A look back at some of our favorite political news stories that we've covered this year.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
HGTV, LA and Dining Room Tables
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.
Jennifer Gareis Jennifer Garner Jennifer Gimenez Jennifer Love Hewitt
'Glee' Michael Jackson Episode: Rumored Set List Leaks1676521
Perez Hilton reports that January 24 episode includes a 'Beat It' and 'Billie Jean' mash-up.
By Jocelyn Vena
Darren Criss, Damian McGinty, Chord Overstreet, Mark Salling, Cory Monteith and Harry Shum Jr. perform on "Glee"
Photo: Adam Rose / FOX
"Glee" has already dedicated entire episodes to Madonna, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga, and come 2012, it's the King of Pop's turn. A rumored set list for the January 24 "Glee" Michael Jackson tribute episode has hit the Web, and it features some of the late singer's greatest hits. Perez Hilton reports that 14 tracks have made the final cut, although the list has yet to be confirmed by anyone connected with the show.
The set list (along with who will perform the track) reportedly includes "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' " (Blaine), "Bad" (the New Directions and the Warblers), "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (Finn and Rachel), "Smooth Criminal" (Santana and Sebastian), "Never Can Say Goodbye" (Quinn), "In the Closet" (Brittany and Santana), "We Are the World" (the New Directions and the Warblers), "Black and White" (Puck), "Ghost"/"Monster" (New Directions), "Beat It"/"Billie Jean" (Warblers), "The Way You Make Me Feel" (Kurt) and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (Artie). This is hardly the first time the show has paid homage to Jackson. Back in 2010, the New Directions performed his track "Thriller," complete with zombie garb, during an episode that aired after the Super Bowl. The show has also previously covered "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" and "Man in the Mirror." Back in 2010, the cast of the hit Fox show had only imagined what it would be like to have an entire episode dedicated to Jackson. "I would love to do a Michael Jackson episode," Amber Riley told MTV News at the time. "You know, it's so many [songs that I love], but my favorite song by him is 'Human Nature.' I love that song." While Riley seemed psyched about the opportunity, castmate Jenna Ushkowitz found the possibility a little more daunting. "That's a scary, scary episode to do," she said. "[But] that would be absolutely amazing." Are you happy with the rumored set list? What's missing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Related Photos Related ArtistsHeavy D's Death Hits Nicki Minaj, Usher, More Celebs1674014
'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
Hip-hop lost a rap icon when Heavy D died Tuesday afternoon (November 8) at age 44, and the music industry is clearly mourning the loss. A string of stars, including Usher, Timbaland and Nicki Minaj, have shared their memories of the late MC on Twitter.
Usher offered his sympathy to the family of the Jamaican-born rap heavyweight, tweeting, "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, writing, "I'm at a loss for words rip heavy d." After re-tweeting the late-MC's last message ("BE INSPIRED"), hip-hop's Harajuku Barbie also weighed in on the news. "We'll never forget you babe! #hiphopelite #RIPHeavyD," Nicki wrote. From one raptress to the next, Missy Elliott shared 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 described 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 wrote. "Def 1 of the first 5 records I spent $ on. RIP." Cannon said he had "just talked" to Heavy D, adding, "He was just encouraging me about life." "RIP TO A REAL HIP HOP LEGEND HEAVY D!" Nas chimed in. Juelz Santana recalled 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, sent 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." Share your memories of Heavy D on Facebook.
Steven Tyler to Wed for the Third Time!
The singer proposed to his girlfriend Erin Brady after five years! See more stars who are planning to tie the knot
Cameron Richardson Camilla Belle Carla Campbell Carla Gugino
Friday, December 30, 2011
Best Movie Scenes Of 2011
MTV News counts down the most gripping, action-packed moments from 'Harry Potter,' 'Breaking Dawn,' 'Dragon Tattoo' and more.
By MTV News staff
Daniel Radcliffe in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2"
Photo: Warner Bros
Rare is the moviegoing experience after which you leave the theater having loved each and every frame that flashed onscreen. Even when talking about our 10 favorite films of the year, we didn't love everything about them, just most everything. More often than not, however, a film's success and sustainability can be attributed to a few brilliantly crafted key scenes or sequences. They are the moments that make us ooh and aah, laugh out loud, cringe or cover our eyes.
In the spirit of the movie moments that have stuck with us and will continue to do so, here's our list of the 10 best scenes from 2011's new releases. SPOILERS ahead.
