CHER SETS BILLBOARD RECORD

Still from Burlesque

Incredible. Cher has just notched her sixth Billboard Number One over the past six decades - a record. Her Ballad You Haven't Seen the Last of Me, which appears in her latest Film Burlesque, tops the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play Songs Chart this week in Remixed format.  Surely this makes up for her not being able to make Sunday night's Golden Globe Awards due to her on-going Show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

The Song was also awarded Best Original Song in a Motion Picture at the Golden Globes on Sunday night, which Songwriter Dianne Warren accepted.  The one and only.

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)

2011 GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Golden Globe Award

Nominees for the 68th annual Golden Globe Awards were announced earlier today and the Hollywood Foreign Press Assocation made some good choices and some odd ones too in honouring the best in both Television and Film.  The King's Speech led all others with a total seven nominations, while The Fighter and The Social Network followed behind closely with six each.

Nominees for Best Motion Picture, Drama include Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The King's Speech and The Social Network - all excellent and deserving choices.  The HFPA however, raised a few eyebrows for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy with choices like Alice in Wonderland 3-D, Burlesque, The Tourist and Red, showing signs that perhaps this category has outgrown its name? The clear-cut favourite here would be The Kids Are All Right, looking like a shoe-in for the win against these.

The match for Best Director is a competitive one with finalists which including Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), David Fincher (The Social Network), Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), Christopher Nolan (Inception) and David O. Russell (The Fighter) - all deserving of the win.

"THE TOURIST" FALLS SHORT AS "NARNIA" SOARS; "BLACK SWAN" AND "THE FIGHTER" WOW AT BOX OFFICE

Still from The Tourist

Yikes. Despite high hopes for Sony Pictures' seemingly sure-fire hit The Tourist starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie, Deadline reports that the Action-Drama looks like it will only bring in about $18.5 million. Keep in mind though that despite its in Wide Release, it is showing on only 2,756 Screens compared to this Weekend's expected Box Office Champion Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of Dawn Teader 3-D. The latest in the series of Children's Book adaptations likely will pull in $28.5 million by end of day Sunday.  Reviews for both are mixed to negative according to Critical aggregate Rotten Tomaotes.

Last week's top Film Disney's Tangled 3-D pulled in $3.4 million last night, which will place it in third overall with $14.5 million approximately. Surprisingly still in-the-money is Christina Aguilera and Cher's  Burlesque, which likely will  pull-in $3.2 million in by end of Weekend; good enough to land it in sixth but still not enough to recoup its $55 million spent in production costs.

All eyes are Fox Searchlight's Black Swan which continues to wow. Expanding only to 90 theatres yesterday, it still brought in $925k. Expect it to place in eighth with $3 million. 

Boiling under is The Fighter which premiered last night in New York City with Amy Adams and Mark Wahlberg in attendance, earning a stellar $90k from just four theatres as the "Irish" Mickey Ward-centered Biopic debuted in Limited Release. Expect big things as buzz is feverish and don't forget to check back tomorrow for pics from its Toronto Premiere right here.

HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS AND TANGLED 3-D.... ANY NOBODY ELSE AT BOX OFFICE

Still from Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows

What are you guys seeing this weekend? Well, Moviegoers have been pretty clear this U.S. Thanksgiving Weekend that it's all about Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows or Disney's Tangled 3-D. Both have been performing extremely well at the Box Office - the former estimated to bring in $81 million this five day-Holiday in its second week and the latter expected to pull in $70 million in its debut.  It is projected they will account for an easy one-two on the tally.

Many eyes are on Sony Screen Gems' Burlesque which I am sorry to say is under-performing, expected to garner $17 million over the five day-weekend. Not even the Buying Power of Gays and Girls could save this one it seems that it likely will mark a big loss for the Studio, which spent over $50 million on Production alone.  Likely, it will place fourth of fifth overall this weekend.

Check out my reviews for each of these:

Burlesque 

Tangled 3-D

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows

CELEBRITIES WEIGH-IN WITH REVIEWS FOR "BURLESQUE"

Still from Burlesque

Although these sources are v. one-sided, here is what some notable names are Tweeting about Burlesque, which premiered last night at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

Author @jackiejcollins: "Saw BURLESQUE. It is one long great looking video! Cher is of course amazing."

Heiress and Reality TV Star @KhloeKardashian: "OMG!!! Wow!! I can't say one bad thing about Burlesque! That was amazing! Congrats to all the amazing dancers, actors, singers!"

Access Hollywood Personality Shaun Robinson @ShaunsSanctuary: "Just saw special screening of BURLESQUE with Cher and Christina Aguilera. Loved the dance numbers and Christina can BLOW!"

Actress @JaneFonda: "I had a really good time at Burlesque."

@BoyGeorge: "I saw a preview of Cher's new movie with Christina Aguilera called Burlesque, looks interesting".

Just another week to go before release....  Let me see you Burlesque!

BURLESQUE ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK REVIEW

In what's guaranteed to be the campiest Movie event of the Year, Burlesque's accompanying Soundtrack serves as a teaser of what's to come. And based on this ten track Collection which clocks-in at just over 30 minutes, we can expect a v. mixed bag of things really. A bit of Big Band Jazz and Swing, Motown and Contemporary Pop featuring star Christina Aguilera's overwhelmingly big vocals. Surprise! Veteran Diva Cher pops-up on a couple tracks here too.

