Rock of Ages Movie

If the movie Grease was about the 80’s instead of the 50’s, you would have Rock of Ages. Following similar attempts to meld Top 40 hits into a Broadway play (such as Mama Mia and Movin’ Out) Rock of Ages is a Broadway hit. Now it is rocking a movie theater near you! The story is about a small town girl named Sherrie and a city boy Drew who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursing their Hollywood dreams. The musical features great 80’s hits from Def Lepard, Bon Jovi, Guns N’Roses, and more.




The movie is centered around a live performance bar named The Bourbon, owned by Alec Baldwin’s character. The movie’s stars includes Tom Cruise as a drunken rocker whose career is waning while he searches for the perfect love song. Mexico City native Diego Boneta plays a bar hand with rock and role dreams. His love interest, played by Julianne Hough, learns the rough realities of surviving on the Sunset Strip. Other note worthies include Russell Brand, whose character is a scruffy stage hand; Catherine Zeta-Jones, whose character is the Mayor’s wife attempting to close The Bourbon. Paul Giamatti’s character is a sleazy manager. Mary J. Blige’s character runs a gentleman’s club. And Malin Akerman’s character is a reporter for the Roling Stones. There is even a cameo by 80’s singer Debbie Gibson.



Just as Grease exaggerated the characteristics of the 50’s, Rock of Ages exaggerates the rock scene of the 80’s – poking fun at fashion, trends, and thoughts at the time. The story is an afterthought whose purpose is weave the large library of 80’s hits together. Nevertheless, it is the music that makes the movie. Some of my favorite scenes were when several different 80’s songs were mixed together into one.



If you are a fan of 80’s music then this movie is a must see! For a more detailed review of the movie (including spoilers) check out the June 2012 80’s show at the 88 Podcast available on itunes and at: http://88podcast.gilbertinternettv.com/