Victoria Beckham is lashing out a critics who have accused her of having a miserable image as of late. Remember people, she just had a baby and went back to work soon there after! give the woman a break, I think she looks incredible, and seems to be pulling off Super Mom quite well. She tells Britain?s Sunday Mirror, ?Look, if people want to say I?m miserable then so be it. I?m really not. I have a lot on my plate. I?m not going to lie about it, I?m tired. I?m really tired but I?m also very happy with my life. ?I?m basically just like any woman who?s working and has lots of children ? it?s tough. I?m not getting much sleep at all. Harper?s not sleeping that great, and I?ve been taking Skype business calls throughout the night too because of the collections. I?m up with the baby as all moms are and I wouldn?t have it any other way. There?s not a team of people doing it for me. And then people want to say I look crap. Well, I?m a working mom, so give me a break? I?d like there to be a break but I very [...]
But he also didn’t want to actually drink during filming — like he had done before — to play Haymitch. By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Woody Harrelson in “The Hunger Games” Photo: Lionsgate
Anyone familiar with “The Hunger Games” books knows the character Haymitch Abernathy is mostly memorable for one thing: drunkenness. Sure, his character has a more multifaceted arc over the course of Suzanne Collins’ trilogy, but in speaking of the first book and film adaptation, Haymitch’s most recognizable trait is his near-constant intoxication.
When MTV News caught up with Woody Harrelson recently, the man who will be bringing the District 12 victor and mentor to life via the big-screen adaptation on March 23, we him how he approached his character’s inebriation.
“It’s an intriguing thing for me to play, because it’s not something I’ve had that much opportunity to play,” Harrelson said. “I was a little bit worried about looking phony, that phony drunk thing. Some Method actors might go drunk onscreen; I can’t do that. I tried it one time,” he admitted. “When I was doing ‘Indecent Proposal,’ I had this one scene, and I was supposed to be really drunk, contesting Robert Redford’s love for Demi Moore, and I got smashed because I was supposed to be, so I rationalized it, and that wasn’t a pleasant experience.”
Harrelson said he and “Games” director Gary Ross spent time coming up with the right level of inebriation, a point that suited the character but did not completely detract or distract from the story.
“There was a thing with me and Gary trying to decide the level of drunkenness in any given scene, and I was always pushing for more drunk, and he didn’t want me to be drunk in every scene,” he said. “He was always pulling back, and I was always pushing for more just because I think it’s kind of funny and interesting. Knowing Gary, he got the right balance.”
How will Lady Gaga arrive this year? Join Sway and James Montgomery on the red carpet, starting 5 p.m. Sunday on MTV.com. By Gil Kaufman
Jennifer Lopez at the 2000 Grammys Photo: Getty Images
<P>What's the point of getting all dolled up for the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/grammys">Grammy Awards</a> if no one notices your outfit? Since not everyone can earn a nomination or score a performance slot, sometimes you have to make your own news by crashing the red carpet with an eye-popping outfit that is sure to get tongues wagging. It's anyone's guess what this year's attendees will be wearing on Sunday night at the 54th annual awards show, but MTV News will be camped out on the carpet for a full three hours before the festivities kick off and we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for all the outrageous looks and fashions. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/photos/10-shocking-grammy-red-carpet-moments/1678986/6893746/photo.jhtml" target="_blank"><b><big>Click for photos of our most-shocking Grammy red carpet moments!</b></big></a> In the meantime, we thought it was worth a look back at some of the legendary entrances from Grammys past: </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="id:1678854" width="240" height="211"></div><p> <B>Lady Gaga egg</B>: Sure, Justin Bieber toted his pet snake to last year's show, but it was, of course, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml">Lady Gaga</a> who turned the most heads by getting carried down the carpet in a <a href="/news/articles/1657833/lady-gaga-grammy-arrival-egg.jhtml">giant, see-through egg</a> that she incubated in before emerging later in the night for her performance of "Born This Way." <B>Britney gets bodied</B>: Britney Spears has long prided herself on wearing what she wants, when she wants. But someone should have pulled her aside in 2010 before she exited the car in an oddball Dolce & Gabbana bodysuit overlaid with a lace dress that turned heads for all the wrong reasons. <B>M.I.A.'s pregnancy chic</B>: With her <a href="/news/articles/1678599/mia-super-bowl-halftime-middle-finger.jhtml">middle finger</a> firmly tucked into place, the rapper/singer made her way into the <a href="/news/articles/1604583/mia-talks-baby-slumdog-at-grammys.jhtml">2009 show while nine-months pregnant</a> in a cartoony, ruffled blue maternity dress and matching sneakers. <B>Coldplay play dress up</B>: It was kind of cool when Coldplay stuck with their bold Sgt. Pepper's-style suits for the whole <I>Viva La Vida</I> tour. But when they wore them to the <a href="/news/articles/1604580/lil-wayne-coldplay-win-big-at-grammys.jhtml">2009 show</a>, it just felt … silly. <B>OK Go … back to the drawing board</B>: Viral icons OK Go are experts at drawing attention to their music with trippy, how-did-they-do-that videos. They drew mostly sniggers, though, when they donned matching brocade curtain-looking red-and-gold suits to the 2007 show. Their smartest move may have been to cover their faces with red cloth. <B>R. Kelly, man of mystery</B>: Kels has made a career out of being inscrutable , but his bold sartorial choice at the 2004 Grammys was, well, weird. From the neck down he wore an elegant three-button black suit and tie, but the matching Robin mask? Who knows? <B>Alicia Keys gets funky</B>: Nobody really knows what Keys was thinking in 2002 when she walked the carpet wearing embroidered jeans, sandals, a white tank and a sheer green sari-like shift with a built in, bedazzled headdress. <B>Toni Braxton lets it all hang out</B>: Sometimes it's what you <I>don't</I> wear that gets attention. In 2001, singer Braxton sported a barely-there white "dress" that hardly covered her assets with strips of material that dangled in the front and back. <B>Jennifer Lopez's plunging neckline</B>: Way before she was an "American Idol" judge, Lopez sent hearts racing in 2000 with her instantly infamous plunging neckline Versace gown. <b>Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our <a href="/news/articles/1678706/grammy-awards-red-carpet-live-stream.jhtml">Grammy red-carpet live stream</a> this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the <a href="http://style.mtv.com/category/awards-shows/">Grammy red-carpet fashion</a>, <a href="/news/articles/1678701/grammy-winners-list.jhtml">Grammy winners</a> and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!</b></p>
We forecast the year that will be for your favorite stars, in Bigger Than the Sound. By James Montgomery
Beyonce on the 2011 VMA black carpet Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images
<P>Welcome to 2012, the year that will either bring us <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_phenomenon" target="_blank">the end of civilization</a> as we know it or perhaps flying cars (finally!) Of course, between those two events, there's also going to be a presidential election, the London Olympics and that last "Twilight" movie (finally x 100!), not to mention a whole lot of activity within the lives of your favorite stars, too: Babies, weddings, honorary doctorates in nanotechnology; <i>this</i> is the year it'll all happen. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:722495.id:1672369" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Which is why, with the new year upon us, I've decided to get my <a href="http://www.amazingkreskin.com/" target="_blank">Kreskin</a> on with these predictions for 2012. Don't ask me to gaze deep into my crystal ball and try to foresee who'll win the White House or the World Series, because, seriously, if I knew that, don't you think I'd be wagering right now? Instead, I'm tackling the <i>important</i> topics. Here's my 2012 forecast for the Beyoncés and Britneys of the world … partly cloudy, with a zero-percent chance of accuracy. » <a href="/music/artist/knowles_beyonce/artist.jhtml">Beyoncé</a> and <a href="/music/artist/jay_z/artist.jhtml">Jay-Z</a> will welcome a daughter, who, upon her, uh, <i>release,</i> will also release her debut single, "Run the World (Me)." » <a href="/music/artist/adele/artist.jhtml">Adele</a> will win every single Grammy, including a stunning upset of <i>Eres Un Farsante</i> in the Best Regional Mexican Or Tejano Album category. » <a href="/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> and Jason Trawick will tie the knot in an elaborate, multi-denominational ceremony held — eh, I don't even care enough to finish this one. » <a href="/music/artist/perry_katy/artist.jhtml">Katy Perry</a>, having finally run out of singles to release off <i>Teenage Dream,</i> will spend the entirety of 2012 shooting videos for objects around her house. Her hits will include "Toaster," "KitchenAid Tilt-Head Stand Mixer" and "This Towel Set Someone Gave Russell and I for Our Wedding That We Keep in the Guest Bathroom." » <a href="/music/artist/dr_dre/artist.jhtml">Dr. Dre</a> will indefinitely scrap <i>Detox</i> and instead drop a more age-appropriate album called <i>The Chronic Arthritis.</i> » <a href="/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml">Lady Gaga</a> will wear a crazy hat or something. » <a href="/music/artist/rihanna/artist.jhtml">Rihanna</a> will release six albums in 2012, each more raunchy than the last. Titles include <i>Speculum,</i> <i>[Censored] [Censored] On My [Censored],</i> and <i>Songs About F—ing,</i> which, oddly, will be a note-for-note remake of Big Black's <i>Songs About F—ing.</i> » Dave Grohl is sure to do something awesome. » <a href="/music/artist/drake/artist.jhtml">Drake</a>'s sweater game will become so advanced that he will surpass Bill Cosby as the world's foremost expert on multi-hued knitwear. On a related note, he will also release a comedy album called <i>To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With.</i> » <a href="/music/artist/minaj__nicki/artist.jhtml">Nicki Minaj</a> will stun the fashionistas when she appears at the annual Met Ball wearing a nice pantsuit she bought at Bealls. » <a href="/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a> will finally get that bike without the training wheels, since he's a big boy now. » <a href="/music/artist/black_keys/artist.jhtml">The Black Keys</a>, buoyed by the success of their <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-black-keys/706819/lonely-boy.jhtml">"Lonely Boy" video</a>, will shoot another dance-only clip for "Gold on the Ceiling," this one set at Gallagher's 2000 and featuring nothing but topless women. Surprisingly, it will become the most-viewed music video in the history of everything. » <a href="/music/artist/lil_wayne/artist.jhtml">Lil Wayne</a> will come full circle, get a tattoo <i>of</i> his face <i>on</i> his face. » <a href="/music/artist/guns_n_roses/artist.jhtml">Guns N' Roses</a> will reunite at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in April, only with that dude who plays a guitar shaped like a foot filling in for Slash and Tommy Stinson replacing Duff on bass. So, actually, it won't be Guns N' Roses at all. » <a href="/music/artist/coldplay/artist.jhtml">Coldplay</a>'s Chris Martin is just going to be fingerpainting everything. » <a href="/music/artist/ross__rick__rap_/artist.jhtml">Rick Ross</a> will be named the Memphis Restaurant Association's Restaurateur of the Year for his tremendous achievements in <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/05/rick-ross-wingstop">Wingstop-ery.</a> » <a href="/music/artist/west_kanye/artist.jhtml">Kanye West</a> will <i>literally</i> explode. » Fans of <a href="/music/artist/skrillex/artist.jhtml">Skrillex</a> will stop and realize that, in 1997, EDM was poised take over America too, and we ended up with Limp Bizkit as a result.</p>
From Lady Gaga’s egg to Katy Perry’s wedding video, plenty of crazy went down at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards. By John Mitchell
Lady Gaga arrives at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images
<P>The 54th annual <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/grammys/">Grammy Awards</a> are just a day away and everyone in the MTV Newsroom is starting to get excited. Will <a href="/music/artist/knowles_beyonce/artist.jhtml">Beyoncé"</a> show up? How will <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/adele/artist.jhtml">Adele</a> sound in her first major live performance since undergoing surgery to repair a vocal cord hemorrhage? What color will <a href="/music/artist/perry_katy/artist.jhtml">Katy Perry"</a>'s hair be? What will <a href="/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml">Lady Gaga"</a> wear? We can't wait to find out. But if last year's show is any indication, it's safe to say that just about anything could happen at Los Angeles' Staples Center on Sunday night. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:621416.id:1657665" width="240" height="211"></div><p> The quirk factor was high at <a href="/news/articles/1657879/grammy-awards-arcade-fire-lady-antebellum.jhtml">last year's Grammys</a>, and it got started long before a single award was handed out. Lady Gaga's red carpet arrival inside of a pearlescent egg carried by four scantily clad dudes wearing prosthetics on their faces and shoulders should have been reminder enough that the unusual is the norm at the Grammys. But in case it wasn't, the show itself delivered Muppets and Katy Perry on a swing. We've rounded up five big moments from last year's show to remind you why the Grammys are the craziest awards show of the year. <b>» Lady Gaga arrives in that freakin' egg, er, "vessel."</b><br> Never one to just casually stroll the red carpet in a pretty dress, Lady Gaga went to great lengths to make every element of her Grammy appearance part of a larger art piece that culminated in the performance of her then-new single "Born this Way." It all started on the red carpet, when she arrived already inside her <a href="/news/articles/1657833/lady-gaga-grammy-arrival-egg.jhtml">"vessel,"</a> later claiming to Jay Leno that she'd been in a state of artistic incubation inside it for 72 hours. (Did you just roll your eyes? We think you just rolled your eyes!) The pop star emerged to deliver a full-voiced — if otherwise joyless — performance of the song, which at the time was drawing <a href="http://www.popeater.com/2011/02/11/lady-gaga-born-this-way-madonna-express-yourself/" target="_blank">heavy criticism</a> for sounding maybe a little <i>too</i> much like <a href="/news/articles/1657803/lady-gaga-born-this-way-madonna.jhtml">Madonna's 1989 classic "Express Yourself,"</a> and went on to score three Grammys, including Best Pop Vocal Album for <i>The Fame Monster</i>. <b>» Did Christina Aguilera fall down after that showstopping Aretha Franklin tribute?