BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Bessie Smyth Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Hattie I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Jakoba True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Michael O'Keefe This is a very interesting and informative documentary that explores the history of a band called Big Star, started in Memphis by Alex Chilton and Chris Bell. Chilton had already struck pay dirt with a Memphis garage band named the Box Tops. Chilton's gravely voice powered hits like "The Letter", "Cry Like A Baby" and "Soul Deep" between 1967 and 1970. Alex was joined by Bell, Andy Hummel and Jody Stephens to form Big Star existing 1971-1974. The band was dark, existential and foreshadowed alternative rock, but experienced almost no commercial fame with their three released LPs; however influenced artists like R.E.M., The Cramps, The Replacements, The Posies and Flaming Lips. Songs like "Ballad of El Goodo", "In The Streets", "Thirteen", "Try Again", "Kangaroo" and "September Gurls" are considered monumental by their followers. If you are a die-hard fan of indie-rock, NOTHING CAN HURT ME will strike a note that will long be remembered.

Taylormetzer A good watch if you are fond of a bunch of skinny guitar strum mere of the beatnik generation trying to imitate The Beatles or Led Zeppelin. These rockers say F U to the establishment in girly skinny jeans fashion. Features local artists in the 1960's looking to make a world of difference in rockabilly influenced style. Takes place in the late 1960's in the Nixon Vietnam era of U.S. History. I'm not too sure if it includes much of an account of pet sounds or Sgt. Pepper in the likes of the documentary, one can imagine an account of the flower pedal influences in the world would be mentioned in this film. I don't consider the Big Star Story to have much of a spot in U.S. Rock N' Roll history, but some might have a contended thought. Fender and Gibson guitar adores May like this film. It has an array of sound and imagery, but that's enough for me.

David Ferguson Greetings again from the darkness. The best filmmakers can be described as visual storytellers. However, what can we expect from a film if the story has no real climax or even a definitive ending? Well if the story is early 70's band Big Star and if the filmmakers are co-directors Drew DeNicola and Olivia Mori, and Producer Danielle McCarthy, the answer is an incredibly interesting and enthralling tale of how sometimes the universe just doesn't line up the way it should.Mythical stories involve such things as unicorns and the lost city of Atlantis. It's tempting, though incorrect, to label Big Star as the mythical great band of the 1970's. In fact, they were all too real. For the past 40 years, their influence has worked its way through the musical world and is obvious in the works of such bands as R.E.M. and The Replacements ... just as the influence of The Beatles, The Byrds, The Kinks and more can be heard in the songs of Big Star. The mystery and confounding question is why did the beautiful music of Big Star never "make it" to the big time like those others? This documentary is a technical and structural and visual and auditory marvel. It captures and holds our attention just like any other well made historical drama would. A doc on The Rolling Stones or Bruce Springsteen would revel in the big time success achieved or the legendary live performances or recording sessions. Instead, with Big Star, we get a much more personal look at the creative genius of its two leaders: Chris Bell and Alex Chilton. They are described as flashing comets passing in the sky. Their all too brief time together produced something special that, still to this day, deserves to be heard. Their tragic personal stories need to be told. This film does both things very well. A large part of the Big Star catalog is heard throughout, and the abundance of meaningful interviews paints a clear picture of the band and its members.One would be challenged to name any artist or creative endeavor that has been more critically acclaimed, yet commercially unsuccessful as Big Star. It absolutely makes no sense ... except for the cursory explanation given to the record labels: Ardent Records and Stax Records, and their ultimate failure in gaining retail distribution and radio airtime. Could it really be as simple as horrendous business execution? At this point, none of it really matters. The real interest ... the real story ... is the personal insight provided by lone surviving band member Jody Stephens, record producers John Fry (Ardent founder) and Jim Dickinson, and of course, the brother and sister of Chris Bell. If you are asking yourself why you have never heard any music by a band that occupies 3 slots in Roling Stones' 500 Greatest Albums of all time, I encourage you to seek out the songs ... or pay attention the next time you are watching the opening of "That 70's Show". Yes, that is Cheap Trick doing a cover of a Big Star song. There is much to be gained from seeing this documentary and discovering Big Star ... even all these years later.

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.