10. Ryan Gosling's Airbrushed Abs Reveal, "Crazy, Stupid, Love"
Let's face it, ladies have been mooning away over Ryan Gosling since his star-making turn in "The Notebook." And although the Hollywood heartthrob always looks good onscreen, we hadn't seen him cash in on the whole dreamboat card until this year's hit romantic comedy "Crazy, Stupid, Love." When he removes his fancy dress shirt to reveal a ridiculously chiseled and tanned torso, he really does look Photoshopped, in the best way possible. — Kara Warner
9. The Hour-Long Fight, "13 Assassins"
Takashi Miike's play-out in two parts: one hour of build-up and one hour of bloody chaos. In an attempt to kill a corrupt ruler in feudal Japan, 13 samurai set the most violent version of a "Home Alone" house to trap the target and his entourage of 200 bodyguards. The result lasts an hour and engages you the entire time. — Kevin Sullivan
8. Bridge Fight in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
The latest, possibly greatest "Apes" movie was already one of the excellent surprises of the 2011 movie season even before the film reached its climax high atop the Golden Gate Bridge. The brillz apes take on the feckless cops in a fight scene that's tense, cinematically creative and just beautiful to behold. Even more impressive than the throw-down itself is that director Rupert Wyatt manages to slip some genuine character drama into the mix without slowing down the action: Caesar, the ringleader of the simian uprising, goes from reluctant warrior to cold-blooded revolutionary when he finally realizes humans don't give a hoot about his damn dirty kind. — Eric Ditzian
7. The Final Tap-Out, "Warrior"
Sure, there are a few clichés in the MMA-heavy familial drama "Warrior," but all the great sports-centric movies have them: an abusive/alcoholic parent, the underdog fighting/playing against all odds, the competitor with nothing to lose, etc. The difference is, of course, whether they work or not. "Warrior" works. We love a story that moves us to applause or tears, and the cool, calculated intensity that builds up to the film's emotionally electric climactic fight between two very damaged brothers does just that. That final moment where one brother finally lets go of all that anger and ever so gently taps his sibling is as brutal as it is poetic. — K.W.
6. Birth Scene in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1"
The penultimate "Twilight" flick may not have made our list of the best movies of 2011, but it's hard to argue there was a more memorable scene — by which we mean totally goddamn bonkers — than the sequence when pregnant Bella Swan goes into labor and Edward Cullen, after realizing that a mere scalpel can't free their vampire/human spawn, goes to work on his wife's womb with his fangs. Blood is spilled, gasps and/or guffaws are unleashed by moviegoers (depending on each one's relative level of Twi-hardness), and cinematic history is made." — E.D.
5. Sebastian Shaw's Death-by-Coin, "X-Men: First Class"
It took Erik Lensherr a long, long time to return the coin "gifted" to him by Sebastian Shaw all those years ago, but when he finally got to his moment of vengeance, the wait was well worth it. Shaw's death-by-coin remains one of the coolest scenes of the year, and ranks as one of the most memorable comic book movie deaths of all time. — Josh Wigler
4. The Elevator Scene, "Drive"
It wasn't necessarily the most graphic scene in the surprisingly violent indie hit, but the elevator scene is the one that will stay with us the longest. Not only because it featured the best head bashing since "Inglourious Basterds," but because of the look on Ryan Gosling's face when he turns to see Carey Mulligan watching. — K.S.
3. Lisbeth's Revenge, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
Lisbeth's life is riddled with misfortune and loneliness, only furthered when she is anally raped by a "social servant." Very few women have the courage to come forth after such a gruesome invasion of space, let alone confront their molester. So, the fact that Lisbeth had the courage to do what we all wished would naturally have come to such an evil man makes this graphic scene gut-wrenching yet empowering. — Natasha Chandel
2. Bridal-Store Bathroom Blowout, "Bridesmaids"
Disparaging sounds of indigestion are usually correlated with the uncouth ways of boys; everything from farts to exploding diarrhea. Which is why witnessing decently classy young women let 'er rip, of no choice of their own, in the most unsanitary of ways, made this scene an instant comedy classic for this year ... and all time! — N.C.
1. Harry's Long Walk, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
Eight films and over a decade later, it all came down to this: Harry taking that long walk of no-shame towards Voldemort, fully accepting his impending demise as a necessary means to ending his nemesis' reign of terror once and for all. Of course, it didn't shake out quite that simply, but Harry's willingness to die for the greater good was proof positive of how much the "Potter" films grew and matured since "The Sorcerer's Stone." — J.W.
Stick with MTV News as we count down the Best of 2011, including the top Artists, Songs, Live Performances and EDM Artists of the year.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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The What's Your Number? premiere is tonight in Los Angeles! I have my dress and I'm super excited!
