Overall rating 
4.7 / 5
4.7 / 5
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Rating breakdown 107 reviews
5 Stars
93
4 Stars
7
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3
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2
1 Star
2
101 out of 107(94%)reviewers recommend this movie.
Overall rating 
4.7 / 5
4.7 / 5
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating breakdown 107 reviews
5 Stars
93
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
2
1 Star
2
101 out of 107(94%)reviewers recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
4.7 / 5
4.7 / 5
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Rating breakdown 107 reviews
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93
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7
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3
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2
1 Star
2
101 out of 107(94%)reviewers recommend this movie.
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Product ReviewsReview This Movie
Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Even better than i anticipated!
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from La Jolla, CA
I love TAL, but I didn't know what to expect from the live broadcast. I have to say, it was an absolute blast. I laughed, I cried, and I left wish there was a show like that every week.
Even though it was a broadcast, it felt live. I can't wait for the next one!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Fans will love it
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Ontario CA
For fans of the radio show, it's a winning combination. You get an extra-long episode, and it's an extra-good one. There are cartoons (which you don't get on radio!). And you get to see the people whose voices you know so intimately. I thought I didn't want to see them but it's great, and Ira Glass has wonderful facial expressions to go with his wonderful vocal exrpession. The HD and live aspects are nice too.
If you are reading this before 7 May 2009 I urge you to see the Encore; if you miss that, see it on-line.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Great time was had as usual.
PostedApril 24, 2009
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This was a great experience. Brought my husband who rarely listens to TAL and he enjoyed himself as well. The only hiccup was at the beginning of the show when the theatre couldn't get the feed to work right. So we only missed the puzzels at the beginning. Still worth going.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
2 / 5
2 / 5
God + Religion
PostedApril 24, 2009
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I enjoy American Life (yeah to Podcast) The speaker who bashed God and religion was a little too much for me. In this age of Tolerance a less polarising subject topic would have made my $20 bucks worth my effort . I enjoy Ira Glass and usually skip (thanks for IPods!) views i disagree with, this was a $20 Paid event unfortunately no Skip button.
Love the show, God + Religion somewhat unsettling..plan to come again :)
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
3 / 5
3 / 5
If only I could hear.....
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Orange, CA
Either the feed or the theater was tuned for a surround sound experience. Unfortunately, this meant that while sounds (laughter, applause) from the THL theater audience came through WAY loud and clear, the front channel audio track was buried and often unintelligible. A 4.0 earthquake 20 minutes into the show, which cleared 1/3 the theater, also didn't help. Didn't particularly like the added visual elements. Found it helpful just to close my eyes and take in the show "radio style."
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
OUTSTANDING
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Philadelphia, PA
This was just beautiful. Dan Savage's piece meant not a dry eye in the theater. I am so happy to have been part of this-- a must see for those who missed it (it's replaying in theater's May 7th, from my understand!)
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Everything and More
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Los Angeles
As a huge fan of the radio show I sat down with very high expectations. Ira was absolutely charming, as usual. The show visually demonstrated why This American Life is both compelling and entertaining. I cried almost as much as I laughed. BRAVO!
The only thing that would have made it better is if I won a poster.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
4 / 5
4 / 5
This American Life
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Oklahoma City, OK
Lots of fun segments with just the right touch of moving moments interwoven. Only hitch, somehow I was charged for five tickets instead of three and wasn't able to get it resolved. Still worth it though.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
PostedApril 24, 2009
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It was very enjoyable. There were a few things that I was not in the loop for understanding, but that did not diminish the enjoyment.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
i had a sip of beer
PostedApril 24, 2009
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Loved the stories and Joss Whedon's song was awesome. Probably the best 90 minutes of my week. I really enjoyed it. It's something very different from a lot of things that are buzzing around these days and that's what's so cool. This is probably the only show, radio or otherwise, that can pull it off and leave the rest of us wanting more.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
This American Life
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Los Angeles, CA
I want more of these live events. I did read that some theaters had technical difficulties but our broadcast seem to go off extremely well. I watched the live event last year and have enjoyed every second of it. Thank-you TAL for once again sharing an inside look at your process. Digging it.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Encore May 7th , don't miss
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Hollywood, FL
Funny, touching, perfect execution. It's a formidable challenge to take an intimate, literate, radio show and move it to a visual, live format.
Ira Glass and his team succeeded wonderfully.
Mike Birbiglia, Starlee Kine, Dan Savage, Chris Ware and Joss Whedon, revisted their "crime scenes" and the effect was transformative. Great Show!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
4 / 5
4 / 5
What a fun evening!
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Cupertino, CA
The theater missed the first 10 minutes - bummer - because of problems with the broadcast (dish network). Otherwise - no problems!
It was really fun to see a radio show being done live, but it was very different from Garrison Keillor. I love Ira Glass! He's cute but nerdy in person. The theme was interesting and he worked it in such a manner it was creative, made you think, and imaginative. The only thing I didn't get was the little movie with the mouse and the cat head.
My husband and I are going to see Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me - live in a couple of weeks. it will be interesting to see how this compares.
Love PBS! keep up the great work!!!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Just like being there!
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from N. Hollywood, CA
As a listener of the radio program - and an ocassional viewer of the TV show - I was really looking forward to seeing how they were going to pull this off live. Well, they pulled it off! Very entertaining - funny and moving. My only criticism would be that the screen image (showing Ira and the stage) was a bit dark at our location (AMC Burbank 16). Check out the encore presentation on May 7th!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Great!
