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, Isla Fisher, Ian McShane

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 | man child | moped | humiliation | neighbor | 

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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 [France] Paramount [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 August 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hot Rod - Mit Vollgas durch die Hölle

Filming Locations:

Greenaway Pool, Cloverdale, 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

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Feature directing debut Akiva Schaffer.

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Goofs

In the scene before Rod attempts to jump the pool, he is talking to Denise and there appears to be a towel next to the ramp. However, when he gets to the top of the ramp the towel is missing.

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Quotes

Frank Powell: Never sneak up on a man who's been in a chemical fire.

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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 Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

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Soundtracks

Head Honcho
Written by Titan Toyish & Joshua Homme
Performed by Gown
Produced by Joshua Homme

User Reviews

Funny? Hell Yeah.

My wife and I saw a screening of Hot Rod. From some the comments posted here I thought we were going to be bored. Nothing could have been further from the truth. This film was really funny! So funny, that I'm wondering if the people who say they hated it actually saw the same film. No, its not fine art, its a summer comedy, and it delivers plenty of laughs. I am middle-aged guy whose not into early Adam Sandler, or Napoleon Dynamite type comedies, and this movie had me laughing hard. Sure, not at every single joke, but at most of them. If you are into absurdest humor, or enjoyed movies like Hot Fuzz, or Super Troopers, you'll find plenty to enjoy. P.S. My wife liked it too.