BURLESQUE

In the last decade, pop divas haven't exactly had the best track record on the silver screen. Now it's Christina Aguilera's turn to show her skills, which she attempts to do in "Burlesque," a star-is-born drama out in November from Screen Gems. The singer plays Ali, the prototypical small-town girl with starry eyes who buses herself all the way from Iowa to the Hollywood sign to fulfill her dreams of stardom. She starts waiting tables at a "neo-burlesque" club, run by the world-weary Tess (Cher). Ali tries to convince the lounge's owner that she has what it takes to be a part of the club's act, but Tess and her surly counterpart, Sean, don't think she has the chops. That is, until she gets on stage and belts out a song like — well, Christina Aguilera.