"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.)

RUSSELL BRAND FILES FOR DIVORCE FROM KATY PERRY

Katy Perry in Toronto - June 2010

As we say Farewell to 2011, Russell Brand and Katy Perry also are saying "goodbye" to something that lasted a year (...and two months). Their Marriage. TMZ has obtained a Legal Document showing that Brand is officially filing for a Divorce and you can view it here.  "Irreconcilable Differences" are cited as the reason for their Dissolution of Marriage.

Could it have been their their conflicting schedules that drove them apart or was it Perry's desire to start a Family soon which triggered this perhaps?

Although neither has taken to Twitter to address the Matter, Brand did issue a statement saying, "Sadly, Katy and I are ending our marriage. I'll always adore her and I know we'll remain friends".

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

RUSSELL BRAND & KATY PERRY RUMOURED SPLIT

Russell Brand at Casino Rama - December 2011

Everyone seems to be talking about Russell Brand and Katy Perry's possible Separation after rumours were fueled with the Couple spending Christmas apart. Brand was in Cornwall, England, while Perry was spotted on a beach in Hawaii - which some might consider unusual as they have only been married since October 2010. Some are even going as far as to say that both Brand and Perry not wearing their Wedding Rings is a sure sign that they are splitting-up.

If you look closely above, Brand's not wearing a Wedding Band at his Casino Rama Show on December 8, 2011, doesn't seem out of the ordinary. 

Brand also seems hardly to be mentioning Perry much on Twitter of late and the last Tweet in which he makes any mention of her is dated November 18, 2011:

RUSSELL BRAND POSTPONES CASINO RAMA SHOW

Russell Brand Tweets his disappointment

While one Russell was in one part of the City being feted, another Russell was being denied.  British Funnyman Russell Brand originally was slated for a Show at Casino Rama, just north of Toronto this evening, but alas after flying-in at the last minute, he wasn't granted entry into the Country.  The Show as of now is being postponed, but needless to say those 5,000 Fans who eagerly were awaiting to see him tonight will be left shut-out, some who were already en route a two-hour drive from Toronto to see him.

This of course is nothing new for Brand who this past May, was denied entry to Japan based on past legal troubles.  Aren't there Organizers and Handlers who ensure this type of stuff goes through smoothly before the Talent fly in?  My heart goes out to all of you  disappointed Fans.  I know how much labour goes into going to a Show at Casino Rama!

UPDATE: So the PRs at Casino Rama helped clean-up this mess by declaring that Brand apparently never even left California on Saturday due to plane failure. The Show has been rescheduled for Thursday, December 8, 2011.  Believe what you will!

2011 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS RECAP

Lady Gaga at 2011 MTV VMAs

Lady Gaga made sure she was the talk of the 2011 MTV VMAs held this evening, arriving in Drag dressed as her male Alter-ego, Jo Calderone.  "Gaga isn't here", soon became a Mantra as it was drilled into our Psyche over and over.

Where it became a little grating though was in a scheduled Tribute honouring Britney Spears, where Calderone/Gaga was to present the Award to Spears, he/she repeatedly interrupted that Pop Legend's one shining moment....  the one shining moment all her hard work in all these years as an Entertainer would culminate to.  Spears and Gaga both collected some of the Evening's more important Awards: the former nabbed Best Pop Video for Till the World Ends and the latter won Best Female Pop Video for Born this Way.

Adele not be outshone, charmed the Audience to a Standing Ovation with her rendition of Someone Like You from her top-selling 21 Disc, proving maybe we don't need over-the-top costumes and make-up to keep an audience entertained.  Less is more sometimes.

RUSSELL BRAND'S DEPORTATION FROM JAPAN - KATY PERRY SADDENED

Katy Perry Tweets on Russell Brand's Deportation

Our dear Friend MiT has been scoping out the Katy Perry situation in Japan this weekend as her California Dreams Tour made its way to Asia. Some exclusive pics are to come, so stay tuned!

