Hot Rod (2007)

Self-proclaimed stuntman Rod Kimble is preparing for the jump of his life - to clear fifteen buses to raise money for his abusive stepfather Frank's life-saving heart operation.

Director:

Akiva Schaffer

Writer:

Pam Brady

Stars:

Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Isla Fisher

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Andy Samberg	...	Rod Kimble
Jorma Taccone	...	Kevin Powell
Bill Hader	...	Dave
Danny McBride	...	Rico (as Danny McBride)
Isla Fisher	...	Denise
Sissy Spacek	...	Marie Powell
Ian McShane	...	Frank Powell
Will Arnett	...	Jonathan
Chris Parnell	...	Barry Pasternack
Chester Tam	...	Richardson
Mark Acheson	...	Homeless Dude
Brittany Tiplady	...	Maggie
Ken Kirzinger	...	Trailer Guy
Britt Irvin	...	Cathy
Alana Husband	...	Waitress

Storyline

Rod Kimble is a naïf, a slacker living in a small US town with his mom, his younger brother, and his stepfather whose respect he craves. He also misses his dead dad, whom he thinks was Evel Knievel's back-up. Rod, a man-child, believes that he is a stunt man. When his stepfather needs an operation, with help from his brother and his slacker pals, Rod hatches a plan to set a school-bus-jumping record on his moped. First, his crew and he have to raise money to rent the buses and build the ramp. Trouble is, Rod's inept at his chosen career. Looming failure is complicated by the return of Denise, Rod's next-door neighbor and secret heartthrob, who is home from college. Is public humiliation at hand?

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Plot Keywords:

slacker | neighbor | moped | humiliation | man child | 

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Taglines:

Smack destiny in the face

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for crude humor, language, some comic drug-related and violent content

Details

Official Sites:

Paramount [fr] Paramount [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 August 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Az örök kaszkadőr

Filming Locations:

Burnaby North Secondary School, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$5,310,711 (USA) (3 August 2007)

Gross:

$13,920,741 (USA) (21 September 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Lonely Island, The, Michaels-Goldwyn

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The band called Gown that plays at Rod's final jump is actually Queens of the Stone Age.

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Goofs

During the scene when Rod and Denise first kiss, Rod has his helmet on and it is strapped. Before they kiss, Rod takes off the helmet and the strap isn't strapped anymore.

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Quotes

Rod Kimble: Mom, have you seen my hip pads?
Marie Powell: In the kitchen.

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Crazy Credits

After the end credits roll we see Rod bowing to his old moped in the sunset.

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Connections

References Voltron: Defender of the Universe (1984)

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Soundtracks

"See Myself Inside"
Written by David Petovar & Keith Spalding
Performed by Keith Spalding
Courtesy of Marc Ferrari / MasterSource

User Reviews

Give it a shot.

Few movies in recent cinematic memory have fit into the category of "Love it or Hate it" as well as this one. Its humor is so varied, oftentimes so random, that you either find it hysterical, or you think it's stupid. Me? I'm going with the former... I think this movie's completely hilarious.

It possesses a goofy, charming quality, and has a lot of moments that left me laughing while asking my wife, "what the hell the was that?" It seems to echo a Family Guy style of humor in that regard. I personally found the characters all pretty likable...the kind of characters you enjoy watching. There was an obvious (and effective) effort to give each character a real personality, quirks and all.

In the end, I suggest you keep an open mind, sit back and enjoy the utter ridiculousness this movie affords you...and I'll bet you find yourself laughing, even if it's in spite of yourself.