MTV News' 2009 Women Of The Year
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1628132
Alice Dodd Alicia Keys Alicia Witt Amanda Bynes Amanda Detmer
Monday, February 28, 2011
Oscars 2011: Randy Newman Wins Oscar For Best Original Song
Randy Newman won his second Academy Award Sunday evening for the song ?We Belong Together? from the animated film Toy Story 3.
Newman has been nominated 20 times for the Oscar, having won the statue previously for Best Song in 2001 with ?If I Didn?t Have You? for the animated film Monsters, Inc.
Newman gave a warm [...]
Newman has been nominated 20 times for the Oscar, having won the statue previously for Best Song in 2001 with ?If I Didn?t Have You? for the animated film Monsters, Inc.
Newman gave a warm [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/beatcrave/~3/Jst3ablePYs/
Emmy Rossum Erica Leerhsen Erika Christensen Estella Warren Esther Cañadas
Remembering George Harrison on His Birthday
Today is is the birthday of George Harrison, and although he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in the music he gave the world. Although not a member of the famous Lennon/McCartney songwriting duo, his contributions to the catalog of The Beatles, as well his solo work, are among the most memorable [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/beatcrave/~3/tjwQDeLPgp4/
Usher Gets Sick, Walks Offstage Mid-Show In Berlin
Singer cancels kick off date of European leg of his OMG Tour due to illness.
By Gil Kaufman
Usher (file)
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage
Usher was forced to delay the kick off of his European OMG Tour on Wednesday night in Berlin because of illness. In a statement released to fans, the singer apologized for the last-minute scratch, saying he felt he was suffering from a "sinus complication." Although the gig was rescheduled for Thursday night at the O2 World arena in Berlin, his German fans apparently weren't appeased by his effort.
"I am truly sorry to all my fans in Berlin who were inconvenienced by tonight's postponement of the show," the singer said in a statement about Wednesday's aborted concert. "I was ill and felt that I would not have been able to give them the show that they properly deserve. ... I am looking forward to performing tomorrow and giving Berliners a great show."
According to the statement, the singer received treatment from doctors for a sinus issue that affected his balance, but a visibly still-ailing Usher was unable to finish the Thursday make-up show, reportedly abandoning the stage after just five songs.
On Friday (January 14), a follow-up statement from his spokesperson confirmed that he was too ill to play Thursday night's Berlin date and has been forced to reschedule the next three dates on the tour as well. The Rotterdam show originally scheduled for this week has been moved to March 1 and a show in Antwerp, also slated for this week, has been bumped to March 7.
The statement also updated the singer's condition: "Usher is suffering from upper respiratory illness, which is currently preventing him from performing a proper show. After consultation with doctors, he has been advised to reschedule the upcoming dates in order to get the rest he needs to ensure a complete recovery."
Footage posted on YouTube that was purportedly taken at the make-up performance in Berlin shows Usher standing silently at the microphone seemingly unable to sing, with fans booing him at first and then chanting, "Usher, Usher," as he approaches the microphone and apologizes to them for his struggles. "I appreciate your support," he told the fans wearily.
"I have been very excited about my European Tour and I deeply regret having to reschedule the shows," the singer said in the new statement. "I am truly sorry for any inconvenience I have caused my fans. My fans are the best in the world and I am looking forward to getting better so that I can give them the show they deserve."
Usher wrapped up the North American leg of his tour in December and his overseas dates are slated to last through the spring.
What do you think of the fans' reaction to Usher's walking offstage mid-show? Tell us in the comments.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655991/usher-gets-sick-walks-offstage-midshow-berlin.jhtml
Lady Gaga Fans Expecting 'Born This Way' Video To Be 'Fabulous'
'She outdoes herself each time,' one Gaga fan tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/ WireImage
Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" music video premieres on Monday (February 28), and the star's dedicated legion of Little Monsters cannot wait to see what their Mother Monster has up her sleeve in the Nick Knight-directed music video.
When MTV News spoke to a small grouping of Gaga's loyal fans, they revealed what they think might make the final cut of the video, which was a collaboration between Knight, the singer's Haus of Gaga creative team and choreographer Laurieann Gibson.
A fan named Emily guessed that the clip might seek some inspiration from Gaga's stark, egg-y Grammy Awards spectacle earlier this month. "Maybe kind of like her Grammy performance," she pondered. "I don't know. I have no idea. You never know what the hell she's gonna come up with."
"She outdoes herself each time and each time she uses a different director," Leslie Perkins said. "And each time is beyond the last one. I'm expecting nothing less than fabulous."
Cayley couldn't quite put her finger on what the video might look like. She explained, "I don't know! I can only imagine!"
Mon Cherie and her pal, Pam Kitten, figure that something somewhat shocking will probably come of it all. "There's not much more of an egg, hon!" Mon Cherie joked. "She comes out of an elephant poop! I don't know! Nothing shocks me. Lady Gaga — whatever she do is fantastic."
Some of those same fans recently dished to MTV News about what the song "Born This Way" means to them as Gaga ushers in a new phase of her career. "Do what you want to do!" Mon Cherie previously noted. "I mean, keep it real, keep it safe and keep it legal, but you got to do you, hon."
Lisa explained that the tune "means no matter what you are, who you are, who you want to be, you just can't help it, because you were born this way."
Meanwhile, Gaga revealed during a recent visit to "The Gayle King Show" that she also plans to put out a second "Born This Way" video. The singer said that clip, which will accompany a stripped-down version of the song, "will be released on iTunes." She added that "a portion of the money raised selling the song [will] go towards an anti-bully charity."
