Means, The Salt Lake Tribune
“A compelling narrative.” John Wirt, The Baton Rouge Advocate
“Compelling.” Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing (Charlotte)
“Poignant.” Lawrence Toppman, Charlotte Observer
Creative Loafing (Atlanta)
“Fascinating.” The Tribune Newspapers (Phoenix)
“Fascinating. A dramatic, involving story. George Butler has made a clear, unflashy documentary, in contrast to the methods of – oh, say, Michael Moore. The result is that you trust Going Upriver.” Chris Hewitt, St. Paul Pioneer Press
“So why is Upriver important? Knowing this much about the frankly impressive early years of one candidate certainly casts him in a new light, one beyond the sound bites and attack ads. And it throws into sharp contrast just how little we’ve been allowed to learn about the formative years of his opponent.” Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
“Powerful.” Hap Erstein, Palm Beach Post
“Powerful. The movie is guaranteed to engage the decided and undecided alike, regardless of party affiliations.” Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
“Butler’s meticulous collage…deposits us in the thick of that era with starling immediacy and a commitment to documentation that leaves no touchstone unturned. The narrative that ensues manages to advance Kerry’s legend while humanizing him to an uncommon degree.” Steve Schneider, Orlando Weekly
“Going Upriver features some tremendously powerful scenes.” Scott Tobias, The Onion
“A profile in courage. Anyone who questions Kerry’s convictions should see Going Upriver before casting their vote.” Matt Kelemen, Las Vegas City Life
“A fascinating up-close and personal account. Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Going Upriver is its ability to resonate outside of its own period. There is no mention of the 2004 election or the Iraq War. The events in the move took place 30 years ago, yet everyone seems to be saying things that matter now.” Benjamin Spacek, Las Vegas Weekly
“A gem. A fascinating look back at one of the most divisive times in American history. It’s impossible not to be moved by how gallantly some of the speakers struggle to remember years later catastrophic events they have yet to understand. Butler’s ability to show us Kerry’s gradually changing mindset makes this an unusual documentary in that its central character goes on a full dramatic journey. It’s a reminder of how much more important individual conscience is than government policy.” Anthony Del Valle, Las Vegas Mercury
“Worthwhile viewing. The film speaks to the mind, not the emotions.” Todd McCarthy, Variety
“Highly effective. Going Upriver features extensive and often fascinating footage that speaks volumes about its subject.” Hollywood Reporter
