HPC advance screening of 'Up in the Air' [*Spoiler Alert*]

[penegal]

I RSVP'd today; I have offered one seat already should I get two. Anyone else?

If you, or anyone else can get me a guest ticket that would be appreciated.

Thanks =)

 

[serfty]

Email arrived 10:35 this morning.

penegal - you're in. Awaiting on confirmation for the other guest.

 

[JerseyVics]

No, I haven't yet registered. I'm waiting to see if a friend in Melbourne can join me or, if not, someone else from AFF who might like to come along.

has your friend confirmed?

if not, I'd be interested.

thanks,
--Russ

 

[oz_mark]

If you, or anyone else can get me a guest ticket that would be appreciated.

Thanks =)

I hope you're not soliciting for a free ticket. tch tch :mrgreen:

 

[penegal]

Email arrived 10:35 this morning.

penegal - you're in. Awaiting on confirmation for the other guest.

Thanks serfty!

(You have a PM)

 

[penegal]

I hope you're not soliciting for a free ticket. tch tch :mrgreen:

LOL, I am happy to pay any associated fees / popcorn / drinks, but I didn't get the email as I'm not a HPC member.

 

[Febs]

I loved this movie! Not just for the frequent flyer references either.

For me it was a movie of two very distinct halves - the first part hilarious, with witty lines every few minutes (think Ocean's 11). The second half - serious and confronting, with barely any humour. Both brilliant though.

I think the FF references were well done - not so over the top that non-FFers couldn't enjoy them, but real enough that we can all relate. It was fairly realistic too - only a few things that were made-up (i.e. I'm pretty sure AA don't write your name on the side of a plane when you hit 10MM, and I'm pretty sure they don't have a 10MM flown club with only 6 members ).

Definite sponsorship from AA, HHonors (at one point the female lead jimmies open a window with an HHonors Gold card ) and Hertz #1 Gold (no mention of Presidents' Circle though).

It's a movie I could easily see again (and probably will with my gf when I'm back in Australia), and that's pretty rare for me. I'm going to pick up the book this week too.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[JerseyVics]

I hope you're not soliciting for a free ticket. tch tch :mrgreen:

any more "free" tickets?

 

[Danger]

has your friend confirmed?

if not, I'd be interested.

thanks,
--Russ

Sorry, Russ. Another AFF member beat you to it.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[serfty]

any more "free" tickets?

Yep!

See here:

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...passing-catch-up-anyone-20533.html#post280465

I'll PM you more information tomorrow.

 

[penegal]

A big thanks to serfty for the ticket.


The movie itself was very good. The first half of the film was fun, while the second half was more dramatic/serious as the plot developed. Very well done IMHO.

As Febs said earlier in this thread, the frequent flyer references and product placement are subtle, so the film should appeal to a wide audience (eg +1's who aren't initiated to the FF lifestyle).


At this screening HPC provided a self-service line for complementary bottled soft drinks, choc tops and popcorn. After the film we were each given a small bag with a pair of Hilton slippers to add to the collection

 

[Danger]

After the film we were each given a small bag with a pair of Hilton slippers to add to the collection

. . . which I found interesting given we can all take the 'complimentary' ones in the rooms any old time. The least they could have done was have them embroidered with 'Up in the Air' or something!

I enjoyed the film but it's a shame the lead character's job was all about firing people.

I would disagree, however, that the product placement was subtle. Hilton and AA were everywhere.

 

[Febs]

I would disagree, however, that the product placement was subtle. Hilton and AA were everywhere.

Don't forget Hertz!

I wouldn't say the product placement was subtle (like I said in my earlier post - the movie was clearly sponsored by AA, Hertz and Hilton) but I think the frequent flyer references were relatively subtle. i.e. they were there, but non-FFers could still enjoy them.

Cheers,
- Febs.

PS: Matterhorn club...

 

[Danger]

Don't forget Hertz!

"Wait! You forgot to give me your Hertz #1 Gold Card." Haha.

PS: Matterhorn club...

I wonder if that comes with a complimentary room upgrade for their top tier members?

 

[djfuzz]

Likewise thanks to Danger for very kindly offering his spare ticket.

Very enjoyable film for the FF/loyalty program references alone, the rest of it depends on how much time you have for a typical Reitman film - which is generally more about a mood and feeling than it is about a completely satisfying story. Nevertheless, given the timing of its release, this film will inevitably generate some Oscar buzz.

I have to disagree with the consensus here as well - to me the FF (AA/Hilton/Hertz) references appeared to be anything but subtle. When there's an AA plane or poster on screen every five minutes, or a Hilton logo or robe, or when they're explicitly referenced in the script - felt pretty full on, though it does get backgrounded a little as the film goes on.

Also, for the nitpickers (I believe there's a whole thread on FT for this purpose), there were a few continuity errors on AA aircraft/interiors depicted - but only noticeable to the devoted, I'm sure most people won't mind at all.

So the real question is - does AA really have some sort of super elite Lifetime status at some mark (10 million seems a little low), or are they taking a bit of a gamble that, despite all the product placement in the movie, people really can differentiate between fact and fiction?

 

[Mal]

So the real question is - does AA really have some sort of super elite Lifetime status at some mark (10 million seems a little low), or are they taking a bit of a gamble that, despite all the product placement in the movie, people really can differentiate between fact and fiction?

When you get to 10 million miles ... you will know. Until then, AA will keep you guessing

Actually, if you flew that much, you would probably get Concierge Key status with AA. Doesn't get the pretty perks, but sure helps when it's iced in at Denver !

 

[serfty]

*Spoiler Alert*

OK, guys - I'm off this thread until I have seen the film ... :-|

 

[penegal]

LOL, perhaps subtle was not the best word to use. What I meant to say is that they weren't overly in your face.

There definitely was a lot of product placement, but IMHO it was appropriate for the story. After all, this is a movie about a [very] frequent flyer, so the references and images would probably need to be there, even if they were for fictitious companies.

For me, this was a good film (and not an advertisement for AA/Hilton/Hertz). But YMMV, and we can agree to disagree.


Also, I agree with djfuzz's comment RE: Reitman films, and this is especially prevalent in the second half. But it worked for me.

 

[djfuzz]

There definitely was a lot of product placement, but IMHO it was appropriate for the story. After all, this is a movie about a [very] frequent flyer, so the references and images would probably need to be there, even if they were for fictitious companies.

For me, this was a good film (and not an advertisement for AA/Hilton/Hertz). But YMMV, and we can agree to disagree.

Nah, I agree with that completely penegal - for a film whose central premise is based around the collection of loyalty rewards, it was an absolutely perfect fit for such product placement deals (and commercially astute too) - and it works much better than say James Bond pulling out a Rolex watch with a laser (or is it an Omega Seamaster now? ), drinking an ever-changing brand of Vodka or driving anything other than an Aston Martin.

Apologies to serfty if it seemed we were being spoilerrific - tried not to discuss anything that's not already public knowledge about the film.