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658763/lady-gaga-born-this-way-video.jhtml
Katharine McPhee Katharine Towne Katherine Heigl Katie Cassidy Katie Holmes
Michael Jackson's 'Moonwalker' To Get U.S. Theater Debut?
A Hollywood cinema is searching for a print of MJ's 1988 film with plans to give it a 'one night only' screening.
By James Montgomery
Michael Jackson's "Moonwalker"
Photo: Warner Bros.
Michael Jackson's short-film anthology "Moonwalker" may finally get a debut theatrical screening in the United States more than 20 years after it was released.
Back in 1988, MJ first unveiled the ambitious project, which contained several long-form videos for songs off his then-just-released Bad album, including his famous 25-minute clip for "Smooth Criminal." The film had been scheduled to be released in U.S. theaters that Christmas, but for whatever reason, that plan was scrapped. The movie was released on VHS early in 1989, and — surprise, surprise — became a massive success. But now, more than two decades after its debut, one theater is planning to give "Moonwalker" a proper premiere here in the States.
According to TMZ, Hollywood's Arclight Cinemas is actively searching for a print of the film, with plans to show it on the big screen ... for one night only.
The idea came after Jackson fans flooded Arclight's Facebook page with requests to show "Moonwalker," and the theater is now on the hunt for a copy of the flick. Even if the search is successful, there's no word on when the premiere would occur. The theater had not responded to MTV News' e-mail seeking a comment by press time.
However, Jackson fans might not want to hold their breath. In a follow-up story, TMZ reported that the late singer's estate had blocked Arclight's attempts to secure a print of the film, with a spokesperson for the theater telling the website: "We contacted the film's directors and producers and were finally directed to MJ's estate attorney [who] let us know the estate has the [film's] rights but have no plans to make ... prints available for rent at this time."
"Moonwalker" features videos for Jackson tracks like "Speed Demon" (directed by Claymation innovator Will Vinton), "Leave Me Alone" (which was released as a promo and won Jackson a 1989 Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form) and, as mentioned, the iconic "Criminal," which features Jackson battling a group of mobsters led by Joe Pesci.
The flick also served as the inspiration for the super-awesome Sega game "Moonwalker, which featured a digital MJ morphing into a laser-blasting robot with the aid of his chimpanzee pal, Bubbles.
Would you go see a theatrical screening of Jackson's "Moonwalker" film? Tell us in the comments.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656298/michael-jackson-moonwalker.jhtml
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Charlie Sheen Gives Candid Interview About His Lifestyle And Getting Back To Work
Charlie Sheen called in to the Dan Patrick Show this morning to chat about sobriety and getting back to work – and admits to a new girlfriend. Charlie has told his bosses that he’s ready to come back to work … Continue reading
Patricia Velásquez Paula Garcés Paulina Rubio Paz Vega Penélope Cruz
Sunday, February 27, 2011
TV Ad For Norwegian Deaf Metal
This image, which nicely compliments the video below, is for a 1993 metal comp that featured some pretty ripping bands, including Eucharist, Dissection, Impaler, At the Gates, Pitchshifter and Therion, along with a bunch of groups we've never heard of. Good luck tracking it down. But before you try, check out this Norwegian TV ad [...]
Source: http://blog.mtvmusic.com/2010/06/02/tv-ad-for-norwegian-deaf-metal/
Christina Applegate Christina DaRe Christina Milian Christina Ricci Chyler Leigh
Usher - Lil Freak
- Artist: Usher
- Label: LaFace Records, JLG
- Director: Anthony Mandler
- Album: Raymond V. Raymond
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=497563
Vanessa Marcil Vanessa Minnillo Vanessa Simmons Veronica Kay Veronika Vaeková
Who?s The Most Desirable Actress In Hollywood?
AskMen.com (of course ) has unveiled their list of 99 Most Desirable Women in 2011. So who got top honors? No surprise there, ‘Gossip Girl‘ star and new Chanel model Blake Lively. The top three were: Blake Lively Mila Kunis … Continue reading
Tessie Santiago Thalía Thandie Newton The Avatars of Second Life The Pussycat Dolls
Viggo Mortensen Pegged As Possible Zod For 'Superman'
Actor named 'person of interest' to play villain in Zack Snyder's reboot.
By Shawn Adler
Viggo Mortensen
Photo: Barry King/FilmMagic
He once demanded that any and all enemies of Gondor stand before him on the field of battle, but the once and possibly future Aragorn might be asking his next adversary to "Kneel!" as news comes that Viggo Mortensen has been singled out as a "person of interest" to play General Zod in Zack Snyder's "Superman" reboot, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Despite Snyder's previous statements to the contrary, the announcement of interest amounts to the first public confirmation that Zod, the megalomaniacal Kryptonian scientist portrayed by Terence Stamp in Richard Donner's "Superman II," will appear alongside Henry Cavill in the Christopher Nolan-produced reboot.
Zod's female co-conspirator, Ursa, was previously rumored to be in the film as well, with actresses Diane Kruger, Rosamund Pike and Alice Eve all reportedly up for the part.
Such as with Kevin Costner for the role of the Man of Steel's adoptive father, Jonathan "Pa" Kent, Mortensen remains simply a "person of interest," and no official talks have begun. But for Nolan and Snyder to get their man, they might have to move fast, as Mortensen is in negotiations for "Snow White and the Huntsman."
Mortensen most recently filmed the literary adaptation "On the Road" and "A Dangerous Method," where he played Sigmund Freud for director David Cronenberg. Aside from possible appearances in "Superman" and "Snow White," the Oscar-nominated actor has also repeatedly left the door open for a return appearance as Aragorn in "The Hobbit."
