10.20.09 ‘LIKE MAMMA MIA FOR DUDES’
This is a clip from So You Think You Can Dance when Adam Shankman was guest hosting — the dancing was so beautiful it made him cry, you see. It’s related because Shankman, a former choreographer who went on to direct The Pacifier, Bringing Down the House, and Cheaper by the Dozen 2, has signed on to direct the screen version of the musical Rock of Ages, which he calls “Mamma Mia for dudes.”
The musical tells the story of a couple that meets at the Sunset Strip club Rock of Ages, falls in love and tries to stay together amid the rough and tumble rock lifestyle [?]. The cast finds reasons to belt out 80s rock anthems by Journey, Twisted Sister, Joan Jett, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar and others.
“I had the best time of my life making `Hairspray’ and badly wanted another musical, and when I watched `Rock of Ages,’ I was struck by the fact that not only had much of the audience seen it more than once, every guy in the audience knew the words to the songs,” Shankman said. “I thought, `this is `Mamma Mia!’ for dudes.’”
[Rock of Ages] began modestly five years ago in a Hollywood rock club, where the sets had to be struck quickly to make way for rave parties. After a short-lived Vegas stint that almost killed it, “Rock of Ages” caught on off-Broadway, and three movie studios battled for the movie rights.
Can New Line Cinema head Toby Emmerich score a hit by putting an established mainstream musical director like Shankman in charge of turning a lowbrow tuner into a star-driven picture? Well, one of Rock of Ages’ signature tunes is Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin.’” [Variety]
I’m constantly amazed that ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ can retain kitsch value even while being one of the most overexposed and f-cked out songs at karaoke night. It’s a good song, but think about it, The Sopranos finale was more than two years ago. All I can say is that if it can still be likable even after a cheesy dork like Adam Shankman makes a movie with it, and a Variety writer uses its “message” as the last line of his article, it should be recognized by Guinness as the most invincible song in history. It’ll eventually be like Demolition Man where in the future, all the restaurants are Taco Bell, and the only song they play is “Don’t Stop Believin.” (*continues livin’ just to find emotion*)
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There are 36 comments about:
‘LIKE MAMMA MIA FOR DUDES’
*picks booger* *flicks at monitor*
*starts singing theme song to Orgazmo*
I could hear what Mr. Shankman was thinking. You don’t want to know.
I have no idea why Bear Grylls beat out Shankman for that other show.
Adam Shankman wants a slow clap for his eulogy.
I frequently see commercials for Rock of Ages, and never once have I thought, “Hey, dudes would love this!”
It’s more like, “Holy crap, why would anyone want to see this?”
Reason #1 to belt out 80s anthems: encourage audience to exercise their Second Amendment rights
Adam Shankman wishes to introduce the Rock of Ages in his criminal molestation case.
Steve Perry is rolling in his grave.
He is dead, right? Why else would they have that Asian guy singing his songs?
Shankman was fired from his Defensive Coordinator position with the Bengals for being “too manly.”
Tyler Perry? No. Unfortunately he is very much alive and still harming the cause of minorities everywhere.
“Mamma Mia for dudes.”
Which is like pussy for queers
Mamma Mia for dudes ? I’d like invite Mr. Shankman to Meat Loaf’s water show at the Bellagio.
(unless I dreamed it)
Don’t Stop Believin’ that the 80s didn’t suck balls
WAIT WAIT WAIT… Mamma Mia was for girls???
Adam Shankman is secretly two adolescent boys one on the shoulders inside a body suit and they got in way over their heads. “We have to make them dance. Otherwise they pay too close attention to us releasing our built up dessicated shit stacks a la Frank Morris.” Leaving a string of petunias in their wake is admirable.
Flash Gordon is like Mamma Mia for Klingons!
FLASH! Ah-AH! He saved every ONEOFUS!
Adam Shankman cries every time he masturbates, whether they’re tears of joy or sadness is open to debate
It’s sadness, trust me, we can smell our own.
My favorite part of Mamma Mia was when the daughter invited all 3 dads to her wedding and Meryl Streep looked like a huge slut. And then, I remembered that I had a brain and I changed the channel.
I haven’t a clue why, but people still really dig on Journey and Bon Jovi. I was at a wedding over the summer and watched the entire 20-something bridal party belt out “Livin’ on a Prayer” at the reception. I’ve also seen a mediocre cover band close a set with “Don’t Stop Believing” and I swear they needed sandbags to contain the puddle that formed on the dance floor.
So my point is, don’t be shocked when Karaoke! The Musical here makes dumptrucks full of cash in theaters.
Adam Shankman cries when you remind him that his last name has “shank” and “man” in it. Definitely tears of sadness.
Mamma Mia for dudes thinks it’s fun to stay at the YMCA.
Peet -I always cry when someone sings Sister Christian.
She’s growing up so fast
Journey and Bon Jovi are like Bryan Adams. Noone listens to these fuckers when they’re sober, and they all make me wish I was drinking drain cleaner
When I hear Sister Christian I look around for the chinaman in hotpants throwing firecrackers.
Not the preferred nomenclature Shop. (I hope MIZ didn’t already beat me to this before I hit submit).
But it’s not everyday that I get to write chinaman in hotpants. The most beautiful phrase in the English language.
I believe the proper term is Oriental. I kind of have an ‘in’ on this subject.
DID SOMEONE SAY “CHINAME- Oh. I’ll see myself out, thank you.
Chino: Not according to Fek you don’t.
Ironically, A good chunk of you were probably conceived in the back of a mid 70’s Buick LeSabre belting out Journey on the radio…
Thanks, Peet.
Empty vaginal cavity :(
I was conceived in a van to the sounds of Dueling Banjos.
Is he crying ’cause his tampon fell out from Kegels?
‘58 Cadillac…
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