</b><br> Last year's ceremony kicked off with an <a href="/news/articles/1657852/christina-aguilera-jennifer-hudson-aretha-franklin-grammy-tribute.jhtml">Aretha Franklin tribute</a> featuring Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch, Martina McBride and Yolanda Adams. The ladies delivered a rousing group performance of "(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman" before launching into solos of "Ain't No Way," "Until You Come Back to Me," "Think," "Respect" and "Spirit in the Dark" and closing with "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" — tearing the roof off the Staples Center. Except all anyone wanted to talk about afterward was how Christina maybe slipped a little in her towering heels. The performance came just one week after Xtina botched "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XLV (luckily, <a href="/news/articles/1678621/kelly-clarkson-national-anthem-super-bowl-46.jhtml">Kelly Clarkson's rendition</a> this year went smoothly), and it seemed like the "Beautiful" singer and "Voice" judge had fully redeemed herself after the debacle, delivering a fantastic vocal performance … until she stumbled onstage, sending <a href="http://www.popeater.com/2011/02/14/christina-aguilera-grammys-stumble/" target="_blank">gossips</a> into a tizzy that the singer may have been, we'll say, out of sorts during the performance despite much evidence to the contrary. Or maybe people just like a good near-fall? People get very excited when an entertainer loses her footing — <a href="/news/articles/1678570/madonna-super-bowl-halftime-fumbles.jhtml">don't they, Madonna?</a> Anyway, while everyone tried to make Xtina's mini-tumble a bigger story than it was, the ladies earned a richly deserved standing ovation for their tribute to Franklin, who was rather ill at the time but has since recovered, lost a bunch of weight, gotten engaged and ended that engagement. (A year in Hollywood time is like five years in normal person time … maybe that's why everyone is so afraid of getting older!) <b>» Bieber performs big, loses Best New Artist to unknown jazz bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding.</b><br> Justin Bieber's medley performance began with an acoustic strum through "Baby" but quickly segued into a raucous take on "Never Say Never," complete with breakdancing ninja acrobats, fire breathers and a cameo rap by "Karate Kid" star Jaden Smith. Biebs' mentor Usher even joined in on the fun for a pop-and-lock-heavy dance-off to his hit "OMG." But the <i>real</i> story with Bieber at last year's Grammys was that he lost. To Esperanza Spalding. A critically acclaimed but otherwise unknown jazz performer. Bieber didn't take the loss so well but his fans went even crazier, expressing the profound sadness they felt and bearing witness to their idol's defeat by hacking Spalding's Wikipedia page and changing her middle name to both "Justin" and "Quesadilla." One <a href="http://www.popeater.com/2011/02/14/esperanza-spalding-justin-bieber/" target="_blank">fan wrote</a>, "Justin Bieber deserved it go die in a hole. Who the heck are you anyway?" while another scribbled, "So the Esperanza Spalding has only 8 thousand followers on twitter and how many does Justin Bieber has?" It seems someone forgot to tell the Belieber army that the Grammys are not a popularity contest (well, they're not <i>supposed</i> to be, anyway) and that one's amount of Twitter followers is not taken into account when deciding the winners. Duly noted! <b>» Katy Perry performed the ballad "Not Like the Movies" while on a swing, playing video from her wedding to Russell Brand.</b><br> If you needed further proof that <i>a lot</i> can change in just a single year, look no further than Katy Perry's performance at last year's ceremony. Much like she did on her California Dreams Tour, Perry performed her ballad "Not Like the Movies" while sitting on a swing as video from her elaborate <a href="/news/articles/1657862/katy-perry-grammy-performance.jhtml">October 2010 wedding to Russell Brand</a> was projected behind her. Though one would think a sweet performance like Katy's would shut the gossip mill down for at least a little while, the couple was already back to defending their strange union less than two months later when Brand co-hosted "Live!" with Kelly Ripa. By year's end, Perry and Brand's marriage was <a href="/news/articles/1676630/russell-brand-katy-perry-divorce.jhtml">officially no more</a>, and it made re-watching her performance from last year for the purposes of this article, um, kind of awkward. <b>» Cee Lo performed "Forget You" with a bunch of Muppets (and Gwyneth Paltrow). </b><br> No, no one at your Grammy party spiked your drink. Cee Lo Green, wearing a crazy red bear suit and a rainbow fan of feathers (think peacock), really did perform his Grammy-nominated smash <a href="/news/articles/1657860/cee-lo-gwyneth-paltrow-grammy-performance.jhtml">"Forget You"</a> backed by a bunch of singing and dancing Muppets while Oscar-winning home health guru Gwyneth Paltrow writhed atop his piano. Oddly, the whole thing worked like gangbusters and was a big old ball of fun. (And when was the last time anyone associated the word "fun" with Gwyneth Paltrow? Such is the funky power of Cee Lo.) This year's show has the potential to outdo last year's in the water-cooler department with Rihanna and Chris Brown both set to perform under the same roof for the first time since, well, you know … in addition to plenty of interesting collabos, including a special electronic dance music performance set to feature the Foo Fighters (right?), and whatever Lady Gaga decides to get into. <i>What are you most looking forward to at this year's Grammys? Let us know in the comments below.</i> <b>Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our <a href="/news/articles/1678706/grammy-awards-red-carpet-live-stream.jhtml">Grammy red-carpet live stream</a> this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the <a href="http://style.mtv.com/category/awards-shows/">Grammy red-carpet fashion</a>, <a href="/news/articles/1678701/grammy-winners-list.jhtml">Grammy winners</a> and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!</b></p>
I’m here! I’m here! And I saw my first gang-banger get arrested yesterday so I feel like a total Angeleno.
I’m getting ready to go to the gym (again, like a total Angeleno!) so I will update later about my run-ins with Alexander Skarsgard, Pauly Shore, and Jeremy or Jason London (I’m not sure which one it was and seeing if I could force him to do drugs to find out seemed unfair. Besides, as it turned out, he was telling the truth?)
Anyhoo, I’ve got a lot to tell you about gardening! (Did you know if you get dirt wet it turns into mud? Yuck.)
And bumpers! (They don’t bump off anything… they go, “Scraaaaaaaatch!”)
And there’s probably more but, again, I have to go because I have to get to the gym!
Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominee Octavia Spencer recently spoke with PARADE (out in this upcoming Sunday?s issue) about her incredible year, her early days in show business, and more. And in some online exclusive outtakes posted today on Parade.com, Octavia discusses the big ticket gift she is giving herself. Here are some highlights from the [...]
Jennifer Aniston shows a lot of skin in her new comedy Wanderlust. As the trailers tease, the star spends a considerable number of scenes in various states of undress.
Jennifer Aniston’s boyfriend Justin Theroux revealed that she is “obsessed” with his break-dancing skills. Aniston has been after her beau to break-dance for her after [...]
It might be hard to believe, but at one time Nicki Minaj considered being something other than an award winning rapper/singer. In the March issue of Vogue on newsstands now, Nicki reveals that at one time she had other career … Continue reading →
Alex Rodriguez is bringing his own food to restaurants in order to watch his diet as he prepares for spring training in Florida. The Yankee slugger was spotted at the Mondrian Hotel pool in South Beach on Saturday afternoon having lunch with girlfriend Torrie Wilson. But A-Rod didn?t order from the menu ? sources say [...]
Ryan Seacrest tweets he ‘can’t think of a better guy’ for the pop star than fiancé Jason Trawick. By Kara Klenk
Jason Trawick and Britney Spears in the "Criminal" music video Photo: Jive
<P><a href="/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> is officially off the market. Reports were confirmed Friday (December 16) that the singer is <a href="/news/articles/1676120/britney-spears-is-engaged.jhtml">engaged to Jason Trawick</a>, her boyfriend of two years and "Criminal" video co-star. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:720382" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Fans of the pop princess sent their love and congratulatory wishes online shortly after the story surfaced. Everyone loves a comeback, and Britney Spears' fans are no exception. After a rough period in 2007 that included losing custody of her children and an infamous public head-shaving, Spears has spent the past three years getting her life together, and fans have taken notice. <a href="/news/articles/1676167/britney-spears-jason-trawick-engaged-timeline.jhtml"><b>Take a walk down memory lane with this timeline of Britney and Jason's relationship!</b></a> Facebook user Rosanna Principessa Fabbro wrote, "So happy for her. She really nailed it, turned her life way around, and look — now with a good man " Other fans gushed, while Zakir Khan wrote simply on Facebook, "Best of luck." On Twitter, @Elina_BS made a <a href="http://twitpic.com/7u58ry" target="_blank">Twitpic</a> card for the singer wishing her and Jason well. Many of Britney's fans have been listening to her music for almost their entire lives, so news of her engagement felt especially personal for them. @mollypannell1 tweeted, "Is it weird how happy I am for @britneyspears? So cuuute. I still remember when her first video came out. I was 7!" Celebs also took to Twitter to send their love. Ryan Seacrest <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/RyanSeacrest/status/147786909651972096" target="_blank">tweeted</a> his approval of the union, "I used to work w/ Jason Trawick and can't think of a better guy and more perfect match for @BritneySpears. Congrats guys." Nick Cannon also <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NickCannon/status/147764341058445312" target="_blank">tweeted</a> "Congrats @BritneySpears is engaged" and included a link to a <a href="http://www.nickcannon.com/post/britney-spears-jason-trawick-engaged" target="_blank">post</a> from his website that included a family photo of Britney, Jason and her two sons. If nothing else, this milestone in Britney's personal life has renewed her fans' love. @Mae_tweet wrote, "You can't help liking @britneyspears! With Britney's infectious, resilience & strength. Born survivor. Credits to her X." <i>Share your well-wishes for the newly engaged couple in the comments below!</i></p>
My good friend Caprice Crane’s new book, With a Little Luck, is out today. Yay, Caprice!
It’s gotten great reviews:
“Crane is one of the funniest writers of popular fiction around. The dialog (inner and outer) is laugh-out-loud, snort-inducing hilarious . . . Readers will want to cross their fingers and spit while throwing salt over their shoulders if it helps Berry reach her dreams. Highly recommended.”
—Library Journal
“Fans of Stacy Ballis and Cara Lockwood will appreciate Crane’s effortlessly funny style, which is often attempted in popular fiction but is rarely this well executed…Lighthearted and charmingly honest.”
—Booklist
“[A] satisfying romantic comedy…[with] real character growth.”
—Kirkus Reviews
And even better blurbs:
“Romantic, poignant and funny—this book is a lucky find for lit fans. Caprice Crane is a nimble and gifted storyteller.”
—Diablo Cody, Academy Award-winning screenwriter of Juno
“A hilarious romp that oozes charm and giddy fun. Caprice Crane is a true talent.”
—Molly Jong-Fast, author of The Social Climber’s Handbook
“Witty, fast-paced, and sheer fun. Caprice Crane is a master of dialogue. Half the time I was reading this book I was smiling, which made me look like a crazy person on the subway.”
—Jancee Dunn, author of Don’t You Forget About Me and Why Is My Mother Getting a Tattoo?
“Absolutely charming and hilarious.”
—Missy Peregrym, star of the movie Stick It and ABC’s Rookie Blue
“With a Little Luck scores in humor, head, and heart. In other words, it’s a perfect trifecta.”
—Karyn Bosnak, author of 20 Times a Lady (soon to be the major motion picture What’s Your Number?)
(Omg, who is that last fantastic blurber?) (I meant every word of it.)
And most importantly, she has the cutest dog ever (who likes to video chat with Bev):
Taking care of her parental responsibilities, Sandra Bullock dropped her son Louis off at his school in Los Angeles this morning (February 21).
The ?While You Were Sleeping? starlet definitely looked the part of the hot mom in her cardigan sweater/jacket and black boots.
Of her new movie ?Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close,? Sandra noted that just prior to taking the gig she dealing with the heartbreak of her ex-husband Jesse James? infidelity.
“I was perfectly content to be permanently broken. I honestly didn’t think I was in a place where I wanted to work or wanted to step out of where I was.?
“I wasn’t prepared. But the opportunity was louder than my head. What a great way to get back on the horse.”
Gabriel Aubry tried to put aside the stresses of the crazy custody battles and other drama with his ex Halle Berry and just enjoyed a fun-filled at the zoo with his daughter Nahla. Gabriel and Nahla were spotted strolling through … Continue reading →
The show mustn’t always go on. Thursday’s surprising news that The Colbert Report would be put on hiatus for the remainder of the week due to "unforeseen circumstances," prompted one question: Why? Now we may have the answer. A source close to the show tells the New York Post that host Stephen Colbert, 47, asked that production be temporarily halted so that he can care for his ailing 91-year-old mother, Lorna Colbert.
Whitney Houston may have had her share of difficult circumstances, but despite all of her troubles one person remained the late singer’s constant fan: Aretha Franklin.
TGIF, readers! Whew, so glad it’s Friday and the weekend is just upon us. I’m sure many of you will be enjoying a three day weekend, so if you’re traveling, be safe! In today’s edition of Celebrity Birthdays, “Ross” and “Monica’s” Mom is 77, “Al Borland” turns 56, and “Tommy Solomon” is 31. Guess who? Happy Birthday, Denise Richards! The actress is 41 years old today. Hopefully she’s taking the day off today since it’s her birthday, as Richards has been in Atlanta filming the latest Tyler Perry flick, “Madea’s Witness Protection”. Not only are her kids with her, but Charlie Sheen has decided to spend some time with them as well. They’ve come a long way from their turbulent past, what with their messy divorce and all, but it looks as if they have put that period behind them and now get along quite well. She even told Access Hollywood that their relationship is more of a brother/sister type. That’s good to hear. These two are winning, for the sake of their kids. Happy Birthday, Jerry O’Connell! The actor is 38 years old today. Can you believe that it’s been 26 years since “Stand By Me” came out? Gah, [...]
The show mustn’t always go on. Thursday’s surprising news that The Colbert Report would be put on hiatus for the remainder of the week due to "unforeseen circumstances," prompted one question: Why? Now we may have the answer. A source close to the show tells the New York Post that host Stephen Colbert, 47, asked that production be temporarily halted so that he can care for his ailing 91-year-old mother, Lorna Colbert.
We all have those moments when our parents say something that makes us cringe. In Cuba Gooding Jr.‘s case, one such moment involved his dad and his Jerry Maguire costar Tom Cruise.
If one movie a night is never enough for you and you’re looking for a flick to get you in the mood for this week’s new release, Double Feature Friday is here to help. This new weekly column takes a look at the week’s releases and pairs them with a complimentary film to watch before, [...]
