Plantiana
Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.
StunnaKrypto
Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.
Erica Derrick
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
Hayleigh Joseph
This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.
Michael_Elliott
Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey (2012) *** 1/2 (out of 4) Yes, there was a band called Journey before Steve Perry and there was one after. However, what came after Perry left the band didn't really have people lining up to buy massive amounts of tickets but that all changed when the band found Arnel Pineda on YouTube of all places. DON'T STOP BELIEVIN': EVERYMAN'S JOURNEY is an extremely entertaining documentary and I'd be willing to bet that even those who hate the band will find some entertainment to be had here. I will freely admit that I skipped seeing Journey several times because they didn't have Perry but after watching this documentary I went to see the band and they certainly lived up to the hype created in this film. It's pretty remarkable and nearly unbelievable to see how this band changed forms over the decades and especially the great fortune they found when Pineda popped up on YouTube. Hearing the original band members talk about where the band was headed is interesting and what's most interesting is that they all freely and willingly give credit to the "new edition" for bringing in more fans. As for Pineda, it's rather remarkable to see him go from dirty clubs to selling out stadiums in the matter of months and his "journey" to being a rock star is something that's just so hard to believe that if you saw it in a regular movie you'd demand your money back. The film goes into some good detail about the entire history of the band but the most fascinating moments show what happens before concerts where we get to see the band traveling on the tour bus, messing around backstage and of course getting ready for shows.
Matt Ganz
I am a Journey fan, but I am not the biggest fan by any means. This documentary took me by surprise. The story is almost unbelievable at first. It is well produced. It has a nice balance of on stage live music ,one on one interviews, interviews with the whole band, and fan interviews. I have watched it multiple times with different friends, and I enjoyed each viewing. I have honestly never considered hunting down a Journey tour, partly because I didn't realize they were still touring. After watching this I went to Journey's website and checked out their current tour line-up. As of today, there is nothing close enough for me, but i am keeping my eyes peeled. Rock on Journey!
Robert W.
I am a massive Journey fan...have been for decades, they are probably my favourite rock group of all time. Only in the last two months did I finally get the chance to see them live for the first time and lead singer Arnel Pineda was awesome! He wasn't Steve Perry but so what! He was entertaining and despite a few minor things that will likely change with experience he brought a new vitality to the group. Don't Stop Believin' chronicles his incredible fairytale journey from his third world home to a rock superstar. Its a nice and heartwarming story and in order to fill in the two hour running time they add in a little bit of history about the rest of the band as well. Unfortunately, jumping from Pineda's story to the rest of the band and then back again makes the documentary feel just a little bit disjointed. It will still touch you to see where he came from and his background and then how the legendary group found him and just how talented he is. Much of the film is subtitled in Pineda's own language which really added to his story to see him and his roots. My biggest issue with this film was I didn't think they really captured "JOURNEY." It lacked the soul and power behind the group. When they played any of the music, it was tiny little clips that didn't go beyond one line give or take. I guess I wanted MORE music and MORE about them touring and their lives.I'm not sure the documentary needed to be nearly two hours long because by the latter half of the film it felt like they were covering the exact same stuff they had in the first part of the movie with new clips. Director Ramona S. Diaz has some experience with documentaries but I would hazard to guess that she isn't a rabid Journey fan. I think someone with more experience in the music industry with a passion for the music might have been able to capture what the band is all about just a little more. Still, this is meant to focus on Pineda and his incredible story and there is no doubt there are some really emotional scenes that will touch you deeply. I think the best part of the film was seeing just how genuine Arnel Pineda seems to be. He is humble and passionate and you can see in his face just how much he appreciates everything he has gone through. I also realize that this is a hard rock band and 99% of the fans are 40+ likely, at least 30+ but the very few curse words was unnecessary and changed the documentary from being a PG to an R which is unfortunate.Anyone that loves music, or a true life rags to riches story will appreciate and enjoy Don't Stop Believin' Its well made and well documented and certainly showcases each and every member of Journey. I very much enjoyed hearing each one of them discuss the fame and the life they lead. It was fascinating to hear the older members of the band talk about the life and you can just see how much they have learnt and their passion and genuine personalities too. Its a heart felt film that could have just been a little more in depth in regards to the music. The biggest thing I took away from this film is my love for Journey is now exponential because I feel like Arnel Pineda is such an amazing individual who is genuinely passionate about what he does. There are some sincere and very touching moments that almost brought a tear to my eye. Definitely worth seeing for Journey fans or rock lovers! 8/10
soncoman
The 55th San Francisco International Film Festival recently closed with a screening of "Don't Stop Believin' - Everyman's Journey," Ramona Diaz's new documentary chronicling the journey of Arnel Pineda. His trek from a Phillipine cover band to lead vocalist for the classic rock band "Journey" (via You Tube) is an incredible story. Diaz got a "heads up" from a Phillipine emigration official and jumped on the opportunity to capture Pineda's growth from anxious audition-er to full-fledged rock star. From recording studio to concert tour bus, to venues around the United States and - finally - to a triumphant Manila concert, you can't help but root for this incredible likable performer. Pineda is genuinely humbled by the opportunity given him, and always seems to be waiting for the balloon to burst. The other members of "Journey" (Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valory, Deen Castronovo) quickly realize they've managed to capture 'lightning in a bottle' again, and mentor Pineda through the hard times of touring. As we already know how the story turns out, there's a noticeable lack of suspense or conflict - or at least any that we see. Schon hinted at the Q&A after the screening that he may have been a bit problematic at times, but it doesn't show in the finished film. At just under two hours, the film is a bit too long for its own good. The scenes "on the road" get a bit repetitive and, as I stated earlier, we already know how the story ends. The film's excess length is almost made up for by the personable Pineda and, indeed, all the members of the band. Almost, but not quite. This was the second time I'd screened the film, but my first time with an audience. While the film plays much better in a theatre with a kick-ass sound system set to "11" and surrounded by fans, I could sense the audience start to get a bit restless when the film started to drag.Perhaps they were getting restless hoping for the band to come up on stage for the post-screening Q&A. Indeed they did, along with Director Diaz and the film's producers. After a few expected questions ("Have you ever met Steve Perry?") I managed to get one in that expanded on a statement made by a fan in the film. A Phillipino fan says something along the lines that the band "didn't realize that when they made Pineda their lead singer that they were adopting an entire country." I asked the members of the band how this new fan base had impacted them. Jonathan Cain stated how appreciative they were, especially for the fact they "actually buy CD's." Pineda chimed in "and merchandise!" Ross Valory also jumped in to confirm another statement made in the film, that the Phillipino fan's "won't take NO for an answer!" He didn't elaborate. "Don't Stop Believin - Everyman's Journey" is a rock and roll film minus the sex and drugs (for the most part.) It is a joyous film, a "Horatio Alger" tale for the rock and roll age and, needless to say, the soundtrack ROCKS!www.worstshowontheweb.com