Saturday, December 31, 2011

Britney Spears Fans, Friends Celebrate Engagement1676171

Ryan Seacrest tweets he 'can't think of a better guy' for the pop star than fiancé Jason Trawick.
By Kara Klenk


Jason Trawick and Britney Spears in the "Criminal" music video
Photo: Jive

Britney Spears is officially off the market. Reports were confirmed Friday (December 16) that the singer is engaged to Jason Trawick, her boyfriend of two years and "Criminal" video co-star.

Fans of the pop princess sent their love and congratulatory wishes online shortly after the story surfaced. Everyone loves a comeback, and Britney Spears' fans are no exception. After a rough period in 2007 that included losing custody of her children and an infamous public head-shaving, Spears has spent the past three years getting her life together, and fans have taken notice. Take a walk down memory lane with this timeline of Britney and Jason's relationship! Facebook user Rosanna Principessa Fabbro wrote, "So happy for her. She really nailed it, turned her life way around, and look — now with a good man :)" Other fans gushed, while Zakir Khan wrote simply on Facebook, "Best of luck." On Twitter, @Elina_BS made a Twitpic card for the singer wishing her and Jason well. Many of Britney's fans have been listening to her music for almost their entire lives, so news of her engagement felt especially personal for them. @mollypannell1 tweeted, "Is it weird how happy I am for @britneyspears? So cuuute. I still remember when her first video came out. I was 7!" Celebs also took to Twitter to send their love. Ryan Seacrest tweeted his approval of the union, "I used to work w/ Jason Trawick and can't think of a better guy and more perfect match for @BritneySpears. Congrats guys." Nick Cannon also tweeted "Congrats @BritneySpears is engaged" and included a link to a post from his website that included a family photo of Britney, Jason and her two sons. If nothing else, this milestone in Britney's personal life has renewed her fans' love. @Mae_tweet wrote, "You can't help liking @britneyspears! With Britney's infectious, resilience & strength. Born survivor. Credits to her X." Share your well-wishes for the newly engaged couple in the comments below!

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Usher 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!

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Usher's Next Album 'Soulful, Catchy,' Taio Cruz Teases1675448

'He always wants there to be the soul in there,' Cruz tells MTV News about his 'Without You' collaborator.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Matt Elias


Usher
Photo: Todd Williamson/ WireImage

Usher is hard at work on his next album. Set to work with fellow hitmaker Taio Cruz, the two already cooked up some magic with their David Guetta anthem "Without You," and it seems they are hoping to recapture that spirit for Usher's follow-up to 2010's Raymond v. Raymond.

"I saw Usher a few times, but I spoke to him at length at David [Guetta]'s house when we were in Ibiza [Spain]," he told MTV News in L.A. after his Jingle Ball set. "He has very specific ideas of where he wants to go musically and sound-wise." Given that Usher has never shied away from exposing a bit of himself in his music, while also keeping the party going, Cruz wants to make sure they can connect the mind, body and soul for this next release. "He always wants there to be the soul in there," he explained. "I'm kind of, not the opposite, but I'm always like, 'Let's get straight to the point and be really clear with the message and be simple.' "So we try to match those two worlds together: being soulful and, at the same time, catchy," he added. Cruz can't yet discuss what they're working on: Besides "Without You," he said, "Everything else is secret." Usher said he was drawn to the Guetta hit because he connected to it emotionally, explaining to MTV News recently what an important part that plays in his musical philosophy. "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."

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'Dark Knight Rises' Star Anne Hathaway Talks Catwoman

'It's just a matter of doing your homework and getting underneath the character's skin,' actress says.
By Kevin P. Sullivan


Anne Hathaway in "The Dark Knight Rises"
Photo: Warner Bros

While it may feel like the trailers and photos from "The Dark Knight Rises" have shown us a lot from Christopher Nolan's third and supposed final trip to Gotham City, we have yet to see that much from Catwoman.