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Ke$ha Celebrates National Coming Out Day1672294
'We R Who We R' T-shirts support the Human Rights Campaign.
By Jocelyn Vena
Ke$ha design of t-shirts National Coming Out Day
Photo: Ke$ha
Kesha has joined forces with the Human Rights Campaign to help celebrate National Coming Out Day on Tuesday (October 11). The pop singer created a special message T-shirt, featuring a purple zebra, that proclaims "We R Who We R," the title of her hit anthem about individuality. The shirts sell for $35, with all proceeds supporting the HRC's work to achieve equality for the LGBT community. According to the HRC website, only 1,000 shirts will be produced. Others are also using the day to bring awareness to LGBT issues. Several notable celebrities will be honored by the Equality Forum, which is hosting an event and profiling notable LGBT members in pop culture. As LGBT History Month rolls on throughout October, Ricky Martin, Wanda Sykes, "Glee" creator Ryan Murphy and Pedro Zamora, a former "The Real World" castmember turned AIDS activist, all will be profiled by the organization. "We're the only minority worldwide that's not taught history at home, in school or religious institutions," said Malcolm Lazin, Equality Forum's founder and executive director. "Like every group that's been marginalized, it really helps to make the case why we should take real pride in ourselves and our community." Since launching the program five years ago, over 200 icons have been profiled, including Jane Lynch, Lady Gaga and Neil Patrick Harris. Lazin called LGBT month "empowering and life affirming." The message comes amid increased awareness about young people being bullied, including MTV's A Thin Line campaign. The MTV film "DISconnected," which premiered Monday night, focuses on issues in a world where technology controls personal lives. "I see the viciousness of people every day," said "Jersey Shore" star Vinny Guadagnino on the "DISconnected" after show. "I kind of want to be a soldier in the field, so to speak, and try to combat the negativity with a positive message. I want to help open people's eyes up, like this movie does, to the negativity." Check out the Facebook page for "DISconnected."
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Lady Gaga To Help Drop New Year's Ball In Times Square1676579
Mother Monster was named Mayor Bloomberg's special guest for the annual celebration.
By James Montgomery
Lady Gaga performs at the 102.7 KIIS FM's Jingle Ball at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on December 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
Photo: Joe Scarnici/ WireImage
Back in May, ahead of the release of her Born This Way album, Lady Gaga described her hometown of New York City as her "husband," and now, she's been tapped to help her spouse ring in the New Year in the most traditional of ways: by dropping the ball in Times Square. Yes, according to The New York Post, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has named Gaga as his special guest at the City's annual New Year's Eve celebration, where she'll ceremoniously push a Waterford Crystal button at 11:59 p.m., officially beginning the famed crystal ball's descent over the raucous Times Square crowd. Shortly after the official announcement was made, Gaga took to her Twitter account to express her excitement, writing "I'm so looking forward to ... dropping the Ball with Mayor Bloomberg! What an honor as a New Yorker!" Each year, Bloomberg chooses a guest to drop the ball and help usher in the New Year ... though, to date, Gaga is his most, uh, unique pick: previous honorary button-mashers have included Bill and Hillary Clinton, Colin Powell, Muhammad Ali and Rudy Giuliani. Of course, dropping the Times Square Ball — which this year is bedazzled with 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles and carries the theme of "Let There Be Friendship" — isn't Gaga's only New Year's Eve gig. She'll also perform at two NYE celebrations: the 40th annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" and, of course, the Japanese program "Kohaku Uta Gassen." MTV will also be throwing a New Year's Eve party of its own: "NYE in NYC 2010," a performance-packed special featuring Demi Lovato, Mac Miller, Selena Gomez, J. Cole, Jason Derülo and more. It all goes down live on MTV at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday (December 31) from Times Square. Will you be watching the ball drop this New Year's Eve? Let us know in the comments below!
Related ArtistsUsher And David Guetta 'Proud' Of 'Without You'1674782
'When you see R&B and pop and house, as well as electronic, come together, that's the reality of what music is,' Usher tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena, with additional reporting by Jim Cantiello
Usher
Photo: MTV News
When Usher and David Guetta hooked up for the French DJ's latest album, Nothing but the Beat, the two superstars created a chart-topping smash, "Without You," that combines Guetta's ear for house beats and Usher's ability to convey a range of emotions with his voice. It's a song that has really stuck with fans of all genres of music.
