It's a Rockabilly World! (2016) User Reviews

1950's Time Capsule

[larrys3 · 7/10 · 20 April 2017]

This documentary focuses on the subculture of rockabilly music and its very avid enthusiasts. Most of the film appears to have been shot at the annual Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend, held at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Rockabilly music emerged in the early to mid 1950's, and is often described as a combination of country music and blues. As one rockabilly musician states the Vegas get-together is a "nostalgic salute to a quaint slice of Americana and how it's like being trapped in a 1950's time capsule".

The heart of the documentary is really the love of the genre by its enthusiasts, where they can feel the unconditional acceptance of their peers. They thrive in the rockabilly culture of music, classic cars, pin-up modeling, nostalgic hair styles, and tattoos.

All in all, this documentary, directed by Brent Huff, meanders at times but I enjoyed the trip down memory lane and the heartfelt love of rockabilly by its fans.

Rockabilly World is Awesome

[theredeygo · 7/10 · 24 March 2016]

If you Love Documentaries, And Music, And Culture, And Art, and Hot Rides this is a must see!!! I was totally unaware of anything like this. I thought this lifestyle was left in the 1950s. The Music is amazing. The Rockabillies are very Interesting. These guys have really cool outfits. The women are Awesome. They are very classy Pin Up Models. The music will get you out of your seat. Live Guitar Drum and Bass. The Cars are really cool to see. Cool engines, and paint jobs. There's so much to learn about this lifestyle!!! You will learn so much about it's history and what being a Rockabilly is all about. This Documentary has everything you could ask for. It's A Rockabilly World is a Great Film.

Near perfect

[calmirio · 7/10 · 16 November 2020]

I like it, 50's design in general, cars, architecture, furniture, arts, dressing styles just gorgeous and music, NO lip syncing, no ear phones, just voice and (raw) talent. Love it. What I don't get in today rockabilly are all those tats and piercing, maybe my trypanophobia has something to do with that.

A Desperately Disappointing Look At An American Subculture Revival

[StrictlyConfidential · 3/10 · 25 June 2020]

Unfortunately, this pop culture documentary (about the resurgence of 1950s' music and fashion trends today) certainly left a whole lot to be desired.

Personally speaking - I found that the "Kats & Kittens" taking part in this American subculture revival to be way out of touch with reality for my liking. IMO - It was all "in-your-face" fanaticism here that clearly involved lots of very serious drug-taking by its extremist participants.

I mean - Let's face it - The eccentric people presented in this documentary were all desperately crying for attention and the only way that they knew how to get the attention of others was by making the most absurd fashion statements imaginable and not by doing anything that involved mature intelligence.

Different / random but absolutely fun!

[poisonivy4206969 · 10/10 · 5 October 2016]

I can see why people would criticize this movie negatively but I personally loved it! It's different from most styles of doc, but absolutely fun!!

I really liked that they didn't only focus on the music aspect of the subculture, as most would have. Instead, they touched a little of everything about the subculture of Rockabilly in the modern day. I also liked that they showed/interviewed every different type of rockabilly enthusiast from the professional (Cramps) to the randoms at the events to Drake Bell. It was also cool to see the comments the record producers had about the subculture and the music. They had a lot of relations to people who are true rockabilly!!

Overall a good/fun/random doc!

A Rockin' Trip through the Rockabilly Scene

[gdhellman · 10/10 · 24 March 2016]

Loved this documentary! I've always been obsessed with learning about different countercultures and this film did not disappoint. Thought provoking in places, funny in others - it took me through the Rockabilly scene as it is today and back to its roots.

The film is full of colorful personalities and great music. It covers both the light and dark side of these dare to be different Rockabillies. As a punk in the 80s when the Rockabilly scene was reviving, I knew some people who were into it, but didn't truly understand it until now. Great direction, editing, sound and color - its well worth 90 minutes to see why Rockabilly attracts people to the bygone era of the 50s in the new millennium. Watch it!

Great story about a niche topic

[ckato-03959 · 10/10 · 18 August 2017]

I went into this knowing nothing about rockabilly (other than Elvis) or anything that comes with that lifestyle. What I saw was a surprisingly and supremely entertaining doc slice of Americana.

I like learning about new things and new cultures, and this was light, funny, and filled with interesting characters and fun music. I didn't realize how seriously people take this stuff and it was fascinating to watch how meticulously they make their hair and how beautiful their look makes them feel.

I had no idea Drake Bell was into this, although in retrospect it now makes total sense. You see a good deal of him in the flick, so if you're a fan, it's definitely worth checking out. The rest of the cast, I'm not sure how popular they are outside of the rockabilly world, but it doesn't really matter because they're all interesting. Jimmy Angel was a shortstop for the Yankees ions ago and how his best friend is a teddy bear. You can't make this stuff up.

Brent Huff, the director, does a great job keeping the film moving. It never gets dull, and really can't with this kind of subject, but it never dwells too long on one thing and he does a good job of showing how diverse this crowd is and showing off the idiosyncrasies of these people and some of the fun parties and events they have for themselves.

It's similar to Comic-Con, if you're into that. They seem to be very open and welcoming to outsiders. But if you're into colorful characters and colorful costumes - and completely non-fictional, there's no reason you shouldn't enjoy "It's a Rockabilly World".

In fact, it's worth it just for the music. That's the reason I watched it in the first place. I figured the music would be good. And I wasn't disappointed.

Check it out! It's a fun time.

Two things bothered me

[elvis1956 · 8/10 · 1 April 2024]

I hate seeing two things associated with rockabilly - misogyny and racism.

Both are addressed but not forcefully enough.

There was no real refutation of the misogyny expressed by a couple of the subjects.

The confederate flag issue - I would have like to see one white dude out and out state the truth - it's absolutely a symbol that of racism and has no place in the rockabilly scene. Ideally directly to one of the racists who defended the flag.

The ambiguity of these issues in the film make it hard for me to recommend it to friends. I wouldn't want anybody to think I'm ok with these views.

Otherwise I really, really enjoyed this deep dive into the scene.

Excellent, excellent--and hip/cool to top it off.

[joshuadarley · 10/10 · 17 March 2024]

Thoroughly enjoyable, makes for the best doc on music and culture that I've seen in awhile--makes you want to be there, go there, dive into the lifestyle yourself...Though it's definitely not trying to sell itself--just puts its cool on display--and makes it hard not to think "that's where the fun is at". The interviews are choice, just telling perfectly the essential history of the scene, which encompasses the figures/icons of yesterday and today, the beautiful women and their hair and svelte styles, the cool cat gentlemen with guitars and their 50s era cars--somewhat "greasers", but much much more, if you will. The people who put this together, those on screen and those on the production team, took a low-production budget to the next level. Worth a watch and then some.