After spy photos from the set forced their hand, Warner Bros. released an early look at Anne Hathaway's take on Gotham's most notorious cat burglar astride the Batpod, but aside from that photo and her brief but enticing appearance in the theatrical trailer, Selina Kyle's role in "Rises" remains a mystery.

Hathaway did, however, open up to the L.A. Times' Hero Complex during a visit to the London set of "The Dark Knight Rises." She spoke at length about why she loves her so-far divisive costume and how her Catwoman fits into Nolan's Gotham.

Check out our photo analysis of Hathaway's Catwoman.

When Warner Bros. released the first photo of Hathaway in full Catwoman attire, fan reaction ranged from full-fledged support to outright hatred. Hathaway has always stood by the costume's unusual take on the classic look, and she once again made her case to Hero Complex. "I love the costume because everything has a purpose," she said. "Nothing is in place for fantasy's sake, and that's the case with everything in Christopher Nolan's Gotham City."

Once Hathaway won the highly coveted role, she dove deep into research, taking in Catwoman's classic comic book appearance and the original inspirations Bob Kane and Bill Finger used to create the character. Hathaway said she drew inspiration from actress Hedy Lamarr to help shape her performance. "[Lamarr] takes these long, deep, languid breaths and exhales slowly," Hathaway said. "There's a shot of her in [the 1933 film] 'Ecstasy' exhaling a cigarette and I took probably five breaths during her one exhale. So I started working on my breathing a lot."

From there, a lot of the heavy lifting belonged to Nolan and his brother Jonathan, who co-wrote the script with the director. According to Hathaway, this Catwoman follows the pattern set by Nolan's other Gotham City residents. "You look at Heath's performance as the Joker, there was a lot of madness there but there was also a grace and he had a code there. There's a lot of belief and codes of behavior in Gotham and my character has one, too," she said. "A lot of the way she moves and interacts with people is informed by her worldview. Chris has given us all such complex, defined, sophisticated worldviews that it's just a matter of doing your homework and getting underneath the character's skin."

Do you think Anne Hathaway will kill it as Catwoman? Let us know in the comments below!

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Tom Cruise 'Impossible' To Beat At Box Office

'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol' easily wins #1 spot over long holiday weekend.
By Ryan J. Downey


Tom Cruise in "Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol"
Photo: Paramount

This Christmas, Tom Cruise was "impossible" to beat at the box office.

"Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" was the #1 movie over the long holiday weekend, easily beating competition from two competing sequels with an additional $46.2 million as it expanded into wide release. The fourth entry in the Tom Cruise franchise, this one directed by Brad Bird ("The Incredibles"), has racked up $78.6 million in domestic receipts since it debuted in limited release 11 days ago.

"Ghost Protocol" is the best-reviewed entry in the franchise, which kicked off in 1996 with an inaugural film (based on the popular late '60s TV series) directed by Brian De Palma ("Scarface"). Action maestro John Woo ("The Killer") helmed "M:I 2" four years later. The J.J. Abrams-directed "Mission: Impossible III" grossed $134 million during its theatrical run in 2006.

Meanwhile, "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" was reviewed far less favorably than its 2009 predecessor. The film, which reunites Robert Downey Jr. in the title role with Jude Law as his faithful partner, Watson, was #2 at the box office with $31.8 million for a two-week total of $90.6 million. "Downey may think this interpretation is an insight, or funny, but it pushes what was already a rude rewriting of the classic characters into eye-rolling camp," wrote the Newark Star Ledger. The first film sits at 70 percent on film review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes' "Tomatometer," while "Game of Shadows" was at a "rotten" 59 percent at press time.

The #3 movie at the box office, itself the third in a series, continues a franchise-long tradition of poor reviews. "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" carried a series worst 13 percent score on the "Tomatometer" as it collected $20 million for an 11-day $56.9 million total. Neither "Game of Shadows" nor "Shipwrecked" appear likely to get anywhere near the $200 million grosses of their predecessors.

Four of the other five new releases in theaters were from major filmmakers.

