Red Rocket

"Not the 64 Oz.!" Baker clearly has established a consistent cinematic style in his most visible films - a neorealist aesthetic with clear (sometimes falg-wavingly obvious) allusions to social and political changes in America that usually end up working as a result of particularly well-written characters brought to life by excellent performances. In Red Rocket, we take a look at a new kind of American poverty, displayed with all the hustle culture and shit-talking of a 1970s blaxploitation flick but with sexuality displayed as a cheap commodity; Simon Rex's Mikey has all the components of a classic American success story on paper (a drive to succeed, charisma, and physical prowess) but who is a complete slimeball in practice whose life is a comedy of errors. But Baker makes each scene not only a tragic laugh track but a component of character development, fleshing out the individuals involved and the cultural environment that led them to their present state. Goofy but featuring complexity (including a 'protagonist' with superficial charm and a chip on his shoulder but a penchant for dishonesty and who is, y'know, a pedophile groomer technically), Red Rocket was one of the more unexpected treats of 2021 thanks to very solid writing and particularly good performances from Rex and Son, but also nonprofessionals Bree Elrod and Brenda Deiss. (4/5)

A totally convincing performance from Simon Rex elevates an already great screenplay to higher heights. Red Rocket induces a full spectrum of emotions in a natural way, never having to stoop to cheap antics to get there.

Now the beginning 25 minutes of this are fantastic and I thought it was leading up to the main character creating a new generation of actors. I'm not going to say which kind of actors because it's not very PG of me. But I thought it would be a movie where he creates this empire in Texas and he becomes big time and his wife wouldn't ever find out about it until he gets arrested doing stupid stuff like the car accident and shows up on tv. But instead the 25 minutes I liked turned into 2 hours of the same repetitive nonsense. Aka he goes home to his wife , goes to donut shop with his side girlfriend named strawberry and gets weed from the lady he used to know and repeat. And that repetitiveness is so boring and I lost interest in this movie around the 50 minute mark. Of course I finished it but because I was so bored I started looking at my phone. I thought it would be something cool and different but instead we got a poor rejects life and he's just living. To me if I wanted to see that I would go outside. It's a very low bar movie and it just ends. It seems like it's setting up for a sequel but whatever they had planned for the sequel, they should've put it in this movie. In the end I'm very disappointed in how lackluster this movie is. My recommendation is only watch the first 25 minutes and then your done because that's the only good part about this. Also the main character is so unlikeable. The only other positive thing I could say about this movie is when it ends so I could say bye bye bye in reverse.

I had heard good things but maybe that's the problem. Went in with high expectations. I get it, he's a loser, used to be a porn star, family hates him etc. Reminded me of ‘mud' but with a Jamie Kennedy, scary movie flex. (Fully aware he was in scary movie 3) Maybe I gotta re watch.

Suzanna Son's cover of "Bye Bye Bye" perfectly encapsulates the whole film - funny, somber, catchy, sexy, innocent and intimate and all the while being operatic at the same time

Hubby and wife date afternoon theatre was Sean Baker's latest starring Simon Rex and his famous lower half. There certainly is some scenery, but the connective tissue makes you wonder why it had to be well over two hours. There's a lot of bike riding. The film could have been a lot tighter, but that isn't Baker's strong suit. Hubby found himself exhausted, but the conclusion was great until it wasn't. Wife enjoyed it mostly. The Donald Trump vs Hilary Clinton through line was annoying, but it is what it is. Hubby: 5.3/Wife: 6.9/Average: 6.1/10

Sean Baker once again outdid himself with that movie. He is truly the Italian neorealism of America

Red Rocket continues Baker's impressive portfolio. Rex is phenomenal as Mikey, a toxic mess of a man, who you'll unsettlingly follow. There's humour too. It's an enjoyable and gritty ride.

Interesting, funny, and unfortunately, a bit frustrating also. Could have been 20m shorter, but a good watch nevertheless.

Went all good till the end, but ain't no recommendations from me, as there's nothing to take away from this.