Kristin Kreuk grew up before our eyes, playing the lovely Lana Lang on The CW’s Smallville. Now 29, she’s set to play the beautiful Belle on that network’s fairy-tale-inspired, Beauty and the Beast. (This show, by the way, is not to be confused with the animated Beauty and the Beast series that’s set to air on ABC).
Actress Reese Witherspoon is currently doing the obligatory press rounds to promote her latest movie, “This Means War”. She stopped by “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” to do just that plus dished on meeting Kate Middleton last summer and her love for Chia Pets! We’ve got a video clip of her appearance on Ellen (which will air Friday) for you to enjoy below. Reese Witherspoon collects Chia Pets? Who knew, right? I certainly never pictured her to be quite the connoisseur of the terracotta figures. Great, now I’ve got the “Ch-ch-ch–chia” jingle goin’ on in my head right now. Arrgh. Anyways, Ellen gifts her with a Mr. T Chia Pet, much to her surprise, and evidently the green mohawk growing thing was produced in limited quantities. Ellen asked Reese about meeting Kate Middleton, whom she met last summer when the royal newlyweds were in Los Angeles. “Somebody called me and said we?re having a really small fundraiser would you want to come over and meet the Prince and Princess? ?I was like, Yes. ?My husband just thought I was so dorky. ?He was like, why are you so excited? I must’ve tried on like six outfits. ?I?m meeting a princess. ?You [...]
‘Truly gone too soon,’ Usher tweets Tuesday. By James Dinh
Heavy D arrives at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images
<P>Hip-hop lost a rap icon when <a href="/news/articles/1674003/heavy-d-dead.jhtml">Heavy D died</a> Tuesday afternoon (November at age 44, and the music industry is clearly mourning the loss. A string of stars, including <a href="/music/artist/usher/artist.jhtml">Usher</a>, <a href="/music/artist/timbaland/artist.jhtml">Timbaland</a> and <a href="/music/artist/minaj__nicki/artist.jhtml">Nicki Minaj</a>, have shared their memories of the late MC on Twitter. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:709301.id:1674015" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Usher offered his sympathy to the family of the Jamaican-born rap heavyweight, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/UsherRaymondIV/status/134038937709707264" target="_blank">tweeting</a>, "This is too heavy, I can't believe it. HEAVY D was just here. Truly gone too soon. My heart and support goes out to his family. R.I.P HEAVY." Mega-producer Timbaland couldn't even process the announcement, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Timbaland/status/134043158483959808" target="_blank">writing</a>, "I'm at a loss for words rip heavy d." After re-tweeting the late-MC's last <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/heavyd/status/133793313668071424" target="_blank">message</a> ("BE INSPIRED"), hip-hop's Harajuku Barbie also weighed in on the news. "We'll never forget you babe! #hiphopelite #RIPHeavyD," Nicki <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NICKIMINAJ/status/134046872791810048" target="_blank">wrote</a>. From one raptress to the next, Missy Elliott <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/MissyElliott/status/134048022421176321" target="_blank">shared</a> her thoughts: "U will be missed Heavy D so many laughs we've shared but your Music is Timeless and will Always be Around 4ever Love u Heav…" Ciara <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ciara/status/134042091209752576" target="_blank">described</a> the MC as "a really nice man. Sending my condolences to him and his family!" DJ Drama and Nick Cannon reflected on the icon's impact. "Heavy D 'Who's The Man' was one of my 1st pieces of vinyl when I first started djayin," DJ Drama <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/DJDRAMA/status/134047593767505920" target="_blank">wrote</a>. "Def 1 of the first 5 records I spent $ on. RIP." Cannon said he had "just talked" to Heavy D, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/NickCannon/status/134045736227713024" target="_blank">adding</a>, "He was just encouraging me about life." "RIP TO A REAL HIP HOP LEGEND HEAVY D!" Nas <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Nas/status/134036958933549056" target="_blank">chimed</a> in. Juelz Santana <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/thejuelzsantana/status/134049100172754946" target="_blank">recalled</a> the rapper/actor's recent BET Hip Hop Awards performance. "RIP Heavy D. He was a Hip Hop Legend," he shared. "Crazy how sh– happens. I was late 2 da BET Awards & Heavy D's Performance was 1 of da only 2 I got 2 see. Blessed 4 dat opportunity. RIP." Boyz II Men, who shared the '90s spotlight with the MC, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/BoyzIIMen/status/134038232487825408" target="_blank">sent</a> condolences to his family, writing, "UGH…heavy d..always cool as hell with us..just a sick feeling….praying for his little daughter and family." <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/mtvnews/posts/239786012747833" target="_blank"><big>Share your memories of Heavy D on Facebook.</big></a> <center><object width="451" height="279" id="kickWidget_176704_495694" name="kickWidget_176704_495694" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://serve.a-widget.com/service/getWidgetSwf.kickAction"> <!– Firefox uses the 'data' attribute above, IE/Safari uses the param below –> <param name="movie" value="http://serve.a-widget.com/service/getWidgetSwf.kickAction"></param> <param name="FlashVars" value="affiliateSiteId=176704&widgetId=495694&width=451&height=279&autoPlay=0&playOnLoad=0&js=1&revision=110&mediaURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bet.com%2Fcontent%2Fbetcom%2Fvideo%2Fhiphopawards%2F2011%2Fperformances%2Fhha-perf-heavyd-s1%2F_jcr_content%2Fleftcol%2Fvideoplayer.mrss" ></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent" ></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" ></param> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" ></param> </object></center></p>
Critics aren’t buying into the love triangle between Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy. By Kara Warner
Tom Hardy and Chris Pine in “This Means War” Photo: 20th Century Fox
“This Means War” has all the makings of a perfect romantic comedy/ action flick, including the very attractive and high-caliber stars Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy, the capable direction of McG, comic relief from Chelsea Handler and a script from the guys whose combined talents have brought us “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “Sherlock Holmes,” “Role Models” and “Just Go With It.”
The story revolves around two best friends and highly skilled CIA agents who fall in love with the same woman and go to war with each other in an effort to win her heart. We imagine the filmmakers set out to make a fun, if only slightly farfetched, popcorn flick, but the critical masses couldn’t seem to suspend their disbelief. The film has a 30 percent Fresh Rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Read on as we fight through the “This Means War” reviews!
The Story “Having great-looking stars who have the added bonus of actually being able to act makes the noisy romp ‘This Means War’ more tolerable that it ought to be. It’s essentially a love-triangle version of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” rendered even more bombastic in the hands of “Charlie’s Angels” director McG. (Simon Kinberg, who wrote the 2005 film that spawned Brangelina, shares script credit here with Timothy Dowling.) So you’ve got your sport utility vehicles tumbling in slow motion, your gravity-defying shootouts and your obligatory explosions galore. Naturally, the premise is the most high-concept, contrived confection: Two CIA agents (Chris Pine and Tom Hardy) who happen to be best friends also happen to fall in love with the same woman (Reese Witherspoon), who has no idea these guys know each other. They promise their shared pursuit won’t ruin their friendship, but good luck with all that.” — Christy Lemire, The Associated Press
The Bromance Factor “The relationship that truly sizzles — from the sentiment to the satire — is the one between FDR (Pine) and Tuck (Hardy), with Pine and Hardy pulling off one of the better bromances in recent memory. … Hardy (‘Inception’) and Pine (‘Star Trek’) are the heart of the film — proving to be excellent opposing sides of the same coin. Both balance their characters’ cynicism with a certain sweetness, their chemistry fairly crackling, electrifying the screen almost any time they’re sharing it, whether taking down a bad guy or squabbling about who is more lovable (it’s a tossup). With Lauren, on the other hand, they are basically gentlemen, so not electrifying.” — Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times
The Suspension of Disbelief Factor, or Lack Therof “And in the film’s opening minutes, it feels as if that might be the desired effect: It’s loaded with overblown action chestnuts like from-the-hip gunplay, people dangling from the sides of skyscrapers and a gruff commanding officer. (That would be Angela Bassett, who shows up periodically to growl at her charges in a role that might have been hilarious had anyone thought to write anything legitimately funny for her.) But a good parody takes a finesse that isn’t in the vocabulary of McG, a bargain-basement Michael Bay more concerned with cool than coherence. Instead we get utter nonsense like a video store with a database that conveniently includes customer photos for the CIA to tap into. (Related: These characters are, in 2012, going to a video store?) In another scene, FDR wrestles on the floor with a small dog that has just attacked him, as Lauren stands 5 feet away, oblivious. The Farrelly brothers should sue the producers not for stealing the scene outright from ‘There’s Something About Mary,’ but for imitating it so badly.” — Ian Buckwalter, NPR
The Final Word “Part spy caper, part buddy picture, part romantic comedy, part raunchy-girl-talk sex farce, This Means War has been assembled with all the haphazardness of an amateur science experiment. The project was directed by the amped-up industry go-getter McG (Charlie’s Angels), and it’s had a long trial-and-error history. The initial script dates back a century — or at least about a decade — and the string of famous guys who didn’t take the dual lead male roles reportedly includes Bradley Cooper, Seth Rogen, Sam Worthington, and, stretching even further back, Chris Rock and Martin Lawrence. All this fiddling and fumbling shows on the screen. And yet, and yet … I confess I enjoyed everything that’s all over the place about the finished product. ‘This Means War’ may have been hammered together by brute Hollywood force, but there’s this going for it: It’s game to throw in anything that’ll keep the motor running.” — Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
Amid rumors that Spears will appear on Madge’s ‘Girls Gone Wild,’ MTV News looks back at their history together. By Jocelyn Vena
Photo: Jason Merritt/ FilmMagic
<P>Could it be that <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/madonna/artist.jhtml">Madonna</a> has enlisted her pal <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> for <a href="/news/articles/1678197/madonna-mdna-album.jhtml"><i>MDNA</i></a>? </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:623135.id:1657989" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Well, according to a leaked album jacket, it seems that Spears is making an appearance on the album's lead track, "Girls Gone Wild." This would mark the second collaboration on the album. Madonna nabbed Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. for the album's first single, <a href="/news/articles/1678478/madonna-give-me-all-your-luvin-video.jhtml">"Give Me All Your Luvin'."</a> While the leaked jacket, which appeared on Britney fansite <a href="http://www.breatheheavy.com/2012/02/britney-on-new-madonna-album/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed" target="_blank">Breatheheavy.com</a>, can't be confirmed as authentic, a rep for Madge had no comment about the rumor, neither confirming nor denying it. Meanwhile, a rep for Spears never returned MTV News' request for comment. This is hardly the first time that the two ladies have worked together. In fact, they have quite a history with each other. The duo kicked off their nearly decade-long friendship at the 2003 VMAs when, in case you hadn't heard, they <a href="/news/articles/1669706/britney-spears-mtv-vma-history.jhtml">shared an onstage kiss</a> while performing together. It was the kiss seen and heard around the world, and nearly 10 years later it is still often talked about as one of the most memorable moments in the show's storied history. After they shared that smooch, Spears was inspired to get the Queen of Pop on her lead <i>In the Zone</i> single, <a href="/news/articles/1658075/britney-spears-me-against-the-music.jhtml">"Me Against the Music."</a> "I was in the middle of rehearsals for the VMAs and I played her the song, and she was like, 'That's your first single, right?' " Britney recalled in a vintage interview with MTV. "I was like, 'Yeah, hopefully.' She was like, 'I really like it.' I was like, 'Really?' I was like, 'Well, you wanna do it with me?' She said, 'Yeah.' " They later appeared together in the warehouse-set video with one another, playing a pop star cat-and-mouse game that featured a near kiss. Five years later, as Spears was prepping her return to the pop spotlight, she appeared <a href="/news/articles/1598804/britney-spears-justin-timberlake-appear-onstage-with-madonna.jhtml">onstage with Madonna</a> during a Sticky & Sweet Tour stop at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The singer hit the stage with the pop icon to perform "Human Nature" by her side. That same year, Madonna appeared in <a href="/news/articles/1600361/britney-spears-talks-breakups-breakdowns-in-for-the-record.jhtml">Spears' documentary, "For the Record,"</a> where she spoke about the younger singer. "I admire her as an artist," the Material Girl said, adding that she sees a lot of herself in Spears. In 2011, as Spears was prepping the release of her album <i>Femme Fatale,</i> in an <a href="/news/articles/1659522/britney-spears-plastic-surgery-out-magazine.jhtml">interview with <i>Out</i> magazine</a>, she noted that she truly admires her friend. "Madonna. No question. She is an amazing entertainer," she said when asked whose career she most would want to emulate. As Madonna preps the release of <i>MDNA</i> in March, Spears is also the topic of conversation in a recent interview with her. When asked by ABC News what it was like to smooch the pop princess, she commented, "Nice moment, good kisser. Cool," she said, clarifying that she wouldn't do it again. "No, I already did it. I don't like to repeat myself." Well, perhaps a kiss would be "reductive" (her word, not ours), but it seems given the love that Madge and Spears fans have for the two pop stars, they wouldn't mind them cooking up some musical magic. The track, "Girls Gone Wild," was teased in a megamix that dropped last week and it certainly feels like it would lend itself to both Madonna and Brit's musical sensibilities: It's fist-pumpingly dance-y, sexy and all about going out and having a good time, with Madge proclaiming, "Girls, they just want to have some fun/ Get fired up like a smoking gun/ On the floor till the daylight comes/ Girls, they just want to have some fun." <center><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:728690/cp~id%3D1672718%26vid%3D728690%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A728690%26instance%3Dmtv" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="." flashVars=""></embed></center> <i>What would you think of a new Britney Spears/ Madonna collabo? Leave your comment below!</i></p>
Rumer Willis is now dealing with police after her home, located in the Hollywood Hills, has been broken into. Get the details below. Actress Rumer Willis isn?t having an easy year. The daughter of Demi Moore, who has been dealing with her mom?s dependency issues and recent trip to the hospital, has had her Hollywood Hills home broken into. According to reports from TMZ, Willis? home was burglarized with the thieves entering an outside gate after breaking it open with a blow torch device. They also attempted to break through several other entrances before successfully making their way into her Hollywood home. Currently Willis? home is under construction so the actress wasn?t home at the time but the robbers did get away with an estimated $10,000.00 in contractors tools. It was not reported (or clear) if they stole anything of Rumer?s possessions from her Hollywood Hills house. The robbery is said to have taken place within the last 24 hours and is currently under investigation by police. No arrests have been made in regards to the robbery. Willis just arrived home from a trip to Germany to address the robbery. In other news, Rumer Willis has spoken about the health [...]
