Things In Jars
Book
London, 1863. Bridie Devine, the finest female detective of her age, is taking on her toughest case...
Supernatural Historical fiction Victorian London
Stargazer
Book
Diana Martin has lived her life in the shadow of her sadistic older brother. She quietly watches the...
Literary fiction Historical fiction Mental Health Coming of Age
The Cliff House
Book
One hen weekend, seven secrets... but only one worth killing for Jen's hen party is going to be...
Scotland Psychological Thriller
Girl's Life Craft: Shopping & Dancing
Games and Entertainment
App
Crafting game for girls! Girls craft, exploration, party, dating, shopping and spa salon in one...
Gareth von Kallenbach (977 KP) rated Rock of Ages (2012) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
It is lightly satirical, a parody at times, that seems to mock our beloved 80’s rock era, while honoring its eccentricities, its tight leopard print pants, big hair, shoulder pads and over the top MTV music videos.
I like to judge a movie not only by how it makes me feel but also by how the audience reacts. This wasn’t an in-your-face-slapstick comedy, yet the whole theater roared with laughter throughout the film. To sum up the experience of Rock of Ages, it’s like watching a string of 80’s music videos mashed into a weak plot, with well-timed laughing points. Some of us laughed because we remember being the ones with those crazy hair-dos and out-of-control fashion sense and some were just laughing because this movie was so well done. It walked the fine line between super over-the-top corny and truly honoring our rock heritage. This movie does play to a specific demographic of ages 30 to 50, those who, with great nostalgia, remember how the 80’s rock and fashion revolution shaped their lives.
As the song goes, just a small town girl, Sherrie Christian played by Julianne Hough, travels to the big city in search of her dreams of becoming a singer, where she meets her city boy, Drew Boley played by Diego Boneta. Together they embark on a musical romance while working at a rock club named The Bourbon Room. Alec Baldwin plays an old rocker named Dennis Dupree struggling to keep his legend of a night club/concert hall open. Russell Brand, as always, steps in as the comic relief while playing the club owner;s assistant named Lonny. Together they work to keep The Bourbon Room afloat while dealing with a vengeful Patricia Whitmore, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones, who wishes nothing more then to see The Bourbon Room burned to the ground.
There are points in this movie when the acting, the singing and yes, even the plot, grabs you and holds your attention, much like watching the train wreck we call 80’s fashion. Its painful but you can’t look away! There were other times in this movie when the singing felt like it would go on forever. I noticed that the low points would be immediately succeeded by a very entertaining turn of events, so my attention was not lost for long. There came a point, at about the third Glee style 80’s rock mash-up, where I felt like slapping the director, Adam Shankman. Even too much of a good thing can get boring and I felt Shankman reached that point several times in the film. Luckily, he redeemed himself by bringing in Tom Cruise to play the Satan worshiping, alcoholic, megalomaniacal rock god Stacee Jaxx who went above and beyond in perfecting his role.
This movie’s soundtrack features songs and power ballads from Guns N’ Roses, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Journey, Twisted Sister, Pat Benetar, Scorpions, Whitesnake, Poison, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner among other epic bands giving Rock of Ages it’s 80’s jukebox musical foundation.
Mary J. Blige, Cruise, Ale Baldwin, Boneta, Hough and the whole cast of mega stars went above and beyond in selling their characters and performing stunning and accurate vocals that really pulled this movie together. The corny 80’s fashion and authentic dance numbers were the real icing on the cake. If you can sit through two hours of 80’s rock and pop nostalgia and know you will enjoy it, then definitely check this movie out.
Nail Art Beauty Salon Game: Cute Designs and Manicure Ideas for Girls
Lifestyle and Games
App
***Ultra exciting 3D nail art game for a trendy fashionista like you!*** ***Unleash your creativity...
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Nocturnal Animals (2016) in Movies
Jul 28, 2017
There's some brilliant acting on all parts, it's ridiculously tense and suspenseful, very dark and completely enthralling. Tom Ford does a fine job (I still can't believe the director and the fashion designer are the same person) and Amy Adams is probably my favourite actress right now. The ending was great, I love an unhappy ending and this doesn't disappoint.
I went on to read the book after this, and it was completely different and nowhere near as good as the film. One of the rare times when the film is better than the book.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Boys from Brazil (1978) in Movies
Apr 21, 2019 (Updated Apr 21, 2019)
The material is pure schlock, lifted by the presence of distinguished actors and fairly lavish production values. You could argue that the film also attempts to explore issues of nature and nature in a relatively more sophisticated fashion than most films about (spoiler alert) cloning, but the whole thing retains an air of feverish preposterousness throughout, to say nothing of the fact it is arguably in very dubious taste. That said, it's highly watchable from start to finish; definitely qualifies as a guilty pleasure, though.
April Rose Mossow (93 KP) rated Vampire Kisses (Vampire Kisses, #1) in Books
May 20, 2019
The rest of the series grows up with the characters and you see them become more complex and find out new things about them. It's kind of kiddish in its simplicity, but as the series has gone on I've enjoyed it more and more.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2177 KP) rated Death by Tiara (A Jaine Austen Mystery #13) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
As always this book is a pure delight. The many sub-plots keep things moving right along, and the mystery is wrapped up in a logical fashion. The characters are a little out there, but that is definitely part of the fun of the series. They contribute to the laughs, which are plentiful. This is definitely light reading but lots of fun.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-death-by-tiara-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.