Watch We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen For Free

Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

best movie i've ever seen.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Perhaps the best thing about this documentary is that it manages to present a deep and rounded enough picture of a great subject that it will have substantial appeal both to the most devoted long-time Minutemen fan and to those who've never heard of them or experienced their music. For those who've been enjoying the music of D. Boon, Mike Watt, and George Hurley for years, some of the content will be familiar by now, but the story takes on fresh vitality and power when told by the band members themselves--both from archival interviews and in fresh footage of the surviving members.I wish dearly that this film or something like it had been around 20 years ago since the Minutemen, for all of their magic and considerable virtues, are not only an acquired taste but a somewhat difficult one to acquire. As becomes the focus of many of the testimonials from their contemporaries, they stubbornly stuck out as unique and eccentric even in the (rapidly-calcifying) LA punk scene. In this world of misfits who tended to rush to cookie-cutter formula for some semblance of security or solidarity, the Minutemen insisted on following their own muse, creating not only their own style of music but their own ways of working, their own lingo, and--most of all--their own deeply personal (and yet highly political) way of looking at the world. Because of this rejection of the quick, easy 3-chord punk format and all of its attendant accessories (simple anti-authority anger and lyrics, ripped clothes, tough snarling image), the Minutemen never gave their audience any easy footholds to get into the music. Instead, it took careful, sensitive, and repeated listenings to see the very human spirit(s) behind the music, to appreciate the revolutionary fervor and self-deprecating humor of their outlook. It's easy to forget after 20 years of fanhood just how hard it was and how long it took to really appreciate them, but this film will make the chore much less painful for prospective new converts, since the guys themselves and their most sympathetic fans and friends get to tell the story and set the record straight. As Watt himself muses at one point, so much of what they did was wildly misunderstood at the time, which is why there was and is a burning need for a film like this--it allows us to finally get the clearest look yet at the inner workings of a truly unique, intelligent, and heartfelt band.This brings us to another reason why it's so wonderful even for those who don't know the Minutemen, or even those who can't or won't enjoy the music--there's a great, great story at the heart of this film, the tale of a rare and wondrous creative friendship sundered by a senseless loss that is tempered by the brave and inspiring way in which Watt in particular has continued to wave the banner of honesty, homespun truth, and DIY. D. Boon's untimely demise is also made meaningful by the obvious reverence and respect shown by so many of his contemporaries, by the clear spiritual influence he has had on so many other musicians. Though gone, his music and spirit lives on, never more perfectly captured than in this loving documentary.

Excellent doc for minutemen fans and anyone, I suppose, who appreciates inventive, challenging music delivered with skill and intensity by three very talented yet humble dudes. Tim Irwin, with the aesthetic of his subject in mind, keeps things rolling at a brisk pace, offering a lot of information in a short period of time through a combination of archival show and interview footage of the band, and fresh interviews with their friends and contemporaries. The dominant thread running throughout the film, however, is Mike Watt's tour of San Pedro accompanied by his history of both the band and his friendship with D. Boon. In the words (probably) of Richard Roeper, "a genuine film about genuine people, Roger?"

Always did love this band. Can't believe D Boon's been gone 20 years now (that's the spoiler). Saw it last night at the ICA in London. Many laughs, and a few teary eyes. The film really does capture their passion for music and their utter passion for their own music.There is quite a lot of live footage. Hopefully a DVD release will have these in full. The comments from folks around at the time are funny, insightful, charming, touching and so on. I'd love to show this to someone who has never heard these guys - I have a feeling the film would still be compelling viewing as, as I say, it really does communicate the intensity of this unique trio.PM

I was at the premiere too, and was surprised at how undated the music was. I saw the Minutemen a number of times (best was on the boat in San Pedro harbor, with the Meat Puppets) and this film captures their essence surprisingly well. D. Boone, where are you when we need you! I'm here on the Internet trying to find a place to buy a copy of this excellent film. The music is aggressive and lively and always interesting. The film mainly consists of interviews about the Minutemen coupled with amazing live performances; my friend Andrea Enthal pointed out that they got such excellent renditions of Minutemen songs by combining many live performances to get excellent delivery and sound quality of almost every line. The spirit of the Minutemen lives on.