The Last Two Movies of 2010

Of course, we had to see Burlesque, if only to keep our Pink Cards up to date without fear of paying the renewal fees. We went into the theater with moderate expectation, and both enjoyed the film. I found it to be a mix of Chicago, Cabaret and Coyote Ugly, and it was a lot of fun with great singing from both Christina Aguilera and Cher. (Boy, can Cher still belt out a song!!) Not the best acting, but I think that may have to do with the script -- though it had some great one-liners. Stanley Tucci does a funny job as Sean, the club's wardrobe and stage manager, And who could not like the eye candy of Cam Gigandet (pictured) and his little box of Famous Amos cookies? (If you've seen the film, you know what I'm talking about.) Burlesque is a perfect matinee movie, very melodramatic and fun to watch.

Tangled is Disney's take on the classic fairytale Rapunzel. A young girl with long, golden hair remains enclosed high atop a tower thanks to her "mother" who really only wants to use the magical powers borne into Rapunzel's hair. Rapunzel's one dream is to see the lanterns that are released every year on her birthday, thought her "mother" refuses to allow her to leave the tower, warning her that the world is a very, scary place. However, a dashing thief named Flynn is on the lam from the palace guards and stumbles across Rapunzel's tower by accident. He climbs the tower, hoping to hide from the guards, but instead finds a young woman who wields a mean frying pan. Seeing her one chance to flee the tower -- even temporarily -- Rapunzel convinces Flynn to take her to the lanterns.

Definitely a fun film, and I liked Disney's take on the fairytale. The music from Alan Menken and Gary Slater is catchy an fits well with the characters, and I enjoyed both Mandy Moore's and Donna Murphy's vocal performances. And I must say the scene in which the lanterns are released while Rapunzel and Flynn float in the harbor is one of the most beautifully crafted scenes on film. Simply stunning.

Image for Burlesque from Burlesque movie site. Image for Tangled from Tangled movie site.