Best movie of this year hands down!

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

I can't believe I went this long without ever hearing of Muscle Shoals. This film has greatly influenced my appreciation for classic American music. Muscle Shoals directed by Greg Camalier explores the significant impact of Muscle Shoals, a small rundown recording studio in Alabama. Numerous times throughout the film we gain knowledge of the life of Rick Hall, founder of the studio. Hall made a comeback after the death of his wife, devoting his life to the studio and cutting long lasting records. To help make the case, there are multiple appearances of classic old timers such as Mick Jagger, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Percy Sledge, and Keith Richards. The usage of both old footage of these iconic artists at the studio and present interviews helps the viewer to really imagine what the music scene was like in Muscle Shoals during the era. It's also amazing to hear these singers and musicians, arguably the best of their time, give such high recognition to the studio. Another big focus of the film is the breaking of the racial barrier during the time. I was surprised to learn that classic Motown or soul music recorded in the studio such as Aretha Franklin's "I never loved a man", was recorded with The Swampers, a group young white male musicians. At the end of the day many people learned that the combination of whites and blacks working together was a possibility, and the records are the proof. I recommend this film to anyone who admires the mixed variety of vintage American music between the 1960s and 1980s.

Easily one of, if not THE best music documentary I have ever seen. So often these docs go flat after the first 20 minutes, none of that here! The visuals are fantastic and carry the show (as well as establish the sense of place) when the incredible music is throttled back. Underlying all of this is an incredible story of an incredible man, Jerry Hall, a man born in numbing poverty who somehow managed to rise above poverty and numerous personal tragedies to produce some of the most incredible blues and rock and roll recordings of all time. If you have access to this show and love music all I can say is WATCH THIS TODAY and prepared to be blown away!

Early in Muscle Shoals the point is made by all concerned that Rick Hall's studio was color blind, just top quality musicians producing top quality music. A true haven in the 1960s South. But then the Swampers go off to form their own studio in town and along the way pick up and then lose Lynyrd Skynyrd (until after the plane crash). Yet, nothing is even mentioned in passing about the racist substance of the band's music or their presentation as defenders of segregation and, in effect, the Slave South. Director Greg "Freddy" Camalier might have gotten away with that as a simple presentation of musical history were it not for his choice to end the movie, to celebrate Muscle Shoals and all it had accomplished, by using Lynryd Skynyrd's openly racist "Sweet Home Alabama," along with another showing of the Confederate flag behind them, which was their standard practice. Talk about taking a dump on your own movie.

I just saw this at the George Lindsey Film Festival in Florence, Alabama -- right across the Tennessee River from Muscle Shoals. I rarely give 10/10 but this film is a gem. Photography, editing, sound values, emotional through lines, entertainment value -- this film has it all. Lots of great interviews and a kaleidoscope of personal memories from great entertainers, as well -- including Mick Jagger, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Picket, and Alicia Keys, to name just a few. This film pulls you in and puts you there, back when a handful of friends got together and made music history in their own back yards. You'll be amazed at how many number one hits came out of humble little Muscle Shoals.