napierslogs Frequently advertised as a documentary about freedom of speech and its cost on business, "Shut Up & Sing" is more just an in-depth look at the Dixie Chicks, a country music band from Texas.During a concert at an anti-war demonstration in London, singer Natalie Maines voices her disapproval of going to war and says "I am ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas". I noticed a few interesting things during the beginning of this documentary. In particular, that it took days before there was any ruffle in the States over this. A few London papers commented on it in articles about the concert but no concerned American picked up on it then. A few days later the Associated Press had one sentence with her quote, and then it started appearing on American conservative-right talk shows. Things for the band went straight down-hill after that."Shut Up & Sing" is a pretty good documentary. It has an interesting subject matter and they actually got some great clips and video footage. But I don't think it's as good as it could have been. I think the film-makers had an opportunity to further examine why certain talk shows thought it was necessary to try to destroy a band over a comment about the President, but no mention that they were playing at an anti-war demonstration in the first place. I think there is a lot more behind Natalie's desire to make a statement against the war and the President and if they showed me any of that there could have been more arguments against calling her ignorant.I had known about the single "Not Ready to Make Nice" and appreciated them putting that voice in their music. I am much more impressed now that I know all of the songs on that album relate to the incident. "Shut Up & Sing" has made me a new fan of the Dixie Chicks.

quantumcat I watched this in my hotel room. And really it scared me. It's very good entertaining documentary, that starts off with a good concert in the UK by the Dixie Chicks in the UK at the eve of the second Gulf War. Instead of saying thank you and goodbye, one of the D-girls speaks her heart and speaks up against the pending war, which the Britisch press gladly covers. When it hits the American Press, the controversy is a fact and a riot is born that is just a tad shy of the Nazi book-burning in the late 30's for dissing the President of America. Apparently everything is Free, except the freedom of speech. Songs are banned from the radio stations, CD's are destroyed. This documentary follows the three years of heavy weather the three D-girls landed in and the swimming upstream in which they mature as a band.I personally liked the documentary, it's filled with great and catchy country music, it's funny, witty, endearing and because you get a nice insight to the Dixie Chicks, to who they are and what moves them. You also get a scary insight to the USA, in what seems a funny political satire, but which sadly isn't so ... it's real. That what makes it scary! This is "Canadian Bacon" meets "This is Spinal Tap" on reality TV! I wouldn't recommend people to go buy the DVD, but catch it on TV if you get the chance! I said this, since I'm not a big fan of rockumentaries on DVD. The only ones I ever bought were (for obvious reasons): "This is Spinal Tap", "Meet the Ruttles" and "I'm Not There". (if not obvious: they 're not real documentaries, the first two are mocumentaries, the latter is a collection of surreal impression based on several phases in Dylans life, portrayed through actors, rather than running after Dylan with a camera all the time)Apparently the movie made a bigger impact than expected. So: Correction: do go and buy the DVD if you missed this on TV!

bexandbarn I knew that the chicks were vilified for speaking out against the Iraq war, but I presumed it was calculated and that they were politically savvy. Not so, as it turned out, it was merely a throwaway comment from the lead singer which she wouldn't have said if she'd realized the consequences. Saying that, this was a good indication of how nuts mainstream America is. They even got death threats! Beyond the PR damage limitation exercises and the corporate proclamations of their oily manager, this was quite an interesting journey. Unfortunately, I don't like their middle-of-the-road music at all, although some of the lyrics are quite good. It was a good finale when they returned to London. I would have called this Don't shut up and don't sing.

richard_sleboe The single point of this documentary is a 3-minute scene showing the Chicks in a counseling session with production legend Rick Rubin. It's set in Mr Rubin's remarkable living room, a unique blend of messy bachelor pad, bohemian lair and underground speakeasy that Woody Allen would have his set designers working overtime to recreate. For one thing, the scene is a lesson on the power of living creatures as trademark props. Small surprise the camera can't take its grainy eye of Mr Rubin's pet, a featureless black licorice bundle of a dog that looks a lot like its master. His canine choice puts the likes of Paris Hilton to eternal shame. Clearly, Mr Rubin is on top of his guru game. But it doesn't stop there. Look closely, then look again. He is big. He is bearded. He is from Brooklyn. He doesn't say much, but when he speaks, it's in a voice so calm and confident the Chicks hang on his lips, lest they miss a single word of wisdom. Obviously, they are not fooling themselves about their future. What worked for Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond and the Beastie Boys might just work for them. Provided they get him to spin his magic on their commonplace country candy. They know that if they rise again, it will be his making and his making alone. I am beginning to think Rick Rubin is God.