The track — a swirling pop ode to not giving up on love in the face of adversity — struck Usher with its emotional core. "David Guetta is an amazing artist," he told MTV News last week at a Pencils of Promise charity event. "We talked for many years about working together, and we found a record that was incredible." Usher said it was a song that resonated with him personally. "I think the world wanted a record like that. That [song] really spoke to the journey that I've actually been on in the last three years," he said. "Traveling all around the world, music sounds different. There's many different genres, and when you see R&B and pop and house, as well as electronic, come together, that's the reality of what music is."
When MTV News talked to Guetta on the American Music Awards red carpet Sunday, he said "Without You" is a standout track on the album. The LP dropped earlier this year and also includes Nicki Minaj, who performed with Guetta at the AMAs. "It's one of my favorite songs," he said. "It's just, I'm a DJ, so I want to make people dance always, but I also want to give emotions. When it comes to that, 'Without You' is probably one of the most emotional songs that I've done, and yes, I'm very proud of that record." What do you think about "Without You"? Share your reviews in the comments!
Related Photos Related ArtistsLil Wayne, T.I., Wiz Khalifa To Get 'Sleazy' With Ke$ha 1672529
Tip confirms second remix in the works for track, which previously featured a remix verse from Andre 3000.
By Jocelyn Vena
Ke$ha
Photo: MTV News
Ke$ha's already gotten "Sleazy" with Andre 3000. Now, a few more rappers want to get dirty with the glittery pop singer. XXLmag.com reports that T.I. plans to jump on the track, and Lil Wayne and Wiz Khalifa will also be joining Andre and Tip on a new version of "Sleazy." Weezy should be a welcome addition to Ke$ha's dance tune, as it sounds somewhat like Wayne's single "A Milli." And while not much else is known about the remix, T.I. promised that he's going to go big with his verse. "I haven't heard anybody but mine. ... I'm gonna put my money on mine," the newly freed rapper, who ended an 11-month prison sentence in September, told the website. The Andre 3000 remix dropped earlier this year and appears on K-Dollar Sign's album Cannibal. The guys will have a lot of swagger to compete with because when Andre appeared on the first remix, he had this to say: "We start out so cute in our baby pictures/ That mama shot for our daddy so that he wouldn't forget you/ He forgot anyway, but hey, one day he'll remember/ If not, he's human, I'm human, you human, we'll forgive him/ I call her Keisha, she like it because it's 'hood to her/ She call me Andre 6000 because I'm good to her." Tip told XXLmag.com that his appearance on the Ke$ha song is just one of many remixes he's amped about. He has also worked on remixes for Meek Mill and Rick Ross's "Ima Boss," as well as Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne song "N---as in Paris." "I'm looking for some more records to jump on," he said. "That's what I'm doin' right now. I'm commandeering hit records right now. I'm hijacking hit records. If you got a hit, I'm on it." Are you looking forward to the new "Sleazy" remix? Tell us in the comments!
Related ArtistsSinead O'Connor Reveals Why She Ended Her 18-Day Marriage
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Thursday, December 29, 2011
Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Lea Michele Up For PETA Awards1676329
Peta2 is bestowing awards including Most Animal-Friendly Pop/Hip-Hop Artist to celebs for their support of animal rights.
By Jocelyn Vena
Justin Bieber arrives at the "Never Say Never" L.A. premiere
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
PETA's youth division, peta2, is giving props to celebs like Justin Bieber, Ke$ha and "Glee" star Lea Michele at this year's Libby Awards for their efforts in support of animal rights. The Biebs, who appeared in a campaign for the organization at the top of the year using Bieber-fied catch-phrases like "My world includes passion for animals, yours should too" and "Animals can make u smile. Adopt from your local shelter," is taking on fellow animal-loving pop star Ke$ha and rappers k-os and Waka Flocka Flame in the Most Animal-Friendly Pop/Hip-Hop Artist category. Ke$ha appeared in an ad campaigning against the slaughter of Canadian seals. Michele, who speaks out against the mistreatment of carriage horses in New York City, faces off against "Jackass" star Steve-O, Cobra Starship's leading man and peta2's Sexiest Vegetarian Gabe Saporta, and "Victorious" star Daniella Monet in the Top Animal-Friendly Celebrity category. The Ready Set, Tokio Hotel, Hellogoodbye and the Swellers are all up for Most Animal-Friendly Band. Ke$ha and Tokio are also up for Best peta2 ad along with Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness and Yelle. The Libby (as in "Liberation") Awards will be decided on January 17 by fan votes as well as peta2. Voting ends December 23. "Our nominees have all worked hard to shine their spotlights on a variety of important animal issues," peta2 Division Manager Marta Holmberg said about the nominees, which honors animal-friendly people and products. "As our accomplished stars demonstrate, compassion isn't just a virtue — it's also a road to success."
