Rock Star

Mark Wahlberg couldn't be more perfect for the role of Chris Cole, a head-bangin' rock band wannabe whose singular ambition in life is to be e-x-a-c-t-l-y like the shirtless, leather-clad, pelvis-thrusting, high note-shrieking lead singer of the heavy metal band Steel Dragon. Then his dream comes true, thanks to a videotape of him belting out cover songs in a tribute band coinciding with the fateful departure of his hero from the music scene. Rock Star opens as a bit of a tongue-in-cheek affair (as it should be), but overly-sincere director Stephen Herek keeps interrupting the fist-pumpin' stage footage and rock cliché jokes with VH-1 Behind the Music-style plot developments involving Cole's growing neglect of his devoted girlfriend (Jennifer Aniston). Loosely based on Tim "Ripper" Owens, the real-life mad-dog fan who became front man for Judas Priest, this is worth seeing just for Wahlberg's dead-on performance. A strong optional purchase. (R. Blackwelder)