I confess, I liked Rock of Ages. Consider it a Guilty Pleasure. How could I not like a movie with a cast of Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Russell Brand, Mary J. Blige, Paul Giamatti, and Debbie Gibson? I would have loved to see more of Catherine Zeta-Jones who plays an anti-Rock&Roll crusader with a steamy past. And Russell Brand should have been given more to do. There were almost too many stars in Rock of Ages. Yes, the movie is silly. Oh, but the music! If you love Eighties music as much as I do, you’re going to want to listen to the Rock of Ages soundtrack over and over again (check out the songs below!). Rock of Ages radiates energy and fun. Plenty of critics are going to dismiss Rock of Ages as a glorified 2-hour music video. Who cares? It’s a GOOD music video! GRADE: B+ (for both)
TRACK LIST:
Paradise City (3:43) Performed by Tom Cruise
Sister Christian/Just Like Paradise/Nothin’ But a Good Time (5:41) Performed by Diego Boneta
Juke Box Hero/I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll (2:23) Performed by Diego Boneta
Hit Me With Your Best Shot (2:28) Performed by Catherine Zeta-Jones
Waiting For a Girl Like You (3:24) Performed by Diego Boneta
More Than Words/Heaven (3:08) Performed by Diego Boneta
Wanted Dead or Alive (4:19) Performed by Julianne Hough
I Want To Know What Love is (3:32) Performed by Malin Akerman
I Wanna Rock (2:26) Performed by Diego Boneta
Pour Some Sugar On Me (3:13) Performed by Tom Cruise
Harden My Heart (2:40) Performed by Julianne Hough
Shadows of the Night/Harden My Heart (1:57) Performed by Julianne Hough
Here I Go Again (3:07) Performed by Diego Boneta
Can’t Fight This Feeling (3:05) Performed by Russell Brand
Any Way You Want It (2:31) Performed by Julianne Hough
Undercover Love (3:06) Performed by Diego Boneta
Every Rose Has Its Thorn (2:57) Performed by Diego Boneta
Rock You Like a Hurricane (2:40) Performed by Julianne Hough
We Built This City/We’re Not Gonna Take It (2:18) Performed by Russell Brand
Don’t Stop Believin’ (4:10) Performed by Diego Boneta
I love that music also, but the presence of the “evil Dwarf,” as someone once dubbed him, ruins it for me. I used to like his movies, but I think his time as a leading man is past.
Cap’n Bob reviles the Evil Dwarf, too, Randy. I found Tom Cruise convincing as a burnt-out rock star.
Can’t wait for The Cap’n to check in with his measured comments.
I hate ‘eighties music. Next weekend: Doo-Wop at the Beacon.
*gets back on geezer bus*
Bill Crider would love to be there for Doo-Woop at the Beacon, Jeff.
I was more of a new-wave girl in the 1980s–Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, etc.–but, even so, I don’t think I’d pay to see Tom Cruise sing “Mad World.” I’m sorry George, but this movie looks incredibly cheesy–and not in a good way; more like a “Legends of Rock” tribute show in Branson way. If I want to listen to “Don’t Stop Believing,” I’ll put on a Journey CD.
My only defense is that I found ROCK OF AGES fun, Deb. It’s silly, but bursting with energy.
“We Built This City” is on the top 10 of Worst (Pseudo-)Rock Songs Ever.
The only songs I like on that list were by Pat Benatar. I did like one reviewer describing Alec Baldwin’s “singing” as like Rex Harrison talk-singing in MY FAIR LADY.
And stay off my lawn!
I liked the faux-radio broadcast segment in the original “We Built This City” which is usually cut on most GREATEST HITS CDs, Jeff. Yes, Baldwin’s “singing” did resemble Harrison’s talk-singing in MY FAIR LADY.
I have seen the promos about a dozen time and every time Phil mutters. “No.” So I doubt will see it. Plus it looks so dark. Did they film it in a tunnel. Cruise seems to be the best thing about it to most of the reviewers I have read.
Trust me, Patti, Phil’s feet would be tapping to the music in ROCK OF AGES. And he’d laugh out loud at a few scenes.
I’m with Phil. Jackie is interested but not for me.
Jackie is right, Jeff. ROCK OF AGES is entertaining if you go in with the right set of expectations. The director of ROCK OF AGES, Adam Shankman, is the same guy who directed HAIRSPRAY (another fun movie musical!).
I’m with Phil, he (and Patti) aren’t going and neither are we. My carefully considered opinion is this looks to be a glorified 2-hour music video, with the glorification horribly inappropriate. This is one I wouldn’t watch if they paid me the price of the ticket.
I’ve never seen the play but I love the music. I’m looking forward to it – despite its poor box office showing this weekend.
I may go see ROCK OF AGES again, Beth. And, I will certainly buy the Blu-ray when it comes out!
Well, there are two or three songs you list I like pretty well (always was soft on Quarterflash), the others are an array some of the worst pop of the ’80s (could never begin to stomach the Steve Perry version of Journey). Makes for a very easy miss for me. Glad you had a good time with it!
The music of ROCK OF AGES is a mixed bag, Todd. It sounds good to me, but others might have a different opinion.