Shut Up and Sing

Quasi-musical that will largely appeal to white, affluent, male New Yorkers. Several old college buddies who used to sing a capella reunite for a pal's wedding in the Hamptons (which right there tells you something about the target audience). Some time has passed since they last saw each other. Some have matured and changed, some have not. The cast is mostly appealing, if way too thin and good-looking (so much so that you might think you're watching a reunion of a group of gay friends). The musical interludes are the best parts of the film, by far. Some of the dialog (including a "seize-the-moment" speech by one of the way-too-thin and good-looking wives) and situations (finding a hooker for a divorced buddy) are cringe-inducing. Hey, but this is a low-budget indie, after all. The biggest name in the cast is ex-SNL member Molly Shannon, who plays a boisterous, occasionally crude wife whose schlemiel of a husband couldn't be any more different. Some of you may recognize Mark Feuerstein, who starred in a TV show called ROYAL PAINS and is presently appearing in a theatrical release, KNUCKLHEAD. Except for Shannon, the cast looks like it was put together from Broadway plays and TV soap operas. No fatties or uglies allowed, thank you very much. Oh, for the hetero guys who catch this, keep an eye out for Elsa the 23-year-old Swedish nanny. Also way too thin, but she does love sex.

I never review movies, but this movie got on my nerves so bad, I felt compelled to write about it. You may think me unfair to rate a movie so harshly after only seeing 20 minutes of it, but that was all it took to see that the dialog was horrendous (i.e. pretentious, annoying, irritating and unbelievable.) I wonder if the screenwriter was purposely making the characters douche bags, or if he thought he was making them hip and cool. The acting was not great, but it may, again, be the fault of the script. I would never be friends with people like this, and therefore, had no absolutely no interest in investing myself in their lives for one more minute.

Bruce Leddy tried his best giving the budget to make 'Shut Up And Sing' aka 'The Wedding Weekend'.

The problem lies in the plot, Some moments are interesting, but usually bland.

A group of guys who sang together in a college a Capella group reunite 15 years later to perform at a friend's wedding and discover how their lives have progressed -- and in some cases regressed -- since their college heyday, an idea that seems dated and the lack of face-value, disappoints all the way.

Acting wise: Molly Shannon is the only actor who does her part well, while all the others try hard, though some manage.

on the whole 'Shut Up And Sing' isn't what you expect.

I had the opportunity to go to the Gen Art film fest this year, and must say this movie was my favorite. It is like the feel good-movie of year. I love how the movie makes me laugh, while really plucking on my heart strings at the same time. Unlike many recent films, this movie was sincere and did not rely on special effects or political plot lines to keep your attention. My friends and I could not get those modern acappella covers out of our heads. Whether it was John Mayer or Ben Folds or Phil Collins or Frank Sinatra, this movie features songs for every taste. The movie really leaves you with a smile on your face, and for the first time in awhile you are actually entertained. Try to see it and look forward to the soundtrack.

"Grown-Ups 2" premiered in theaters yesterday, but rather than encounter the usual adolescent and perhaps redundant slapstick in a movie about a reunion with old friends, I watched "The Wedding Weekend" last night, which was originally titled "Shut Up and Sing", but was changed because that names was the name of a documentary by the Dixie Chicks or something.

Anyway, for those who watch the Law & Order franchise, the guys should be immediately recognizable to viewers. Mark Feuerstein of USA's "Royal Pains", should catch the viewers' eyes immediate despite the fact though his screen time is less present than the movie who's on USA's "Royal Pains". Molly Shannon is absolute funny as one of the guy's wives, uncensored, unapologetic and frustrated about her life with her husband.

I also have to admit that I like the guys' a Capella singing in the movie. It was very cool and crisp. They must have had a lot of practice when they were rehearsing for this film and also the guys must have had a great deal of background in theater because they all have great singing voices.

At the same level, the acting performances were really great. It is very rare that an independent film can achieve this level of quality. I would take this movie over "Grown-Ups 2" any day of the week.