It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

"Rockets Redglare" is a documentary tribute to a man (known only as Rockets Redglare) who was a standup comic, a character actor, an alcoholic, a drug addict and a beloved friend of such cinema stalwarts as Steve Buscemi, Jim Jarmusch, Willem Dafoe, Matt Dillon and many others. In fact, Rockets appeared in many independent features including "Stranger Than Paradise," "Down By Law," "Mystery Train," and "Basquiat," as well as more mainstream works such as "Big" and "Talk Radio" (he's the killer who shoots the talk show host). "Rockets Redglare" was planned and filmed before Rockets' death, making it one of those rare posthumous documentaries in which the subject gets to tell his own life story.Although there are a number of interesting moments scattered throughout the film, I must admit that I began to wonder early on what it was exactly about this man that made anyone think him worthy of a full-length documentary. Frankly, except for some harrowing moments Rockets recounts from his childhood (his mother and father were both criminals and drug addicts), his life doesn't seem really all that interesting, and the insights he provides into life aren't particularly witty or insightful. With no voice-over narration to provide any real cohesion or focus, the film feels slapdash and aimless, relying strictly on Rockets himself and his buddies, Dillon, Buscemi, Dafoe etc. to flesh out the storyline. Although everyone keeps telling us what a wonderful and likable person Rockets was, the charm really doesn't come across all that well on screen, so I guess we'll just have to take their word for it that that was indeed how he was. I guess you just had to be there.

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.

This documentary is simply superb.Making a portrait of someone isn't easy, first of all because it has to seem effortless. That works wonderfully here, within minutes you'll get the feeling that you've known this Rockets Redglare all your life !The director has given us a true labor of love, and that same sentiment is rendered by the friends that shed some light on the guy. Without being cheesy or trying to hide any of the darker sides of his 'topic', true friendship beams out.Both funny and deeply tragic and even disgusting at times, this documentary is as honest and as well made as any portrait will ever get. It'll make you wish you were out there with them...

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.