It's 1978. Hawk (Edward Furlong), Lex (Giuseppe Andrews), Trip (James DeBello), and Jeremiah "Jam" Bruce (Sam Huntington) are four Cleveland high school kids in KISS tribute band Mystery. Beth (Melanie Lynskey) secretly likes Jam. When his mother finds their KISS concert tickets in his pocket, she destroys them and transfers him to a Catholic boarding school. The boys win tickets on the radio but it's Detroit radio. They rescue Jam from his school and set off for the radio station. The DJ reveals that Trip hung up before actually getting the tickets. The boys split up and have little more than an hour to get into the concert.The writer Carl V. Dupré seems to be more adapt at horror and that's probably where the problem with this movie starts. Adam Rifkin's directing skills may not be the best either. There are plenty of attempts at slapstick comedy. It's trying to be a rock and roll high school comedy except the comedy part is under-served. It's got the rocking music. The comedy is broad and irreverent. There are a lot of interesting young actors who are capable of doing good work. The strip show is kinda funny. In the end, it's simply not funny enough, at least not consistently funny.
... View MoreDetroit Rock City (1999): Dir: Adam Rifkin / Cast: Edward Furlong, Sam Huntington, Lin Shaye, Natasha Lyonne, James DeBello: It resembles the hilarious Rock N' Roll High School in look, era and madness that celebrates KISS through the hysteria of its fans in this maddening comedy. Detroit represents destination, reputation and enthusiasm. Inspiring setup follows four high school teens on a road trip to obtain KISS tickets after the protesting mother of one of the boys burns their previous tickets. High energy farce that breaks more rules than it should. The portrayal of Priests and religious figures is offensive. Directed by Adam Rifkin with hysteria satire that remembers the mentality of music and the so-called rules. Lin Shaye steals scenes as a protesting mother. Her opening scene is priceless with an interrupted evening but the rebellious defeat may require discernment. Sam Huntington plays her son seeking escape, which he finds in union with his friends and their love for KISS. Edward Furlong plays the ring leader who strikes more trouble than needed. Natasha Lyonne plays a hitchhiker whom they saved. KISS make the promising appearance on stage with their phantom face paint and a knack for revealing the tongue. One can argue the morality of the rebellious nature of the teens that seems to be applauded but it also examines an era that knows no shame. Score: 7 / 10
... View MoreI wrote this with the least amount of spoilers possible.This movie is one of the funniest I've seen and breaks most of the clichés in this type of films. The story is about 4 friends who have a tribute band of KISS and the tickets to the best show in their young lives: Detroit Rock City. But the main villain, the mother of the drummer burns the precious tickets and the guys have their world destroyed. Every time they have an opportunity to get the tickets something goes wrong and everything in this movie gets wrong for the guys. In the final act of the movie the guys are desperate for the tickets and they have one epic showdown to get them. IThe music is great, the jokes and scenes are hilarious and the conflicts gives you the chills (If you're a fan of KISS).This one's a must see for Rock fans and those who like films like Bill & Ted or Superbad.
... View MoreIf ever there was a movie that involves a certain rock band that I like and 4 teenagers who are willing to do anything to get to the concert of their lives, 'Detroit Rock City' would be it.It is a movie that knows how to turn rock n'roll into an hour and a half of entertainment that you possibly can't miss.Let me ask you a question: Just how far would you go just to go to a concert that you think is the most important thing that can ever happen? Would you put shrooms in a priest's pizza just to break your friend out of a Christain school? Would you beat up a little kid for his tickets for the concert that you really wanted to go to? I didn't think so.The fact that the main characters in this movie do these exact things makes 'Detroit Rock City' a really fun surprise.This movie will pull the trigger on your.....Love Gun!
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