Shut Up & Sing

Here's a perfect example of why you have to take the IMDb rating system with a grain of salt -- many of the people who hate the Dixie Chicks because they made an anti-Bush comment will give a rating of 1, even if they haven't seen the film. Pro-Dixie Chicks people will feel compelled to give it a 10 to balance out the 1s. Check the vote graph to see the absurd number of 10s and 1s it's getting.

The truth is, it's a pretty good documentary that's worth checking out. I knew very little about the group before seeing this film, but I'm now more likely to listen to (or buy) their music than I was before. I'm still amazed at the size of the backlash that was created. Hopefully this will open some people's eyes.

I just saw this film at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and wanted to spread the word right away.

This is a great documentary that will appeal to anyone, even if you don't like country music (which I don't). The screening was held at 9:30am on a Wednesday and the theatre was packed. The entire audience seemed to have a great time which added another level to the film. This is the type of movie that needs to be seen in the theatre to get the full experience.

Similar to Metalica: Some Kind of Monster, this film goes beyond the usual formulaic making of an album film, and into what happens when the real world intrudes into these insular lives.

Free speech being what it is in this country (a novel concept, wherein one person who shouts down mediocrity is immediately usurped by another, opposing voice who shouts down that original voice), it's a shame this entertaining documentary on the outspoken Dixie Chicks can't be enjoyed by everyone. A liberal viewpoint and an anti-George W. Bush comment made in London on-stage in 2003 left the one-time country music darlings Natalie Maines, Emily Robison, and Martie Maguire fueling the fires of controversy; two years later they recorded an incredibly strong (and wise) comeback-record of purpose, one that quickly put them back on top in some markets (the country network is shown as still being iffy). Whether Republican or Democrat, the new music (shrewdly, though apparently unintentionally, accessible to quite a wide audience) can certainly be enjoyed for everything it is: a defiant and sometimes joyous collection of songs which make a bold, personal statement and yet leave lots of room for debate. The band's inner-political strategy seems non-existent (the original offending comment was obviously an off-the-cuff josh with the audience); while there's certainly more Bush-bashing in private, the women band together quite impressively. Maines, who made the remark, is said to be terribly guilty about putting her cohorts in harm's way, yet her righteous anger fuels her course with very little public regret (which some will love and some will not). An impressive film with much to consider and much to admire. *** from ****

I also saw this movie at TIFF and thought it one of the highlights of the festival. Like the music that envelopes it, this film was worth the wait. The film shows the band as professional, very talented, and still growing in their musicianship and performing skills. At the same time, Kopple and Peck capture the personalities and heart that are at the center of the band and their music. The film is revealing about the American's media's trivializing of dissent about the Iraq war and the deep antagonisms within American society -- antagonisms that defy country v. rock v. pop v. classical labels. It clearly shows some of the ill effects of the media monopolies newly permitted by the FCC. The Dixie Chicks were ahead of some of their audience in recognizing the disastrous nature of the war but many in that audience have now caught up with those sentiments and the Dixie Chicks have broadened their audience and their music since then. The music is terrific! What a great film!

I just saw this film last night at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) This is one of the best, if not best, rock docs I have seen.

The three year journey that these three talented ladies have gone through is amazing. A stand up for yourself and your country movie if there ever was one. The production quality is A+ and I bought their new album today..the first one I ever did buy, just to say thank you to the chicks for standing their ground. The archival news footage and commentary from right wingers is too funny given what we all know now about the lies about Iraq and the dishonesty of the Bush administration. The theater was packed by the way and the audience erupted in applause several times during the film... I will be telling everyone about this film and I hope it gets into wide release. It needs to be seen.