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Rock of Ages, a review by Dragonfire

Rock of Ages



I'm going to start by saying that this is not a movie for everyone. Some will hate it - I have a feeling Pet would run clear to Canada to avoid it - but I do think it is a fun, entertaining movie for people who like musicals and 80s rock. 

The plot is fairly simple, telling the story of a small town girl going to Los Angeles with dreams of stardom.  She meets a boy with the same dreams, they fall in love, then things get screwed up and she has to put her life back together. 
A slightly older rock star, so drunk that he doesn't have a clue about anything is performing one last concert with the bad that made him famous at the first club they performed in.  A group of religious fanatics targets the club and the singer, protesting and trying to shut things down.  Several things about the plot are predictable, but the movie is still really fun.  There are a few complications that pop up here and there, but it is fairly clear that things will be fixed.  There are touches of romance and some humor at times.

The music, which is all 80s rock, receives the most attention, with all the characters singing at least a little bit.  I still like 80s rock, and this movie, that is based on the Broadway musical, uses great songs.  I recognized all of them, though it did take me a little longer with a few of them.  I think the songs work well to help move the story forward and don't seem silly even though people break out into song all over the place.  There is a need to suspend disbelief when it comes to that.  The cast all sings well and I admit I was surprised by how well some of them sound.  Maybe some of that is something done in the studio, but however it is achieved, the singing sounds good.  Julianne Hough's voice is nice, but there is something about that..I'm still not sure exactly what is it.  In some songs, her voice doesn't sound strong enough for the song.  Alec Baldwin does really good with his singing and even takes part in a ..ummm...unexpected version of Can't Fight This Feeling.

I really don't consider myself a Tom Cruise fan, but I'll see his movies if I think they look interesting.  I didn't think too much about his casting in the movie, though I did wonder at times about him being cast as Stacee Jaxx, the rock star.  He is really good in the movie.  He becomes the character, stumbling around in a drunken haze, unable to keep a shirt buttoned, but still able to rock it out on stage in a really good version of Pour Some Sugar on Me.  He is completely believable in the part and he can sing.  At least he can sing 80s rock. 

Rock of Ages is a bit predictable, but it is a fun, entertaining movie that I think is worth checking out for people who like this type of movie or who like 80s rock.  I plan to get the movie when it is out and I want the soundtrack.  This movie isn't for everyone though.



I did get a longer review posted at Epinions.

Rock of Ages 

(From Rock of Ages on June 16th, 2012)

Fast & Furious 6, a review by Dragonfire

Fast & Furious 6



After not being interested in these movies when they first came out, I've ended up seeing and enjoying most of them - I still have see the second and third movies.  Yes they are dumb action movies, but they are entertaining.  I don't watch them expecting strong plots, though the way all the movies are tied together and how the continuity is continued is rather impressive, especially considering some movies can't manage to keep one thing straight for one movie.

This movie picks up after Fast Five with Dom, Brian, and their crew retired and enjoying the good life.  DSS Agent Hobbs turns up wanting Dom's help in going after Owen Shaw, a man who is pulling off elaborate crimes using a crew of fast drivers.  Dom gets involved because Letty, who he thought was dead, is part of Shaw's team.  Brian and the rest of the team get together again while Mia stays home with baby Jack.

The plot isn't overly complicated, but it ends up working for the movie and it is entertaining.  It does tie up lose ends from previous movies while also stetting up another sequel with the short scene at the beginning of the credits.  A new potential bad guy is introduced and I think that villain has the potential to be awesome.  There is a lot of action throughout the movie.  It is usually cool looking, but a lot of it is very, very unbelievable.  One development sees like it is supposed to be a surprise, but figured it out long before the reveal in the movie.  It seemed very obvious to me, but evidently it surprised a lot of the people in the theater judging by the gasps of surprise.

The characters are mostly likable even though some of them aren't that developed.  Several of them say and do things that are funny.  Letty being back is ok, and there is an explanation for what happened with her.  I just don't like her as much, possibly because of how Michelle Rodrigruiez plays the part.  She is in a perpetual bad mood and has the expression to match.  I just find the other characters more likable.

Fast & Furious 6 does have some issues with believability and predictability, but it is still an entertaining action movie.  People that have liked the previous movies will probably find something to like about this one.



I did get a longer review posted on Epinions after seeing the movie in the theater.

Fast & Furious 6

(From Fast & Furious 6 on June 24th, 2013)

Tom's Random Star Trek Reviews, a review by Tom

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
5.08 Things Past
Writer: Michael Taylor (Writer)
Director: LeVar Burton
Cast: Avery Brooks (Captain Sisko), Rene Auberjonois (Odo), Michael Dorn (Lt. Commander Worf), Terry Farrell (Lt. Commander Dax), Cirroc Lofton (Jake Sisko), Colm Meaney (Chief O'Brien), Armin Shimerman (Quark), Alexander Siddig (Doctor Bashir), Nana Visitor (Major Kira), Marc Alaimo (Gul Dukat), Victor Bevine (Belar), Andrew J. Robinson (Garak), Kurtwood Smith (Thrax), Brenan Baird (Soldier), Louahn Lowe (Okala), Judi Durand (Station Computer Voice (voice))

The DS9 crew relives parts of the past when DS9 was under the rule of the Cardassians. An interesting plot but somehow not that captivating for me.

Rating:

(From Tom's Random Star Trek Reviews on November 17th, 2011)