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Columbus Ohio
As a fan of the show, it is very interesting to see Ira Glass at his "turntables" and to see the persons that we normally hear only, instead of imagining what they may or may not look like. Watching their expressions as they read. Really good guests and readings/stories. Animated clip to go with news story was so clever in it's simplicitiy. Very very enjoyable. I will be going next year!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
FANTASTIC!!!
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Wheaton, IL
This was great, I came with some friends who are long time American Life listeners, I had never heard of this, and I was throughly impressed! I want the American Life DVD's and would see something like this again. The intro puzzles were extremely clever and certainly kept the audience entertained whilst we waited.
Excellent!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
a d@mn smart show
PostedApril 24, 2009
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For those familiar with the radio or tv shows, they do a good job of making the live broadcast unique.
Well worth catching in repeat.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
can't wait to see it again
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from los angeles, ca
this american life is a class act and something about it always seems to give me a sense of calm and understanding about my life and others.
as my friend who accompanied me to the show put it:
"the show was both hilarious and heartwrenching. like a rollercoaster my emotions were all over the place, and at the end of the ride i knew that a) i wanted to do it again and b) there is a lot of beauty in the stories of ordinary people."
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
strangely effective
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from cincinnati, ohio
I'm a big fan of the radio program and not much of one for the television version but I found this performance and experience to be touching and quite funny. Cheers to This American Life.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
2 / 5
2 / 5
Ruined by Tech problems
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Georgia
Ten minutes after the broadcast started, the satellite was knocked out by bad weather! The theater staff was very nice, offered to let us into other shows & gave us a refund, but there was nothing they could do. It's not their fault but if transmission is going to cease every time it rains, I hesitate to recommend this to anyone else. Will there be a rebroadcast? I did enjoy the first few minutes we did get to see.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Sweetly Thought Provoking
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Fargo, ND
As to be expected of the This American Life team, this show was delightful, thoughtful, and big-hearted. From struggling with one's religious background (not "God-bashing" as one person put it-- honestly, is it God-bashing to even discuss one's feelings about doubt?) to one's parents, to the LAPD, to Consumerism vs. Telling Stories, each of the guests provided a beautiful story about what it means to be alive to them. I found myself on the verge of tears and wetting my pants often. I am also in awe of Ira's uncanny ability to bring it all together under the theme of Returning to the Scene of the Crime. I hope to see more of these shows in the future!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
1 / 5
1 / 5
Had to leave 15 min in
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Los Angeles, Ca
My fiance and I had to leave the theater 15 minutes into the movie because the sound quality was so terrible and the picture was out of focus. We tried to sit through it because we LOVE This American Life so much but we couldn't understand anything Ira Glass was saying. Please make sure that next time the movie can be seen and heard before making us pay 20 dollars a ticket for it.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
What a great evening!
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Paoli, PA
How do you explain to someone that you are going to see a radio program that is being broadcasted by satelite live to a movie theatre?!!
But how ever you described it, what a great event. To see it live, was amazing. The whole production was first rate. I heart Ira!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Worth the extra scratch
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Montclair, NJ
This was really a great experience. It was funny, poignant, heartbreaking, intelligent and just all around This American Lifey. That's always a good thing.
People are right in saying that Dan Savage was the highlight, although that being said, there was no low-light or drag on the evening. Even before the broadcast began, custom made puzzles entertained the audience.
If anyone is considering catching the May performance, I wholly recommend it.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Truly Delightful
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Cambridge, MA
Ira - you naiiiiiled iiiiit! :)
You were charming and real, the setup worked extremely well. I was surprised you had a bunch of clips, and that you chose three comedians essentially, but I thought the show came together great.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Delightful
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Los Angeles, CA
I was so excited about this, and it didn't disappoint. Loved seeing Ira and the contributors. I took my friend who hasn't listened to TAL before, and she loved it too.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Great TAL Night
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Detroit, MI
I loved all of it, for the reasons others have written, so I wont' go into those.
I do have a couple nits to pick. When the live audience applauded, the volume of their applause was loud enough to hurt our ears. Also, we were directed to the TAL website to watch an additional video they had created for the evening. I spent $20 to see this event, I should get the whole experience included with that without having to watch a YouTube video.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Everything I was hoping for!
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Columubs, OH
This show was exactly what I was looking for from TAL. Funny, emotional, creative...even the opening credits were fantastic, and they made the wait for the show to begin completely painless. Hope they do this again soon!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
This was fabulous!
PostedApril 24, 2009
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from Phoenix, AZ
I invited friends who'd never heard TAL to join me last night for this curious mixed media event: a radio show broadcast live in a movie theater. We all loved it! I don't know where else you can see -- or hear this kind of smart mix of funny, sad stories woven so cleverly around a common theme - this time, "returning to the scene of the crime." I loved the added dimension of actually SEEing Ira Glass - and the contributors tell their stories that will add to my experience whenever I listen. If you missed it, run, don't walk, to the May 7 rebroadcast for a unique treat.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Very entertaining
PostedApril 24, 2009
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Overall the broadcast was great. Ira is awesome and Starlee Kine was perfect.
I read it was going to be 2 hours with David Rackoff among the speaker, neither were true.
The only thing that I could do without was the one speaker who went on bashing God and religion.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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