Is Zod the right choice of villain for the "Superman" reboot? Is Mortensen the right man to play him? Sound off below!
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
Related Photos- Superman: A History Of Greatness
- Meet Henry Cavill, The New Superman
- Celebrities As General Zod From 'Superman'
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658791/viggo-mortensen-general-zod-superman.jhtml
Pamela Anderson Paris Hilton Patricia Velásquez Paula Garcés Paulina Rubio
Britney Spears - Radar
- Artist: Britney Spears
- Label: RCA, Jive, Zomba Label Group
- Director: Dave Meyers
- Album: Circus
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=501686&vid=410008
Teri Hatcher Teri Polo Tessie Santiago Thalía Thandie Newton
Brace Yourself: Angelina Jolie To Adopt Fourth Child From Haiti
Yes, it’s another Angelina Jolie adoption story. Yes, it’s probably not true… but just in case, here we go. Angelina Jolie is reportedly set to adopt a fourth child – a 4-year-old girl from Haiti. The child, named Leah, lost … Continue reading
Aubrey ODay Audrina Patridge Autumn Reeser Avril Lavigne Bali Rodriguez
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Adele's 21 Set To Debut At #1
Projected big sales come after a slew of the singer's tour dates had to be moved to larger venues.
By Alex Chapman
Adele
Photo: Jon Furniss/ WireImage
Fame has never been Adele's top priority, but these days, there's no stopping the singer's rapid rise in popularity.
Adele's star is only growing brighter on both sides of the pond. According to the singer's website, a slew of her U.S. tour dates had to be moved to bigger venues to meet popular demand (she even added extra gigs in New York). In addition, according to Reuters, her latest album, 21, is projected to move as many as 300,000 copies by Sunday, guaranteeing a #1 debut in America.
The 22-year-old has mentioned in the past that she has no desire to share the celebrity of her contemporaries. "I was just thinking, imagine being someone like Cheryl Cole or Katy Perry or Gaga, where you've got to be conniving to have a normal day," Adele told Britain's The Sun earlier this month. "That scares the life out of me. I don't think I'd be able to carry on doing music if it got to that point. I don't think it ever will -- I don't think I'm the kind of artist where that will happen."
The singer/songwriter has also mentioned that she prefers a smaller scene to an outsize stadium. "I can't do arenas because I'm not [Lady Gaga]," Adele was recently quoted as saying.
But don't let the singer's seemingly reserved mentality fool you: Adele wants her music to cross over to the States, even if she doesn't desire the forceful spotlight that follows. "It's a big deal in England," Adele told MTV News of success in America. "I didn't think I'd ever release a record here."
Have you checked out Adele's latest album? Share your reviews in the comments!
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658784/adele-21-tour.jhtml
Michael Jackson - Hold My Hand
- Artist: Michael Jackson
- Label: Columbia Records/SMG
- Album: Michael
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1102&vid=605180
Freida Pinto FSU Cowgirls Gabrielle Union Garcelle Beauvais Genelle Frenoy
Charlie Sheen Gives Candid Interview About His Lifestyle And Getting Back To Work
Charlie Sheen called in to the Dan Patrick Show this morning to chat about sobriety and getting back to work – and admits to a new girlfriend. Charlie has told his bosses that he’s ready to come back to work … Continue reading
Katherine Heigl Katie Cassidy Katie Holmes Katy Perry Keira Knightley
Usher Gets Sick, Walks Offstage Mid-Show In Berlin
Singer cancels kick off date of European leg of his OMG Tour due to illness.
By Gil Kaufman
Usher (file)
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage
Usher was forced to delay the kick off of his European OMG Tour on Wednesday night in Berlin because of illness. In a statement released to fans, the singer apologized for the last-minute scratch, saying he felt he was suffering from a "sinus complication." Although the gig was rescheduled for Thursday night at the O2 World arena in Berlin, his German fans apparently weren't appeased by his effort.
"I am truly sorry to all my fans in Berlin who were inconvenienced by tonight's postponement of the show," the singer said in a statement about Wednesday's aborted concert. "I was ill and felt that I would not have been able to give them the show that they properly deserve. ... I am looking forward to performing tomorrow and giving Berliners a great show."
According to the statement, the singer received treatment from doctors for a sinus issue that affected his balance, but a visibly still-ailing Usher was unable to finish the Thursday make-up show, reportedly abandoning the stage after just five songs.
On Friday (January 14), a follow-up statement from his spokesperson confirmed that he was too ill to play Thursday night's Berlin date and has been forced to reschedule the next three dates on the tour as well. The Rotterdam show originally scheduled for this week has been moved to March 1 and a show in Antwerp, also slated for this week, has been bumped to March 7.
The statement also updated the singer's condition: "Usher is suffering from upper respiratory illness, which is currently preventing him from performing a proper show. After consultation with doctors, he has been advised to reschedule the upcoming dates in order to get the rest he needs to ensure a complete recovery."
Footage posted on YouTube that was purportedly taken at the make-up performance in Berlin shows Usher standing silently at the microphone seemingly unable to sing, with fans booing him at first and then chanting, "Usher, Usher," as he approaches the microphone and apologizes to them for his struggles. "I appreciate your support," he told the fans wearily.
"I have been very excited about my European Tour and I deeply regret having to reschedule the shows," the singer said in the new statement. "I am truly sorry for any inconvenience I have caused my fans. My fans are the best in the world and I am looking forward to getting better so that I can give them the show they deserve."
