Detroit Rock City *** (1999, Edward Furlong) – Classic Movie Review 1469

Director Adam Rifkin’s 1999 coming of age comedy drama stars the talented Edward Furlong in the period when his career was still shining.

Everything goes wrong for four Cleveland teenage kids (Furlong, Giuseppe Andrews, James DeBello and Sam Huntington) in a KISS cover/ tribute band, who set out to Detroit to see their heavy-metal band idols in concert in Detroit in 1978.

A sweet, simple and old-fashioned story that would have worked for Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in the old days is covered in an impressive layer of sex, violence, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. It’s rated R for strong language, drug use and sex-related content.

Taking its title from the Kiss song, this easy-going teen comedy is likeable, amusing and a lot of fun if you’re in the mood for it and the young stars are entertaining. Shannon Tweed has a nice scene as a sexy older woman. KISS’s Gene Simmons appears with the rest of the band in the film.

Sadly, it didn’t fare too well at the box office, grossing less than $5million in the US, with a total gross of $24million that barely covered the budget. But over the years it has since gained a cult following.

The film was shot at Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute in Scarborough, Toronto and other Ontario locations, including Copps Coliseum, Hamilton.

A real-life KISS tribute band Hotter Than Hell was selected by Gene Simmons to double for KISS and were used to appear as the band in technical rehearsals for the film.

Tragically, this and Animal Factory (2000) are so far the talented Furlong’s last important roles as his career declined due to arrests and court cases, substance abuse and alcoholism.

http://derekwinnert.com/animal-factory-2003-willem-dafoe-edward-furlong-mickey-rourke-classic-movie-review-1467/

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1469

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