Shut Up and Play the Hits

Name: Shut Up and Play the Hits
Genre: Music, Documentary
Released: July 18, 2012
Duration: 108 min
Rating: 72
Cast: Chuck Klosterman, James Murphy

2012

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 17 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 17 Ratings

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Shut Up And Play The Hits

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Movie Details & Credits

Oscilloscope Pictures | Release Date: July 18, 2012 | Not Rated

Starring: Chuck Klosterman, James Murphy

Summary: On April 2nd, 2011, LCD Soundsystem played its final show at Madison Square Garden. LCD frontman James Murphy had made the conscious decision to disband one of the most celebrated and influential bands of its generation at the peak of its popularity, ensuring that the band would go out on top with the biggest and most ambitious concert ofOn April 2nd, 2011, LCD Soundsystem played its final show at Madison Square Garden. LCD frontman James Murphy had made the conscious decision to disband one of the most celebrated and influential bands of its generation at the peak of its popularity, ensuring that the band would go out on top with the biggest and most ambitious concert of its career. The instantly sold out, near four-hour extravaganza did just that, moving the thousands in attendance to tears of joy and grief, with New York Magazine calling the event “a marvel of pure craft” and Time magazine lamenting “we may never dance again.” Shut Up and Play the Hits is simultaneously a document of a once-in-a-lifetime performance and an intimate portrait of Murphy as he navigates both the personal and professional ramifications of his decision.(Oscilloscope Pictures)… Expand

Director: Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace

Genre(s): Music, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 108 min

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Critic Reviews

IndieWire Eric Kohn

Jul 17, 2012

If you've never heard of LCD Soundsystem or cared much for the group's work, Shut Up and Play the Hits still manages to explore the prospects of fame and contemporary rock music's lasting relevance. Read full review

Rob Nelson

Jul 17, 2012

Much like the band's self-conscious synth-pop itself, "Shut Up" is initially satiric but ultimately disarming in its emotional resonance. Read full review

Karina Longworth

Jul 17, 2012

Murphy has never been a typical rock star, and Shut Up is by no means a conventional rock documentary. Read full review

Ty Burr

Sep 13, 2012

Shut Up is intentionally slapdash, with jumbly hand-held cameras and random bursts of feedback. But there's a beguiling sense of quiet to it, too. Read full review

Steven Hyden

Jul 18, 2012

The true magnitude of this band no longer existing is felt most strongly in these moments, when Shut Up is at its most uplifting and danceable. It's a party Shut Up And Play The Hits decides to leave far too often. Read full review

Sophie Harris

Jul 28, 2012

It's a tricky thing to pull off in a movie-equal parts talk and rock-but in a way, this mix of cerebral and kinetic is just what LCD strove for over the course of its ten-year life. Read full review

Simon Abrams

Jul 22, 2012

James Murphy never says that his music will sound different after LCD Soundsystem disbands, so why fearfully anticipate a change that we don't even know is coming? Read full review

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User Reviews

keep_yr_bias

Jul 19, 2012

If you're a fan of LCD Soundsystem this is an absolute must see. Even if you're just a fan of music in general and are not familiar with the band, you'll likely still enjoy this movie. The editing on this "documentary" is flawless. The film begins the morning after the show. James MurphyIf you're a fan of LCD Soundsystem this is an absolute must see. Even if you're just a fan of music in general and are not familiar with the band, you'll likely still enjoy this movie. The editing on this "documentary" is flawless. The film begins the morning after the show. James Murphy (frontman of the band for those that don't know) is waking up, hungover after their final show at MSG. He ends up meeting up with Chuck Klosterman (a brilliant writer) for an interview at a restaraunt/cafe. As the interview begins the movie cuts back and forth from the day after the show, the interview with Klosterman, and the footage of the show itself. Everything transitions as smoothly as it can. The footage from the show is absolutely incredible. LCD Soundsystem is known for their high energy, and emotional performances and the live concert footage couldn't be better. You pretty much feel like you're on stage with James Murphy and the band. LCD fans will love the fact that the songs in the movie are played in their entirety most of the time. Watching them play songs like, "All My Friends", "Us Vs. Them", "Jump Into the Fire", "Losing My Edge" etc. is a somewhat euphoric experience. Beyond the amazing live footage, Klosterman asks Murphy great questions. The final question he asks him is a brilliant question. Before asking the question Klosterman talks about how actors/athletes/musicians are remembered for the successes, but defined by their failure. He comes right out and asks Murphy what his biggest failure was. It's a ballsy question, and Murphy is visibly caught off guard. I won't say what Murphy's answer is, but I found it to be very interesting. Murphy and LCD were in the prime of their music career. They were as succesful as you could possibly be without selling out, had a loyal fan base, yet decided to quit early. It's sad that they quit, but this movie gives you a look into the mind of Murphy and why he decided to walk away from the music that he loved to make.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

frankrog29

Dec 12, 2019

I'm only giving Shut up and Play the Hits a 7 because I'm a fan of LCD Soundsystem. If you're not a fan of the band, don't watch this documentary/concert film. Despite James Murphy's attempts to make himself seem unpretentious, this film does the contrary. Not to mention, LCD Soundsystem gotI'm only giving Shut up and Play the Hits a 7 because I'm a fan of LCD Soundsystem. If you're not a fan of the band, don't watch this documentary/concert film. Despite James Murphy's attempts to make himself seem unpretentious, this film does the contrary. Not to mention, LCD Soundsystem got back together three years after this movie came out, making all of the "sad" moments in it seem maudlin, ridiculous, and pointless. Also, this movie made me hate Chuck Klosterman, who badgers Mr. Murphy with extremely annoying, grating, and pretentious interview questions throughout the film. In sum, if you aren't a fan of LCD Soundsystem's music, avoid this pandering documentary like the plague.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SilverMan

Aug 2, 2012

Of course this movie is f***in' 10!!! I am a huge fan of LCD Soundsystem ! But why should I give it 5? Well, the problem is that I'm brazilian, and I can't simply travel to the USA to watch this movie on a theatre. I could, but money and time are problems too. WHY JAMES MURPHY? WHY DID YOUOf course this movie is f***in' 10!!! I am a huge fan of LCD Soundsystem ! But why should I give it 5? Well, the problem is that I'm brazilian, and I can't simply travel to the USA to watch this movie on a theatre. I could, but money and time are problems too. WHY JAMES MURPHY? WHY DID YOU PUT YOUR FLAWLESS MOVIE ON NORTH-AMERICAN THEATRES FOR A LIMITED TIME?!?… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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