MUST WATCH
Burlesque Premiere
Berlin
December 17, 2010
Belfast Review: 'Burlesque' 4/5
Clumsy, garish and permanently in danger of falling flat on its powdered face, Steve Antin's rags-to-riches fairytale can’t muster a single sequin of originality and borrows its glitzy song and dance numbers from the aforementioned gems of the genre, albeit with a nod to Cabaret.
Yet for all its many faults, which would consign any other film to the ignominy of straight-to-DVD, Burlesque might just be the best terrible film of the year.
Whether by a stroke of luck or design, Antin's girl power anthem is the most uproarious fun I've had in a cinema since Toy Story 3.
The cast appear to be having a hoot too. Christina Aguilera can sure belt out the songs wearing nothing more than a string of pearls and a smile, and the script caters shamelessly for female and gay audiences with each whooping contrivance.
Ali (Aguilera) works as a waitress in Iowa but secretly dreams of stardom beneath the glittering light of Los Angeles.
Strutting out of her trailer park wearing inappropriate white heels, Ali heads for the city where she stumbles upon the Burlesque cabaret bar run by ex-dancer Tess (Cher) and best friend Sean (Stanley Tucci), who looks after the costumes.
Before you can shake a feather boa, Ali is auditioning for a role as one of the dancing girls, where she inevitably riles current leading lady Nikki (Kristen Bell).
The soundtrack gets painted toes tapping and there's equal opportunity nudity with Gigandet hiding his blushes with a box of cookies during the centrepiece seduction scene.
A late-night cult classic is born.
December 15, 2010
Christina Aguilera: Max Is Obsessed With Santa
The 29-year-old singer has a two-year-old son, Max, with her estranged husband Jordan Bratman. Christina has revealed Max is just beginning to understand Christmas and is thoroughly enjoying the festive season. The star has taken great pleasure in preparing her home for Christmas because Max is so thrilled with all the decorations.
“We have this blow up Santa Claus in my house that some would say is actually scary, because he is animated and you touch him and he comes to life and does the ‘Ho, ho, ho’ bit and sings songs. Max gravitates towards that and he got into the whole Christmas tree thing and decorating it,” Christina told British television show Daybreak. “He loves to throw the snow on the tree.”
Christina went on to reveal she loves December because her birthday and Christmas both fall during that month. The star will turn 30 on December 18 and she is looking forward to celebrating in style.
“I think the spirit of it all is just so fun,” Christina replied when asked why she likes Christmas. “I have a birthday so close to Christmas so it’s inevitably my favourite month.”
Golden Globe Predictions: Paltrow Vs. Aguilera
"Bound to You" and "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" from "Burlesque," "Coming Home" from "Country Strong," "I See the Light" from "Tangled" and "There's a Place for Us" from "Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" all made the cut.
So that's pitting Christina Aguilera, Cher, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi and Carrie Underwood against each other. It's a good mix: a return to a classic Disney musical ("Tangled"), new musical ("Burlesque"), a actress launching into new musical territory and an "American Idol" tacking on a credit's song for a kid's adventuremovie.
So compare that to this year's crop? It's a bit of a new ballgame.
Moore and Paltrow have been acting for quite a while, though Moore's singing career is much more established. Cher just kinda came back. Frankly, I don't care much for the paint-by-numbers composition given to Underwood, whose career is currently on the short side rather than the long.
"Country Strong" has been described as "'Crazy Heart' with a girl," a rep that might taint voters' perceptions. Interesting choice, going with ballad "Coming Home" as opposed to the title track, too. Aguilera is one of the most gifted pop vocalists from the last two decades -- and shared a pop era with Moore, remember? -- but has had a hard year, with poor critical reception for her new album and mixed results for "Burlesque." Cher's track may split the votes between the two, though I think Aguilera's track is a much stronger bet of the two "Burlesque" songs (though Cher's got the Cher name).
I think the tracks from "Burlesque" and "Tangled" were much better executed and produced, but it may just come down to Aguilera and Paltrow's names.
