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Livin' on a Prayer -- Big Screen Style

Anthem Rock Movie Coming to the Big Screen / Dustin Rowles

Trade News | October 22, 2009 | Comments (28)

I didn’t cover this the other day when it was announced, because notwithstanding the surge of love for “Glee,” I can’t imagine there are that many folks interested in a big-screen rock musical directed by Hairspray’s Adam Shankman. But, it’s either this or the bullshit rumor that there’s another Star Wars trilogy in the works.

So, the word is that Shankman — who is also directing next year’s Oscars and is set to be a permanent judge on “So You Think You Can Dance” — is adapting Broadway’s Rock of Ages (which stars “American Idol’s” Constantine Maroulis) into a feature film. For the unfamiliar, Rock of Ages is about two people who meet at the Sunset Strip club Rock of Ages, fall in love and try to stay together amid ’80s rock anthems made popular by Journey, Twisted Sister, Joan Jett, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, and other groups. The movie is set for a summer 2011 release.

I’ll admit I’m intrigued by a movie that dabbles heavily in ’80s bubble-gum rock, and with Shankman aboard, it’ll reveal that music for what it was: Kind of gay. Not that there’s anything wrong with that — I’m a bit of a sucker for those ’80s rock anthems, the big hair, the pleather pants and, well, the headbands.

Speaking of Bon Jovi, has anyone seen their new video? It’s the Forrest Gump of music videos — unrelenting, sentimental, patriotic bullshit. But hell if it doesn’t kick-start my Middle-American soul. Is it embarrassing? Sure. But we all have our weaknesses:


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Comments

Drive-By Truckers would set fire to Bon Jovi and laugh.

Posted by: , (TCFKAB) at October 22, 2009 11:11 AM

I loathe and despise Bon Jovi and always have.

Cookie-cutter music and lyrics, indifferently arranged, played and sung with utter mediocrity. They're worse than Journey, and that takes some doing.

Posted by: Jerce at October 22, 2009 11:16 AM

We weren't born to follow. We were born to bomb, invade, displace foreign leaders and replace them with our own brand of yes man American puppets, which were made in a former steel mill in Sandusky, Ohio. That's right kids, your morning helping of propaganda and self righteous patriotism is brought to you by Lockheed, Bon Jovi and Wal Mart, STILL the low price leader of the capitalist world. No wonder the world thinks we're assholes. WE WERE BORN TO LEAD BABY! (HI-FIVE ME!) AMERICAN DREAM! FREEDOM!

Posted by: John Denver's Wingman at October 22, 2009 11:19 AM

I will not see this unless we're certain to hear "Here I Go Again" by Whitesnake.

Posted by: Fredo at October 22, 2009 11:20 AM

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET
I saw this on the Broad-way, and it was amazing.

Also, I like Adam Shankman.

Posted by: Ian at October 22, 2009 11:28 AM

Every time I see "Lockheed," I immediately think of Kitty Pryde's dragon pet.

it’s either this or the bullshit rumor that there’s another Star Wars trilogy in the works.

That better be bullshit. What a horrible idea.

Posted by: MelBivDevoe at October 22, 2009 11:31 AM

I unapologetically love Bon Jovi.

Plus, Tico cut his hair and looks really hot.

Posted by: jadeblue at October 22, 2009 11:33 AM

Fredo, never stop commenting because you light up my life.

Posted by: becks at October 22, 2009 11:35 AM

Of course we weren't "born to follow" we were born TO PUT A BOOT IN YER ASS! AMERICAN WAY! GRAH! FOUR MORE YEARS! HEALTH REFORM STAMPEDE! FREEDOM EAGLES! NOT IN MY TOWN! BLARGH! HONKY TONK! BADONKADOO!

...and so forth.

Posted by: Skitz at October 22, 2009 11:46 AM

I will TOTALLY see this and I will love it and I won't be the least bit embarrassed or ashamed of that! I have a suspicion that AvB & Snuggiepants may also see and love this. We sometimes share a brain.

And also, Jerce - Journey was AWESOME! (I'm actually listening to "Don't Stop Believing" from Glee as I type this.) I defy you to listen to it and not sing along.

Posted by: Lainey at October 22, 2009 11:52 AM

Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world
She took the midnight train going anywhere...


(You're fucked for the day, bitches.)

Posted by: admin at October 22, 2009 11:55 AM

I’m a bit of a sucker for those 80s rock anthems, the big hair, the pleather pants and, well, the headbands.

It's all the same. Only the names will change.

Posted by: branded at October 22, 2009 11:59 AM

Greatest things Bon Jovi has contributed to my life:

1) Me and a good friend of mine of singing the opening bars of "You Give Love A Bad Name" every time we drink tequila. Or shots of any kind, really.

