Tales of the Rat Fink

January. 01,2006      
Rating:
6.5
Trailer Synopsis Cast

This is an interesting look at the Life and Times of car customizer/cartoonist Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. Through the use of many graphically enhanced photographs and "talking" cars, it is a loving look at the car culture in Southern California from the Early 50's to Ed's Passing in 2001.

John Goodman as  Ed Roth (voice)
Paul Le Mat as  Cruisin' (voice)
Ann-Margret as  Heartbreaker (voice)
Dick Smothers as  Station Wagon (voice)
Tom Smothers as  Trailer (voice)
Steve Austin as  Heavy Chevy (voice)
Jay Leno as  Flamethrower (voice)
Billy Gibbons as  Beatnik Bandit (voice)
Tom Wolfe as  Tom Wolfe's Car (voice)
Brian Wilson as  The Surfite (voice)

Reviews

Humbersi
2006/01/01

The first must-see film of the year.

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AshUnow
2006/01/02

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

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Erica Derrick
2006/01/03

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

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Hattie
2006/01/04

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

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alfapainting
2006/01/05

As a fan of Kustom Kulture, I enjoyed this unique collaborative as a tribute to one of it's most influential and commercially successful icons. While it was not a complete biography, it did capture the spirit of Ed Roth which lives on through his work and his fans.There are so few of the original "kings" of Kustom Kulture living today (like master pin striper Lyle Fisk shown on the film's "bonus features" and kustom builder George Barris) while most of the kulture's founders (Von Dutch, Boyd Coddington and many others in addition to Bid Daddy) have passed. I would love to see a feature-length documentary on the history of Kustom Kulture and how that kulture is alive and well today.

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cordless801
2006/01/06

This documentary is greatness. All of those who wonder where the present day hot rod culture is from need to see this film. Those of you who need to pay homage to the rodder Gods need to watch this film. Those of you who need to learn that hot rod culture is not a fashion statement need to watch this film. Thank you for letting all the punks who think that street racing is a right know that your little world isn't crap without people like American auto makers and Ed Roth. Thank you to good people like John Goodman, Jay Leno and most of all, the hard working artists and Ilene Roth who work their tails off every day to keep Big Daddy's work alive. If you think REAL Hot Rodding is dead, just take a ride up to Manti Utah and go to the Rat Fink reunion, or go to the Blackhawk Museum in California. You'll see that ALL car culture is because of people like Ed. LONG LIVE BIG DADDY!!!

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U8RU486
2006/01/07

What A Drag! This movie is 75 minutes of after effects animations set to surf music, nothing more. If you're really interested in learning something about Ed Roth read the book HOT RODS by "BIG DADDY" Ed Roth. The book contains all of the images used in the movie, and then some, as well as a plethora of information on his designs and techniques. This film would have made for a nice short subject. The animations are really cool, but there's just too much filler and not enough meat. In total there's probably four minutes of actual "footage" and most of this is stock footage. The rest of the film is made up of still images and animation. Read the book avoid the movie!

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Mike White
2006/01/08

'm a shameful Detroiter. I grew up on the outskirts of the Motor City sheltered from the automotive world by my mechanic stepfather. He was determined to keep me out of the garage and following in his greasy footsteps. Through luck (and hard work), I managed to find employment at a string of jobs that had little-to-nothing to do with the auto industry (a feat in Motown). And, even after several years of attending the Woodward Cruise, I couldn't tell a kit car from a custom. I'm an automotive idiot.I confess to these sins in order to give my complete "outsider perspective" when it came to seeing this Canadian documentary on artistic motorhead Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. I might have more knowledge of Rene Descartes than the Rat Fink.I can say without hesitation after seeing Ron Mann's film that I now possess a good understanding not only of Roth and his accomplishments but also his impact on popular culture. Little did I know that my beloved "wacky packages" stemmed from such auspicious beginnings. Roth managed to warp the minds of millions via his custom cars, t-shirts, artwork, and glue used to piece together his series of model cars.Narrated by John Goodman as Roth (who passed during production) and sporting some nifty animation/photo manipulation, there are some weak moments in the film (the anthropomorphic talking cars) but overall TALES OF THE RAT FINK does a terrific job of avoiding staid talking head interviews while providing a comprehensive, organized portrait of a wonderfully multifaceted media pioneer.

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