Usher wrapped up the North American leg of his tour in December and his overseas dates are slated to last through the spring.
What do you think of the fans' reaction to Usher's walking offstage mid-show? Tell us in the comments.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655991/usher-gets-sick-walks-offstage-midshow-berlin.jhtml
Bianca Kajlich Bijou Phillips Blake Lively Blu Cantrell Bonnie Jill Laflin
Britney Spears' 'Hold It Against Me' Video: A Pop-Culture Cheat Sheet
From Greek mythology to mid-'90s Tool albums, Brit's latest is full of blink-and-you'll-miss-it moments.
By James Montgomery
Britney Spears fights herself in "Hold It Against Me"
Photo: Jive
On Thursday night, after weeks of teasing, Britney Spears finally revealed her video for "Hold It Against Me," a whirling, swirling dance explosion that features plenty of sass, swagger and exactly one flowing white gown.
The Jonas Åkerlund-directed clip also features plenty of nods to pop music's past — not to mention several blink-and-you'd-miss-it odes to film, TV and, of course, Greek mythology. As is the case with all massive videos, there's a whole lot to keep track of, so, much like we did for equally big clips like Lady Gaga's "Telephone" and My Chemical Romance's "Na Na Na," we've put "Hold It Against Me" through the wringer and compiled a pop-culture cheat sheet that's alphabetized and cross-referenced for your convenience. Believe us, this took way longer than you could imagine, but it was worth it. (Oh, and despite our best efforts, we're sure there's something we missed, which is why we need your help: Let us know what you spot in the comments below.)
Photos of the references in Britney's "Hold It Against Me."
The Graeae: In Greek mythology, they were the three sisters who shared a single eye. In Britney's video, they're hoodie-wearing dudes with serious dance moves (and no eyes at all). Same thing, really.
Iamamiwhoami: Icky, sticky viral-video enigma whose early clips featured plenty of lying around in the fetal position (and amniotic fluids). In "HIAM," Britney, covered in similarly sticky liquid, curls up on the floor, striking a pose that would make Iamami proud.
Kanye West, "Runaway": Over-the-top 35-minute mini-movie/allegory starring West as a man who cares for a phoenix who has fallen to Earth. The meteor that crashes to Earth at the beginning of "HIAM" reminds us a lot of the phoenix's fiery entrance in 'Ye's film. And, if you look hard enough, you can also see the song's lyrics printed out in the top left corner of the shot.
Madonna, "Bedtime Stories": Ultra-artistic 1995 video, directed by Mark Romanek, that cost a reported $5 million to make. From the futuristic set and the special effects to Brit's long, flowing gown and whirling dancers, it appears to be a direct influence on pretty much everything in "HIAM." Though we're willing to bet Brit didn't spend nearly as much to make her version.
Madonna, "Die Another Day": Big-budget 2002 Madonna video from the equally big-budget James Bond film of the same name. It featured a memorable fight scene that pitted Madge against her alter ego (Mariah Carey did the same thing in her "Heartbreaker" video, BTW). In "HIAM," Britney battles her alter ego in a (very fashionable) kung fu fight.
"The Matrix": Wachowski brothers franchise that featured plenty of TV screens and a whole lot of marauding machinery, just like "HIAM." Like Keanu said, "Whoa."
"Mortal Kombat": Totally awesome (and violent) fighting game that featured, among its cast of characters, a blue-garbed assassin named Sub-Zero. In "HIAM," Britney's dancers don outfits similar to him, only they don't shoot ice out of their hands. Unless that part's in the director's cut.
Robyn, "Indestructible": Sexy 2010 video from Sweden's sexiest pop export, it featured Robyn writhing on a table while wearing a dress made entirely of clear plastic tubes (courtesy of Australian artist Lucy McRae), sort of like the ones Britney uses to spray colored liquid all over the "HIAM" set.
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show": Cult 1975 film adapted from a British play, its iconic poster featured a pair of bright-red lips, which seem to have also made their way into "HIAM."
Tool, Ænema: Totally excellent 1996 album that featured several covers, one of which was a creepy, double-irised eyeball, courtesy of artist Cam de Leon. If you blink (get it?!?), you might miss a similar eyeball that pops up in "HIAM."
What did we miss? Share the pop-culture inspirations you spotted in the comments below!
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658284/britney-spears-hold-it-against-me-references.jhtml
Katherine Heigl Katie Cassidy Katie Holmes Katy Perry Keira Knightley
Beyonce, Leonardo DiCaprio Lead Flurry Of Movie Remakes
Russell Brand, Willow Smith, Jonah Hill are just a few stars looking to revamp film and TV classics like 'Arthur', 'Annie' and '21 Jump Street.'
By Terri Schwartz
Beyoncé
Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images
What do Willow Smith and Beyoncé have in common with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Kenny Wormald? They're all starring (or in talks to star) in the latest round of remakes of beloved films and TV shows coming down the pike.
On Thursday, news broke that Beyoncé would be starring in a Clint Eastwood-directed remake of the 1976 Barbra Streisand classic "A Star Is Born" (which was a remake of a 1954 movie that remade a 1937 film). In the meantime, Will Smith is reportedly petitioning Sony to remake "Annie" (the 1982 movie and 1977 musical) starring his 10-year-old daughter, Willow, best known for whipping her hair.
In October it was announced that Leonardo DiCaprio and best bud Tobey Maguire would be starring in Baz Luhrmann's 3-D retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby," with Carey Mulligan joining as Daisy Buchanan.
Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum have been working on bringing the '80s Johnny Depp-starring television series "21 Jump Street" to the big screen since 2008, and they might even get Depp to cameo in it in time for the film's March 16, 2012, release date.
And let's not forget the long hunt for a Ren McCormack (the character Kevin Bacon made famous in 1984), after Zac Efron and Chace Crawford dropped out of the planned "Footloose" remake that finally landed dancer Kenny Wormald the role of his life.
Then there's "Arthur," the Russell Brand-starring remake of the 1981 screwball comedy about a happily drunk millionaire who risks everything for love. The film has tapped everyone from Helen Mirren to Greta Gerwig and Nick Nolte.
Two recently announced remakes are "Lethal Weapon" and "The Wizard of Oz," which are still in early development and without stars attached. Warner Bros. announced their plans to reboot the Mel Gibson-starring franchise on Thursday and tapped writer Will Beall to pen the script with completely new characters. And director Robert Zemeckis announced back in November that he planned on remaking the 1939 Technicolor classic using the script from the original film, with Warner Bros. hoping Robert Downey Jr. will play Oz.
Just this past year, films from "Clash of the Titans" to "The Karate Kid" to "A Nightmare on Elm Street" were remade for the big screen and were well-received by audiences. "Alice in Wonderland" and "Clash of the Titans" went on to become two of the top 10 highest-grossing films of 2010, while "Piranha 3D" and "The A-Team" also went on to strong successes, proving that there definitely is a market for these kinds of remakes.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656416/beyonce-leonardo-dicaprio-lead-flurry-movie-remakes.jhtml
Monet Mazur Monica Bellucci Monica Keena Monica Potter Monika Kramlik
Oscar Preview: David Fincher Vs. Tom Hooper For Best Director
Though 'King's Speech' is the established front-runner, 'Social Network' director may be more deserving of Academy Award.
By Eric Ditzian
Justin Timberlake and Jesse Eisenberg in "The Social Network"
Photo: Sony Pictures
Can we begin speaking about the Best Director race by shouting out a man whose mug won't be thrust up on the screen when the Academy Award category is presented on Sunday night? Would that be dredging up sour — at this point, moldy — grapes? Too bad!
Let's kick off this installment of MTV News' Oscar previews by stating something that should not be forgotten: "Inception" director Christopher Nolan got robbed. Dude made maybe the brainiest popcorn flick in history — one whose story shifted between five separate realities, yet managed both to avoid being excessively confusing and to reward further viewings. It grossed over $820 million worldwide and earned Nolan directorial nods from the Golden Globes, Directors Guild of America and British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). And yet, no directorial Oscar nod? Please! A Best Picture nomination at the Oscars is welcome, surely, but simply not enough. Mr. Nolan, we'll pour one out for you and continue on with the preview.
That snub aside, only two directors ever really had a chance to triumph in this category — Tom Hooper for "The King's Speech" and David Fincher for "The Social Network" — and on Oscar night, either one could win.
In Hooper's favor is the fact that "The King's Speech" has established itself as the general front-runner, leading the field with 12 Oscar nominations and dominating the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Producers Guild Awards and the DGAs, among others. The DGAs are historically a very accurate predictor of the Best Director winner at the Oscars; only six times has the DGA winner failed to win the Oscar, most recently in 2002 when Rob Marshall ("Chicago") won the DGA but lost out to Roman Polanski ("The Pianist") for the Oscar. What's more, Oscar blogger Sasha Stone points out that only once before — with "Gladiator" in 2000 — has a Best Picture winner with 12 nominations lost out on the Directing award. So if we accept that "The King's Speech" is a lock to win Best Picture, we'd be taking on serious odds if we argued Hooper will lose to Fincher.
Our heads, then, tell us Hooper will come out on top. Yet our hearts keep telling us the "Social Network" director will end up the victor. Not because he won the BAFTA. Not because we think voters don't have a vested interest in punishing Fincher for declining to endure the tiresome glad-handing traditionally expected of nominees and instead going off to shoot "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" in Scandinavia. No, we have a feeling Fincher is going to eke out a win because he's the most deserving nominee.
Like Nolan, Fincher weaved together several different realities — in his case, one Harvard-based present and two lawsuit-consumed flash-forwards — gracefully and without a touch of audience bewilderment. Credit, of course, also has to go to scribe Aaron Sorkin and editors Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter (all of whom are nominated in their respective categories), but Fincher is a known control freak and, in the end, "The Social Network" is his baby. His storytelling facility combined with his movie's au courant theme of digital, often insincere interconnection at the expense of compassion and true relationship-building make for a potent combination.
With "The King's Speech" and "The Fighter" potentially dominating the major categories, voters might well decide "The Social Network" deserves some top-tier love in the form of a Fincher win. In fact, we're going to take a risk, avoid any fence-sitting and call it: David Fincher will win this year's Oscar for Best Director.
Will it be a regal evening for "The King's Speech"? Can "The Social Network" dial up Oscar gold? Don't miss MTV News' "2011 Oscars Live" at 6 p.m. Sunday, February 27, when we'll be chatting with your favorite Hollywood stars live from the red carpet on MTVNews.com, and stick with us all Oscar night for winners, interviews, photos and more!
Related Videos Related PhotosSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658613/oscars-best-director.jhtml
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Friday, February 25, 2011
Chris Cornell Filling In For Robert Plant On Led Zeppelin Tour? That's News To Him
'I have not been approached to fill in for Robert Plant on the Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be,' singer says.
