"Rock of Ages" crumbles into powder - CinemaDave

When **Rock of Ages** began production in South Florida, I was happy that this film was boosting the local film industry. At the Buck's 30 year reunion last summer, Don Abbatiello showed me pictures of his stunt work in the film. With this kind of perspective, it is hard to dislike **Rock of Ages,** much like it is hard to hate locally filmed movies like **Hoot,** **Caddyshack** and **Body Heat.**

**Rock of Ages** is no **Marvel's The Avengers** or **Prometheus,** but is a two hour revival of **1980s MTV,** complete with sizzling guitars and big hair. Stealing some plot lines from Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers musicals, **Rock of Ages** introduces us to a pretty blond from Oklahoma, Julianne Hough.

She skips into Los Angeles and meets a young man her age, Diego Boneta, a singer who works for Alex Baldwin and Russell Brand, proprietors of The Bourbon Room. The Bourbon Room will host the final performance of Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise), a rock god who has seen better days.

Cliches pile up when so called political conservatives (Bryan Cranston, Catherine Zeta-Jones) want to censor the heavy metal rock star and close down the Bourbon Room. The only cliche missing would be a Mickey Rooney cameo during the sappy climax.

**Rock of Ages** casts some of the most obnoxious superstars of the current generation, Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise & Neville Brand with promises of fun and excitement.