It seems that Kris Humphries has been doing everything he can to keep his business in the media. Is he trying to scare Kim into paying him off? Reality Weekly came up with a great story this week – Kim is going to pay Kris hush money to keep their business out of the media. Kris has gone to great lengths to have the details made public in an effort to prove that their relationship was fraudulent. That would void the prenup, which would give Kris the chance to get some cash from his ex. Kim may be deciding that it isn’t worth it and paying Kris is the better deal. Get more deets at Celebrity Dirty Laundry. Here are more HUMP DAY LINKS! Check out Christina Aguilera On The Cover Of Marie Claire US February 2012 – Gossip and Soaps. Hugh Laurie Denies ?House MD? Canceled Because He?s Tired of the Show – Have U Heard. Whitney Houston Was Great In Last Studio Recording Session – I Need My Fix. Kim Kardashian Sexy For Allure March 2012 – Celeb Gurlz. 7 Amazing Adele?s Love Songs ? – All Women Stalk. Stacy Francis Reveals All About Whitney Houston Confrontation – [...]
Chloe Marshall Sweet 16 headed to Miss England 2008 Chloe Marshall of the UK has just won the Miss Surrey 2008 beauty pageant. She is now advancing towards the Miss England contest, which is opened to females ages 17-24. If Chloe Marshall can win the Miss England 2008 pageant, she will advance to the Miss
In their first public appearance since news that the matriarch of the Duggar family had suffered a miscarriage last December, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar appeared on the Today Show this morning and spoke of their heartbreak. Michelle Duggar and her husband Jim Bob are doing the obligatory press rounds right now, as their reality TV show, “19 Kids and Counting” returns once again for a new season. The show will premiere tonight at 9:00 PM EST on TLC. It was on the Today Show last November that they first announced that Michelle was pregnant with their 20th child. Sadly, a month later, as Michelle and Jim Bob headed to a routine doctor’s visit to also find out the gender of their child, a heartbeat could not be found and they were told that Michelle had miscarried. TLC cameras were on hand at the doctor’s visit and captured the couple coming to terms with what they had just learned. It’s really very sad to watch. Jim Bob told Access Hollywood, ?They were there filming us when he thought we were going to find out if we were having a boy or a girl.” With Michelle adding, ?It was something that [...]
MTV News looks back on Mother Monster’s huge year and her genre-busting, Grammy-nominated album. By Gil Kaufman, with additional reporting by Kara Warner and Vanessa White Wolf
Lady Gaga performs at Jingle Ball Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images
<P>Some artists, like <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/adele/artist.jhtml">Adele</a>, release albums that are pure <a href="/news/articles/1678825/grammy-2012-album-of-year-adele-profile.jhtml">Grammy catnip</a> thanks to instant-classic sounds that resonate with the Recording Academy's way-back contingent. Then there's Lady Gaga. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:717202" width="240" height="211"></div><p> She's been a bridesmaid twice for Album of the Year at the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/grammys">Grammys</a>, losing out on her first two releases. But with her third bid on Sunday, for <a href="/news/articles/1664105/lady-gaga-born-this-way-stream.jhtml"><i>Born This Way,</i></a> Gaga appears to have made the kind of career-defining, big-idea album that Grammy voters could not deny. It had all the things the Academy loves in an Album of the Year nominee: ambition, deeply personal tracks that provide a glimpse at the artist's psyche, bold musical explorations, strong sales and chance to prove that they're hip enough to get what the kids are listening to. (Or, in some cases, a new album by Steely Dan.) And, indeed, BTW <i>did</i> have it all, from the jackhammer electronica of "Marry the Night" to the tango-lite grooves of "Americano," the techno attack of "Heavy Metal Lover," hints of biography in "Hair," the lighter-raising ballads in "Yoü and I" and "The Edge of Glory" and, of course, the title track, which served as both a dance-floor phenomenon <i>and</i> an <a href="/news/articles/1657772/lady-gaga-born-this-way.jhtml">empowerment anthem</a> for the ages. The album, one of the most anticipated of 2011, not only <a href="/news/articles/1664888/lady-gaga-billboard.jhtml">crashed the charts</a> with stellar sales figures of more than one million in its first week, but it also managed to once again bend the will of the music-buying public to meet her quirky, unpredictable muse. Gaga promised her fans that she was pouring everything she had into the disc and when it arrived, complete with a series of trippy, <a href="/news/articles/1663387/lady-gaga-judas-video.jhtml">provocative videos</a> that also pushed the envelope, they couldn't have asked for any more from their Mother Monster. Frequent musical collaborator producer Fernando Garibay said the recognition from the Recording Academy was a nice cherry-topper to a year of hard, hard work. "We worked on this album for so long and it was like our baby so it was more about if the fans would love it; that was the most important thing.," he told MTV News. "But of course, nominations, yeah, that's cool." </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:732837.id:1678680" width="240" height="211"></div><p> The first full-length effort from Gaga since her rise to international stardom, <i>Born This Way</i> allowed the singer to exorcise some demons, comment on her newfound fame and, of course, create the kind of over-the-top tracks that would lend themselves to equally eye-popping live performance. "This album was the most personal, the amount of detail that went into this record, the amount of passion and emotion from her and the team," Garibay said. "We all followed her lead on this, on every song … how intense every avenue of making this record was for us, protecting the record, creative, conceptually, every song was a story towards the <i>Born This Way</i> theme." The video for the title track took the Best Female Video and Best Video With a Message at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. In a year in which she kept turning heads with ever-more-insane red carpet walks, Gaga fittingly raised the bar further at the show, where she performed and accepted the Female Video Moonman as her male <a href="/news/articles/1669863/lady-gaga-best-female-video-vmas.jhtml">alter ego, Jo Calderone</a>. In between those appearances, Gaga also managed to circle the globe with the Broadway-worthy <a href="/news/articles/1664768/lady-gaga-semi-precious-weapons-monster-ball.jhtml">Monster Ball Tour</a>, on which she brought the new songs to life every night in a spectacle that was the visual equal of her studio experiments. Though she worked with her core team, which includes Garibay, producer RedOne and DJ White Shadow, Gaga also opened the doors to collaborations with late Bruce Springsteen saxophonist Clarence Clemons and classic rock producer <a href="/news/articles/1669108/lady-gaga-you-and-i-music-video-premiere.jhtml">Robert "Mutt" Lange</a> and Queen guitarist Brian May, who helped give "Yoü and I" its epic, AM radio majesty. Gaga was so excited to record the album that she insisted on having a portable studio with her at all times to work on new music even as she toured the world for <i>The Fame Monster,</i> RedOne said. The road work paid off, as the album has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide, spinning off a bevy of hits, including the title track, "Marry the Night," "Judas," "Yoü and I" and "The Edge of Glory." And though he's been there before, RedOne added that getting another nod for the biggest Grammy honor of all is new every time. "It's an amazing thing to be nominated for the biggest thing in music industry," he said. "It's always a big honor. I get happy and I never want to get used to it." <b>Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our <a href="/news/articles/1678706/grammy-awards-red-carpet-live-stream.jhtml">Grammy red-carpet live stream</a> this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the <a href="http://style.mtv.com/category/awards-shows/">Grammy red-carpet fashion</a>, <a href="/news/articles/1678701/grammy-winners-list.jhtml">Grammy winners</a> and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!</b></p>
Sunday night’s Grammys ceremony was a night to celebrate Adele. The "Rolling in the Deep" singer took away six awards and rocked the house with her first performance since her recent vocal chord surgery.
WhenRihanna throws a birthday party, she throws a birthday party. The "We Found Love" singer turns 24 on February 20, but she celebrated her birthday Monday night in Beverly Hills surrounded by 100 of her closest friends.
When Miley Cyrus met her “Last Song” co-star Liam Hemsworth back in 2009, it seemed that the chemistry between the pair didn’t translate well to the moviegoing public. But the couple is still together in real life, and Details magazine cover boy and “Hunger Games” star Hemsworth opened up to the mag about their relationship.
“What happened happened, and we’ve been together two and a half years,” the Aussie star said. “She makes me really happy. When you start, you want to be professional, but when you’re filming those scenes with someone and pretending to love them, you’re not human if you don’t feel something.”
From there, the twosome embarked on a well-publicized love affair, and as comfortable as he feels with his superstar lady love, he feels equally welcomed by her family. “[Billy Ray] is very spiritual. He’s just one of the nicest guys. Very accommodating. I’ve listened to his music since we got together. It’s awesome,” he said, adding that he had some Nashville-related customs and foods he had to get used to while hanging with the Cyrus clan. “I’d never heard of country-fried steak before. It’s great! I love fried food.”
Former Disney queen Cyrus has always courted controversy. Back in November the saucy 19-year-old told a room of her friends, “You know you’re a stoner when friends make you a Bob Marley cake — you know you smoke way too much f—in’ weed,” at her birthday party. It was a moment that made for some spicy headlines. And a moment that Hemsworth defends.
“She’s in a room full of her best friends. And you have one person who comes in there and videos it,” he said. “The poor girl can’t have one night where she can feel safe in her own world. It’s ridiculous.”
I’m here! I’m here! And I saw my first gang-banger get arrested yesterday so I feel like a total Angeleno.
I’m getting ready to go to the gym (again, like a total Angeleno!) so I will update later about my run-ins with Alexander Skarsgard, Pauly Shore, and Jeremy or Jason London (I’m not sure which one it was and seeing if I could force him to do drugs to find out seemed unfair. Besides, as it turned out, he was telling the truth?)
Anyhoo, I’ve got a lot to tell you about gardening! (Did you know if you get dirt wet it turns into mud? Yuck.)
And bumpers! (They don’t bump off anything… they go, “Scraaaaaaaatch!”)
And there’s probably more but, again, I have to go because I have to get to the gym!
I’ve been watching a lot of HGTV since coming to LA. My favorite shows are House Hunters and House Hunters International. There’s also another show I like to watch called For Rent, but only because it makes me angry.
When it comes to apartments/homes, I think living in New York for the past eleven years has made me bitter because there was this whiny broad on For Rent a few nights ago who was looking at a huge place—A HUGE PLACE—and was like, “There’s no place for a dining room table…”
B*TCH, YOU’RE LUCKY TO GET A KITCHEN IN NEW YORK.
I hated her.
Now there’s some stupid lady on House Hunters who wants a townhouse with a fireplace that she can turn on with a light switch. IT HAS TO BE A LIGHT SWITCH because she doesn’t want to bend down and flip a switch on the floor.
WHO DO THESE PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE?
Anyway, I know my LA update is WAY overdue (and truth be told I wrote a long one last week but for some reason it didn’t save so I lost the whole thing and I was so angry that I just said, “Ah, f*ck it,” and closed the computer instead of rewriting) but to give you a quick update, I AM SO HAPPY HERE. I MEAN, I’M REALLY, REALLY HAPPY. And I think living here and watching HGTV—both of these things combined—has made me realize that New York was just beating me down. I mean, the fireplace lady—yes, she’s an idiot. But there’s nothing wrong with wanting a dining room table. Why did I get so mad at that lady?
Since being here, at least once a day I ask myself why I have lived in New York for so long. (It’s like I had Stockholm Syndrome or something.) CALIFORNIA IS AWESOME. It’s like the promised land. It’s sunny all the time and there are birds and flowers everywhere. I have space out here. I have a sofa on the patio out here. I HAVE A SOFA OUTSIDE. I haven’t seen one rat since I’ve been here. But hummingbirds? THEY ZIP BY MY HEAD EVERY DAY. I am so happy.
I’m supposed to go back to New York in November, but truth be told, I’m not sure I will.
Kim Kardashian has now been single for more than three months, which is (proportionally) a whole lot longer than the 72 days she was married to estranged husband Kris Humphries. But Kardashian hasn’t resigned herself to spinsterhood just yet. In fact, Kim and former flame Reggie Bush reportedly had lunch together in Los Angeles last weekend, sparking speculation that the 31-year-old Keeping Up with the Kardashians star and the 26-year-old NFL player — who dated on and off from 2007 to 2010, and spent Valentine’s Day together in 2010 (see adorable photo above) — might once again have fallen prey to Cupid’s well-aimed arrow.
With Sunday night’s roof-raising performance of "Rolling in the Deep" at the Grammys — not to mention her six wins! — Adele proved that vocal cord surgery hadn’t knocked her down. In a new interview with Vogue, the singing phenomenon talks about her dramatic recovery, and admits that she had a little help from an unlikely source: John Mayer.
Remember Jennifer Aniston’s last GQ cover? Well, she’s wearing a little more than a tie this time around . She shares the cover with her ‘Wanderlust‘ co-star Paul Rudd. Here are some snippets from their interview: Jennifer on the pregnancy … Continue reading →
Critics point out similarities to the ‘Bourne’ series and even Denzel Washington’s previous work. By Kevin P. Sullivan
Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds in “Safe House” Photo: Universal Pictures
Denzel Washington returns as a cynical old pro who must work with a novice in order to survive. This time it’s called “Safe House,” and Washington plays a rogue CIA operative under the protection of a rookie, played by Ryan Reynolds.
“Safe House” has earned middling reviews, many of which take note of the film’s similarities to both the “Bourne” franchise and Washington’s previous work with director Tony Scott.
