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Movies / On DVD / We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen
We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen

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We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen (2005)

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Reviews Counted:16

Fresh:14

Rotten:2

Average Rating:6.6/10

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 90 mins

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Theatrical Release:Aug 26, 2005 Limited

Synopsis: Theatrical release: August 26, 2005 (Limited) When D. Boon fell out of a tree onto Mike Watt in a San Pedro, CA park in the early 1970s, the 13-year-olds began a friendship, resulting in one of... Theatrical release: August 26, 2005 (Limited) When D. Boon fell out of a tree onto Mike Watt in a San Pedro, CA park in the early 1970s, the 13-year-olds began a friendship, resulting in one of the most unique collaborations in American punk music. After graduating high school, the two Blue Oyster Cult fans met gifted drummer George Hurley and formed The Minutemen, releasing five LPs in four years--including the highly regarded DOUBLE NICKELS ON THE DIME (named as a response to Sammy Hagar's "I Can't Drive 55"). Too experimental and political for many young punks, they were often spit upon during performances for their jazzy, funky detours. Their growing success was cut short when Boon was killed in an auto accident in December 1985 after completing a tour with R.E.M. WE JAM ECONO, directed by Tim Irwin, is a touching elegy to the trio. Structured around the remembrances of Watt, who recollects while driving his van around San Pedro, the film includes testimonials from Jello Biafra, Flea, John Doe, Richard Hell, and dozens more friends and followers of the band. With many archival performances capturing the considerable power of the band, Irwin allows those who missed them to see their influential and singular take on American hardcore. [More]

Starring: Mike Watt, Minutemen, D. Boon, Jello Biafra

Starring: Mike Watt, Minutemen, D. Boon, Jello Biafra, John Doe, Flea, Richard Hell, Ian MacKaye, J Mascis, Thurston Moore, Henry Rollins

Director: Tim Irwin Gordon

Director: Tim Irwin Gordon
Producer: Keith Schieron

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Release:

Jun 27, 2006

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen

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1 - 19 (sorted by comments)
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N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
07/09/05
Boston Phoenix
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
02/18/06
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Those who know the band only through its recorded work will be amazed to see it in action.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
06/03/05
Bill White
Bill White
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

This footage nicely captures the punky energy of the band's early performances, but the homemade approach doesn't work so well in contemporary footage with band member Mike Watt.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
09/01/05
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

This is an insider's tour -- the uninitiated are, frankly, not likely to be converted.

Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
08/26/05
Elizabeth Weitzman
Elizabeth Weitzman
New York Daily News

The filmmakers have assembled a remarkable cast of voices, including Henry Rollins, Flea, Ian MacKaye, Thurston Moore, Richard Hell, J Mascis, critic Richard Meltzer, and Watt's mom.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
07/08/05
James Parker
James Parker
Boston Globe

Even now, there's no group out there like The Minutemen.

Full Review Source: Orlando Weekly | comment Comment
08/11/05
Jason Ferguson
Jason Ferguson
Orlando Weekly

The Minutemen were influential then and now, and We Jam Econo is a valentine to the band and D. Boon's memory. They're immortal now, and that's as it should be.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
06/03/05
Jeff Shannon
Jeff Shannon
Seattle Times

One of last year's finest documentaries, and one of the greatest rock movies I've ever seen.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
08/24/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

Tim Irwin's entertaining documentary is packed with great, no-fi footage from the band's glory days.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
08/26/05
Ken Fox
Ken Fox
TV Guide's Movie Guide

No band epitomized smart punk rock more than the Minutemen, and no band's legacy better captures the sense of tragedy that underlies the history of punk.

Full Review Source: Oregonian | comment Comment
06/03/05
Marc Mohan
Marc Mohan
Oregonian

a spirited tribute

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
08/19/06
Mark Athitakis
Mark Athitakis
Filmcritic.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Flick Filosopher | comment Comment
07/29/06
MaryAnn Johanson
MaryAnn Johanson
Flick Filosopher

Largely conventional documentary lovingly portrays the brief life of '80s California band The Minutemen.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
10/27/05
Matthew Smith
Matthew Smith
Film Journal International

It's refreshing to see a doc in which the biggest boldfaced name is Flea, who gushes over Watt and Boon's reluctance to tune their instruments.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
08/23/05
Mikael Wood
Mikael Wood
Village Voice

The spiky documentary in their honor keeps alive the echoes of their slapdash, Smithsonian-worthy sound.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
08/25/05
Ned Martel
Ned Martel
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

For people who are Minutemen fans and movie buffs, We Jam Econo is kind of a mixed blessing.

Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
09/26/05
Noel Murray
Noel Murray
AV Club

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
05/13/09
Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel

We Jam Econo is a must for the trio's fans, although non-aficionados of the group's cacophonous music may be puzzled by all the on-screen accolades showered on the band.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
12/06/05
Tom Dawson
Tom Dawson
BBC
 
 
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