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When "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" hit theaters earlier this year, fans and critics were quick to compare it to another "Apes" reboot: the Tim Burton-directed 2001 flick "Planet of the Apes." Both sought to bring new life to the "Apes" franchise, but while "Rise" was met with glowing reviews, Burton's faced a [...]
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It’s Hump Day! Give Wednesday’s links a click: Four-year-old rants about pink princess toys aimed at girls ? ABCNews.com Enfamil formula pulled off shelves after 10-day-old baby dies ? MSNBC.com Angered moms stage nurse-in at Target ? TIME.com VIDEO: President Obama gets surprised by a grabby baby ? CBSNews.com Are your breasts off-limits while breastfeeding? [...]
'We Bought A Zoo': The Reviews Are In!
'It's actually surprisingly charming and more emotionally understated than the material would suggest,' writes AP critic Christy Lemire.
By Kara Warner
Scarlett Johansson and Matt Damon in "We Bought A Zoo"
Photo: 20th Century Fox
After a seven-year hiatus post-"Elizabethtown," writer/director Cameron Crowe is back in action with his new film "We Bought a Zoo." Based on a true story and the book of the same name, Matt Damon stars as Benjamin Mee, a widower who buys a failing zoo in an attempt to reconnect his family after the death of their mother.
The critical masses always seem eager to offer up opinions on any new Crowe feature, and this time around, the likes have edged out the dislikes, earning the film a "Fresh" rating over at Rotten Tomatoes. Without further ado, let's wander through the "We Bought a Zoo" reviews!
The Story and Its Schmaltz Factor
"Sometimes, reacting to a movie is all about the expectations you bring with you walking into it. 'We Bought a Zoo' is about a family that buys a zoo. It's as high-concept as you can get, outside of maybe 'Attack of the Killer Tomatoes' or 'I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,' and it's equally straightforward in wearing its heart on its sleeve. We know to expect this ahead of time because 'We Bought a Zoo' comes from Cameron Crowe, the writer-director of 'Say Anything ...,' 'Jerry Maguire,' 'Almost Famous' and, more recently, the 2005 flop 'Elizabethtown.' We know there will be some poignantly phrased life lessons in store for this family as they struggle to reconnect after the mother's death. The whole exercise could have been agonizingly mawkish, and/or filled with cheap, lazy animal-poop jokes. And yet, it's not. It's actually surprisingly charming and more emotionally understated than the material would suggest. — Christy Lemire, The Associated Press
The Writing and Direction
"Crowe takes a lot of heat for his portrayal of adorable kids, and already there's been a lot of online grousing about the Rosie character [Benjamin's daughter] being a female variant on the aggressively lovable Jonathan Lipnicki in Crowe's 'Jerry Maguire.' What Crowe doesn't get enough credit for is his continuing insight into and empathy with teen characters, and one of the really engaging things about 'Zoo' is how conscious it is in showing the thread between characters who shared an adolescence together (Damon's foil, a frequently sympathetic one, is an older brother played by Thomas Haden Church) and how that contributes to the hard-earned wisdom of characters trying to bridge generational misunderstanding. Which is to say that the scenes between Damon and Ford [Benjamin's teenage son Dylan] are among the best-written (Crowe collaborated on the screenplay with Aline Brosh McKenna) and best-played scenes in the film." — Glenn Kenny, MSN
The Performances
"The ups and downs of survival while hanging on by their fingernails are too linear for spontaneity and the happy ending is nothing short of contrived, but the performances are sincere and Mr. Damon actually seems to be having a ball, giving one of the best and most mature performances of his career. The relationship between Ben, still hiding from the pain of loss, and Kelly [Scarlett Johansson], a 28-year-old animal lover with no personal life, wisely avoids the Hollywood clichés that too often furnish easy solutions for loneliness, while Dylan sees fate in a restorative way when he discovers romance with Kelly's cousin (Elle Fanning, who, like her sister Dakota, is growing from child actor to leading lady with sex appeal faster than a flying bullet). The roles are mere outlines for meatier characters, but Mr. Damon brings a depth of humanity to the zealous but underwritten zoo owner that is guaranteed to inspire confidence." — Rex Reed, The New York Observer
The Final Word, Pro-Con-Pro Style
"Don't confuse the film's modest goals with a lack of gravity. Damon's father-son confrontation with Ford potently disproves that. As Benjamin says, 'all it takes is 20 seconds of insane courage to change your life.' There's a lot of fun waiting at 'We Bought a Zoo,' but it's the feelings that run through every scene that'll make you glad you came." — Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
"Does 'We Bought a Zoo' jerk tears and warm hearts effectively? Sure, dead moms and fuzzy critters will do that, especially when choreographed by a proud manipulator like Crowe. Perhaps it's churlish to complain about a filmmaker who pours so much — his taste, his tunes, his worldview, his good humor — into each movie. But watching the overlong, overfeeling, overdirected 'We Bought a Zoo' made me glad to return from Cameron Crowe's world to the real world, where things aren't quite so simple." — Dan Kois, Slate.com
"If you see it and you reject the sweetness or you can't hang with the open-hearted nature of the thing, I'm not going to argue with you. But I've seen what naked manipulation looks like, and that's not 'We Bought a Zoo.' It's just a film that wears its emotions right out front, and somehow, Crowe is able to brush aside any thoughts of what people will or won't think and just focus on building those moments that he does so well, those heartbreaking little moments of magic that have been the main currency of his career. Cameron Crowe remains, as always, uncool. And wonderful for it. 'We Bought a Zoo' is lovely, delicate, and absolutely worth seeing with your family this holiday season." — Drew McWeeny, HitFix.com
Check out everything we've got on "We Bought a Zoo."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Coldplay, Led Zeppelin Album Covers Featured On New British Stamps1629227
Album art from Pink Floyd, Blur and David Bowie also included.