Here is our roundup of reviews for “Safe House”:
The Story “Washington plays the notorious Tobin Frost, a brilliant former CIA operative who’s turned traitor, selling secrets to any nation or enemy cell willing to buy them. After years on the run, he turns himself in at the American embassy in Cape Town, South Africa. He’s then taken to the local agency safe house where Reynolds, as the ambitious Matt Weston, is its bored, rookie minder. Matt longs to prove himself and see some real action in the field, and he gets it sooner than he expects when the house comes under a vicious, heavily armed attack and he and Tobin must go on the run together.” — Christy Lemire, The Associated Press
The Stars “Mr. Washington, it almost goes without saying, is its anchor; when he’s on screen everything seems to matter more, so much so that a prequel seems inevitable. How Frost became the man that he did is one of the mysteries, as is how well Weston and the actor playing him will rise to the occasion. Mr. Reynolds, whose curiously unsettled career is its own puzzle, here rises to meet Mr. Washington’s challenge, investing Weston with a slow-building, believable vulnerability.” — Manohla Dargis, New York Times
The Action “The movie, as if on an action time clock, punches in the standard set pieces: bloody fights, clattering shoot-outs, an escape through a packed soccer stadium. Some of this stuff is well-done, and some of it has been done a lot better. Yet ‘Safe House’, even when it’s pummeling you effectively, has very little up its sleeve. Basically, the movie is a fizzless ‘Bourne’ episode crossed with ‘Training Day,’ featuring Washington as a good-egg-gone-rotten who, you know, has his reasons. Mostly, he schools Matt, his guard-turned-pursuer, in what it means to lie.” — Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
The Director “Director Espinosa shoots virtually everything in tight but wobbly close-up, and the human and vehicular combat often brakes right at the edge of visual incoherence. Just as often the brakes give out completely. Even at its most frantic and mechanical, the movie relies on Washington to provide a visual anchor, some sociopathic calm amid the storm.” — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
The Final Word “Essentially a two-hour chase with a few brief breaks to catch its breath, ‘Safe House’ is an elemental cat-and-mouse game elaborated to the point of diminishing returns. Terse and understated, this is a spy vs. spy tale designed to minimize talk and maximize action, not at all a bad thing in movies but over-worked to near-exhaustion here.” — Todd McCarthy, The Hollywood Reporter
There won’t be any official word on the cause of Whitney Houston‘s death until results of a toxicology report are revealed in four to six weeks, but TMZ is reporting that officials from the Los Angeles County Coroner have told Whitney’s family members that the 48-year-old did not drown in her hotel bathtub, as many outlets have speculated. Instead, TMZ’s sources say officials believe that the "I Will Always Love You" singer died from a combination of prescription drugs (including Xanax) and alcohol.
While some critics laud Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum’s ‘genuine chemistry,’ others say their characters are underdeveloped. By Eric Ditzian
Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum in “The Vow” Photo: Sony Pictures
Based on a highly unscientific poll of friends, family and coworkers, everyone is positive “The Vow” is a Nicholas Sparks movie and remains unconvinced when informed the romance novelist had no involvement in the pre-Valentine’s drama.
The folks at Sony, though, likely aren’t complaining about any confusion. While “The Vow” hasn’t been winning over critics (it’s currently at just 32 percent freshness on Rotten Tomatoes), the film is tracking very well. Box-office prognosticators are eyeing a $30 million-plus opening and Fox, which had slated its own date-night flick, “This Means War,” for a February 14 opening, ended up shifting back the release to avoid competition.
About those “Vow” critics. They haven’t been kind, calling the characters poorly sketched and the film generally a maudlin affair. Other reviews, however, have lauded Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams’ performances, as well as the film’s tonal similarities to Sparks-adapted fare like “The Notebook.” For those critiques and more, read on for a deep dive into “The Vow” reviews.
The Story “Despite the sweet story — lovely couple, car wreck, brain injury, she forgets him, he loves her anyway — and the beautiful scenery — cool converted warehouse spaces, snowy Chicago streets, Lake Michigan in the moonlight, and of course Tatum and McAdams — this is a movie that leaves you wanting more. To care more, to cry more, to love more. Inspired by a true story, it begins with a date night at the movies for young marrieds Paige (McAdams) and Leo (Tatum). Then an accident on the way home, capped by a trip to the emergency room that feels like a pale version of ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ changes everything. When Paige wakes up from a medically induced coma, her memory has been wiped clean, and thus starts Leo’s bid to help her remember their life and their love, and when she doesn’t, he tries to get her to fall for him again.” — Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times
The Performances “The best thing in the film is McAdams, who moves through her post-amnesia scenes with a plausible mix of good humor and wariness. Her character retains our sympathy even when she’s making other people’s lives difficult, and you can see why Tatum’s Leo clings to her for dear life. He’s well cast as a burly lug who married far above his station. Despite that ‘nobody’s home’ air of his, he projects an uncomplicated decency, and you feel for him when McAdams’ disapproving parents (the underutilized Sam Neill and Jessica Lange) show him no love.” — Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
The Nicholas Sparks Comparison “You root for McAdams and Tatum because they show some genuine chemistry together; you sense that these two are better with each other than apart. The screenplay, though, pulls things into gooey Nicholas Sparks territory (familiar turf for McAdams, who starred in the film of Sparks’ novel, ‘The Notebook’). … All of these people seem like lazy sketches rather than developed characters; it’s tempting to wonder how moving ‘The Vow’ might have been if they’d been allowed to breathe and live.” — Moira Macdonald, The Seattle Times
The Valentine’s Day Reality “Arriving for Valentine’s Day weekend, ‘The Vow’ is a cinematic box of candy wrapped in bright red cellophane. Like any box of chocolates, you have to bite a lot of bad centers to get to the few good ones. … Unfortunately, most of the movie focuses on Leo’s much less challenging point of view as the hurt and forgotten lover. This includes an absurdly unnecessary narration by Leo filled with gibberish about moments of ‘impact.’ Eventually the film works its way to what is more intriguing: how disorienting and painful it is for Paige to wake up in a completely different personality and world.” — Louis B. Parks,
The Bottom Line ” ‘The Vow’ is the rare chick flick that’s about brain trauma in addition to being a cause of it. It’s what you might get if the eminent neurologist-author Oliver Sacks tried his hand at a True Romance comic, and, as such, it’s quite watchable date-night cheese — the kind of movie you can simultaneously snort at and enjoy.” — Ty Burr, Boston Globe
Are you planning on seeing “The Vow” this weekend? Leave your comment below.
I’ve been watching a lot of HGTV since coming to LA. My favorite shows are House Hunters and House Hunters International. There’s also another show I like to watch called For Rent, but only because it makes me angry.
When it comes to apartments/homes, I think living in New York for the past eleven years has made me bitter because there was this whiny broad on For Rent a few nights ago who was looking at a huge place—A HUGE PLACE—and was like, “There’s no place for a dining room table…”
B*TCH, YOU’RE LUCKY TO GET A KITCHEN IN NEW YORK.
I hated her.
Now there’s some stupid lady on House Hunters who wants a townhouse with a fireplace that she can turn on with a light switch. IT HAS TO BE A LIGHT SWITCH because she doesn’t want to bend down and flip a switch on the floor.
WHO DO THESE PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE?
Anyway, I know my LA update is WAY overdue (and truth be told I wrote a long one last week but for some reason it didn’t save so I lost the whole thing and I was so angry that I just said, “Ah, f*ck it,” and closed the computer instead of rewriting) but to give you a quick update, I AM SO HAPPY HERE. I MEAN, I’M REALLY, REALLY HAPPY. And I think living here and watching HGTV—both of these things combined—has made me realize that New York was just beating me down. I mean, the fireplace lady—yes, she’s an idiot. But there’s nothing wrong with wanting a dining room table. Why did I get so mad at that lady?
Since being here, at least once a day I ask myself why I have lived in New York for so long. (It’s like I had Stockholm Syndrome or something.) CALIFORNIA IS AWESOME. It’s like the promised land. It’s sunny all the time and there are birds and flowers everywhere. I have space out here. I have a sofa on the patio out here. I HAVE A SOFA OUTSIDE. I haven’t seen one rat since I’ve been here. But hummingbirds? THEY ZIP BY MY HEAD EVERY DAY. I am so happy.
I’m supposed to go back to New York in November, but truth be told, I’m not sure I will.
Late singer showed dignity and vulnerability in films like ‘The Bodyguard’ and ‘Waiting to Exhale.’ By Ryan J. Downey
Whitney Houston in “Bodyguard” Photo: Warner Bros.
Whitney Houston will be remembered for her voice, her hit songs, her charismatic presence. As someone who has spent my life sharing equal passion for music and movies, it’s particularly noteworthy to me that the biggest hit I associate Houston with is intrinsically tied to a film. Judging by the number of “Whitney, I will always love you” tweets from celebrities and fans on Saturday, I’d say I’m not alone in thinking of her big voice mostly in “I Will Always Love You,” which is inseparable from “The Bodyguard.”
My late mother was a huge fan of Dolly Parton, who originally wrote and recorded the song that would become a huge hit for Houston on the soundtrack to “The Bodyguard,” in which she starred (years before people ran around saying “meta”!) as a pop singer. The stepmother who came into my life when I was a teenager passed away herself a couple of years ago. The first Christmas present I ever bought for her growing up was a copy of one of Whitney’s albums on cassette, so I experienced a variety of emotions and memories about important women in my life as my Twitter feed blew up with reports of the troubled star’s untimely passing.
Nobody knew Houston could act (a bit part on an episode of the corny sitcom “Gimme a Break!” was certainly no barometer) when director Mick Jackson cast her to play Rachel Marron, a singer in need of protection from a stalker, in “The Bodyguard.” Big marquee name Kevin Costner played the title role of an ex-Secret Service agent turned private protector. The two characters, against the odds and against the rule, become more than co-workers as the story unfolds. The movie is cornball, sure, but Houston was quite fun.
Lawrence Kasdan, who put his stamp all over my childhood as a writer on “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Return of the Jedi,” reportedly conceived the script in the ’70s as a vehicle for the legendary Steve McQueen and Diana Ross. I was actually at the Grammy Special Merit Awards watching Ross accept a Lifetime Achievement Award when I saw the guy in front of me show his girlfriend a tweet about Whitney Houston’s death, which is how I first learned the news. Perhaps in some roundabout way you could call that my Six Degrees of Kevin Costner with this story. It’s not unusual to look for “signs” and coincidences when we try to process death around us, whether it’s a loved one, acquaintance or a public personality we never knew.
“The Bodyguard” had action, romance and behind-the-scenes drama involving the entertainment industry, all of which are some touchtone topics that have followed me in life. I worked part-time in a record store when the movie came out and I vividly remember handling copies of the soundtrack on CD and cassette (remember those?) as patron after patron brought up a copy for me to ring up. The movie, the songs (“I Have Nothing” was no slouch!) and the CD were all intertwined, intermingled, wrapped up together to me.
Houston’s performance displayed a certain tenderness combined with an elegant toughness that recalled screen sirens from mid-century. True, she was drawing from some life experience by playing someone so close to her comfort zone. But in 1995, she did it all over again in “Waiting to Exhale” and this time opposite acting heavyweight Angela Bassett (and directed by Forrest Whitaker!). “Exhale” shot straight to #1 at the box office, while Houston’s single from the movie did the same thing on Billboard. Last spring, Bassett did an interview in which she talked about a sequel reuniting the director and stars. Of course, that couldn’t happen now.
Too many pop stars, rock idols and rappers trying their hand at acting have made the whole concept a joke to some people. And granted, not every musician who switches gears turns out to have chops (and vice versa in the actors-turned-musician department). But Penny Marshall certainly wouldn’t have put Houston next to Denzel Washington and Gregory Hines in “The Preacher’s Wife” if she’d watched “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale” and thought the singer hadn’t pulled off the jobs. The remake of the 1947 film “The Bishop’s Wife” may have included some hokey fantasy elements, but it still became the best-reviewed movie Houston made.
Sure, both “Bodyguard” and “Exhale” are “rotten” according to Rotten Tomatoes, which aggregates reviews from major film critics. I’m not going to try to pass either of them off as particularly great films. But “The Bodyguard,” my favorite of the two, is an inoffensive confection that rises above the phrase “guilty pleasure” ever so slightly even after repeated viewings and even after all of this time.
There’s no denying Houston’s likability and watchability in all three of her major film roles. She was dignified, strong and yet vulnerable in the sort of way that made you want to sweep her up like Kevin Costner on the movie poster.
Houston’s final film, “Sparkle,” is set to be released in August, and indeed, there is nothing the specter of addiction can do to erase her sparkle on the silver screen. We’ll miss you, Whitney.
MTV News’ Sway and James Montgomery will be live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12 starting at 5 p.m. ET to get reactions from music’s biggest stars on the death of Whitney Houston. Watch Reactions and Remembrances at MTV.com.
Share your condolences with Whitney’s family and friends on our Facebook page.
Singer Whitney Houston, 48, was found dead in her hotel room yesterday, hours before she was to attend Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party. Insiders report Whitney [...]
Hilary Duff’s due date is approaching fast. Prepping for the arrival of her baby, Duff celebrated her baby shower with friends and family. Get the details below. Singer and actress Hilary Duff is gearing up to give birth soon. Celebrating the upcoming arrival of her first child, the Lizzie McGuire star enjoyed a baby shower that was thrown by her mom Susan, and sister Haylie this past February 5th. The event was held at Hilary and Mike Comrie’s Los Angeles home according to US Weekly, who released the details behind Duff?s small gathering. Forty to fifty friends and family were said to be in attendance. Some of the guests to share Hilary?s special day was Marcus Francis, Lauren Anderson, Beverley Mitchell of Seventh Heaven fame, and Sophia Rossi. Haylie Duff, Hilary?s sister, tweeted a picture of the event, with a message for fans. The image showed a happy Hilary holding a bib with the pic captioned – “My aunt is hot and single!” In its caption, she wrote, “Clearly @ErinLHaggerty gives the best gifts. me & @HilaryDuff , the cutest mama around & baby’s favorite bib.” Following up later, the pregnant Duff also tweeted her thank you’s and happiness over [...]
Hobnobbing helps you get to know the album’s featured artists through their best works. By Amy Wilkinson
Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games” Photo: Lionsgate
On Monday, Taylor Swift will enter the MTV arena to debut the music video for her Civil Wars collaboration, “Safe and Sound,” which appears on the “Hunger Games” soundtrack. And following the premiere, the country cutie will stick around MTV.com for an exclusive 30-minute interview about the lead single, her upcoming projects and more. So for Peeta’s sake, tune in, OK?
