Detroit Rock City (1999)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Adam Rifkin

Writer (WGA):

Carl V. Dupré (written by)

Release Date:

13 August 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Music

Tagline:

Rock and roll all night. Party every day.

Plot:

A comedy about four teenagers in 1978 who try to scam their way into a KISS concert.

Plot Keywords:

Concert | Teenager | High School | School | 1970s

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Giuseppe Andrews	...	Lex
James DeBello	...	Trip (as James De Bello)
Edward Furlong	...	Hawk
Sam Huntington	...	Jam
Lin Shaye	...	Mrs. Bruce
Melanie Lynskey	...	Beth
Natasha Lyonne	...	Christine
Miles Dougal	...	Elvis
Nick Scotti	...	Kenny
Emmanuelle Chriqui	...	Barbara
David Quane	...	Bobby
Rodger Barton	...	Mr. Bumsteen
Kathryn Haggis	...	Mrs. Bumsteen
David Gardner	...	Priest
Shannon Tweed	...	Amanda Finch

Also Known As:

The Kiss Movie (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language, drug use and sex-related content.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R (No. 36634) | Finland:S | Iceland:12 | New Zealand:R16 | Canada:14A | Canada:PG (Canadian Home Video rating) | Australia:MA | Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Billy Sue's Rebel Garage, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

In the beginning of the movie, the song you hear when the boys are practicing, is actually being played by the boys.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the end credits for musical listings, for the songs by the band UFO, singer Phil Mogg's last name is misspelled (as "Moog.")

Quotes:

Christine: Why don't you put your money where your mouth is?
Hawk: Why don't you lick my hairy crack?
Christine: Why don't you bend over, you're lookin' right at it!
Lex: [Everybody looks at each other in puzzlement] That last remark fell about 30 yards away from me.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)

Soundtrack:

Wild And Hot

Fun concert adventure

Being that the story is about kids who want to go to see their favourite band, you know that in the end they will somehow get to see the show. It's a question if you enjoy the ride to get there. And I did.

Although being a teen comedy (which always means an obligatory puke scene), and some physical comedy which was a little distracting, this film was just fun. The film works cause everyone can think back to the days in high school when you worshiped a band, played their music, and would DIE to see them play live, and this film captures that feeling perfectly. It also captures the era perfectly with the music, cars, good soundtrack, and the pot shots at of course... disco (Did you see those SHOES the disco chicks were wearing??). And of course it was VERY funny in places (I thought my jam sessions were bad...).

Also the film had me guessing as to what would happen, sometimes I thought it was predictable, then it switched gears and surprised me, particularly the ending which was so perfectly sweet!! Perfect music high school camradare done wonderfully. Even though I am not a fan of KISS, everyone can think back to the time when your fav band was your TRUE means of salvation.

Rating 7 out of 10.