By James Montgomery
Photo: Royal Mail
On Thursday (January 7), the U.K.'s Royal Mail unveiled a series of 10 new stamps, honoring the most iconic album covers of the past 40 years. The albums featured in the new series are the Rolling Stones' Let It Bleed, Led Zeppelin's IV, David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells, The Clash's London Calling, New Order's Power, Corruption and Lies, Primal Scream's Screamadelica, Pink Floyd's The Division Bell, Blur's Parklife and — the most recent album on to make the cut — Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head. Meant to honor "the most potent graphic images of modern times, many of which have provided a visual soundtrack to people's lives," the series is the end result of a lengthy research process by the Royal Mail, who looked through thousands of album covers by British artists before deciding on the final list. And, during a Wednesday night BBC Radio broadcast, it was revealed that the queen herself actually approved each design. Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page — who helped design the cover for IV — was on hand to celebrate the release of the stamps and recalled the mysterious nature of the album's iconic imagery. "Almost 40 years after the album came out, nobody knows the old man who featured on the cover, nor the artist who painted him," he said. "That sort of sums up what we wanted to achieve with the album cover, which has remained both anonymous and enigmatic at the same time." Of course, any great honor is befitting of an equally great contest, so, on the same day the stamps were made available to the general public, Coldplay decided to give one of their Rush of Blood stamps away. In a message on their official site, the band held a contest to send one lucky fan "a letter using a Coldplay stamp, postmarked with today's issue date." "We visited our local post office earlier today and bought some of the Coldplay stamps," the message read. "Very nice they are too."
Related Photos Related ArtistsAudrina Patridge, Ke$ha, Adam Lambert Share Prom Memories1662981
'Me and my gay best friend just danced until 8 a.m.,' Ke$ha tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena
Audrina Patridge
Photo: MTV News
It's prom season, and that means high schoolers across this great land will be renting tuxes, buying fancy dresses and negotiating the details of their curfews with parents. So, before you take your pictures and get in your limos, we asked some Hollywood A-listers to recall their fondest prom memories. "I had a great prom," Ne-Yo told MTV News. "I didn't get to go with who I wanted to go with. I got my second choice, but my second choice turned out to be the one I was supposed to be there with, so it turned out good."
Ke$ha, never one to say no to a party, had the best night of all her friends. "I went to prom with my gay best friend, and let me tell you, I had way more fun than anybody else at a prom with their boyfriends," she recalled. "Everybody else was, like, crying and drama and breaking up, and me and my gay best friend just danced until 8 a.m." "Hellcats" star Aly Michalka doesn't have a favorite prom memory — because she never went to prom. "I was homeschooled, so I don't even think we had a fake prom," she lamented. "Like, maybe we had a home-school prom and I wasn't invited?" While everything always seems to be in peril on "The Vampire Diaries," star Nina Dobrev had a less tumultuous night: "Having everyone get together and such a final celebration [is what I remember]." Romeo went big for his prom. "My senior prom, I remember I pulled up in my red Ferrari. I was feeling like James Bond," he said. "And it was one of the best nights of my life." "My favorite prom memory was probably going shopping for a dress, and our boyfriends at the time dressed up as 'Dumb & Dumber,' " Audrina Patridge laughed. "And so we were like, 'We can't dress up dorky ... we have to look good.' " Roots drummer ?uestlove made a big decision on the night of his prom: "June 2, 1989, was my very last haircut; prom haircut, totally butchered my hair. He butchered my hair, and I vowed never again to ever get in a barber chair, so I grew that Afro on my prom night." Adam Lambert said his prom date was a 10, so he definitely had a fun night. "I had a great prom. I had an awesome time," he said. "I went with one of my best friends in high school. Her name was Lauren, and she was really hot. She wore a really hot red dress, so I felt like I had arm candy." Share your prom memories in the comments below!