By Chris Harris
Chris Cornell
Photo: MTV News
Former Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell has spoken out for the first time about rumors that he's been asked to fill in for Robert Plant on a proposed Led Zeppelin reunion tour. The trek would feature original guitarist Jimmy Page, original bassist John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham taking over on drums for his late father, John Bonham.
Cornell has been mentioned — along with Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, White Stripes mastermind Jack White and Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy — as a potential Plant fill-in. Plant has already said that he wouldn't take part in the tour.
"I have not been approached so far to fill in for Robert Plant on the upcoming Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be," Cornell told MTV News. "I've heard that from about 200 people now, and it might be one of those situations where it's just an online rumor or it might be true. But if you see anyone from Led Zeppelin around, let me know. I think I should actually fill in for Jimmy Page on the Robert Plant/ Alison Krauss tour."
Cornell's denial comes just a day after Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford confirmed reports that frontman Steven Tyler recently met with Zeppelin for an impromptu jam session. "They did it for fun," Whitford said during an appearance on the syndicated show "Todd N Tyler Radio Empire." "I actually think Jimmy wanted Steven to come over and play a little bit because I think he was trying to light a fire under Robert."
Rumors of a Zeppelin reunion tour have abounded since the iconic band played a single reunion set last year at London's O2 Arena. Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider added fuel to the fire last month when he revealed that the group was thinking of touring, with or without Plant.
According to Snider, the rest of the band told Plant, " 'We're all rehearsed, we're ready to go. Here's a gazillion dollars on the table. If you don't do it, we're going out with this kid [Myles Kennedy].' "
"And he can sing the sh-- out of Zeppelin," Snider added. "They're going to hope that Robert, at the last minute, will go, 'OK,' and step in."
In a recent interview, Jones told BBC Radio Devon that a new singer was being sought to take over for Plant. "We are trying out a couple of singers," he said. "We want to do it. It's sounding great, and we want to get on and get out there."
But Jones insists that he, Page and Bonham aren't interested in finding a Plant clone. "It's got to be right," he said. "There's no point in just finding another Robert. You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don't want to be our own tribute band. There would be a record and a tour, but everyone has to be onboard."
Of course, even if Zeppelin were to approach him, Cornell might be too busy to take over vocals for the band. His upcoming Timbaland-produced solo LP, Scream, will be released within the next few months. Cornell told MTV News last month that some of his fans might consider Scream something of a departure, but he doesn't see it that way.
"It makes me happy that there's this perception that I have a group of fans that I'm now sort of throwing a curve at and what their reaction will be," he said. "But I've been in this situation so many times already. When I put out [1999's] Euphoria Morning, my main goal was to create an album that sounded like nothing I'd done in Soundgarden, and I did that. I also had that with Temple of the Dog, where I showed up with songs that weren't necessarily riff-based. And then, of course, the pairing of me and members of Rage Against the Machine had everyone sort of speculating about what that would sound like.
"It feels like I've done this so many times that when it's presented to me as being a departure, I feel that's a misconception," he added. "I feel like that's my theme at this point."
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1598367/chris-cornell-debunks-led-zeppelin-rumors.jhtml
Porn Star Received Death Threats From Charlie Sheen
YIKES. He just keeps digging himself deeper into the hole. Charlie Sheen certainly isn’t the most popular man in Hollywood at the moment, and this new declaration by a porn star he supposedly got pregnant, isn’t helping things. She claims … Continue reading
Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/02/14/porn-star-received-death-threats-from-charlie-sheen/
Emmanuelle Chriqui Emmanuelle Vaugier Emmy Rossum Erica Leerhsen Erika Christensen
Martin Sheen Says Charlie?s Addiction Is A Form Of Cancer?
Charlie Sheen’s father and brother – Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez – are over in London promoting their new movie “The Way”. Naturally, the media keep asking Martin to share his thoughts on Charlie’s ongoing shenanigans and battle with addiction. … Continue reading
Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/02/23/martin-sheen-says-charlies-addiction-is-a-form-of-cancer/
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Britney Spears' 'Hold It Against Me' Video: Fans Weigh In!
MTV News captures all the excitement around the premiere of Britney's 'HIAM' clip.
By Jocelyn Vena, with additional reporting by Vaughn Schoonmaker
Britney Spears in her "Hold It Against Me" music video
Photo: Jive
As soon as Britney Spears' music video for "Hold It Against Me" debuted on Thursday night, fans' reactions were fast and immediate. Readers quickly began commenting on the stories posted on MTV.com, and MTV News even stopped by the New York City nightclub Splash to get find out the opinions of fans who were attending the club's official viewing party.
Clubgoers, some in their best Britney gear, gathered in the packed nightclub to get the first taste of the sleek, dark Jonas Åkerlund-directed video. Judging from their excitement and their screams, the clip didn't disappoint. One excited fan shared that he couldn't believe he got the chance to see Britney in a catfight against herself.
The viewing-party attendees' excitement was matched by that of commenters on our site. "Just watched it a second time and i am loving it even more," Malcolm wrote. "So much more to see and take in during a second take."
Another commenter, Britney, explained that on a scale of one to 10, the clip ranked high up on her list. "LOveeeeeee the video!!! omg already one of my FAVES!!! on a scale of 1 to 10 i would say its a very very high 8...almost perfect...a few things: a bit too fast-ly put together...Needed more Rocky Horror Tribute scenes and BRITNEY NEEDS TO TAKE the Heels off and put the FLATS back on to really show the Dance moves!!!" she wrote, before reiterating that the video did rock. "All around Awesome video...very creative..Very Britney-ish!!"
