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We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen

Play trailer Poster for We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen 2005 1h 30m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Through interviews and archival footage, director Tim Irwin documents the history of the influential 1980s punk band the Minutemen. Surviving band members Mike Watt and George Hurley provide a firsthand look into the band's world, from their start in San Pedro to the 1985 death of D. Boon, the band's co-founding member. Numerous musicians, including Henry Rollins, Thurston Moore, and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, offer insight into the Minutemen's importance to the punk scene.

Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader 06/29/2022
Irwin doesn’t dwell on it. Instead he lets more than four dozen musicians, artists, and writers explain what made the band so exciting, punctuating their remarks with good-to-excellent performance footage. Go to Full Review Chris Chang Film Comment Magazine 07/06/2010
One of the toughest forms of nostalgia is a yearning for times that were anything but peaceful. Go to Full Review Tom Dawson BBC.com 12/06/2005
3/5
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. Go to Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid 08/24/2006
One of last year's finest documentaries, and one of the greatest rock movies I've ever seen. Go to Full Review Mark Athitakis Filmcritic.com 08/19/2006
4/5
a spirited tribute Go to Full Review Matthew Smith Film Journal International 10/27/2005
Largely conventional documentary lovingly portrays the brief life of '80s California band The Minutemen. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Andy B @AndyB21 05/06/2019 A great documentary about a great band which whilst it can be a little repetetive, doesn't fall into the trap of lingering vicariously over D. Boon's death. See more 05/19/2013 Touching and insightful but ultimately not rock's most remarkable story. See more 09/20/2012 The minutemen changed my life,I grew up in socal,it's so inspiring to have some normal suburban kids make history and change music forever! R.I. P D.Boon See more 09/18/2012 The Minutemen weren't favorites of mine, but this little documentary made me want to re-listen to their stuff. I liked the interviews with members of other bands like Ian Mackaye, Jello Biafra, Henry Rollins, etc. See more 08/02/2012 A beautiful tale of youth and how a group of individuals together can create such an immense effect in the world, and how one person missing from a trio can cause such a huge dent in a bands soul. See more 07/08/2012 Great documentary about a band more people should listen to. See more Read all reviews
We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen

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Cast & Crew

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Tim Irwin

Director

Keith Schieron

Producer

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We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen

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Movie Info

Synopsis Through interviews and archival footage, director Tim Irwin documents the history of the influential 1980s punk band the Minutemen. Surviving band members Mike Watt and George Hurley provide a firsthand look into the band's world, from their start in San Pedro to the 1985 death of D. Boon, the band's co-founding member. Numerous musicians, including Henry Rollins, Thurston Moore, and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, offer insight into the Minutemen's importance to the punk scene.
Director
Tim Irwin
Producer
Keith Schieron
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 25, 2005, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Nov 26, 2007
Runtime
1h 30m