Dido, A.R. Rahman '127 Hours' Song Nominated For An Oscar, Xtina Screams Into Her Pillow

I've had an aversion to 127 Hours ever since its release last fall. Something about watching hot piece of tail James Franco hack off his arm doesn't exactly seem like popcorn fare.

Likewise, I've had an aversion to Dido ever since she warbled on the horrid 2004 Band Aid 20 abortion of a charity single, the release—and utter injustice—of which (true story) partly inspired the creation of Chart Rigger.

But surprise! Dido and composer A.R. Rahman's dirge from 127 Days, "If I Rise," has been nominated for a Best Original Song Oscar (along with “Coming Home” from Country Strong, “I See the Light” from Tangled and “We Belong Together” from Toy Story 3), while Christina Aguilera and Cher's semi-entertaining musical flick Burlesque was shut out. "If I Rise" was co-written by Dido's brother Rollo Armstrong.



Last week Diane Warren won a Golden Globe for penning Cher's big Burlesque ballad, "You Haven't Seen The Last Of Me."

Oh, well—that was a good jam, but those old broads should just concentrate on slapping together Cher's new album. It's only been ten years since Living Proof, after all. And, Jesus—even Britney, who went through some cracked-out years, is about to release her fifth album since 2001.

Chart Rigger turned 6 this week. Fill out the fun pop blogiversary questionnaire.

So How's 'Burlesque' Doing At The Box Office?

If, like me, you've been morbidly curious to watch how Christina Aguilera/Cher flick Burlesque performs at the box office, then you're probably just as surprised to find that, after an avalanche of bad reviews (and a 35% rating on RottenTomatoes.com), the movie has grossed nearly $20 million since its release last Wednesday.

In fact, while attendance for both Harry Potter and Tangled dropped off from Monday to Tuesday, it shot up for Burlesque. Likewise, the soundtrack, which debuts on the new Billboard Top 200 chart this week at #18 with 63,000 copies sold, has been hovering in the Top 10 on iTunes since the weekend.

(I should mention that, yes, I saw the movie—on Thanksgiving, no less! Knocking back several cocktails at dinner beforehand is definitely the way to go, though, c'mon—Burlesque is not as bad as some are making it out to be. Oh, sorry—that might be the alcohol talking?)

It's probably safe to say that the film's $55 million budget won't be recouped in U.S. ticket sales alone. In fact, it's probably more likely that Cher will have her original tits screwed back on. But once overseas box office numbers are factored in, Burlesque will escape being a Glitter-like flop.

Or, for that matter, even a Bionic-like flop.

Another Cher

Cher is the offering for today and yesterday. I'm trying to hone my airbrushing technique, the control and adjustments need some getting used to. I'm not sure about the highlight on the right, I think it might look better without it? I'm going to mull over it for a while and see what I think when I go back to it. I really only did the picture to play with her spiky hair, little things please me! Plus it seems to be the closest thing to a smile I can find for a recent picture of Cher!

Yuk

This is last night's attempt, I'm not happy with it at all, doesn't look like her. I've concluded that I shouldn't try drawing whilst drinking! As a result I've spent a while today trying to get a better likeness but the picture I've been working with was too old and small - it really emphasises what all that cosmetic surgery has done for her image - the nose is quite accurate for the picture I had. After a while looking on the internet, I came up with a better likeness, but she isn't smiling as I found it hard to find one of her smiling, then I remembered she tends not to! Anyway my best result, so far, today is this one seen below.

I think I'll try a few more later, but without the alcohol.