Perry had Tweeted earlier today how saddened she was Husband Russell Brand was ejected from Japan on the grounds of an incident which had occurred in his wilder days ten years ago.  Back in 2011, Brand was arrested on the grounds of Indecent Exposure and also Criminal Damage while covering the May Day Protests for MTV.  According to reports, he has been arrested a total twelve times. Perry tells her Fans, "I am so. sad. I brought him all this way to show him my favourite place.".  Horrible.

And she'll be here in Toronto at the end of June as her California Dreams Tour makes its way here. Can't wait to see her again! 

I captured this heartwarming clip of Perry and Fans on her Toronto visit last June:

KATY PERRY COVERS JUNE 2011 ISSUE OF "VANITY FAIR" | PURR-FECT MOMENT WITH KATY PERRY CONTEST

Katy Perry on June 2011 issue of Vanity Fair

That's my Girl! Katy Perry gets the Annie Leibovitz treatment on the June 2011 issue of Vanity Fair, causing Boys and Girls around the World to become even more confused about their Sexual Orientations. You know you're truly a Pop Culture Icon when Leibovitz wants to take your Photograph and that Perry is.

Perry sits down with Lisa Robinson and talks about everything from her growing up in a Home where she couldn't even say "Dirt Devil" to her open and honest relationship with Husband Russell Brand, and even her experience with sleazy male Journalists.

Perry reveals that she thinks her first Single I Kissed a Girl served its purpose telling Robinson, “finally someone was singing about something that existed. But it really was [meant to be] fun; there was no agenda.” She admitted that she had to lie to a few “sleazy” male Journalists who made her feel uncomfortable, telling them that she had never in fact kissed a girl. The California Gurl elaborates, “So I said no, I hadn’t experienced it, even though I had, because I didn’t like where the guys were taking the interviews.”.

"HOP" STILL ON TOP

Hop lands on-top for a second week in a row at the Box Office for Universal Pictures.  Earning $21.8 million this weekend, Brit Comedian Russell Brand earned himself a rare one-two, also starring in second-placing Arthur from Warner Bros.  Arthur, a Remake of the 1982 Comedy starring Dudley Moore however, fared below expectations earning $12.5 million. 

Teenage Girls were our in full-force at the Box Office this weekend, with two competing Titles to choose from, Focus Features' Hanna  starring Saoirse Ronan as a Teen Assassin and also Sony Pictures' Soul Surfer, based on the true story of an amputated Teen Surfer.  They placed third and fourth respectively, with Hanna earning $12.2 million and Soul Surfer with $10.5 million.

Disappointing particularly is Universal Pictures' raunchy Medieval Comedy Your Highness, which despite being made for $50 million, only made $9.6 million it its debut. Yikes.  Above this, its Oscar-caliber Cast  including Natalie Portman and James Franco even could not save this one.

Slipping dramatically in its second week was Source Code starring Jake Gyllenhaal, landing in seventh spot this weekend after a debut at number two.  To date it has earned $22 million, still $12 million shy if recouping its $34 million budget.

ARTHUR (2011) - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Arthur (2011)

What it lacks in substance, it certainly makes up for in charm. Although I'll admit I have never seen its 1982 predecessor, Jason Winer’s Arthur Remake starring quirky Brit Russell Brand, stands on its own as a modern day Fairy Tale for Big People.

Arthur (Brand) is a spoiled New York City Playboy with unlimited abundances. He has few ambitions in life other than to drink and have fun, with Nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren) acting as a Mother-like voice of reason in his life. His distant Mother Vivienne (Geraldine James) for financial reasons, wants him to wed the bossy Susan (Jennifer Garner), Daughter of Construction Tycoon Burt (Nick Nolte). Arthur of course has no affections for Susan and winds up meeting whimsical Storybook Writer Naomi (Greta Gerwig) by chance one day. Already engaged to Susan, Arthur is torn between finally having to grow-up into a Man and also choosing his Woman he will be with forever. Will he follow his heart?

