sandy-340 I understand that a band - especially a few cute guys playing instruments - with lots of pictures documenting their experiences recording some songs is catnip to hungry music aficionados. But I honestly don't get it... this documentary is more about a bunch of people surrounding a few of these guys who recorded some mediocre songs, had a couple of songs recognized by great songwriters like Elliott Smith, etc. But the story is a jumbled telling of a couple of guys who accomplished almost nothing, who joined in at one point with a guy who was a one-hit wonder. Kind of boring....

polsixe It seems too much effort to fake a documentary of an unknown band, the old photos, current video, how did they age the actors or de-age them? The music clips and documentary style seem pure HBO/cable it just seems to be an overly serious parody, but there's no humour. Who's heard of this band, it's all so meta it's either brilliant or ridiculous.

ramblin rose Lovely, poignant and beautiful the story of Big Star is fraught with the inescapable trappings of life that both manage to bind and also free us. There is already a wonderful review by David Ferguson. His review sums up much of what you'd actually expect to find on the liner notes of a DVD compilation release of this movie. And he's spot on. My review won't add or be any better. In the end my review will only add a bit of the haunting beauty and power that was Big Star and that lingers with us. A black diamond glimpse into the souls of not only Big Star but each and every one of us. A cautionary song/tale that sums up much of what I think the movie offers: "Take care not to hurt yourself Beware of the need for help You might need too much And people are such Take care, please, take care Some people read idea books And some people have pretty looks But if your eyes are wide And all words aside Take care, please, take care. This sounds a bit like goodbye In a way it is I guess. As I leave your side. I've taken the air. Take care, please, take care. Take care, please, take care." Wm Alexander Chilton

juliofantastico Big Star fans will undoubtedly eat this up, and those unfamiliar with the band absolutely should watch it as well. Lots of fantastic interviews with people who were heavily involved with the production of their records, and I am also grateful for a healthy dose of information on Chris Bell (which seems incredibly hard to come by, even in this age). After watching the film I had a hard time figuring out if this film preaches to the converted, or actually makes an attempt to introduce the uninitiated to this incredible band. I thought I knew quite about the band prior to watching this, but after watching this I realize how little I really knew.