Those comments were mirrored by kentalicious, who shared, "Amazing! visually stunning! Best video in years, needs repeated viewing. I love how she is evolving as an artist, after such an Iconic career she still delivers."
With many fans wondering for weeks what they would be getting in the video, TriniBrent did not seem disappointed. "This is a Hot video," he commented. "Britney is definitely back and i am proud of her!"
"I love this vid, it's very different from her other videos," ishot_JT explained. "I also notice that Britney is definitely going back to Blackout/Toxic roots."
Do you want to add a critique of Britney's "Hold It Against Me" clip? Share your opinion in the comments.
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'Glee' Stars Stayed Up All Night For 'Thriller' Cover
'It was probably one of the most physical numbers that we've ever done,' Cory Monteith says.
By James Dinh
"Glee" stars film their "Thriller" performance
Photo: Ramey Photo
When "Glee" returns from hiatus in the high-profile post-Super Bowl slot, it's returning in a big way, covering Michael Jackson's "Thriller." On Tuesday, the cast spoke to "Access Hollywood" about remaking the iconic tune, which will reportedly be mashed up with another yet-to-be-revealed hit.
"It was a huge production. We we're shooting that until 6:30 in the morning," Cory Monteith told "AH" at the Television Critics Association press tour. "We shot all night, and it was probably one of the most physical numbers that we've ever done. I was lifting Naya Rivera at one point in the dance. It was really active. We had the whole USC band wrapped in to this number as you can see in the photos. It was awesome."
Photos of the cast filming "Thriller" surfaced on the Internet recently, depicting a prom night-turned-zombie affair. Jackson's tune is just one of the many hits to be covered in the broadcast. Other songs featured in the post-Super Bowl episode include hits by the Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry and Lady Antebellum.
Kevin McHale revealed that Jackson is his "favorite artist ever" and that he has been continuously requesting to cover a tune by the late King of Pop. "I've been pushing very obnoxiously for a very, very long time, so I'm beyond thrilled that we do Michael Jackson," said the actor.
Like the iconic music video, the "Glee" cover was an extravagant production, which was fitting for star Dianna Agron, who couldn't help smile throughout filming.
"The whole night, everybody kept saying, 'Why are you laughing so much? Why are you smiling so much?' " she said. "I was just in my element. I was in huge makeup, huge hair, huge costume, the stuff that I loved the most, which is why I loved 'Rocky [Horror Picture Show]' so much."
Matthew Morrison isn't in the number, but he watched it being shot. "We actually shot it, like, a couple nights ago," Morrison told "AH." "I actually went out to see it. We shot it in Long Beach and at a high school that we used their football field at. It was stunning. It's so weird with this show. We keep outdoing ourselves. It's like, 'What is there left to do?' This number is just fantastic."
What other MJ songs do you want the "Glee" cast to tackle? Share your ideas in the comments!
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Katy Perry Denies Feud With Britney Spears
Singer calls the media 'filth' for implying she was attacking Spears for using product placement in her 'Hold It Against Me' video.
By James Montgomery
Katy Perry
Photo: John Parra/ WireImage
Last week, when Katy Perry answered a question tweeted by her California Dreams tourmate Marina and the Diamonds about product placement in music videos, she never expected to touch off a media firestorm. And she's plenty mad that she did.
It all started with Perry's reply to Marina's query for "a consensus on product placement in videos." Perry wrote on Twitter, "Do it with style and grace ... Not so 'In [your] face like some. [You] have to get creative with it. Some artists don't care though, and you can tell."
Given that Perry's response occurred hours after the premiere of Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me" video (a version of which is loaded with promotional shots for products like Spears' own Radiance perfume, Make Up for Ever cosmetics and dating website PlentyofFish.com), most were quick to interpret it as a dig at Spears for selling out. And that made Perry very angry.
Early Wednesday morning (February 23), Perry took to Twitter once again to rip the tabloid media (or as she calls them, "filth") for their speculative and hurtful ways, claiming in a series of messages that they manipulated her words in an attempt to pit her against Spears, and, because of that, were basically responsible for the decline of civilization as we know it.
"Dear tabloid media a.k.a. FILTH: please note I expressed an overall feeling about product placement, [its] role in videos and the art of them being compliment[ary] or sticking out," Perry wrote. "Most, if not ALL, popsters welcome deals with products [to] offset costs of big-budget vids in these recessional music industry times. I'VE used them in MY vids before and am happy [to be] able [to] make a better vid because of [them].
"Once AGAIN, stop pitting artist against artist for [your] sensational satisfaction," she continued, "and stick to what [you're] best [at]: lying, gossiping, exaggerating and overall lending a hand [to] the deterioration of a generation."
What do you think of artists using product placement in their videos? Tell us in the comments.
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Thursday, February 24, 2011
Is Duffy Going To Quit Music?
Bummed that her recent album Endlessly has been received unenthusiastically, Duffy is thinking about putting her music career on the shelf. According to the Daily Mirror, a source close to the singer has said she’s finished, ready to ditch the music biz to ?have babies, get �married and live in the country? with her [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/beatcrave/~3/eOTERkdAkyg/
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Britney Spears Added Her 'Flavor' To 'Hold It Against Me' Fight Scene
Martial-arts expert Steven Ho talks to MTV News about working on the new video.
By Jocelyn Vena
Britney Spears fights herself in "Hold It Against Me"
Photo: Jive
Last week, fans were treated to the premiere of Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me" video. The sleek, dark look at celebrity life was a new aesthetic for the star, who hooked up with Jonas Åkerlund on the clip.
