Critical Praise for DUST UP
Critical Praise for DUST UP
“DUST UP plays as if Robert Rodriquez met Joss Whedon in the desert on three-wheelers.”
“Roberts’ genre-embracing sincerity mixed with his need to transcend action film expectations via sharply hilarious dialogue and unlikey characters rings of Whedon in the best ways.”
“Roberts’ humor and pacing are what truly makes DUST UP is a ride worth taking. Like Rodriguez’ work, everyone in this brutal world may be a badass, and yes, blood and gore fly freely, wantonly, and often. But where Rodriguez’ work inevitably rings hollow, DUST UP has a rapidly beating, bloody heart.
“The film undeniably sparks with life and the sheer joy of handcrafter filmmaking.”
“DUST UP is a funny, insane cinematic hoot, and I look forward to whatever dust these people kick up next.” ~ Jim Tudor, TWITCH FILM
“Reminiscent of everything from BILLY JACK to BLAZING SADDLES to PULP FICTION, there are all kinds of gloriously ghoulish and greatly gross turns that happen in the film from meth withdrawal to cannibalism to sodomy; no line is too brash to cross.”
“DUST UP had me rolling from beginning to end.” ~ Mark Miller, AIN’T IT COOL NEWS
“Director Ward Roberts lovingly guides the eager viewer down a path of debauchery, machismo and hilarity to a full sadistic stop – and then goes even further. It’s in this area that “DUST UP” goes way past other B-movie fare and shows true exploitation prowess befitting of a midnight show cult classic. ”
“Is “DUST UP” rude? Certainly. Is it disgusting? Most definitely. But is it also a great example of what having fun at the movies is really all about when you buck the status quo? You bet your sweet ass it is. In the realm of five-star stunners with an edge, “DUST UP” cleans up.” ~ Jason Coleman, STARPULSE
“…an exquisite B-movie painting called DUST UP. It’s a film that boasts bloody cannibalism, chaotic gunplay, copious handjobs, and even a Lizard Man.
“A polished film that can be admired by Sergio Leone fans as well as Ruggero Deodato aficionados.”
“DUST UP keeps the viewer engaged with constant invention and commitment to making an ass-kicking, high-octane, and most importantly, entertaining film. It’s the next best thing to sitting through a marathon of all my old VHS tapes and looks a hell of a lot nicer, too.” ~ ChrisDIYDriveIn, PLANET FURY
“Ward Roberts’ DUST UP mixes droll absurdity with a heady dose of over-the-top insanity to create a drug-fueled alternate-reality wild west that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.” ~ Tim League, Founder/CEO ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMA
“Dust Up is a Hipster Apocalypse Western, like Alex Cox doing Mad Max.”
“Most definitely a relevant representation of what’s left of the post-millennial counterculture.”
“Dust Up has a jangly punk rock spirit, one that doesn’t at any point feel like a pose” ~ Gabe Toro, INDIEWIRE
“If there existed an alternate universe in which Quentin Tarantino and the Coen Brothers collaborated on a script, which was then directed by a Natural Born Killers-era Oliver Stone, DUST UP would come as close to such a wicked threesome as that. A script filled with quirky characters and snappy dialogue is visualized on screen in the frenetic, yellow-tinted that Stone eventually bequeathed to Tony Scott (RIP). It is a fun, gory romp that contains just as much charm as it does slimy, grimy set pieces. And the film is funny.” ~ Teos, THE END OF SUMMER
“DUST UP is funny. DUST UP is demented. DUST UP is psychotic. DUST UP is gory. DUST UP is weird and wild and wonderful and seriously, seriously whacked … Roberts absolutely nails the right vibe for the film by weaving together the humor, the horror, the heart and a whole lot more. You might think 70′s exploitation flick meets Natural Born Killers meets True Grit on acid.” ~ Richard Propes, THE INDEPENDENT CRITIC
“Ward Roberts has fashioned a truly unique western for the butt-dialing age, one that begs for a mainstream audience. DUST UP has cult classic bursting from the loins of these characters, quite literally.” ~ Andy Greene, FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND
“DUST UP is all kinds of wonderful! … I love this film in the same way I love Machete, which is to say TONS … I’m talking every kind of sex you can imagine, babynapping, dogs chewing on intestines, cannibalism, balls to the wall fight scenes with darts and scalpings. Once the action starts, it never slows down … DUST UP is another Technicolor garish ride through a world of poverty, cannibalism, murder and drugs and it’s for sure one helluva ride.” ~ IPC DOUBLE TAKE
“The film is violent, depraved, racist, and misogynistic–but it’s all done using a perfect blend of black comedy…And if you are one of those who “get it”, then you are in for a great ride. Ward Roberts has created a very funny and highly entertaining Grindhouse Western that is well worth a view.” ~ Roger Carpenter, ROGUE CINEMA
“Crow at some cannibalism, chortle over Buzz’s nerdy factotum or boo a hissing thug named Mr. Lizard.” ~ Nicolas Rapold, THE NEW YORK TIMES
“Billy Jack meets Rob Zombie meets John Waters…There’s definitely an audience for Roberts’ brand of cinematic nihilism…” ~ Chuck Wilson, VILLAGE VOICE
“A Violent, Hilarious Desert Adventure…”
“…witty dialog, gory slapstick, and protagonists unfazed by absurdity.”
“The action is fast and furious, a goofy, gory thrill ride that rarely lets up.” ~ David Shackelford, TRULY NET
“DUST UP very quickly establishes a style and voice, and it never strays from either or descends into incoherence even when the level of crazy reaches 11. Weird though DUST UP gets, it makes quite a point of grounding Jack (Aaron Gaffey) and forming him into the likable rock on which all this lunacy comfortably leans. Considering how many A-movies can’t get that part right, seeing it done so well here is no trivial thing.” ~ Billy O’ Keefe, McCLATCHY-TRIBUNE Syndicated Newspapers
“Stylish and well-made…”
“If you’re a fan of the recent grindhouse craze, or even just oddball action flicks in general, then I’m sure you’ll enjoy Dust Up immensely. Be sure to check this one out. You won’t regret it.” ~ Max Ingram, RABID DOG PRESS
“What I can only describe as Raising Arizona meets Beyond Thunderdome! Believe it, baby… DUST UP rocks!” ~ Joe Lynch, Director of ‘Wrong Turn 2′ and star of FEARnet’s ‘Holliston’
“Yes, it’s weird. Yes, it’s over the top. Yes, it’s hilarious.” ~ Brett Schenker, GRAPHIC POLICY
“They promised I would see things I had never seen before and they were right — but I wish I hadn’t. I certainly can’t describe them in a family newspaper.” ~ Bruce Wood, CHAMPION NEWSPAPERS
*****
Other Press:
- DUST UP podcast interview with Director Ward Roberts on Geekscape: Listen here.
- Interview with DUST UP’s Amber Benson talks to CraveOnline.com
- DUST UP Panel from Comikaze on Whedonopolis
- DUST UP on iTunes Movie Trailer page
- DUST on Screen Invasion
- DUST UP on Bloody Disgusting
- DUST UP on the front page of Yahoo! Movies
- DUST UP in the Star Tribune
- DUST UP page on Yahoo! Movies
- DUST UP on Lair of Filth
- DUST UP on Red Carpet Crash
- DUST UP on Ain’t It Cool News
- DUST UP on Whedonesque
- DUST UP on Monster Popcorn
- DUST UP theme “Hellbound” by Spindrift on IFC






