But as any “Hunger Games” fan can attest, Swift isn’t the only artist to be reaped for the T-Bone Burnett-produced companion album (out March 20). Arcade Fire, the Decemberists, Neko Case and Miranda Lambert are all reportedly contributing to the effort. So to prepare for what’s sure to be an epic soundtrack, we’ve asked several music experts to recommend top tunes from each performer—a pre-Games playlist, if you will. So put down your bow and arrow, grab your earbuds and settle in with these hand-picked selections:
The Decemberists “No shortage of truly great tunes (with truly epic titles) from the Pacific Northwest’s leading purveyors of erudite indie. From the hard-charging horns of ‘Sixteen Military Wives’ (off 2005′s Picaresque) to the 12-string shimmy of ‘Down by the Water’ (from last year’s The King Is Dead) — with proggy dalliances like ‘You’ll Not Feel the Drowning’ and ‘The Prettiest Whistles Won’t Wrestle the Thistles Undone’ in between — the ‘rists have never met a genre they wouldn’t tackle … or a song title they couldn’t stretch to infinity. — James Montgomery, Rock Writer, MTV News
“The Decemberists are often described as ‘indie-folk’ or ‘chamber pop,’ but they are constantly shifting into new genres and playing with foreign sounds. ‘Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect’ is from their first album and doesn’t have the same epic quality that their later albums (most of which are sprawling mini-operas), but it does capture frontman Colin Meloy’s unending melancholy and slightly fanciful worldview. It’s catchy as hell too.” — Kyle Anderson, Staff Writer, Entertainment Weekly
“Asking me to choose a favorite Decemberists song is like asking me to choose a favorite pair of shoes — I have so many! It’s almost impossible! But I’ll do it. The apotheosis of the entire Decemberists catalogue, for me, is ‘Shanty for the Arethusa’ off of their 2003 album Her Majesty the Decemberists. This isn’t a song. It’s a sensory odyssey. Dude, the way they bring to life the creaking of the rotten hull of an olde-timey ship feels so real that I can almost feel myself getting scurvy.” — Tamar Anitai, Managing Editor, MTV Buzzworthy
Arcade Fire “They broke through with Funeral, thanks in no small part to anthemic, wide-screen melodramas like ‘Wake Up’ and ‘Rebellion (Lies)’ — songs seemingly created for stadium-uniting sing-alongs — backtracked on that all-encompassing stance with insular, world-weary Neon Bible tracks like ‘Black Mirror’ and ‘My Body is a Cage,’ and, finally, with The Suburbs, ‘Month of May’ and ‘We Used to Wait,’ just decided to ditch all the subtlety and subterfuge and just become Springsteen disciples. Hey, whatever works.” — Montgomery
“Canada’s finest indie exports move at only two speeds: Epic and super-epic. ‘No Cars Go’ falls in the latter category, beginning with a simple hum-and-strum, then building into great swirls of chaotic orchestral noise, with the damaged, desperate voices of frontpeople/couple Win Butler and Régine Chassagne holding the center.” — Anderson
“Man. THIS is hard. I mean, ‘Wake Up’ is so revelatory and cathartic. And the obvious choice here, if we’re talking ‘Hunger Games’ (which we are) would be ‘City With No Children.’ But in terms of a song that just burrows into your soul like a sonic tapeworm, I’m going with ‘Neighborhood 3 (Power Out).’ The drum line alone deserves a Grammy (if the Grammys REALLY got granular and handed out individual awards for individual song components, but we’d all be pretty bored watching that). And just the menacing rush the song maintains the whole time and the inherent fear of having no electricity (EXCEPT for the New York Blackout of 2003 — that was amazing fun and bars were giving away free drinks) strikes a chord and feels SO District 13. Wait… I didn’t say that. (YES I DID!)” — Anitai
Neko Case “Case combines Canadian pop sensibilities and dirt road Americana, and the result is oft-transcendent minimalism. ‘This Tornado Loves You’ not only focuses on her incredible voice (that moment she hits that final ‘What will make you believe me?’ is goosebump-inducing) but also her lyrical toughness. The violence in the lyrics is masked by the playfulness of the arrangement and the beauty of the melody.” — Anderson
“Favorite Neko Case song? ‘That Teenage Feeling’ from Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. This feels like the sequel to Patsy Cline’s ‘Walking After Midnight’ or a song lost somewhere in the Dusty Springfield archives. It’s just dripping with gorgeous youthful despair. Please. It’s so good. End of story. No contest, no comparisons. Next?” — Anitai
Who’s your favorite “The Hunger Games” soundtrack artist so far? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @amymwilk with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns!
It’s one of the grandest overseas events of the year, and the stars are all set to work the red carpet at the 2012 Orange British Academy Film Awards in London, England this evening (February 12).
Held at the historic Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, everyone from George Clooney and Jessica Chastain to Miss Piggy will be turning up with livestream coverage available below.
As for the ceremony, the BAFTAs are set to be hosted by Stephen Fry while “The Artist” leads the pack with twelve nominations with “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” close behind at eleven chances at BAFTA glory.
Also on tap is a special tribute to John Hurt, who is lined up to receive the BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema.
Fresh off of her headline-stirring Super Bowl debacle, Gisele Bundchen made her return to the runway during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City on Saturday night (February 11).
The Brazilian beauty took to the Pier 94 locale where she was doted on by hair and makeup personnel alongside Carmen Kass before strutting her stuff during the Alexander Wang Fall 2012 fashion show.
With video from the display found below, Wang’s newest looks were described by onlookers as “boasting leather, shine and chiffon in black, oxblood red and an optic white he called ‘peroxide.’”
Upon conclusion of the NYFW runway show, Alexander took the stage for an emotional speech, in which he told the gathered fashion-focused crowd, “Big hugs to my family and everyone else who has made this dream come true.”
How will Lady Gaga arrive this year? Join Sway and James Montgomery on the red carpet, starting 5 p.m. Sunday on MTV.com. By Gil Kaufman
Jennifer Lopez at the 2000 Grammys Photo: Getty Images
<P>What's the point of getting all dolled up for the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/grammys">Grammy Awards</a> if no one notices your outfit? Since not everyone can earn a nomination or score a performance slot, sometimes you have to make your own news by crashing the red carpet with an eye-popping outfit that is sure to get tongues wagging. It's anyone's guess what this year's attendees will be wearing on Sunday night at the 54th annual awards show, but MTV News will be camped out on the carpet for a full three hours before the festivities kick off and we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for all the outrageous looks and fashions. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/photos/10-shocking-grammy-red-carpet-moments/1678986/6893746/photo.jhtml" target="_blank"><b><big>Click for photos of our most-shocking Grammy red carpet moments!</b></big></a> In the meantime, we thought it was worth a look back at some of the legendary entrances from Grammys past: </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:623137" width="240" height="211"></div><p> <B>Lady Gaga egg</B>: Sure, Justin Bieber toted his pet snake to last year's show, but it was, of course, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml">Lady Gaga</a> who turned the most heads by getting carried down the carpet in a <a href="/news/articles/1657833/lady-gaga-grammy-arrival-egg.jhtml">giant, see-through egg</a> that she incubated in before emerging later in the night for her performance of "Born This Way." <B>Britney gets bodied</B>: Britney Spears has long prided herself on wearing what she wants, when she wants. But someone should have pulled her aside in 2010 before she exited the car in an oddball Dolce & Gabbana bodysuit overlaid with a lace dress that turned heads for all the wrong reasons. <B>M.I.A.'s pregnancy chic</B>: With her <a href="/news/articles/1678599/mia-super-bowl-halftime-middle-finger.jhtml">middle finger</a> firmly tucked into place, the rapper/singer made her way into the <a href="/news/articles/1604583/mia-talks-baby-slumdog-at-grammys.jhtml">2009 show while nine-months pregnant</a> in a cartoony, ruffled blue maternity dress and matching sneakers. <B>Coldplay play dress up</B>: It was kind of cool when Coldplay stuck with their bold Sgt. Pepper's-style suits for the whole <I>Viva La Vida</I> tour. But when they wore them to the <a href="/news/articles/1604580/lil-wayne-coldplay-win-big-at-grammys.jhtml">2009 show</a>, it just felt … silly. <B>OK Go … back to the drawing board</B>: Viral icons OK Go are experts at drawing attention to their music with trippy, how-did-they-do-that videos. They drew mostly sniggers, though, when they donned matching brocade curtain-looking red-and-gold suits to the 2007 show. Their smartest move may have been to cover their faces with red cloth. <B>R. Kelly, man of mystery</B>: Kels has made a career out of being inscrutable , but his bold sartorial choice at the 2004 Grammys was, well, weird. From the neck down he wore an elegant three-button black suit and tie, but the matching Robin mask? Who knows? <B>Alicia Keys gets funky</B>: Nobody really knows what Keys was thinking in 2002 when she walked the carpet wearing embroidered jeans, sandals, a white tank and a sheer green sari-like shift with a built in, bedazzled headdress. <B>Toni Braxton lets it all hang out</B>: Sometimes it's what you <I>don't</I> wear that gets attention. In 2001, singer Braxton sported a barely-there white "dress" that hardly covered her assets with strips of material that dangled in the front and back. <B>Jennifer Lopez's plunging neckline</B>: Way before she was an "American Idol" judge, Lopez sent hearts racing in 2000 with her instantly infamous plunging neckline Versace gown. <b>Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our <a href="/news/articles/1678706/grammy-awards-red-carpet-live-stream.jhtml">Grammy red-carpet live stream</a> this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the <a href="http://style.mtv.com/category/awards-shows/">Grammy red-carpet fashion</a>, <a href="/news/articles/1678701/grammy-winners-list.jhtml">Grammy winners</a> and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!</b></p>
Spoiler alert! Gary Ross reveals the biggest challenges he faced making the book-to-film adaptation. By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Gary Ross Photo: MTV News
When it comes to “Hunger Games” news, we’ve had an embarrassment of riches lately, with lengthy interviews with stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson and director Gary Ross.
Now that we’ve had time to digest Ross’ revelation that there will be no Katniss voice-over in the upcoming film based on Suzanne Collins’ best-selling dystopian novel, it’s time to head into full-on spoiler territory with a discussion of the most complicated scenes in the film. (Please heed this very emphatic SPOILER ALERT for those who haven’t read the books.)
“The tracker jacker sequence was one, that’s a vertical sequence literally staged over 100 vertical feet,” Ross said when asked which scenes that required the most care and consideration. “You have the Careers on the ground, you have Katniss up in one level of a tree, you have Rue up in another tree over here, you have the tracker jacker nest up here, and the crew is going up and down the tree the entire time,” he explained of a particularly intense scene set during the actual Games. “You have all these different axes to cut together into one suspenseful sequence, and you have CG insects, so this is not for the faint of heart. I think my shot list for that was 110 setups. We’re building scaffolding in the forest this was shot practically in trees. None of this was shot on a computer, so that was a daunting sequence that required a lot of attention.”
In addition to the challenges involved in the action-oriented sequences like the Tribute Parade and Katniss’ big “Girl on Fire” moment, Ross admitted that several of the “intimate acting moments” required the most attention.
“There’s a huge responsibility in shooting the death of Rue and what that means and the way Katniss honors that death by creating a memorial and the act of defiance that’s inherent in that and how that becomes a pivotal moment,” he said. “The moment when she’s about to eat the berries with Peeta at the end, these are moments when you get up on that day and you go, ‘OK, it’s berry day,’ ” he added with a laugh. “Stanley Kubrick had this great line; he said, ‘The toughest part of directing is getting out of the car in the morning.’ I’m so happy with [Rue's death scene] and the Reaping.”
After attending a morning photocall, Angelina Jolie was joined by her loyal partner Brad Pitt for the premiere of “In the Land of Blood and Honey” at the Berlin International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany on Saturday (February 11).
The Hollywood power couple was also joined by the Bosnian based war film’s leading actor and actress, Zana Marjanovic and Goran Kostic.
Prior to the event, Angelina told press of the movie’s debut, “I?m nervous and I?m excited. I?ll probably cry through the entire thing.?
She added, ?I?ll be very, very moved because, of course, a lot of the people coming are the victims of war so it?s going to be heavy.”
As for the event, the 62nd Berlinale happens to bethe first major European film festival of the year with 23 productions screening in the main showcase.
Sure to take its audience on quite the cinematic ride, New Line/Warner Bros’ new action/adventure picture “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” is out in theaters now (February 10).
Available in 3D, the movie begins finding a young adventurist named Sean (played by Hutcherson) receiving a code of distress signal from a mysterious island.
Sean, who cannot help himself but to set out for the island, is joined by his new stepfather (Johnson) after he?s unable to talk his stepson out of the dangerous outing.
Also along for the adventurous ride is helicopter pilot (Guzman) and Johnson?s character?s strong-willed daughter (Hudgens).
Director Gary Ross tells MTV News the first-person perspective will be shown ‘cinematically,’ not through voice-over. By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Gary Ross Photo: MTV News
For our fellow “Hunger Games” fans who are following each and every detail released about the upcoming big-screen adaptation, one of the key questions is how the filmmakers will address the fact that a large amount of the story is told via Katniss’ inner monologue. Will we be hearing Jennifer Lawrence narrate throughout the film via voice-over or will we see the action from multiple characters’ perspectives?
Today is our lucky day, because we have an answer straight from director Gary Ross himself, who told MTV News recently that after much careful consideration he is not using any voice-over.
“I’m not using voice-over for her. This thing is all from Katniss’ perspective,” he said of the story. “It is a first-person point of view. How do we put the viewer immediately and urgently in that experience they had when they read the book and they’re in Katniss Everdeen’s shoes? A lot of that is done cinematically. I spent a lot of time wondering and thinking about at the beginning of this process, ‘What does it really mean to be in the character’s point of view cinematically?’ I looked at a lot of really interesting references for that, but it comes down to: You don’t know more than the character knows.”
Ross said we will be experiencing everything from Katniss’ perspective; we just won’t be hearing her talk us through it.
“You wonder about what she’s wondering about, you worry about what she’s worrying about,” he explained. “You don’t know things she doesn’t know, and as such, you wander and experience things through her eyes, so that’s the first job: How do we make people feel they’re walking in Katniss’ shoes and encountering the same obstacles and challenges she is?” he said. “A lot is done cinematically and a lot is having someone as good as Jen Lawrence.”
