"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.

ENTER TO WIN "ROCK OF AGES" - ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK

Official Artwork for Rock of Ages - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

I've been going on about it at length on Twitter all week and now it's your turn to enjoy it. Universal Music Canada & Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven want to give Readers a chance to win a copy of the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to Rock of Ages, now in-stores!

Even if like me you haven't yet seen the Broadway Musical, you won't be able to resist some of these Big Arena Covers of our favourite Rock Tunes of the '80s-early '90s.  Better yet, did I mention that these versions heard/seen in the Movie are performed by Mary J. Blige, Julianne Hough, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin, Paul Giamatti, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Diego Boneta ... and TOM CRUISE?  Your jaws will drop. Your socks will be knocked.

The superbly-infectious Soundtrack includes the following Tracks:

1. Paradise City - Guns N'Roses (Tom Cruise)

2. Sister Christian/Just Like Paradise/Nothin' But A Good Time - Night Ranger & David Lee Roth & Poison (Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand and Alec Baldwin)

3. Juke Box Hero/I Love Rock 'n' Roll - Foreigner & Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (Diego Boneta, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand and Julianne Hough)

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.)

TOM CRUISE AND TAYLOR SWIFT AMONG OTHERS NAMED FOR "ROCK OF AGES" MOVIE

So according to Access Hollywood, the upcoming film adaptation of Tony Award-winning Musical Rock of Ages will star Country sensation Taylor Swift as Sherrie Christian.  New Line Cinema (Warner Bros.) will be overseeing the project which begins production in January 2011.  Although just rumoured, Adam Shankman (A Walk to Remember, Hairspray, The Rocky Horror Glee Show) will be directing.  

Now, don't get me wrong as I do love Swift, but if you do recall that promotional spot she did for the 2009 MTV VMAs performing Tonight from West Side Story, her vocal limitations were revealed like a scab under a Band-Aid.  I have my hesitations about her ability to perform the demanding power-tunes required of her in Rock of Ages but one thing's for sure - she sure has the draw to make this almost a shoe-in for success.

But get this, Tom Cruise apparently also has been offered a role in the film too as a Bartender, not one of the more principal roles in the stage version of the Musical.  Cruise is a chameleon, so I have no doubt that if he takes on the role he'll be amazing.  We've all heard him sing in Top Gun to Righteous Brothers' You've Lost that Loving Feeling - hopefully that's not a taste of what's to come.  But then again, AutoTune was released in 1997....