Related Videos Related ArtistsBritney Spears - Radar
- Artist: Britney Spears
- Label: RCA, Jive, Zomba Label Group
- Director: Dave Meyers
- Album: Dos Piano Latinos
Justin Bieber Special Takes Fans 'Home For The Holidays'1675811
Bieber's holiday special airs December 22 and will raise money for his Believe charity drive.
By Jocelyn Vena
Justin Bieber
Photo: WireImage
Justin Bieber has helped light the tree in New York's Rockefeller Plaza and sang Christmas carols with the president. Now, MTV News has confirmed that the pop star will celebrate the season once more with his very own special, "Justin Bieber: Home for the Holidays."
Bieber will tape the fundraising special at a secret Toronto location before it airs December 22 on MuchMusic and CTV. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Bieber said, "The holidays are a very special time of the year for me and I'm looking forward to coming home and ringing them in with my friends and family." Funds raised at the show will benefit Bieber's Believe charity. Portions of the proceeds raised by his holiday album, Under the Mistletoe, also went to the nonprofit. Believe raises money for organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Pencils of Promise, Musicians on Call, Project Medishare for Haiti, City of Hope, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Grammy Foundation. "I am launching the Believe Charity Drive because I know firsthand that if you believe in your dreams, everything is possible," Bieber said in a statement about the initiative. "The Believe Charity Drive directly benefits charities that are making a difference in the world. You can ... donate as little as one dollar, or even donate your time, because everything will make a difference. Please join me in our quest to raise millions of dollars by the release of my new 2012 album, Believe. I know that with your help, we can make a change." On Monday (December 12), in addition to announcing the holiday special, Bieber's manager Scooter Braun also tweeted about the overwhelming success Under the Mistletoe has had since its November debut. "@JustinBieber's christmas album 'Under The Mistletoe' is the biggest selling International Christmas album for UMG in a decade!!" he tweeted. "That makes it the biggest selling holiday album on Universal in the last decade moving ahead of Andrea Bocelli. very proud and at this rate by Christmas @justinbieber's 'Under The Mistletoe' will be the biggest 4th qtr album release of the entire UMG-EMI system!" Bieber recorded several classic tunes for the album, as well as original songs, including lead single "Mistletoe." He worked with artists like Mariah Carey, Usher, the Band Perry, Busta Rhymes and Boyz II Men on the project. "Thank u to everyone supporting this incredible album," Braun added. "All the stats are amazing but what Im most proud of is the music. REALLY GREAT MUSIC."
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'Bel Ami' Trailer: Five Key Scenes
Robert Pattinson breaks away from Edward Cullen in the story of one man's rise to the top of Parisian society.
By Terri Schwartz
Christina Ricci and Robert Pattinson in "Bel Ami"
Photo: 19 Entertainment/ Protagonist Pictures
Ladies, say goodbye to Edward Cullen and hello to George Duroy.
The newest "Bel Ami" trailer has hit the Web, showcasing a Robert Pattinson who is very different from the one fans have come to know and love in "The Twilight Saga."
The sex-filled drama follows penniless soldier Duroy on his rise to the top of the Parisian social ladder thanks to his manipulation and seduction of the wives of the French elite. Needless to say, fans who want a lot of nudity and friskiness to go along with their daily dose of Pattinson should not be disappointed by this latest preview, which follows an earlier "Bel Ami" trailer released in July.
While the film doesn't have a release date yet in the U.S., viewers in the U.K. will be able to see it starting March 2. For now, here are five key scenes from the brand-new trailer!
Meet the Ladies
There's a reason directors Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod enlisted Pattinson: He's one of the biggest sex symbols around, and Duroy is a playboy in every sense of the word. As important a character as he is, the ladies Duroy seduces are also integral to the story. About a fourth of the way through the trailer, Pattinson is seen sitting across from the three women who will act as his love interests: Uma Thurman, Christina Ricci and Kristin Scott Thomas. These ladies likely have no idea what emotional roller coaster is in store for them.
