How Do You Burlesque?

I finally got around to seeing the much-discussed movie musical Burlesque the other afternoon. The film is a delightful romp, if you don't look too close at the weak and overplayed plot.

Christina Aguilera is perfectly serviceable as Ali, a young girl from Ohio who drops her job as a waitress and buys a ticket to LA to find fame and fortune. It's a tale as old as film, but director Steve Antin does manage to obscure the frequently used plot under a layer of glitz and feathers. When Ali doesn't find a singing job during her first day in LA, she is intrigued by a glimpse of dancer Coco lounging on a balcony outside Cher's club.

The plot goes into overdrive, Ali forces her way into a waitress job and then her rented room is burglarized, leading her to stay with the bartender. When she realizes he isn't gay, a flirtatious friendship emerges. She lucks into an audition for a dancing position, then a singing job and a romance with Grey's Anatomy's Eric Dane. Dane's Marcus wants to buy out the club, but Cher isn't selling. Even as her ex-husband and business partner (played Peter Gallager's Eyebrows) tries to talk her into it, because (plot point!) the business isn't making any money.

In the end, Cher [SPOILER ALERT] doesn't have to sell the Burlesque club and Christina is a stripping/dancing/singing triple threat and Stanley Tucci is funny as hell. So all is well, but the real reason to see Burlesque is for the amazing musical numbers. Cher and Christina each have a show stopping ballad and there are several jazzy stripteases. Plus, Cam Gigandent's naked with just a box of Famous Amos covering his cookies.

Five Songs On Shuffle Vol. 7

Here is the seventh installment of my weekly blog entry series "5 Songs On Shuffle." I’ll put my iTunes on shuffle and blog about the first five songs that play.

"Believe" - Cher Believe
OK, let break it down. Gay men love Cher, it's just a fact of life. I don't love every Cher song, but who can resist dancing to this club track? Funny story behind how I got this CD. My sister Rachel babysat for my cousin's son when this CD came out. My cousin had gotten this CD and didn't like it I guess, since she gave it to Rachel as a bonus. Rachel must've played it way too much while at my cousin's house, cause one day I was playing it and my cousin came running out and just very angrily turned it off, she had heard it way too much. I think I then stole it from Rachel, but she's really not a Cher kind of person she may have just given it to me.

"I'm Into Something Good" - Earl-Jean One Kiss Can Lead To Another: Girl Groups Lost & Found [Disc Two]
This boxed set of rare singles, minor hits and flops alike, from the hey-day of girl group fever is awesome. For a pop fan, these are the cream of the crop, songs that are hooky, full of harmonies and sing-along choruses, but not overplayed. Plus, it features rare tracks by stars like Dolly Parton, Cher, Twiggy, The Supremes, The Ronnettes and complete unknowns alike. And the packaging is delicious, it's a black and white hatbox, with each CD in a case that looks like a makeup compact and an almost 200 page liner note book designed like a vintage diary. This is the original version of the Herman's Hermits hit, sung by the lead singer of the Cookies. Just bouncy pop fun, like I love.

"Getting Into You" - Relient K Two Lefts Don't Make A Right... But Three Do
I always describe Relient K as a "the Ohio snark-punk-poppers," but this is not a snarky song. It's a sweet description of love between God and man, and man for his fellow man. Relient K is the only band to have three full albums on my iPod at all times. Definitely my favorite emo band.
"Know My Name" Blake Lewis feat. Lupe Fiasco Audio Day Dream
Supposedly written about Natalie Portman, this tale of celeb crushes is one of the many stand outs on American Idol runner up Blake Lewis's debut album. And while I still am miffed over his possibly homophobic comment in Blender, this album is a hot electropop collection. And after his interview over at Electroqueer, I'm thinking I may have misjudged Blake. Of course, his hotness may just be clouding my judgement, I'd love a slice of his moist delicious Cake. (AI shippers know what I'm talkin' 'bout!)

"Filthy/Gorgeous" - Scissor Sisters Scissor Sisters
My iPod is a British gay club kid, it is official. I've only done seven of these Five Songs On Shuffle blogs, and this is the third track to pop up from the Scissor Sisters' debut album. This is tied with "Tits On the Radio" for my favorite track, I do love some really dirty pop music. Electronica with a bouncy vibe, and the lyrics are, well, filthy and gorgeous.