Were you a teenager in the 80's? If so, I'm sorry. It was a time of big hair and synthesizer music that can not ever be equaled. Rock of Ages is an homage to this unique time in history, and it was surprisingly good.
I have to admit I was skeptical when I first saw the trailers but my girlfriend convinced me to go see it (and she paid for dinner; I can't pass that up). We went to the Alamo Draft House and it is easy to say that we were the youngest people in the crowd. In fact, sitting right beside us were some slightly buzzed real house wives of Austin. I guess they were trying to relive their younger days.
Rock of Ages has a few different stories going on at once but the main focus is on a stage-frightened barback and a sweet girl girl from Oklahoma, both wanting to fulfill their dreams of becoming famous musicians. Along the way, the two encounter an interesting array of character which I will list off now.
-The bar owner who can't stop living in the past
-The bar owners right hand man who is young niave and will follow the bar owner to the ends of the earth
-A cheating politician
-The cheating politicians wife who is obsessed with closing down the club and cleaning the streets
-A sleazy music producer/manager
-A hard hitting reporter
and
-The diva rock star played by Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise was great. He played the stereotypical rock-star doped up on alcohol and surround by honnies. My opinion is that we, the public, my think he takes himself too seriously but judging by his roles in Tropic Thunder and now Rock of Ages, Mr. Cruise does have a sense of humor. Although, I'm not sure Katie would approve of the ass- less chaps, or maybe their into that sort of thing. Anyway, at one point in my life I have to say I was a Tom Cruise hater but now I have seen the light.
The two best parts of this film were the dance sequences and the music. I don't want to use this as a comparison because I think the show has gone downhill, but the mash-ups were reminiscent of Glee. The music along with the overly cheesy dance routines had the audience at my theater quietly singing along.
Another thing that surprised me was Russel Brand. Many people not that I am not a fan of his at all but he was so funny in this film. I guess I like him more when he doesn't write his own comedy.
If you are a guy and musicals aren't your forte, but your significant other insists on seeing one at least once a year, connivence your lady friend or boy friend (we don't judge here) to go see this film.
8.0 out of 10
"I' a stripper at the Venus Club.
I'm in a boy band.
You win."
I have to admit I was skeptical when I first saw the trailers but my girlfriend convinced me to go see it (and she paid for dinner; I can't pass that up). We went to the Alamo Draft House and it is easy to say that we were the youngest people in the crowd. In fact, sitting right beside us were some slightly buzzed real house wives of Austin. I guess they were trying to relive their younger days.
Rock of Ages has a few different stories going on at once but the main focus is on a stage-frightened barback and a sweet girl girl from Oklahoma, both wanting to fulfill their dreams of becoming famous musicians. Along the way, the two encounter an interesting array of character which I will list off now.
-The bar owner who can't stop living in the past
-The bar owners right hand man who is young niave and will follow the bar owner to the ends of the earth
-A cheating politician
-The cheating politicians wife who is obsessed with closing down the club and cleaning the streets
-A sleazy music producer/manager
-A hard hitting reporter
and
-The diva rock star played by Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise was great. He played the stereotypical rock-star doped up on alcohol and surround by honnies. My opinion is that we, the public, my think he takes himself too seriously but judging by his roles in Tropic Thunder and now Rock of Ages, Mr. Cruise does have a sense of humor. Although, I'm not sure Katie would approve of the ass- less chaps, or maybe their into that sort of thing. Anyway, at one point in my life I have to say I was a Tom Cruise hater but now I have seen the light.
The two best parts of this film were the dance sequences and the music. I don't want to use this as a comparison because I think the show has gone downhill, but the mash-ups were reminiscent of Glee. The music along with the overly cheesy dance routines had the audience at my theater quietly singing along.
Another thing that surprised me was Russel Brand. Many people not that I am not a fan of his at all but he was so funny in this film. I guess I like him more when he doesn't write his own comedy.
If you are a guy and musicals aren't your forte, but your significant other insists on seeing one at least once a year, connivence your lady friend or boy friend (we don't judge here) to go see this film.
8.0 out of 10
"I' a stripper at the Venus Club.
I'm in a boy band.
You win."