"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," the highly anticipated American adaptation of the popular Swedish book from director David Fincher ("Fight Club"), has made $27.7 million since it opened Tuesday night. Steven Spielberg has two new movies out, "The Adventures of Tintin" and "War Horse," which landed at #5 and #7 on the box office chart, respectively. "Tintin" has made $24.1 million while "War Horse" has made $15 million. The latest from director Cameron Crowe opened even lower than his last movie, "Elizabethtown." "We Bought a Zoo," at #6, earned just $15.6 million despite star power in the form of Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson. Rock journalist turned filmmaker Crowe has worked with box-office topper Tom Cruise twice: first with "Jerry Maguire" in 1996 and later with "Vanilla Sky" in 2001.

Finally, alien invasion horror flick "The Darkest Hour" opened at #8 with just $5.5 million. The film was not screened in advance for critics, but The Hollywood Reporter, which reviewed the movie, blamed a "flatlining screenplay and the absence of even a single compelling character."

Check out everything we've got on "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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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.

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Friday, December 30, 2011

'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.

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Beyonce Fans Weigh In On Baby's Anticipated Arrival

From the birth date to the sex of the baby, fans share their thoughts with MTV News.
By John Mitchell


Beyoncé
Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images

It's almost here, and no, we're not talking about New Year's. Here at MTV News we're waiting patiently for an even bigger event: the birth of Beyoncé and Jay-Z's baby.

And depending on whom you ask, Queen Bey's little prince or princess might be here sooner than any of us thought. According to various media reports, Beyoncé may even be in labor right now.

Rumors that the 4 songstress, who was one of MTV's top Newsmakers of 2011, was set to give birth Wednesday (December 28) first surfaced on Media Takeout, with two nurses at New York's Saint Luke's Roosevelt Hospital allegedly telling the celebrity gossip site that they were informed last night that a "celebrity VIP" who had reserved half of the hospital's luxury labor and delivery floor would be arriving to give birth Wednesday.

There has been no confirmation that the rumored VIP is indeed Beyoncé, and representatives for the star did not immediately respond when asked for comment.

Fans of the "Countdown" singer and her hip-hop mogul husband are starting to get very excited about baby Jayoncé. When MTV News took to the streets of New York to ask Bey's fans their thoughts on when they expect the baby to make its debut and whether it will be a boy or a girl, they had plenty to say.

Most of Bey's fans told us they expected the baby to be born in January, with one perhaps astute fan zeroing in on New Year's Day, saying, "I think Beyoncé's baby will be born sometime in January, maybe on the first."

We found only one dissenter on the chilly streets of NYC, and he seemed to have the best knowledge of past public statements from the couple, including an early-September interview with Beyoncé that announced that the baby was actually due in February. "I trust Jay Z, I think he's a good guy," the fan said. "Him and Beyoncé are a good couple, so they wouldn't lie to the public. So Beyoncé's baby is going to be born in February."

And nearly all of the fans we surveyed believe the power couple is expecting a baby girl. Perhaps they caught wind of de facto auntie Kelly Rowland's slip of the lip on a London red carpet in early November, where the former Destiny's Child singer said, "I have no idea what I'm going to buy Beyoncé at the baby shower because Jay is going to buy that little girl every single thing possible. She won't be spoiled, but she will be very well looked-after."

One fan was particularly excited for a baby girl because she hoped the babe picked up Beyoncé's good genes. "Hopefully a girl," she told MTV News. "Probably because I'm a fan of Beyoncé's looks."

One thing all could agree on was that Jay and Bey's bundle of joy would jump right to the top of the celebrity baby power list. "A power baby, obviously," one fan said, while another added, "It's gonna be a pretty cool baby, that's for sure. Probably gonna run New York City by the time he's 13 or 14."

Do you think Beyoncé and Jay-Z's baby will be a boy or a girl? Let us know in the comments!

