"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)

"FOOTLOOSE (2011)" GETS RAVE REVIEWS

Rave Reviews for Footloose (2011)

Not even its predecessor garnered this much critical respect, but Craig Brewer's Footloose (2011) shockingly is getting some amazing reviews over at Rotten Tomatoes. Opening wide next weekend via Paramount Pictures, this could bode well for the Remake which has been supported by an international Press Tour these past few weeks, including a stop-off in Toronto in August. See Photos here.

Entertainment Weekly's Liz Schwarzbaum raves, "Brewer, who previously put his high-intensity spin on Hustle & Flow and Black Snake Moan, displays his coolest moves in the way he smartly unties this Footloose from its 1980s moorings.".

I personally haven't seen it yet, but just might now after seeing these raves!

See the Trailer in full below:

KENNY WORMALD & JULIANNE HOUGH IN TORONTO FOR "FOOTLOOSE"

Julianne Hough, Mr. Will-W., Kenny Wormald & Craig Brewer (L to R)

Torontonians got a big surprise today courtesy of KISS 92.5 and Paramount Pictures, bringing in the stars of Footloose, Julianne Hough and Kenny Wormald, to the City along with Director Craig Brewer (Hustle and Flow, Black Snake Moan). The Trio along with their large Entourage rolled into Toronto midday from Los Angeles and headed straight to the Canadian National Exhibition, greeting and signing Autographs for Fans, including some who had to dance their way to a Meet & Greet!

Both Hough and Wormald looked gorgeous and seeing them side-by-side, one can see easily how they could sizzle on-screen.  Hough who looked '60s-chic only recently wrapped Production on the big-screen Adaptation of Rock of Ages alongside the likes of Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Mary J. Blige and one can expect big things to come from the Singer/Actress/Dancer who currently is attached to Ryan Seacrest.  The handsome Wormald might not be familiar to many yet, but we can expect his rise to Hearththrob status post-release.

A Studio Representative tells me, "This version actually remains really faithful to the original Footloose!  Fans of the original should like this one.".  Hough, Wormald and Brewer will be in-town all day tomorrow doing Press as they embark on their international Tour for the Film with visits slated for MuchMusic, plus additional Radio Stations.

Footloose hits theatres October 14, 2011.

See more Photos below:

DIEGO GONZÁLEZ BONETA CAST IN LEAD ROLE FOR "ROCK OF AGES" MOVIE

Diego González Boneta

After much deliberation, a Lead Actor finally has been chosen for the upcoming Feature Film adaptation of Rock of Ages from New Line Cinema (Warner Bros.). 21 year-old Diego González Boneta has been cast as Drew Boley, a young Man who moves to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams of making it in the Music Industry.

He will be supported by a talented Cast which includes Julianne Hough as his love interest Sherrie, in addition to Tom Cruise, Russell Brand, Mary J. Blige and Alec Baldwin. Amy Adams is said to be in talks to star also as a Reporter who is the love interest of Cruise’s character, Stacee Jax.

For those of you who are Fans of the ABC Family Show Pretty Little Liars - and I know many of you are - you might remember Boneta as Alex Santiago. He also stars in TV series 90210 as Javier, also a Singer.

(Photo credit: Francis Bertrand)