While her dance scenes were choreographed by Brian Friedman, it was noted Hollywood martial-arts expert Steven Ho who helped Britney work out the moves to battle herself in the video.
"I've been very fortunate to have worked on a wide range of high-profile projects, and the video's producer, Hagai Shaham, thought my style would be a good fit with Jonas and Britney. I was brought in to train Britney, choreograph the fight and set up wires for the levitation shots," he told MTV News about joining the project.
"I've always wanted to work with Jonas," he continued. "I knew that a stylized fight would translate well with his trademark visuals, so I was thrilled about doing this project. Jonas wanted a superhuman fight with elements of brutality — that's right up my alley of how I approach an action scene, so we were definitely all on the same page throughout the process."
Not only were Åkerlund and Ho onboard for some mortal combat, but the star herself warmed up to the idea of battling a clone. "Britney was really excited throughout the whole process. It was a grueling shoot of dance and stunts, but her passion for the video and professionalism never wavered," he explained. "There were some pretty tough insert shots where we needed Britney to actually get hit in the face by 'herself.' We did several consecutive takes of this, and she had a lot of fun with it and was a great sport.
"Britney was very enthusiastic about learning how to fight; she's an athlete," he added. "I got that Jonas' concept was partially about the duality of self — we all deal with that, so who wouldn't have fun fighting their alter egos?"
The key, it seems, was making Ho's fight moves work with Friedman's dance routine. "It was really great working with Brian; he's an absolute professional. He was diligent about our fight style being cohesive with the dancing, and that's why it worked so well," Ho recalled. "Our rehearsals were on the same stage, so it was very helpful to have Brian's feedback from a dancer's point of view."
It seems that one of the most memorable moves in the fight, Spears' quickstep during the smack-down, was all her own.
"Britney was fantastic about incorporating what we had practiced in rehearsal, and as a consummate performer, she was able to take ownership by adding her own flavor to the fight. There's a quick cut in the video that features Britney taking a series of small shuffle steps in her heels. This is something she came up with herself that I thought added a nice break of 'cuteness' in the fight," he said. "Jonas drowned out the music here to highlight the tapping sounds, and it's really one of my favorite beats of the video."
Aside from the two Britneys, the other main characters in the fight were her sky-high heels and flowing gowns. "The wardrobe was one of the stars of the fight," he explained. "At first I was concerned about how to approach the long trains. There were discussions with Jonas and [stylist] B. [Åkerlund] and [fashion assistant Renelou Padora] about possibly shortening the train for safety issues. After I showed my wife [designer Nina Petronzio] the pictures of the dresses, she literally said, 'I will kill you if you cut those trains down.' We ended up incorporating the trains as 'weapons.' We treated them as if they were sharp blades, giving Britney reason to jump and evade around them."
What did you think of the Britney battle in "Hold It Against Me"? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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Justin Bieber's Never Say Never - The Remixes Tops Billboard Chart
In a week that saw plenty of post-Grammy sales bumps, it's Bieber who reigns supreme.
By James Montgomery
Justin Bieber
Photo: Mark Von Holden/ WireImage
In a week in which the post-Grammy sales boom finally took hold, sending several long-dormant albums rocketing back up the charts, it was the kid who got shut out at the big show who ended up topping the charts.
Justin Bieber's Never Say Never - The Remixes debuts at #1 on next week's Billboard top 200 albums chart, giving the pop star the second chart-topping bow of his young career. The album sold more than 161,000 copies, easily surpassing Mumford & Sons' breakout Sigh No More, which benefited from the group's Grammy-night performance with Bob Dylan (and the Avett Brothers), selling nearly 133,000 copies — a 169 percent increase in sales from the previous week — to hold steady at #2.
Former chart champ the Now 37 compilation lands at #3, with sales of nearly 95,000 copies, and Lady Antebellum — who not only performed at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, but took home the awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year — posted a 205 percent sales jump, selling more than 85,000 copies to snag the #4 spot.
Grammy winner and performer Bruno Mars' Doo-Wops & Hooligans sold nearly 61,000 copies (a 55 percent burst in sales) to come in at #5, followed by a host of other Grammy beneficiaries: Eminem's Recovery at #6 (nearly 61,000 copies sold), the 2011 Grammy Nominees compilation (#7, nearly 56,000 copies sold), Bieber's My World, 2.0 (#8, more than 54,000 copies), and Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday (#9, nearly 46,000 copies). Rihanna's Loud rounds out the top 10, with sales of more than 45,000 copies sold.
That Grammy bump continues outside the top 10 too, starting with Katy Perry's Teenage Dream, which, thanks to her Grammy performance, jumped 30 percent in sales, moving nearly 42,000 units to land at #11. Surprise Album of the Year winners Arcade Fire's The Suburbs posted a 238 percent sales jump to come in at #12, selling more than 40,000 copies ... and moving past the 500,000 mark in total sales as a result.
Other winners and performers who leapt up the charts include Florence and the Machine, whose Lungs moved from #28 to #19; Cee Lo Green's The Lady Killer (from #53 to #22); Lady Gaga's The Fame (from #35 to #23); and the Black Keys' Brothers, which posted a 25 percent sales jump to grab the #24 spot.
Aside from Bieber's Never Say Never, other notable Billboard debuts include Bright Eyes' The People's Key, which opened at #12 with sales of nearly 41,000 copies, Hillsong United's Aftermath (#17, with sales of more than 27,000 copies), Ginuwine's Elgin (#30, with sales of more than 19,000 copies), and PJ Harvey's Let England Shake, which bows at #32 with sales of nearly 18,000.
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