Sex, Sex and More Sex
Pattinson has been pretty upfront about the fact that "Bel Ami" includes plenty of sex and — in his words — "a lot of my crack in it." This trailer teases those aspects of the movie, as Pattinson can be spotted frequently getting frisky with Thurman, Ricci and Thomas. But it's his slow seduction methods that have really captured our interest. Whether he's drawing a finger down Ricci's neck or flirting with Thomas in a church, Pattinson seems to have come a long way from the brooding Edward Cullen.
"I've Been Such a Fool"
You've got to love a man who can admit when he's wrong. The crux of the movie pivots on Duroy's bad behavior, so it should come as no surprise that he eventually gets in trouble for it — at least that's what it looks like when he admits to Ricci's character, "I've been such a fool." Whether that means he will learn from his actions is yet to be seen, but we doubt it based on all of the other dramatic occurrences in the trailer.
"Get Out of My House!"
Between "Bel Ami" and Pattinson's other project, "Cosmopolis," the man best known as a sparkly vampire is getting the chance to show he can be more than just a heartthrob. And he gives us a preview in the trailer when he yells, "Get out of my house!" breaking down his character's usually composed façade.
A Man's Reflection
The trailer is scattered with shots of Duroy staring at his own reflection, but two pivotal instances bookend the video. In the first, Duroy gazes at his face in a small, broken mirror, looking unsatisfied with what he sees. But toward the end of the trailer, there is a (shirtless!) full-body shot of Duroy staring at himself yet again. In the voice-over, he emphatically states, "There is no next life, and I am going to live." It's clear Duroy has undergone significant changes since the beginning of the film, but we have a gut feeling those changes aren't going to end well for him.
Check out everything we've got on "Bel Ami."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Take a Behind-the-Scenes Look into "The Hobbit" Set
Opening up about his highly-anticipated upcoming flick, Peter Jackson dishes some details on the filming of ?The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.?
Chatting about the recent outdoor production in New Zealand, Jackson reveals on a video blog post, "Dwarves in boats; everybody thinks they're a sailor," as a rubber raft full of some of the movie's characters drift by in the background.
"It's been great to get outside. It's been great to get that texture of Middle-earth into the movie after many, many weeks of shooting in the studio," Jackson continued.
Picking up and traveling to New Zealand for the filming is nothing less than a spectacle, as the main unit crew alone is comprised of approximately 500 members with 200 more second-unit filmmakers dispatched to various parts of the country.
It takes over 140 vehicles to transport all the equipment - which includes generators, props, costumes, set dressing, Hobbit feet, livestock, food, water and other creature-comfort amenities, not to mention airplanes, helicopters, flatbed uphill tows, motorboats and rubber rafts.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Rock Your Fave Jeans While Pregnant With Denim Therapy
Denim Therapy expertly converts your favorite jeans into maternity jeans and back.
Britney Spears' Big 2011: From A Smash Album To A Ring On Her Finger1676352
A decade into her career, the pop megastar reinvented herself this year as the ultimate Femme Fatale and made a big commitment to Jason Trawick.
By Jocelyn Vena
Britney Spears
Photo: Getty Images
Maybe Britney Spears' lucky number is 30. The singer turned 30 this year, marking the landmark birthday on December 2 with a fan-voted MTV News tournament that crowned the Best Britney Video of All Time. But her 30th year also proved to be an incredibly successful period in her career.
And while much of the 2011 VMA buzz was about Beyoncé's baby bump and Jo Calderone, Spears stole the spotlight by walking away with a Moonman for Best Pop Video and the prized Video Vanguard Award. She also had tongues wagging after an onstage kiss from Jo (a.k.a. Lady Gaga), just before she was honored with an electrifying dance tribute that highlighted some of biggest career moments. "It was really crazy. I had no idea what to expect," Spears told us backstage at the VMAs. "The kids were amazing and so entertaining, and it was a really fun night. It was really cool. I was like, 'Wow, that's really sweet!' " As 2011 came to a close, Spears wrapped up her tour, and MTV News threw her a birthday bash in the form of the "30 Videos for 30 Years" tournament. The competition was heated but in the end, Spears' iconic "I'm a Slave 4 U" took home the prize. And just when it seemed things couldn't get any better, Britney confirmed she was engaged to Trawick after dating for two years. She showed off her Neil Lane ring during a celebratory weekend in Las Vegas. MTV continues our Best of 2011 coverage by looking back at the biggest pop-culture stories of the year. As we count down the newsmakers that mattered to you most, also check out our Best Artists, Best Songs, Best MTV Live Performances and Best EDM Artists of 2011.
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