Watch Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing For Free

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Such a frustrating disappointment

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

This is a really wonderful documentary/commentary. After seeing the band perform live in Nashville (I flew down from the Pacific Northwest to be supportive), I bought the DVD of Shut Up and Sing, sight unseen, and was not at all disappointed.Before I even watched this movie, before I even attended their Nashville performance in 2006, I was chastised by a lady one day for daring to wear a DCX concert t-shirt. That was the day I found out about the bold statement Natalie had made in 2003 that started all the turmoil. It is amazing that simply wearing a t-shirt put me in such an awkward position with someone. I had no idea that wearing the t-shirt was making a political statement. Hey, I like their music and I'd like them to stay in business.To anyone who feels anti-DCX, I doubt we could be friends. LOL.

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.

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 ****

The old first amendment doesn't mean much to a lot of Americans, it seems. Hard to believe that a country that has seen thousands of its young people needlessly killed by war, suddenly turn on a band because of a few misplaced words. I think the greatest thing about this movie is that it has negatively immortalized the "Proud Americans" who had such unkind words for the Dixie Chicks. In a world that is marred by terror, isn't it rewarding that we have such a talented group of women who offer us hope? This movie makes a statement. I hope the American people hear it. I live in Canada, which offered the Dixie Chicks our biggest welcome, from coast to coast. I saw the band in my city and have never witnessed the level of appreciation by a concert audience that I experienced that night. America should be very proud to be the home of the Dixie Chicks!