Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

LouHomey From my favorite movies..

ClassyWas Excellent, smart action film.

Isbel A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Jay Addison The Dixie Chicks are extremely talented musicians. They are also extremely not understanding of the way politics work, as this movie proves. It's a documentary about the (admittedly, sometimes extreme) reaction America had when lead singer Natalie Maines said to a very anti-war London audience that she was "ashamed that the US president was from Texas." What the Dixie Chicks apparently didn't realize was that they were making a very political statement, and that has consequences.This film certainly did not make me an anti-Bush fanatic; it didn't really change my political standing at all. The Dixie Chicks had every right to say what they said- that's freedom of speech. But America had every right to react the way it did- that's freedom of speech too. The Dixie Chicks never really could understand this. They seemed to think that the reaction to their statement was "like, totally not fair." But it was very fair.I suppose you do have to give them points for sticking by what they said. "Taking the Long Way" as they called it in their songs. And I think that's what this movie was trying to do. They were brave for sticking together and not taking an easy way out which would have been easy to do. There's even one or two truly emotional scenes as they talk about the pain this has caused each of them personally. And by then end, you do nod your head in approval- even though they never should have said what they said in the first place. But, like I said, it was their right, and it always will be.Speaking strictly of film-making, it is a very well-shot and well-put together movie, if you can even say that about a documentary. I've always had trouble watching things like this anyway because I've never quite understood how they work. Are "scenes" re-shot? How much is scripted dialogue? We'll never know those things, unfortunately, which means we'll never know how much of any documentary is real. But oh well...Shut Up and Sing is interesting for sure, and definitely worth a view. I personally found it more laughable watching these three think they were being so mistreated. That may not be your feelings. Watch it for yourself and find out. 6/10 stars...Jay Addison

Ed Uyeshima The galvanizing effect of one offhand statement from singer Natalie Maines on a London concert stage in 2003 turned the Dixie Chicks, the highly popular crossover country-pop trio, into a corn-belt pariah and a lightning rod for anti-Bush sentiments. Veteran documentarian Barbara Kopple, along with co-director Cecilia Peck (daughter of Gregory), cover the incident in question with minimum fuss in this 2006 film, but what they do quite well is show how much effort it has taken the group to ride the firestorm and get their career back on track with the music. Kopple and Peck spent three years with the band, and the resulting sense of intimacy makes this one of the better backstage-type documentaries.The film's chief takeaway is that the sisterhood between Maines and bandmates Emily Robison and Martie Maguire is genuine. As they ride the torrent of death threats, hate mail, boycotts and plummeting record sales and canceled tour stops, they never appear at serious odds with each other. There is one honest scene where Maguire suggests that she and her sister separate themselves from the remark to minimize the impact, but they all eventually realize there is more strength to be had in staying together through it. Much of the intractable bond has to do with each woman's efforts at balancing work and family, and a lot of credit seems due to their longtime manager Simon Renshaw.Unsurprisingly, Maines come across as the sharp-tongued, unapologetic contrarian of the group, a fountain of impulsive outbursts, but her instincts often prove right as they find triumph with their last album produced by the indefatigable, comeback-savvy Rick Rubin, who looks and acts a bit like Brian Wilson during his acid-saturated days. The mob mentality that builds against the group provide the most visceral scenes in the movie, although given the trio's abundant talent and the fact that most of the protests were concentrated in the country radio market, one can't help but feel there is something of a tempest in a teapot about the whole story. Credited to no less than seven cameramen, the cinematography is vivid, and the print condition on the 2007 DVD is pristine. The only extra is the theatrical trailer.

susan_mckevitt84 I just watched the movie last night and felt really uplifted about the way these gals handled the whole situation, from start to finish. I loved the ending when they went back to the "scene of the crime". The Brits just loved it too.I have never listened to the Dixie Chick's music and knew nothing about them other than the controversy. They are truly role models in a way that so many music stars aren't. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the various family members and sharing in the birth of the twins. They are all so wonderfully grounded. I enjoyed their music and will definitely be buying a CD or two soon. Also, if I'm fortunate enough to catch a concert when they're next in Canada (Ottawa, not Moose Jaw!), I'll be a happy camper.

AVeryAptPupil I'm not going to say that it's one of the most excellent movies ever made or that it's a total disaster either, because it's neither of those things. If there is one thing that this film stands out for the most, it is the right of the individual. Natalie really shouldn't have apologized for what she said, but she probably did it because of the anticipated backlash. This doesn't make her a bad person though, nobody likes to have horrible things thrown their way.Although, the funny thing is, Natalie said something just about Bush and not about any of his compatriots. If Bush wanted to say something badly about Natalie himself, he could've. Instead, all of his little supporters jumped on Natalie's case for him. And he just stood back and said that they shouldn't be upset if people don't support them anymore. It's such a shame that people at the time that Natalie said what she said thought and acted like an insult of the president was an insult of the whole country. I think that idea is one of those things that this film is trying to put to rest.One part of the film that really caught my attention was when that guy sent the ladies that letter which stated that Natalie was going to die at the Dallas, TX concert. Natalie, when she was shown a picture of the guy, said "He's cute," and both I and a family member could tell that the wheels were turning in her head. As if she were trying to figure him out, or something. Anyway the documentary itself offered an interesting look into the world of the sisters, and how the experiences affected them personally. It is worth a viewing or two.