The “Pleasantville” and “Seabiscuit” helmer was cagey when asked about the specific look and style of the film but did promise they did everything they could to make things as realistic and believable as possible.
“I don’t want to start giving specific scenes away, I know you understand that. I will say movies can do a lot in imagery where you can assimilate at lot of the world there pretty quickly,” he said when asked how much backstory he felt he needed to include or whether he’ll just jump right into the story at the start of the film. “The trick there is to make the world as real and as specific as it was when you read the book, be very precise about the production design and what this world looks like, and I think we’ve created a pretty vivid world.”
Hayden Panettiere is GQ’s Obsession of the Year Heroes star Hayden Panettiere has been named Obsession of the Year in a recent issue of GQ. The teen celebrity is photographed by Ellen Von Unwerth. She is adorable in the photos and actually now that she?s eighteen, it?s okay to look at her ?in tha
Never one to shy away from revealing personal details about herself, Lady Gaga told teenagers at a Los Angeles conference this week that she struggled with bulimia in high school.
The lifelong Spidey fan admits that ‘no actor could ever live up to’ the role of Peter Parker. By Kevin P. Sullivan, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Andrew Garfield Photo: MTV News
The adage “with great power, comes great responsibility” always kept Spider-Man in check, but you may not have known that the same applies for the actor playing the web-slinger in “The Amazing Spider-Man.”
Before a recent
preview event in New York City
, Andrew Garfield shared his excitement and anxieties about playing the iconic superhero with MTV News’ Josh Horowitz.
Though he later told the crowd of fans that he took the role because he’s “not an idiot,” Garfield admitted to a constant state of nervousness. “It’s always the same. It’s always at a 10 inside,” he said. “It’s just a question of whether you acknowledge it, or try to ignore it, or try to suppress it, or pretend that it’s not there, or act like you don’t care.”
The pressure doesn’t simply come from fans or the history of the character, but also the people who have worked to bring Spidey to life. “It’s a huge responsibility for me to be in that suit and to take on the mantle from a fantastic actor previously and from fantastic artists and writers and ultimately Stan Lee,” Garfield said. “That’s where it came from.”
At the same time, everything that Spider-Man means to Garfield and all the other fans has made playing the character both easier and more difficult. “I feel lucky and also unlucky that I’m a fan first. I’m a Spider-Man fan, that’s who I am at my core,” Garfield explained. “I feel lucky in the sense that I feel I know him. I know Peter Parker because I grew up with him, but I feel unlucky in the sense that I know how disappointed I am that I’m playing him.”
That disappointment doesn’t stem from self-deprecation, the actor clarified. But there is a sense of inevitable failure built into taking a role like Spider-Man. “No actor could ever live up to the character for me,” he said. “And that’s weird for me to say that because I’m the actor playing him in this particular incarnation. I can’t wait for another actor to take it over, so that I can judge.”
Can Andrew Garfield tackle the role of Spider-Man? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
‘The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)’ debuted on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show Monday morning. By Jocelyn Vena
Justin Bieber in "Mistletoe" Photo: Island Def Jam
<P>On November 1, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a> will take his fans <a href="/news/articles/1672827/justin-bieber-under-the-mistletoe.jhtml"><i>Under the Mistletoe</i></a> on his holiday album. But he's giving them an early treat by releasing his <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/usher/artist.jhtml">Usher</a> duet, "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)," on Monday (October 24). </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="id:1672718" width="240" height="211"></div><p> The song dropped on Ryan Seacrest's <a href="http://ryanseacrest.com/2011/10/24/usher-premieres-duet-with-justin-bieber-chestnuts-over-an-open-fire-audio/" target="_blank">radio show</a>. Its vibe is reminiscent of '90s R&B tracks, and it sounds a lot like it could have been recorded by Boyz II Men, who also appear on the album. The Christmas classic is all about the little joys of the holiday season, including the family get-togethers, the food and Santa bringing presents to children. The song, one of the classics that appears on the album, hits iTunes on Monday. Bieber and Usher previously appeared together on "Somebody to Love" off <i>My World 2.0.</i> "Justin and I did the classic record 'Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.' This record is going to be remembered for years to come," Usher told Seacrest on Monday morning. "It's a record that has always been one of my favorites, and I'm happy that I was able to share it with Justin, and for us to put it out. The album is full of surprises. Justin's <i>Under the Mistletoe</i> is going to be incredible!" In the lead-up to the release, Bieber <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/justinbieber/status/128163827832467456" target="_blank">released</a> some behind-the-scenes footage of his mentor and him in the studio working on the song. He also shared that he had another surprise in store for his fans. Just one week after dropping the video for "Mistletoe," he <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/justinbieber/status/128479978106003456" target="_blank">tweeted</a>, "Up early to shoot another video for #UNDERTHEMISTLETOE #Nov1st but something else is out this morning…." In addition to Usher, <i>Under the Mistletoe</i> will also feature appearances from the Band Perry, Busta Rhymes, Boyz II Men and <a href="/news/articles/1672767/justin-bieber-under-the-mistletoe-mariah-carey.jhtml">Mariah Carey, who re-recorded</a> her classic "All I Want for Christmas" for the album. <center><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:700933/cp~vid%3D700933%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A700933" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></center></p>
“American Idol” judges were horrified after watching a contestant on the show, teenager Symone Black, become dizzy and fall off the stage during a taped [...]
Even before we get to see action legends Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone fighting together on the big screen in “Expendables 2,” their next collaboration is already set to go.
Deadline is reporting that the duo will star in “The Tomb,” a prison-escape thriller directed by Mikael Hafstrom.
In “The Tomb,” Stallone will play a [...]
Ray Romano is opening up about something his family has kept private for two years: his wife Anna‘s battle with breast cancer. In the new issue of People, the Everybody Loves Raymond star reveals that his wife of 24 years learned she had stage-one invasive breast cancer after a mammogram and biopsy in February 2010.
“American Idol” judges were horrified after watching a contestant on the show, teenager Symone Black, become dizzy and fall off the stage during a taped [...]
A photo of Kim Kardashian?s playboy photoshoot has been leaked. The photoshoot wasn?t supposed to appear to viewers until December. It is rumored that this will be the biggest playboy spread ever?..
‘I’d say we’re maybe about 40 percent done,’ Luda tells Billboard about his Ludaversal. By Rob Markman
Ludacris attends MAGNUM Live Large project at Highline Ballroom on April 4, 2011 in New York City. Photo: Dave Kotinsky/ Getty Images
<P>Are you ready for another <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/ludacris/artist.jhtml">Ludacris</a> album? It's been two years since 'Cris dropped his last album, <i>Battle of the Sexes,</i> and the Atlanta MC estimates that his next one will hit stores this spring. "I get the beats together and I put out my ideas, so I'd say we're maybe about 40 percent done," the rapper told <a href="http://www.billboard.com/column/the-juice/ludacris-eyes-spring-ludaversal-release-1005831952.story#/column/the-juice/ludacris-eyes-spring-ludaversal-release-1005831952.story" target="_blank"><i>Billboard</i></a> of his upcoming eighth LP, <i>Ludaversal,</i> which he anticipates will be out around May with a first single dropping in March. Luda, who dropped his <a href="/news/articles/1674369/ludacris-1.21-gigawatts-mixtape.jhtml"><i>1.21 Gigawatts</i> mixtape</a> in November, also revealed one big-time guest on the LP. "<a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/usher/artist.jhtml">Usher</a> is one person that I've already worked with," he said. "In terms of other artists, you can say that there's going to be a lot of surprises on here." <center><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:711235/cp~id%3D1674412%26vid%3D711235%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A711235" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></center> The pair already have a few collaborations under their belt. Who can forget Usher's inescapable smash "Yeah!" from his 2004 <i>Confessions</i> album? The two also hooked up on Lil Jon's "Lovers and Friends" in the same year and then again two years ago on Usher's "She Don't Know." As far as what the two have cooked up for <i>Ludaversal,</i> fans will just have to wait and see. Throughout his career, Luda has shown a ton of versatility. An undeniable hitmaker, at times the nimble-tongued lyricist has been comical (2001's "Area Codes" and 2004's "Number One Spot") and in other instances delivered healthy amounts of substance (2006's "Runaway Love" and 2008's "Do the Right Thing"). For <i>Ludaversal,</i> he will get a little personal. "It's been a minute since I've been away from music, and there is just so much to talk about," he said. "So [the album] is mostly about my personal life, my travels, my experiences, rumors, gossip — you know, everything coming together in one." <i>What are your expectations for Ludacris' new album? Tell us in the comments!</i></p>
Kris Humphries may have experienced one of the shortest and most publicized marriages in Hollywood, but he’s finally at peace with his split from Kim Kardashian. The NBA player, who was reportedly shocked when his estranged wife filed for divorce Oct. 31, says life is considerably better now than it was last fall.
Karolina Kurkova stepped out for the 2012 Runway to Win launch party at Theory in New York City last night, looking as gorgeous as always. What do you think of her dress? LOVE the color and pattern. The only thing … Continue reading →
Mother Monster tweets out a sketch of the stage, which takes on a gothic castle theme. By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga's stage design of the "Born This Way" Ball Photo: Lady Gaga/Twitter
<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml">Lady Gaga</a> is going all out for her <i>Born This Way</i> Ball. As promised, on Tuesday (February 7), the singer revealed a sketch of what her forthcoming <a href="/news/articles/1678472/lady-gaga-born-this-way-tour-stage.jhtml">tour stage</a> will look like. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:717952" width="240" height="211"></div><p> "I'm so excited. The Haus has been working so hard, we can't wait for you to see it!!" she <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ladygaga" target="_blank">wrote</a> in the lead-up to the reveal, before adding, "Love you Little Monsters, have the time of your life." So what should all those Little Monsters expect from the one and only Mother Monster for this trek? It looks like the <i>Born This Way</i> Ball will be taking place in an elaborately designed gothic castle that includes intricate details like viewing towers, cross-like carvings and a catwalk that extends right into the audience, bringing Gaga close to her many legions of dedicated fans. The look is a far cry from her <a href="/news/articles/1658395/lady-gaga-monster-ball-new-york.jhtml">Monster Ball tour</a>, which was set in modern-day New York City, complete with a subway car, lighted marquees and, yes, a giant monster that Gaga and her dancers had to defeat in order to attend the oft-teased Monster Ball. This new tour will kick off sometime this year and continue right through 2013. Haus member and <i>BTW</i> producer Fernando Garibay shared with MTV News in December that the show will be reflective of the 2011 album. "This album was the most personal [because of] the amount of detail that went into this record, the amount of passion [and] emotion from her and the team," he said. "Every song was a story towards the <i>Born This Way</i> theme. We're excited now, putting that into the tour and expressing that on a live performance level. "You can imagine what happened on the Monster Ball, so use your imagination," he said. "That's what's going to happen, exaggerated." <center><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:714688/cp~id%3D1672718%26vid%3D714688%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A714688%26instance%3Dmtv" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="." flashVars=""></embed></center> <i>What do you think of Lady Gaga's</i> Born This Way <i>stage? Leave your comments below.</i></p>
‘It’s groundbreaking TV,’ actress tells MTV News of the found-footage series, which premieres tonight. By Josh Wigler
Eloise Mumford in “The River” Photo: American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.
There’s magic out there … you just need to ford “The River” to find it.
“Paranormal Activity” mastermind Oren Peli is back with another found-footage fright-fest, but this time, it’s playing out on the small screen in the form of “The River,” a new supernatural series debuting on ABC on Tuesday (February 7). “The River” stars “Star Trek” actor Bruce Greenwood as Dr. Emmet Cole, a television personality and famed explorer who vanishes without a trace while seeking magic in the depths of the Amazon. Six months later, new evidence regarding Emmet’s whereabouts comes to light, leading his wife, Tess (Leslie Hope), and son, Lincoln (Joe Anderson), to the Amazon with a television crew in tow.
What they find there is darker and more inexplicable than anything they expected — and as promised by the missing Dr. Cole, there is indeed magic out there, deadlier than the rabbits-from-hats variety.
Actress Eloise Mumford, who stars on the show as adventurer Lena Landry, dropped by MTV News this week to talk about the premiere of “The River,” and why it’s a television event that fans of found-footage absolutely can’t miss.
“It’s ‘Paranormal Activity’ meets ‘X-Files,’ ” she told MTV about the premise of the show. “The conceit is that it’s all shot as a TV show — you’re aware that it’s not just a TV show on TV, but that the whole thing is being shot as a TV show within a TV show. It’s really fun, because it’s all shot as a documentary. You see the camera guys; they’re characters. Sometimes we had up to 13 cameras rolling at once. It’s groundbreaking TV in that sense. It’s taking this age of technology right now and taking full advantage of that.”
Indeed, though found-footage is a prominent part of pop culture today, it’s a device that’s rarely explored in scripted genre television. Mumford said that the unique perspective will help set “The River” apart from other shows currently on TV.
“If you’re flipping through the channels, you’re going to go, ‘Whoa!’ It’s such a different look,” she said. “And the storytelling of it is so much faster. There’s really unique points of view in all of it.”
“It’s in line with the youth of today,” she added of what makes “The River” relevant. “We’re used to shooting our own stuff on our cellphones. We’re used to capturing everything. To be able to have that as a TV show is going to be really fun for people to watch.”
“The River” flows on ABC tonight (February 7) at at 9 ET/PT (8 Central).
Are you excited for the premiere of “The River”? Leave your comment below.
Now that he?s a seasoned veteran on the main stage, Nick Jonas was on-hand for a pre-theater party during Kids’ Night on Broadway in New York City on Tuesday (February 7).
The dapper looking ?Camp Jonas? stud took the stage and said a few words to the young audience at the Madame Tussauds museum venue.
Meanwhile, Nick recently gave his fans a glimpse of the dressing room where he preps for his Broadway role of J Pierrepont Finch in ?How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.?
In the exclusive footage from Ryan Seacrest found below, Jonas guides the camera through his bathroom and shower while pointing out his vanity – which includes photos of the Obamas, as well as his idol, Elvis Costello, among his other quirks.