The biggest problem with Arthur’s script is that presumably its most central theme is that of Love, but this however is outshined by the fact Arthur equally is a Late Bloomer’s coming-of-age Tale. Our attentions are divided between Arthur and his dilemma of having two Lovers and also his relationship with his level-headed Hobson. And because the latter relationship is punctuated by the strength of chemistry between Brand and Mirren, the actual Love Story here is insufficiently tended-to.

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)

HELEN MIRREN TO HOST "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE"

Still from Arthur (2011)

The impeccable Dame Helen Mirren has just been announced as an upcoming Host on NBC's Saturday Night Live.  Mirren, along with Musical Guests Foo Fighters are slated for the April 9, 2011 slot, just one week after Sir Elton John completes his duties as Host.

In her upcoming Film, a re-make of 1982's Arthur, we will be seeing her comedic chops in full effect along with fellow Brit Russell Brand who stars as a Playboy who could well lose his Family's fortunes after he falls in love with a Woman (Jennifer Garner) whom they disfavour. 

Arthur hits theatres just one day before her appearance, April 8, 2011 via Warner Bros.  Watch its Trailer in full here.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

TOM CRUISE PREPPING FOR ROLE IN "ROCK OF AGES" MOVIE

Constantine Maroulis & Tom Cruise

It's seriously happening. Tom Cruise is already taking voice lessons  for his upcoming role as Stacee Jaxx in the Film adaptation of Musical Rock of Ages. He will be required to learn three songs for the Film including Styx's Renegade, Bon Jovi's Wanted Dead or Alive and Foreigner's I Want to Know What Love Is, which will be featured as a Duet with Sherrie (Anne Hathaway). It doesn't appear Taylor Swift is attached to the project anymore as once rumoured, although names floating around include Mary J. Blige and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Cruise was spotted at Pantages Theatre in Hollywood this past weekend watching Rock of Ages and chatting with Producers and the Cast, posing for a Photo with Star Constantine Maroulis who may of us might remember from his stint on American Idol.

KATY PERRY IN DECEMBER ISSUE OF HARPER'S BAZAAR

Katy Perry in December issue of Harper's Bazaar

Wow! A girl can clean up when she's not wearing Rubber Dresses. Katy Perry appears on the December issue of Harper's Bazaar in a Photo Shoot by Alex Lubormirski. Perry looks an image of grace in dresses by Chanel, Gucci (pictured above), Dior and Calvin Klein. She sits down and chats with Rose Apodaca about everything from meeting now-husband Russell Brand to what's in the closets of her two homes in New York and Los Angeles.

On Brand, she believes wholeheartedly that he will be an excellent husband and father, but admits that being older than her they do have their differences. Perry believes, "We can still grow together. He's thought-provoking, articulate, a real advocate. I also definitely wanted to have a laugh. I have all that in him."

Read the Interview in full here.

(Photo credit: Alex Lubormirski/Harper's Bazaar)

GET HIM TO THE GREEK REVIEW

Second time director Nicholas Stoller already has accomplished more in two films than many directors will in their lifetimes. Get Him to The Greek from Universal Pictures is a spin-off of the hit comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall from 2008, written by Jason Segel, who takes on a behind-the-scenes role here Producer/Writer. The story follows British Rock Star Aldous Snow (Russell Brand), a man with many vices, on his road to a comeback after a having reached a critical and commercial slump with his offensive last album.

Aaron (Jonah Hill) is a record company intern who reports to label executive Sergio Roma (Sean "Diddy" Combs) who helps construct Aldous' tenth year anniversary comeback concert at The Greek theatre in Los Angeles. There are many challenges though along the way as the head-strong Rocker battles his addiction to drugs, alcohol, a lack of self-love and lingering feelings for his ex-girlfriend Jackie Q. (Rose Byrne). Meanwhile, Aaron's career has pulled him in a separate direction from his sweet girlfriend Daphne (Elisabeth Moss), resulting in their decision to break up. At the same time he must prove to his boss that he has what it takes to successfully complete his assignment, even if it means sacrificing what he believes in for his job. Also, we are in a constant state of worry whether or not Aldous will actually make it to his own show or if he will just self-destruct.