After previewing the Burlesque Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, I feel that still it's rather difficult to get a sense these songs are telling a story versus being more overtly, vocal showcases. Aguilera is back to doing what she does best here with that blessed gift of a voice she possesses, especially after her last effort Bionic being particularly lacking.  Aguilera uses these songs more as a creative outlet, exercising her vocal chops in musical genres she might not normally be able to do on a Disc under her own name.  Her shining moment comes early in Etta James cover Something's Got a Hold on Me, while But I am a Good Girl has her playfully cooing in one of the few moments here where I feel she is actually in-character. Inasmuch as I hate to say it also, Bound to You sounds like an unused track from the Sia-Aguilera studio sessions for her Bionic, seeming a bit out-of-place.

Cher has not lost a step vocally at all, spicing things up on Welcome to Burlesque and never overdoing it.  Reuniting with the same Writer who penned massive 1989 hit If I could Turn Back Time, Diane Warren, she shines in Power Ballad You Haven't Seen the Last of Me.  The track  actually is remarkably similar to Whitney Houston's I Didn't Know My Own Strength on that one's 2009 attempt at a comeback, I Look to You.

My question is this - where is the rest of the Cast on this Disc? Is this a Musical with only two singers in it, seriously? I suppose we'll soon find out soon enough on November 26, 2010 when Burlesque hits theatres for U.S. Thanksgiving Weekend.  Sony Music's Burlesque Original Motion Picture Soundtrack hits stores November 22, 2010.  Grade: C+

NELLY FURTADO AND P!NK TO RELEASE GREATEST HITS

Mark your Calendars, Mavenati! November 16th, traditionally a big day for Album releases, will be an exciting day for Music Lovers. Both P!nk and Nelly Furtado have announced that they are releasing Greatest Hits collections on this date.

Furtado who first surfaced November 2000 with debut album Whoa, Nelly!, will be releasing The Best of Nelly Furtado from Geffen Records/Universal Music, which will feature new tracks Night is Young and Girlfriend, both produced by Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse). It's been a while since we've heard new English material from Furtado, so expectations are high.  Night is Young premiered on BBC Radio this past weekend; you can preview a live version of it here.

P!nk - Raise Your Glass Single Artwork

Another Pop Legend P!nk continues professing her love for exclamation marks with her Greatest Hits package, Greatest Hits.... So Far! from Sony Music. The collection will feature two new tracks including new single Raise Your Glass, which will be sent to radio later today. I'll feature the track as soon as it becomes available.  In the video for the track, it is said that she will be marrying a Gay couple.  Always stirring the pot, that P!nk!

Oh yes, and Rihanna's new studio effort LOUD! will be out that same day, as will the Soundtrack to Burlesque (aka Glitter 2010)! Although not my thing, Rascal Flatts, Bruce Springsteen and Norah Jones are also heavy hitters with releases that day. Start putting aside some of that pocket change!

(Photo credit: Sony Music/NellyFurtado.com)

CHRISTINA AGUILERA AND CHER'S BURLESQUE - OFFICIAL POSTER

Hurry up and release this hot mess, please.  The official poster for Burlesque starring Christina Aguilera and Cher, has just been released and it reminds me of those '80s Art Deco Photos I'd see at the Hair Salon or Dentist's Office as a child.  Memories.  Please let this be as good as Glitter and Showgirls ....combined!

Visit the film's official website here.  Burlesque hits theatres on American Thanksgiving, November 24, 2010.

THE O.C.'S PETER GALLAGHER SPOTTED IN TORONTO

The O.C. fans will find comfort in knowing that veteran actor Peter Gallagher, who played Sandy Cohen on the popular Teen Drama series, is already at work on a new project.  Gallagher has been in Toronto since April filming Spy series Covert Affairs, which also stars Coyote Ugly's Piper Perabo, who although lovable has struggled to carve a niche in film.  The show premiered on USA Network just two weeks ago and production is scheduled to continue until the end of August.

Gallagher was seen in Yorkville with a male friend earlier this evening walking eastbound to grab a bite.  He was shocked that people recognized him and had items for him to autograph, thus stopping for a moment to pose for photos and autographs.  His friend joked what an attractive young man he once was, as Gallagher signed an older photo of himself.  

The actor will be appearing in two big releases later this year including Burlesque alongside Christina Aguilera and Cher, plus the eagerly anticipated Oscar contender Conviction starring Sam Rockwell and Hilary Swank.  Busy Man.

Look below for more pics I got of Gallagher:

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CHRISTINA AGUILERA?

Christina Aguilera has been on my mind a lot these days, so I decided to Google her quickly and it looks like she is busy wrapping up her next RCA Records studio album Bionic, which will pick up where she left off with her more recent single Keeps Gettin' Better, in the electro dance-pop direction.   Although I myself feel that this isn't her forté necessarily, I respect her artistic direction.  she needs full arrangements that will showcase that superb gift of a voice she has.  Bionic is due tentatively this April, although nothing she releases will ever top her gem of a sophomore album Stripped which I recently listed as one of the past decade's best.

Aguilera has began pre-production on Burlesque from director Steve Antin (brother of Robin, founder of The Pussycat Dolls) November also.  You know how much I love musicals, so I will be awaiting its November 2010 release via Sony Screen Gems eagerly.  The film stars Cher (!!!!) who acts as Aguilera's mentor and the amazing Stanley Tucci plays the Cabaret-inspired club's owner.  The film apparently will have lots of Bob Fosse influence which I loved so much in CHICAGO and NINE.  Grey's Anatomy hunk Eric Dane, known more of late for the world's most boring sex tape, just signed on too.  Veronica Mars and Forgetting Sarah Marshall star Kristen Bell who also stars in the film, was quoted recently as having said that this film is going to "turn her into a lesbian".  Well, if that's any indication, I think I'm going to love it.

Can't wait to hear more.  The above photo (WENN Photos) of Cher and Aguilera was taken the first day of filming on-set yesterday.  Kudos to the respective Paparazzi on a job well done!