Rockets Redglare! (2003)

That was an excellent one.

Some things I liked some I did not.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

Blistering performances.

This is more of an impression than a review, because I only watched the first 30 min. or so. But this film is little more than a string of endlessly lurid, possibly true tales by and about an admittedly interesting guy. And, in the end, so what? There's no insight, nothing of real value - just a cesspool to either wallow in or gawk at. I'm sure RR was completely in sympathy with the filmmakers (though he makes several comments indicating that he thinks the whole project is odd). But his life (assuming his true-crime life story is indeed true) seems to be merely strip mined. Take what you can get, then get out.If you're interested in stories about child molestation, murder, prison rape, etc., then go for it. Though I've been intrigued by RR since noticing him in Jim Jaramuch films in the 80s, this offered no promise of insight. Watching this is like rubbernecking at a grisly car wreck. Nothing and no one is served.

A good documentary is one that tells a fascinating story. What is more fascinating than Rockets' life? I did not know who he was, but after seeing this documentary, I've realized that I've seen 80% of the movies he's been in. Everyone has a life story and needs someone who loves them enough to document it. The fact that this film was made with absolutely no budget and borrowed equipment by ONE person says something about luis's love for this man. The rawness of some of the footage is a good representation of rockets' life.Film should start a dialog. This film definitely does that and more. Just look at the other review-if someone hated it so much to write such a long and dissecting review, then they must feel something for this film. It's easy to criticize, it's hard to actually do it. I think it's a brave first film and i applaud Luis for having the guts to do it.

Reviewer: Liam Chang (Watertown, MA USA) - See all my reviews I saw this documentary at a sold out screening at Sundance last year, (the DVD has footage of producer Steve Buscemi and first time filmmaker Luis Fernandez de la Reguera taking questions from the audience at that same screening, a rare personal look at Steve Buscemi, for fans.)To me, a great documentary should transcend the typical format of talking heads and spliced file footage and make you feel, on some deep level, some insight on what it means to be human on this planet. For me, this was one of those films.Although this film was obviously made with more love than money, it shows that what matters isn't the budget but the heart and sweat of the filmmaker.What could have been a very depressing story (and typical morality tale)of a bad childhood leading to an adulthood of drugs and self destruction, instead focuses on Rockets charm, talent, humor, lust for life, and counter-culture irreverence. The film's not about judging, it's about compassion and understanding, warts (or should I say pus) and all.I'm afraid some people won't like the film or "get it." I read a review where the critic didn't understand why someone would make a film about someone who, besides his independent film acting career, "never amounted to much." Statements like that make me crazy.To me, life isn't about the so-called achievements one can type up in a resume, it's more about the relationships with other people you develop in your life. Even with a hellish life, odds stacked against him, Rockets never lost his humanity and managed to make an indelible impression on others. Watching the film, it's obvious how much the people involved in the film deeply cared about him, and after seeing their efforts maybe a little of that will rub off, and you will care about him too.

Rockets Redglare was one of that legion of faces you recognize from movies without ever knowing his name or anything about him. I first took notice of him after "Talk Radio" -- a name like Rockets Redglare stood out from the credits.What the film "Rockets Redglare!" reveals about the man Rockets Redglare is that he led a life more traumatic, more sad, and -- amazingly enough -- funnier, than most of the movies he appeared in. He was a dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker who grew up in the 50's and 60's among hustlers and thieves. Rockets tells the camera some jaw-dropping stories about that world and how it contributed to his own addictions and compulsions.His ability to get laughs out of his stories led him to become the black sheep of an extended family of artists and performers in the East Village in the early 80's. Members of that extended family appear here to tell you how they loved Rockets and how they never lost hope that he could "get it together.""Rockets Redglare!" mixes home movies and photos of Rockets' past, clips from his film career and interviews taken with he and his circle in the last few years of his life. The result is multi-faceted -- a biography of a charismatic and unusual man, a document of a period in New York cultural history, a cautionary tale of excess.The only possible flaw with this movie was that I wanted more of it. You are left wanting to hear more of his stories. This may not be a flaw, but the highest compliment for a documentary -- in 90 minutes it took me from knowing nothing to wanting to know everything about Rockets and his world.