Through the decades we have bared witness to the rise of a large number of unforgettable pop stars heading into the limelight and staggering the industry with record sales and a fan bases like no others. You only have to look towards the likes of Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber to see just how influential these individuals are, and one who certainly cannot be left unnoticed is Katy Perry.
Following the quirky star on her unbelievable world tour and focusing on her private life, Katy Perry: Part Of Me documents a key point in the songstress' life as she tackles a tour that is both physically and mentally draining. As she begins to feel the fatigue of jetting all over the world and performing night after night for the masses, Perry's marriage to comedian Russell Brand comes under strain, and soon the emotional aspect of her life takes over.
Tracking Perry as she scours the globe on her remarkable California Dreams tour, Part Of Me provides viewers with a look into how the star came to be, how life on the world tour pans out and offers up some of her performances around the globe. It really is the full package for anyone who has a remote interest in the pop star's remarkable rise to fame.
Presented in all its respendance and quirkiness that constantly surrounds Perry wherever she goes, the film looks absolutely stunning, whether it be her on-stage presentations to the meet and greets with her fans. But in stark contrast to the colourful nature, the scenes in which we delve into Perry and Brand's marriage soon bring about a more serious side to the story.
At times emotional and ultimately heartbreaking, the 'fairy tale' romance is deemed destined to fail as we witness Perry attempt to save a failing marriage before the eventual break-up, leaving the star emotionally ruined and almost on the edge of quitting her stage show. This really hits home amid the flamboyance of her tour and provides a realistic edge to the documentary.
Blending personal trauma, success and growth with a fascinating tour, Katy Perry: Part Of Me is the ideal documentary for pop music fans. It is beautifully presented and in Perry comes a focus individual who is both endearing and ever so interesting. Her life story is remarkable and the stage production is awe-inspiring for what is a wholesome and enjoyable ride of a film.
Film Rating: 3 1/2 F's out of 5
Are you ready to rock? If the answer to that question is yes then you are in for one hell of a treat. Heading straight from theatres into the local multiplex comes the film version of the much praised stage show Rock Of Ages, and together with a superb ensemble cast, the film supplies two hours of anthems and sheer joy.
Sherrie (Julianne Hough) has travelled from her hometown in Oklahoma to seek stardom in Los Angeles as a singer. Upon arrival she finds herself mugged of her collection of records only to meet Bourbon Club worker Drew (Diego Boneta), who manages to help her get a job at the club once convincing owner Dennis Dupree (Alec Baldwin) and his assistant Lonny (Russell Brand) that she would be a good bartender.
Whilst Sherrie and Drew spark a romantic relationship, the Bourbon Club prepares for the final gig of Stacee Jaxx's (Tom Cruise) career as a member of superstar rock band, Arsenal. With rock and roll at the pinnacle of the music business, there are a number of locals who strongly oppose the music and at the front of all protests lies Patricia Whitmore (Catherina Zeta-Jones), the mayor's wife, who will stop at nothing to ban it for good.
As Sherrie and Drew's relationship and dreams slowly hit a curve in the road, Stacee Jaxx finds himself feeling the effects of being a 'slave to rock and roll', and in Rolling Stone magazine's Constance Sack (Malin Akerman), realises he may have found the woman to usurp all those he has been showering himself with. Cue plenty of catchy numbers, a few surprising voices in the mix and a host of unbelievable performances, and Rock Of Ages gives you plenty of bang for your buck.
Containing such an impressive ensemble cast, Rock Of Ages could have suffered from overload but each star is given their chance to shine and none fail to deliver the goods. Hough and Boneta's chemistry represents a blossoming relationship you cannot help but will on, and Baldwin and Brand show off their own unique talents with an unlikely romance and sparkling moments of comedic genius. The likes of Akerman, Zeta-Jones, Mary J. Blige and Paul Giamatti all contribute to keep proceedings solid as a rock, but in truth it is Tom Cruise who steals the stage as rocker Stacee Jaxx.
Channelling rock gods such as Axl Rose, Jim Morrison and Keith Richards, Cruise revels in his unrecognisable role as rock idol Stacee Jaxx and even proves that he really does possess an incredible singing voice. Commanding each and every scene he appears in, Cruise acts exactly how a rock star should and blows away the audience with great ease.
Along with unleashing inner rock into the souls of his leading cast members, director Adam Shankman has copious amounts of fun blending a familiar storyline with songs that will get those toes tapping and even induce moments where you just want to get out of your seat and rock out. Shankman never lets up, with breathers a non-existence and this helps to ensure the two hours of songs, fun and frolics flies by.
At times cheesy and cringe-worthy, Rock Of Ages does seem rather familiar at times but manages to make 120 minutes seem like five minutes with a quirky bunch of characters and some truly emphatic anthems. Whether you are a fan of Def Leppard, Journey, Poison or any other legendary rock band, or just a sucker for musicals, Rock Of Ages provides all the ingredients for a laughter-inducing feel-good session. Believe me, you will come out of it with a big smile on your face!
Film rating - 4 F's out of 5