Christina and Matt Public Display Of Affection
The 29-year-old singer - who is currently divorcing husband of four years Jordan Bratman - couldn't fail to hide her intimacy with Matthew Rutler, a set designer she met on the set of the film, at London's Floridita club last night (13.12.10)
A source said: 'She seemed really relaxed, she was enjoying Matt's company and wouldn't let go of him while she was outside of the VIP section of the club.
'As soon as she got into the VIP area she was drinking and dancing, even roping in co-stars Kristen Bell and Chelsea Traille for a saucy routine to her song 'Ain't No Other Man'.'
Though the blonde beauty was happy to pose for pictures with fans at the premiere's afterparty, she was reluctant to chat too much and brushed off questions about her personal life.
The insider added to BANG Showbiz: 'She was in great spirits, although when fans tried to talk to her about her personal life she didn't seem so keen to talk, with one she stayed totally silent, although she still agreed to have a picture.'
Matt seemed to be keen to protect his girlfriend, keeping an arm around her at all times while they were talking.
Cher, who stars in the film with Christina, was unable to make it to the party because of filming commitments for a British TV show.
December 14, 2010
Christina's Sales Sky Rocket Up To 400%
The singer put on a raunchy display as she performed on the show in a low-cut black dress surrounded by scantily-clad dancers.
She also sung a duet of her hit song Beautiful with X Factor runner-up Rebecca Ferguson.
Aguilera is currently promoting her new film Burlesque where she plays a cocktail waitress trying to make it big as a singer.
She also sings eight of the songs on the soundtrack including Express while co-star Cher sings two tracks.
While sales of the Burlesque soundtrack rose by 400 per cent on Play.com, other guests who appeared on X Factor this weekend also received a boost.
Rihanna saw sales of her music rise by 77 per cent while Take That's albums were up by 68 per cent.
Black Eyes Peas' music sales rose by 33 per cent and Robbie Williams' solo material also shot up by 20 per cent.
She also sung a duet of her hit song Beautiful with X Factor runner-up Rebecca Ferguson.
Aguilera is currently promoting her new film Burlesque where she plays a cocktail waitress trying to make it big as a singer.
She also sings eight of the songs on the soundtrack including Express while co-star Cher sings two tracks.
While sales of the Burlesque soundtrack rose by 400 per cent on Play.com, other guests who appeared on X Factor this weekend also received a boost.
Rihanna saw sales of her music rise by 77 per cent while Take That's albums were up by 68 per cent.
Black Eyes Peas' music sales rose by 33 per cent and Robbie Williams' solo material also shot up by 20 per cent.
Christina Aguilera On Turning 30!
"In this business, people get really scared of age but I wear my wounds as something I'm proud of. You learn so much more about yourself… I'm growing as a person and as a woman, and I think that this is the beginning of a new chapter for me."
Christina Talks About 'Golden Globe' Nomination
In a statement given to Celebuzz, Aguilera says:
"I want to thank the HFPA for recognizing our song 'Bound to You'. It is a ballad Sia and I wrote from the heart and one that I am extremely proud of. I am thrilled that our film 'Burlesque' was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. Making this movie was a life changing experience and I couldn't be more pleased that the Foreign Press has recognized the hard work the cast and I put into it. Now I am off to Paris with the cast to continue our international press tour "Burlesque, which stars Aguilera and Cher as ambitious stage dancers, was nominated for Best Motion Picture in the comedy/musical category, and also got a songwriting nod for the tune "Bound" that Aguilera co-wrote.
'Burlesque' Nominated For The 'Golden Globes'
Best Comedy/Musical
*Alice in Wonderland*Burlesque*The Kids Are All Right*Red*The Tourist
Best Original Song – Motion Picture
* Bound to You - Burlesque* Coming Home - Country Strong* I see the Light – Tangled* There’s A Place For Us – Chronicles of Narnia* You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me – Burlesque
Congratulations!
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