No No: A Dockumentary (2014)

Dock Ellis was a brash, talented pitcher known most for pitching a no-hitter while on LSD, and for substance abuse problems throughout his career. This "dockumentary" tells his story, and with it's compelling with its interviews from childhood friends, teammates, and ex-wives, as well as his inspirational counseling work after he became clean.Ellis was a fascinating character. On the one hand he was a leader in speaking out against ridiculous policies, for example, fighting a suspension he received for wearing curlers in his hair with the Pirates, and then later the edict that players not drink in the hotel bar while with the Rangers. He was charismatic and outspoken to the point of being proclaimed by some as "baseball's Muhammed Ali", and got a touching letter from Jackie Robinson encouraging him despite a torrent of racist threats. On the other hand, he couldn't control his drug problems, starting with the amphetamines that were rampant in baseball at the time (some in the documentary estimate 90-95% of players), but soon spreading to almost everything else: cocaine, LSD, alcohol, heroin, etc. Ellis states that he was high for every game he ever pitched in the majors. Off the field, the incident his second wife describes when he abused her with guns for five hours is horrifying, and director Jeff Radice is at his best in including footage like this, but balancing it by showing the kind, loving, affable person Ellis was 99% of the time.Where the documentary is less successful is in including stock footage of players or cheesy animation while trying to show events from games where apparently no film exists. Inexplicably, there is also footage of the 1981 Kroc Foundation anti-drug film for kids called 'Dugout', which has little to no actual connection to Ellis and adds zero value. I would have also liked a little more content on the actual baseball, as Radice isn't all that detailed about big games in his career, apart from the no-hitter, and the time he hit the first 3 Reds players in a game on purpose. He'll take us to big events like the 1971 World Series but then not really show us all that much about Ellis's performance.Then again it's a human story, not a hardcore look at the man's career, and it was touching to see his relationship with Roberto Clemente, and how he spiraled after Clemente's tragic death. How Ellis turned himself around, gave back, and positively affected so many people's lives is also quite touching. Lastly, it's a fascinating look into baseball, race, and drugs in the 1970's. Solid film, and worth seeing.

From thequickflickcritic.blogspot.com/With the baseball season in full swing now here's a throwback to one of the sport's stars of the past whose legacy after he left the game is far more lasting than anything he ever did on the diamond.You don't have to be a fan of baseball as I am to appreciate the captivating tale of redemption candidly and affectingly told in 2014's "No No: A Dockumentary". Before seeing the film, I had always regarded the fact that gifted yet troubled Major League All-Star pitcher Dock Ellis once hurled a no-hitter while tripping on acid to be cool. Almost cute in a way.Learning that Ellis was a severe drug addict and alcoholic, and that he claims to have never pitched a game during his 12-year big league career when he wasn't "high as a kite", just absolutely broke my heart. This guy was such a favorite of mine and my friends when we were growing up in the '70's.However, it is after watching "No No" that Ellis emerges as a genuine hero. We are privileged to witness the all-in investment of this man's total soul in supporting fellow addicts as they navigate through a new world, having emerged as he had done from the hell life becomes when substance abuse becomes your only purpose for existing.Ellis left us in 2008, his liver having failed, the organ finally succumbing to decades of self-inflicted torture. His passing, while certainly before his time, was nonetheless preceded by years of humility and humanity.It is this legacy, and not that which he accomplished "between the white lines", that Ellis will forever be remembered with undying gratitude by those he touched, and who were in desperate need of both his guidance and his grace.

This documentary is about the excellent baseball pitcher and character, Dock Ellis. Much of the film concerns Ellis' crazy lifestyle--especially his use and abuse of drugs and alcohol during this career. Oddly, much of the time the drugs seemed to either help him or not hinder him--and he reportedly pitched a no-hitter while under the influence of LSD! Eventually, however, the drugs and alcohol got out of control and led to his early death (though this is oddly never mentioned in the film).This is an enjoyable film to watch, though I must also admit that the message about drugs was oddly mixed. During much of the film, it sounded as if Ellis' drug abuse was rather funny and it almost seemed to imply that the drugs were good! Later, however, his violent side came out and he, fortunately, became sober and a living example to others. Well made but strange in its focus.By the way, if you enjoyed this, there also is a wonderful documentary about Danny Trejo ("Champion")--which is quite similar in many ways.

A well-done film featuring interviews with baseball legends, Hollywood director Ron Howard, vintage Pirates like Blass, Al Oliver, Bob Robertson and others, and interviews with Dock Ellis himself. The movie traces Dock's journey from a gifted pitcher who threw a no-hitter on LSD, faced Vida Blue in the 1971 All Star Game, and eventually faced his addictions and became a counselor to other addicts. If you liked this film, you'll also love "Baseball's Last Hero: 21 Clemente Stories", another new film showing the spiritual journey of the great Roberto Clemente who was Dock's teammate and mentor. " Baseball's Last Hero" is the companion film to this film and is also on IMDb and Amazon. Both films go beyond baseball to say something meaningful.