"ROCK OF AGES" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Rock of Ages

Although I have yet to see the Stage Version of Rock of Ages, I can say with complete confidence that its Film Adaptation stands magnificently on its own as a thrilling Moviegoing Experience. Adam Shankman (A Walk to Remember, Hairspray) delivers an electrifying display of Showmanship and he will forever be known as the Director who convincingly transformed Tom Cruise into a Rock Star here.

The Premise is familiar: a Smalltown Girl named Sherrie (Julianne Hough) and a City Boy named Drew (Diego Boneta) who meet in Hollywood, working at Hotspot called The Bourbon Room, with dreams and aspirations of making it big. They are brought together by their undying passion for Rock 'n' Roll, even though they are an unlikely pairing.  At the same time, financially-ailing The Bourbon Room faces the tight scrutiny of Mayor Whitmore (Bryan Cranston) and his Wife Patricia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) due to some unpaid taxes and its promoting of immoral values; a watchful eye triggered passionately perhaps by a personal motive on the latter's part.  All the while, washed-up Rock Legend Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise) soon is set to hit the stage in a highly-publicized performance which could be the Club's saving grace.  Rock of Ages however, is so much more than its Synopsis suggests.  It is a Celebration of the Power of Music; an embodiment of Rock 'n' Roll's rebellious spirit. It is an emphatic statement about believing in your dreams and fighting the fight for them.

Filled with superb performances from its Ensemble, Newcomer Diego Boneta wows at first asking in his Debut, while Dancing with the Stars Alumni Julianne Hough solidifies her place as a real Movie Star.  No one can deny the infectious charisma and energy of both Russell Brand and Alec Baldwin, while Oscar Winner Catherine Zeta-Jones gives us her tightest performance since Chicago - getting a chance to do exactly what she does best here.  Surprisingly good is Toronto's own Malin Åkerman as an uptight Rolling Stone Journalist. The biggest revelation of all here is Tom Cruise's jaw-dropping work as Stacee Jaxx - a mishmash of Jim Morrison, Axl Rose and Jon Bon Jovi. Many will be surprised, if not stunned by his performance which surely will garner some Awards buzz even this early in the Season.

ADAM SHANKMAN IN TORONTO FOR "ROCK OF AGES"

Adam Shankman in Toronto - June 2012

They don't come more well-rounded than Adam Shankman. The Director/Actor/Choreographer/Producer landed in Toronto last night to do a round of Press for the widely-awaited Motion Picture Adaptation of Rock of Ages from Warner Bros.  Shankman got one of his first breaks dancing for Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson and his directorial Efforts are v. familiar to us including 2007's Hairspray and 2002's A Walk to Remember.

The $80-million Musical Comedy centers around two Singers, Drew (Diego Boneta) and Sherrie (Julianne Hough) who arrive in Hollywood with dreams of making it big. In the meantime, they take jobs at famed The Bourbon Room and soon learn that life in Los Angeles isn't quite what it's cut-out to be.  The Film stars also Paul Giamatti, Alec Balwdwin, Russell Brand, Mary J. Blige, Malin Åkerman, Bryan Cranston and Catherine Zeta-Jones.  Its biggest secret Weapon also happens to be its biggest Star Tom Cruise as sexy, washed-up Rock Star Stacee Jaxx, ready to impress the world with a full-on transformation in this is first Role requiring him to sing.  

Spirited Shankman was said to have taken a Photo on his Cell Phone of the Audience for Cruise last night at a Screening held at AMC - Yonge & Dundas, encouraging the Audience to have fun, dance and sing along.  

I caught-up with him earlier today as he finished a series of Radio Interviews following a Breakfast Television appearance at CityTV.  Host Dina Pugliese has nothing but raves for the Film, in theatres June 15, 2012 giving it "two thumbs up!" on Twitter.

 I'll be reviewing Rock of Ages shortly, so stay tuned for that! In the meantime, preview its Original Motion Picture Soundtrack in full here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

CATHERINE ZETA-JONES WINS BIG AT TONYS

Oscar winner Catherine Zeta-Jones added a Tony to her Trophy Cabinet after winning the coveted award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her performance in Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music. Although she was absent for much of the crucial evaluation period for Voters due to a Virus, there was no doubt that Mrs. Michael Douglas' performance left enough of an impression to carry her through.

Many of Hollywood's biggest names showed up to the Awards last night at Radio City Music Hall in New York City including Lea Michele, Matthew Morrison, Lucy Liu, Cate Blanchett, Kristin Chenoweth, Naomi Watts, Liev Schrieber, among others.  In addition to Zeta-Jones, other Hollywood film actors took home key awards like Scarlett Johanssson who won Best Featured Performance as an Actress for her turn in A View From a Bridge, while Denzel Washington and Viola Davis also won Best Performance by a Leading Actor and Actress respectively for Fences. Red won the evening's top honour of Best Play and Memphis won for Best Musical.  Click here for a full list of winners.

ROB MARSHALL'S CHICAGO - THE GREATEST FILM OF THE PAST DECADE

With all the building Oscars frenzy of late, I've been re-inspired by the greatness that is Rob Marshall's 2002 directorial debut, CHICAGO.  The film which won a total six Academy Awards, including Best Picture at the 75th edition of the ceremony, really does stand the test of time as an outstanding work, topping my list of Best Films of the Past Decade.  And above this, it was filmed in my hometown of Toronto, in our historic Distillery district. Although Marshall doesn't stand a chance in hell at winning Best Picture again in the forthcoming 82nd edition of the ceremony, NINE just might squeak in a nomination since the voting format for Academy members now allows them to select ten finalists versus just five in that category.  We'll know Tuesday, February 2, 2010 when nominees are announced.

In addition to amazing choreography, art direction, costumes, music and direction, CHICAGO  is held together by an outstanding ensemble cast.  After looking into how the eventual cast was chosen, I am now in complete awe at the A-list contenders who got turned down for the principal roles.  Take a look:

For the role of Billy Flynn : Rupert Everett, Kevin Spacey, John Travolta and Hugh Jackman.  Richard Gere was chosen despite Miramax feeling he was too old for the role.  Gere went on to win a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy Motion Picture, but failed to get any respect in the Oscars race.

For the role of Roxie Hart : Jodie Foster, Nicole Kidman, Patricia Arquette, Jennifer Aniston, Juliette Binoche, Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rachel Weisz, Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Téa Leoni, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Debra Winger, Marisa Tomei, Melanie Griffith, Ashley Judd, Mira Sorvino, Anne Heche, Toni Collette, Jamie Lee Curtis, Charlize Theron, Milla Jovovich, Kate Winslet, Bridget Moynahan, Heather Graham, Alicia Silverstone, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Lopez, Sandra Bullock, Hilary Swank, Monica Potter, Drew Barrymore, Mía Maestro, Rhona Mitra, Katie Holmes, Denise Richards, Christina Applegate, Vinessa Shaw, Michelle Pfeiffer, Cate Blanchett, Rachel Griffiths, Winona Ryder, Lucy Lawless, Claire Forlani, Angie Harmon and Kristin Chenoweth.  Renée Zellwegger was chosen and garnered a nomination for Best Actress.