In 1978, four rebellious teenagers try to scam their way into a KISS concert.In 1978, four rebellious teenagers try to scam their way into a KISS concert.In 1978, four rebellious teenagers try to scam their way into a KISS concert.
- Awards
- 3 nominations total
- Trip
- (as James De Bello)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
The Best thing about this movie is that the characters are believable, they are exactly what you would expect, and they act exactly like normal teenagers would in the late 70', in most teen movies you see the usual cliché's, but not here.
All in all this movie is very entertaining, you never get bored, and the movie really puts you in these guys shoes and feel just like they would in that type of situation.Plus the movie is filled with an awesome soundtrack, with bands like AC/DC, Van Halen and of course KISS who also appear in the film.
So my advice to you (if you like good ol Rock n' Roll and Fun movies) is to rent Detroit Rock City invite some friends and Have a great Time.
The film does share many similarities to an earlier classic, 1979's ROCK N ROLL HIGH SCHOOL (starring the Ramones), but thanks to the more liberal time period in which it was made, DETROIT ROCK CITY is a lot more foul-mouthed and raunchier, which may have cost the producers a PG-13 rating, but it just fine by me... after all, real high school kids don't say "darn" and "heck," they spew the F-Word liberally into every sentence! Anyway, our story revolves around four high school misfits circa 1978 whose main goal in life (other than playing bad covers of KISS songs in their basement rec room) is to finally see KISS live in concert at Detroit's Cobo Hall arena. When one boy's fundamentalist Mom discovers the "demonic" concert tickets in her son's jacket and burns them, it sets the four friends on a quest to figure out how to get into the concert at all costs, and they set a hilarious series of misadventures in motion along the way. In no particular order, the boys run afoul of a gang of disco-loving toughs on the highway, get mixed up in the middle of a convenience store robbery (thwarted by a Stretch Armstrong doll!), take the stage in a male strip joint to win money for tickets, get their car towed from the mean streets of Detroit, and rescue one of their own from a Christian boy's school. The film's eye candy quotient is filled very nicely by a cameo from Shannon Tweed (real-life companion of Kiss' Gene Simmons), and there's even a tender moment of teenage romance as one boy loses his virginity (in a church's confessional no less!). All this madness is set to an irresistible hard-rockin' soundtrack that features not only Kiss but other 70s titans like Blue Oyster Cult and Ted Nugent. Do the boys finally make it to Cobo Hall to see their heroes? I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet, therefore I highly recommend that you check out this overlooked comedy gem. DETROIT ROCK CITY is a hysterical trip down memory lane for anyone who's ever cranked up their favorite song extremely LOUD...and as Kiss themselves once said, if it's too loud,you're too old. Thankfully I'm not too old to enjoy this movie!!
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.
Did you know
- GoofsIn the garage scene at the start of the movie, Trip is seen playing a guitar that was not released until 1996.
- Quotes
Jam: Hey what's up mom? I'm gonna ask you this nicely first. Can I have my drumsticks back?
Mrs. Bruce: Your drumsticks are the least of your worries young man. You ran out on God! My son just ran out on God! You are in a world of...
Jam: TROUBLE! HA HA HA! I've been in trouble for the past 12 hours! HELLO? You know I'm going to be in St. Bernards Boarding School for the next 2 years of my life, remember?
Mrs. Bruce: YES!
Jam: I am going to be out of your hair until I am a legal adult!
Mrs. Bruce: YES!
Jam: Then all you have to do is go to church, light a candle, and pray to some stupid little statue for me and all is forgiven and forgotten, right mom? Then you can spend your days in a guilt free pursuit of more constructive activities like telling everybody ELSE how screwed up THEIR lives are. And then you no longer need the patience and understanding required to talk to your own son on some normal plain. And then that way you don't have to think about how tough it was for you when you were growing up and its probably a good thing too cause if you did, you'd realize what a lousy, goddamn shitty-ass parent you are!
Mrs. Bruce: Jeremiah... what has gotten into you?
Jam: [Yells over bullhorn to crowd of church-goers] I JUST LOST MY VIRGINITY IN A CONFESSIONAL BOOTH! LORD... HAVE... MERCY! Now, for the last time... Mom... Give me back my FUCKING drumsticks...
[long pause]
Jam: please.
- Crazy creditsThe New Line Cinema fanfare is played on electric guitar instead of the usual orchestral version.
- Alternate versionsThe DVD edition of the film retains more footage not seen in theaters. These scenes are:
- A longer scene in the car when Lin Shaye and Sam Huntington are driving to St. Bernards Academy.
- Longer scene on the highway which Natasha Lyonne and her clan is introduced. It runs about 3-5 minutes longer.
- A longer scene of the opening to which the four boys are singing "Rock N Roll All Nite"
- Longer confessional scene with Melanie Lynski and Sam Huntington.
- Longer scene with "Elvis", the custodian.
- Longer scene with Shannon Tweed and Edward Furlong.
- At least four alternate takes of the final concert scene.
- ConnectionsEdited into Detroit Rock City: Deleted Scenes (1999)
- SoundtracksHighway to Hell
Written by Malcolm Young, Angus Young and Bon Scott (as Bon Scott)
Performed by Marilyn Manson
Produced by Marilyn Manson
Courtesy of Nothing/Interscope Records
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Rockeros rebeldes
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $34,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,217,115
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $2,005,512
- Aug 15, 1999
- Gross worldwide
- $4,217,115
- Runtime
- 1h 35m(95 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1