2) Laughing at people who forget the ball-strangling key change before the last verse of "Livin' on a Prayer" and thus don't start in a low enough key, embarrassing themselves when they try to keep singing along.

3) MULLET!!!!!

That is all.

Posted by: Shay at October 22, 2009 12:00 PM

*Wipes tear from eye*, I'm going to go buy a Chevy.

Posted by: Steven Lloyd Wilson at October 22, 2009 12:05 PM

Truck nuts!

Posted by: Cindy at October 22, 2009 12:31 PM

Aaaaaahhhhh...that felt good to read.
I also unapologetically love Bon Jovi, although even I, the queen or 80s hair band cheese, LOATHE LOATHE LOATHE that damn song that has plagued the MLB playoffs. Ugh. I wish they would stop.
I pretty much hate everything on the last 2 albums. But the old stuff, that's where my heart is.
I want to see that show on broadway but I dunno if I can stomache Constantine. He creeped me out on AI. And at the beach bar I saw him at 2 summers ago. *shudder

Posted by: Whorish Mouth at October 22, 2009 12:40 PM

Rock of Ages is everything wrong with modern rock musicals. It can only be made worse by the all-star cast Shankman wants to put together. Great rock shows like Passing Strange are lucky to get a filmed performance in and a NY/LA release, while garbage like Rock of Ages gets a big budget film adaptation. I'm not happy.

Posted by: Robert at October 22, 2009 12:43 PM

I think of Bon Jovi as kind of like the Showgirls of bands, bad by any measurable standards, but hell if it isn't entertaining.

Posted by: George at October 22, 2009 1:17 PM

true story: my little sister has a friend whose name I do not know, but whose dad wrote and possibly directed the theatrical version of Rock of Ages. Since I'm not really interested in the music, I've never seen the musical, but he's a totally nice guy.

You know, for what it's worth.

Posted by: kyle at October 22, 2009 2:22 PM

Admin you suck.

just a lonely boooyyy
living in South Detroit
he took the midnight train going aaanywheere!

Posted by: Jennifer at October 22, 2009 2:34 PM

Singer in a smoky room
Smell of wine and cheap perfuuuume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and onnnnnnnnnn!

Posted by: Lainey at October 22, 2009 2:43 PM

Journey was AWESOME!

Chacun à son goût and all that. What I said above about Bon Jovi is also true of Journey. I recognize that pap like this is popular, and always will be; but I have been baffled all my life as to why mediocrity is treated with such reverence by so many people.

(I'm actually listening to "Don't Stop Believing" from Glee as I type this.) I defy you to listen to it and not sing along.

For me, that is actually not any kind of problem at all. Defy me not to throw the handiest heavy object as hard as I can and stuff two fingers deeply into each ear--now that might pose a problem for me.

Posted by: Jerce at October 22, 2009 5:36 PM

All I know of Rock of Ages is what I read in Tom Lenk's Twitter.

Andrew! Andrew from Buffy! On Twitter! The Internet is a wondrous thing.

Posted by: Daniel Hall at October 22, 2009 7:49 PM

That Bon Jovi outlived the cheesy, soulless mire of 80’s hair bands is admirable enough, but JBJ lost me completely the day he sang without a hint of irony “I have suffered for my anger”. You poor man. Have another blowjob.

The only 80’s rock musical I’d pay to see would feature songs by Anthrax, Iron Maiden and Metallica and be titled Reign in Blood. A heart-warming tale of hairy black clad nerd, his 160 kg buddy and their joint quest for a girlfriend.

Posted by: Squirrelgripper at October 22, 2009 8:45 PM

Who cares!!! My boyfriend also agrees with me. He is 10 years older than me, lol. We met online at age-gap club -- http://AgelessOnly.COM/. Maybe you wanna check out or tell your friends.

Posted by: Helen at October 23, 2009 1:11 AM

I came out of the musical closet a few years ago. Now I shout to the heavens: "I LOVE CHEESY 80S HAIR ROCK!!!!"

And I feel so much better not having to pretend or hide it...

Posted by: Pedro at October 26, 2009 7:40 AM

It's all the same. Only the names will change.

Nope. Firehouse, Winger and Bon Jovi sound quite different from Pretty Boy Floyd, Britny Fox or Motley Crue, who sound different from Danger Danger or Europe.

It's only the looks that are the same, not the music. Although of course there are copycats.

Posted by: Pedro at October 26, 2009 7:42 AM

Here I Go Again is actually featured in Rock of Ages. It closes the first act. It's great! LOL a real crowd pleaser. And Constantine is cute and really good in it. But I think Shankman is the wrong director. As for Bon Jovi, I only like 2 songs by him and one is in RofA.

"It's all the same. Only the names will change..."

Posted by: Smartmouth at October 28, 2009 12:14 AM





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