Lady Gaga, Ludacris, Lupe Fiasco and the Band Perry also scheduled to perform at November 30 event. By Jocelyn Vena
Rihanna performs in concert (file) Photo: WireImage
<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rihanna/artist.jhtml">Rihanna</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/usher/artist.jhtml">Usher</a> have been added to the performance lineup for "The <a href="/news/articles/1673138/lady-gaga-grammy-nominations-concert.jhtml">Grammy Nominations Concert Live!</a> Countdown to Music's Biggest Night," set to go down November 30. They join already announced acts Lady Gaga, Ludacris, Lupe Fiasco, Sugarland and Jason Aldean. Country crossover act the Band Perry will perform a full concert of their own after the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/grammys">Grammy</a> nominations concert wraps up at L.A. Live's Nokia Theatre. LL Cool J will again host the show, which will air at 10 p.m. on CBS, <a href="http://www.billboard.com/news/rihanna-band-perry-usher-added-to-grammy-1005529002.story#/news/rihanna-band-perry-usher-added-to-grammy-1005529002.story" target="_blank">Billboard.com reports</a>. This marks the fourth year the Recording Academy had held one of these concerts. As some of music's biggest names take the stage during the special, the nominations for major Grammy categories will be announced. The awards ceremony will go down February 12 at the Staples Center, and will air live at 8 p.m. Over the course of her career, Rihanna has taken home four Grammy Awards including Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Umbrella," two trophies for "Run This Town" (including Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration) and Best Dance Recording for "Only Girl (In the World)." Rihanna is currently riding high on the forthcoming release of her new album, <a href="/news/articles/1674237/rihanna-talk-that-talk-watch-learn-hit-boy.jhtml"><i>Talk That Talk</i></a>, and two buzzworthy singles, "We Found Love" and "You Da One." In the thirteen years he's been nominated for Grammys, Usher has amassed seven, including wins for Best R&B Vocal Performance Male for "U Remind Me," Best R&B Vocal Performance Male for "U Don't Have To Call," Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Yeah," Best Contemporary R&B Album for <i>Confessions</i>, Best R&B Vocal Performance By a Duo/Group for "My Boo," Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "There Goes My Baby" as well as Best Contemporary R&B Album for <i>Raymond v. Raymond</i>. Recently, he has been taking over airwaves with his <a href="/news/articles/1670301/usher-david-guetta-without-you.jhtml">David Guetta track, "Without You."</a></p>
Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has never been one to hold back his opinions — especially when it comes to women and their weight. In an interview for Monday’s edition of Metro, the German designer was asked to comment on the day’s news stories, and used the opportunity to take an unnecesssary jab at singer Adele‘s dress size.
She’s in the midst of the final season of her long-running series “Desperate Housewives,” and Marcia Cross landed the cover of the March 2012 issue of Easy Living.
The 49-year-old Bree Van de Kamp actress posed for a lovely Robert Erdmann shot spread lining the publication’s pages while chatting about having undergone fertility treatment, her charitable work and turning the big 5-0 this year.
Highlights from Marcia’s interview are as follows. For more, be sure to pay a visit to Easy Living!
On being too understated to be ostentatious: “I’m very New England [i.e. conservative] about money. I don’t buy designer clothes, though I love the 1920s theme of the Easy Living shoot so much, I’m tempted to go on a spending spree!”
On undergoing fertility treatment right after her wedding day: “I always knew I wanted to be a mom. Before I met Tom, I was trying to get pregnant with the sperm donor, who was a dear friend of mine, from my hometown in Massachusetts. But that didn’t work out, I was hitting my 40s and thinking, this is not good. I wanted to experience being a mother so much, partly because my own parents did such great job
On her priorities when it comes to health and beauty: “when you have kids it’s no longer about you. I have no time for the gym. [But] I’m religious about removing makeup and wearing sunscreen. Also, any time a new beauty treatment comes out, we all joke on set that we have to try it ? we say we’ll do anything as long as it doesn’t involve a knife! I never say no to surgery in the future, as I feel like, as I get older, I’m going to face it [temptation] more.”
On turning 50: “Turning 50 is huge… It’s monumental. But not in terms of beauty. People spend so much time talking about turning 50 in the sense of turning grey or eyes starting to droop, but what most people fail to talk about is that it means your time is running out. It’s about recognizing how precious time is. That’s why I’m not looking to find another TV series at the moment.”
On helping charitable causes: “I feel an obligation to give back. What’s been hard for me as an actress is understanding that putting on a dress and makeup, which I don’t like doing that much, and showing up actually supports charities… Before, I used to do much more volunteer work, which felt more meaningful.”
Justin Bieber was at the centre of a “crowd control incident” at Los Angeles’ LAX airport on Monday when a scuffle broke out between a photographer and one of his bodyguards. The teenage pop star was leaving a terminal when his security guard allegedly became involved in an altercation with a snapper, who is said [...]
Withe less than three weeks remaining until the grandest night in Tinseltown takes place, the 2012 Oscar hopefuls gathered together at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the 84th Academy Awards Nominations Luncheon on Monday afternoon (February 6).
Hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, eighteen of the twenty main category nominees made appearances including Best Lead Actor candidates Brad Pitt and George Clooney, as well as Best Lead Actress selections Rooney Mara and Michelle Williams.
Other notable stars on the guest list included ladies such as Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Berenice Bejo, Viola Davis, Melissa McCarthy, Janet McTeer and Octavia Spencer.
Their male counterparts on-hand for the pre-Oscar meal were comprised of Demi?n Bichir, Jean Dujardin, Gary Oldman, Kenneth Branagh, Nick Nolte, Max von Sydow and Jonah Hill, who praised his “Moneyball” co-star Pitt at the event by telling THR, “Not specifically about acting on Moneyball, but by watching him produce and watching his commitment to this movie throughout so many incarnations, and just his advice about making interesting choices as an actor.”
With a handful of nominated directors including Michel Hazanavicius, Alexander Payne and Martin Scorsese rounding out the guest list, the prestigious group’s day of togetherness comes as the 84th Annual Academy Awards ceremony is all set to be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre while televised live by ABC beginning at 7PM ET.
The pop superstar has used online forums to boost her worldwide appeal and has become the first celebrity to register 18 million followers on Twitter.com. Now the Poker Face hitmaker is utilising her technology skills by founding her very own networking site for her devotees, who the star has branded her ‘little monsters’. The site, [...]
Roslyn M. Brock is only the fourth woman and the youngest ever to lead the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights organization, and faces big challenges trying to make the NAACP as relevant as it was during the height of the civil rights movement
A photo of Kim Kardashian?s playboy photoshoot has been leaked. The photoshoot wasn?t supposed to appear to viewers until December. It is rumored that this will be the biggest playboy spread ever?..
Well, things didn’t turn out as Gisele and Tom Brady had hoped for the New England Patriots at the Super Bowl last night: Eli Manning led the New York Giants to a win after a hard-fought, tight game. On the … Continue reading →
‘Woman in Black’ star tells MTV News the giant spiders in ‘Jumanji’ used to keep him up at night. By Kevin P. Sullivan, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Daniel Radcliffe Photo: MTV News
For the star of an upcoming coming horror film, you might expect Daniel Radcliffe to know his way around the genre. But when it comes to movies that really scare the “Woman In Black” star, he doesn’t exactly name the cream of the crop.
“‘Jumanji,’ funnily enough,” Radcliffe admitted to MTV News’ Josh Horowitz. “The giant spiders in ‘Jumanji’ freaked me out as a kid, because I used to wake up in the middle of the night thinking I was seeing them around me.”
While the Robin Williams movie might not inspire nightmares for most people, it was enough to make an impression on the young Radcliffe. Not satisfied with his first answer, however, he vowed to give a more “proper horror film” that scared him as a child.
So naturally, Radcliffe moved onto the Jennifer Lopez classic, “Anaconda.” “I remember the first kind of horror-thriller thing that I ever watched was also ‘Anaconda,’ ” he said. “I’ve got some serious pedigree.”
The actor shared a story about his first time watching the film, at a friend’s birthday party, and his fondness for Ice Cube‘s character. “We all picked a character, and when our character died, we had to leave the room and weren’t allowed to watch the film. I was in it until the end because Ice Cube survives.”
Despite his less reputable horror-movie knowledge, Radcliffe insisted that he actually knew a thing or two about the classics growing up. “I never watched ‘The Exorcist.’ I never saw it when I was a kid. I’ve watched it since,” he said. “When I was 12, all my friends were saying ‘You should watch ‘The Exorcist,’ it’s really funny. You’ll just find it funny.’ I watched it later, thinking I would not have found that funny at 12. I’m terrified now. I would have been scared then.”
Still not satisfied with his defense of his own horror-movie knowledge, Radcliffe attempted to clear up any lingering questions about his cred. “I also like films like ‘The Shining,’ ” he said. “I should mention just because I really should mention a good horror film at this point.”
What horror films give you the chills? Let us know in the comments!
Daniel Radcliffe’s new film, “The Woman in Black,” builds off a rich tradition of the Gothic horror movies. It’s the perfect excuse to look back at the movies that scared with floor creaks and swinging doors, and there are more than a few that you may not have seen recently, if ever.
Here is a look [...]
" Other fans gushed, while Zakir Khan wrote simply on Facebook, "Best of luck." On Twitter, @Elina_BS made a <a href="http://twitpic.com/7u58ry" target="_blank">Twitpic</a> card for the singer wishing her and Jason well. Many of Britney's fans have been listening to her music for almost their entire lives, so news of her engagement felt especially personal for them. @mollypannell1 tweeted, "Is it weird how happy I am for @britneyspears? So cuuute. I still remember when her first video came out. I was 7!" Celebs also took to Twitter to send their love. Ryan Seacrest <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/RyanSeacrest/status/147786909651972096" target="_blank">tweeted</a> his approval of the union, "I used to work w/ Jason Trawick and can't think of a better guy and more perfect match for @BritneySpears. Congrats guys." Nick Cannon also <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NickCannon/status/147764341058445312" target="_blank">tweeted</a> "Congrats @BritneySpears is engaged" and included a link to a <a href="http://www.nickcannon.com/post/britney-spears-jason-trawick-engaged" target="_blank">post</a> from his website that included a family photo of Britney, Jason and her two sons. If nothing else, this milestone in Britney's personal life has renewed her fans' love. @Mae_tweet wrote, "You can't help liking @britneyspears! With Britney's infectious, resilience & strength. Born survivor. Credits to her X." <i>Share your well-wishes for the newly engaged couple in the comments below!</i></p> 
at age 44, and the music industry is clearly mourning the loss. A string of stars, including <a href="/music/artist/usher/artist.jhtml">Usher</a>, <a href="/music/artist/timbaland/artist.jhtml">Timbaland</a> and <a href="/music/artist/minaj__nicki/artist.jhtml">Nicki Minaj</a>, have shared their memories of the late MC on Twitter. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:709301.id:1674015" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Usher offered his sympathy to the family of the Jamaican-born rap heavyweight, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/UsherRaymondIV/status/134038937709707264" target="_blank">tweeting</a>, "This is too heavy, I can't believe it. HEAVY D was just here. Truly gone too soon. My heart and support goes out to his family. R.I.P HEAVY." Mega-producer Timbaland couldn't even process the announcement, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Timbaland/status/134043158483959808" target="_blank">writing</a>, "I'm at a loss for words rip heavy d." After re-tweeting the late-MC's last <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/heavyd/status/133793313668071424" target="_blank">message</a> ("BE INSPIRED"), hip-hop's Harajuku Barbie also weighed in on the news. "We'll never forget you babe! #hiphopelite #RIPHeavyD," Nicki <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NICKIMINAJ/status/134046872791810048" target="_blank">wrote</a>. From one raptress to the next, Missy Elliott <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/MissyElliott/status/134048022421176321" target="_blank">shared</a> her thoughts: "U will be missed Heavy D so many laughs we've shared but your Music is Timeless and will Always be Around 4ever Love u Heav…" Ciara <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ciara/status/134042091209752576" target="_blank">described</a> the MC as "a really nice man. Sending my condolences to him and his family!" DJ Drama and Nick Cannon reflected on the icon's impact. "Heavy D 'Who's The Man' was one of my 1st pieces of vinyl when I first started djayin," DJ Drama <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/DJDRAMA/status/134047593767505920" target="_blank">wrote</a>. "Def 1 of the first 5 records I spent $ on. RIP." Cannon said he had "just talked" to Heavy D, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/NickCannon/status/134045736227713024" target="_blank">adding</a>, "He was just encouraging me about life." "RIP TO A REAL HIP HOP LEGEND HEAVY D!" Nas <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Nas/status/134036958933549056" target="_blank">chimed</a> in. Juelz Santana <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/thejuelzsantana/status/134049100172754946" target="_blank">recalled</a> the rapper/actor's recent BET Hip Hop Awards performance. "RIP Heavy D. He was a Hip Hop Legend," he shared. "Crazy how sh– happens. I was late 2 da BET Awards & Heavy D's Performance was 1 of da only 2 I got 2 see. Blessed 4 dat opportunity. RIP." Boyz II Men, who shared the '90s spotlight with the MC, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/BoyzIIMen/status/134038232487825408" target="_blank">sent</a> condolences to his family, writing, "UGH…heavy d..always cool as hell with us..just a sick feeling….praying for his little daughter and family." <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/mtvnews/posts/239786012747833" target="_blank"><big>Share your memories of Heavy D on Facebook.</big></a> <center><object width="451" height="279" id="kickWidget_176704_495694" name="kickWidget_176704_495694" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://serve.a-widget.com/service/getWidgetSwf.kickAction"> <!– Firefox uses the 'data' attribute above, IE/Safari uses the param below –> <param name="movie" value="http://serve.a-widget.com/service/getWidgetSwf.kickAction"></param> <param name="FlashVars" value="affiliateSiteId=176704&widgetId=495694&width=451&height=279&autoPlay=0&playOnLoad=0&js=1&revision=110&mediaURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bet.com%2Fcontent%2Fbetcom%2Fvideo%2Fhiphopawards%2F2011%2Fperformances%2Fhha-perf-heavyd-s1%2F_jcr_content%2Fleftcol%2Fvideoplayer.mrss" ></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent" ></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" ></param> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" ></param> </object></center></p> 
