Another day, another big event for Movie Buzzers. This time around we were invited to a special New York City screening of Rock of Ages, the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, sponsored by The Venetian, Las Vegas at the Landmark Theatres Sunshine Cinema. There weren’t many people from the film in attendance,only star Julianne Hough and director Adam Shankman, but I managed to briefly speak with Shankman, iconic director John Waters, and Mick Jones, the lead guitarist and founding member of the 1970s classic rock band Foreigner.
Waters was looking his dapper self and was obviously there to support Shankman, who directed the 2007 film musical remake of Hairspray (Waters wrote and directed the 1988 original). When I asked Waters if he had any advice for Shankman when he was making Rock of Ages, Waters answered, “No I didn’t, every movie he makes is a hit, are you kidding?” and offered one of his trademark smiles.
By far the most talkative was Mick Jones, the guitarist of Foreigner and the only member to appear in every iteration of the band (aside from a few dates he missed in recent years because of illness). Rock of Ages features three songs from Foreigner, “Juke Box Hero”, “Waiting for a Girl Like You” and “I Want to Know What Love Is”, and he was happy to speak to me about the band’s increased popularity because of the musical and film. Listen to our chat below:
Boondock Saints star Norman Reedus was also in attendance, and though I had a number of Walking Dead questions for him he hurried off without doing interviews. Here’s a picture of him I took, anyway.
Shortly before the movie began we finally got a glimpse of Hough and Shankman. While I didn’t get a chance to speak with Hough — she was too busy being bombarded by Ryan Seacrest questions (seriously? Let’s ignore the fact that this young woman is an accomplished entertainer and starring in a major summer release and just ask her questions about her boyfriend. Great strategy, celebrity reporters!) — I asked Shankman if he had any difficulties with being both the director and the producer of Rock of Ages and he replied, “No, it was actually easier. Everything is easier when you’re doing everything because you don’t have to fight with anybody… except yourself. And I don’t fight with myself very much. So that was good!”
A very cool event overall, even if I was a bit let down by the movie. Thanks again to The Venetian, Las Vegas and Sons of Essex for hosting!
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