BURLESQUE
3 out of 5 stars

if there was ever an award for GAY FAVE MOVIE OF THE YEAR...this one takes it! why? do i even have to state the obvious i.e. it's got cher, xtina, AND a fiesty stanley tucci! (AND...alan cumming dancing burlesque) plus, i have never seen that many gays in one movie theater in my life... :P


plot-wise, this is a mashup of chicago the musical, showgirls, and moulin rouge. you really want to know...read on: starry-eyed ali (xtina) packs her bags for the city of angels AKA los angeles, and starts looking for work. she comes across an old-school burlesque lounge located in the dead center of sunset blvd., and immediately becomes infatuated with the music. (plus greeted by a sassy alan cumming @ the front door) she starts asking questions about work, and introduces herself to tess (cher) who immediately dismisses her. ali ultimately gets her big break when jealous rival nicki (kristen bell) unplugs the musical track to one of their numbers on stage... from there, xtina lets it ALL out... ;)

like i said, this has the musical qualities of chicago, the rivalry of showgirls, and almost the exact same problem/plot of moulin rouge. (esp. the part re: finance) add in some burlesque + pop melodies, and you get this movie! the music alone is AWESOME. (i soooo want the soundtrack!) acting...cher and xtina just play themselves so stanley tucci makes it up tremendouly for all the witty quips, sass, and all-around wonderful gay BFF for cher's character tess. BEST scenes: ALL of xtina's wonderful burlesque numbers, the pajama scene w/ jack, the wedding dance between tess and shawn, ALL of stanley tucci's scenes, and might i mention that cam gigadet is mr. yummy hottness? i think whether you're a gay or a straight (lady), you'll enjoy this one... ;)