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Robert Plant And Alison Krauss Win Grammy Album Of The Year1604582

Raising Sand, from Led Zeppelin vet and bluegrass superstar, wins five Grammys on Sunday night.
By James Montgomery with MTV News staff



Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

"I'm bewildered," Robert Plant said onstage as he accepted the Grammy Album of the Year award with Alison Krauss on Sunday night. "In the old days we would have called this selling out, but it's a good way to spend a Sunday." He was probably one of the few who were surprised, because Raising Sand, which won five trophies at Sunday night's show, is in many ways the perfect Grammy album. It features two respected veterans, a critically lauded producer, some sandpaper-and-velvet vocals and a baker's dozen of time-tested standards.

You're probably familiar with Robert Plant from his Led Zeppelin days, and you might be aware of producer T-Bone Burnett's work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack (it won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2002). And if you don't know who Alison Krauss is, she possesses a haunting set of pipes and is one of the meanest fiddle players in the world. Oh, and she's won 21 Grammys, more than any other female artist and the seventh-most in history. Really, she's the key to Sand's success, and not just because of her voice (or her fiddle playing). She and Plant first met in 2004, at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to legendary bluesman Leadbelly, and the former Zeppelin man was amazed by her knowledge of American Roots music — so much so that they began kicking around the idea of recording an album together. Three years later, Sand was released. And while Plant possesses the more famous voice, the album's finest moments radiate from Krauss. Whether she's getting bluesy on Little Milton's "Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson" or entwining with Plant's husky voice on songs like "Please Read the Letter" and Roly Salley's winsome "Killing the Blues," she more than carries her end of the bargain. And perhaps that's also due to producer Burnett, who handpicked the 13 songs the duo cover on Sand. His arrangements are sparse — giving the two voices ample room to breathe — yet dense, warm and crackling at the same time. It's a testament to his work that he's often given just as much billing as Plant and Krauss on the project ... and it's certainly justified. To date, Sand has sold more than 1 million copies, heaped tons of acclaim and actually earned a Grammy last year — "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" took home the award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals. One expert was surprised not by the album's success, but by the fact that it's actually quite a good album. "At first, the album seemed like a vanity project. ... Two names, clearly a one-off record, didn't have to be any good, you know?" New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica said. "Led Zeppelin fans would buy it because of Robert Plant, Alison Krauss would get a check. But it actually turned out to be a really thoughtful, really good record. So when you combine all that with the fact that the Grammys love to lionize one of their own, I could really see it taking home some awards."

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'Hunger Games' Suspense Kicked Into High Gear In 2011

The film might not hit theaters until next year, but casting announcements and exclusive interviews got fans worked up for March release.
By Kara Warner


Jennifer Lawrence in "The Hunger Games"
Photo: Murray Close

For the millions of fans who have been eagerly awaiting a film adaptation of Suzanne Collins' best-seller "The Hunger Games," 2011 gave them even more to be eager about as details trickled out about the movie, which is due in March.

We at MTV News have been as caught up in the frenzy as everyone else. And along the way, we've been able to speak with the major players involved in the "Games," gleaning the juiciest details from the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson.

Back in January, before casting was solidified, Hemsworth told MTV News he'd read the script and that he could actually see himself in the role of Peeta. After Hemsworth won the role of Gale instead, we chatted up his older brother and fellow actor Chris Hemsworth, who revealed that he helped Liam prep for his big audition by reading the role of Katniss. "I did. Swear to God," he said. "I read that. Put my girly American accent on."

In May, we had our first "Hunger Games"-centricchat with Jennifer Lawrence. She discussed fans' initial protests over her blond hair, which quieted after she dyed it, along with the intense hours of archery training she went through to become as convincingly handy with a bow and arrow as Katniss is.

"It's lots of training, but the training is actually really fun," she said. "I've done archery for about six weeks, rock climbing, tree climbing and combat and running and vaulting," she said. "Also yoga and things like that to stay cat-like."

We also caught up with some of the film's supporting actors. Lenny Kravitz, who is ready to further prove his acting chops in the role of sympathetic District 12 stylist Cinna, said he's doing his homework by immersing himself in all Collins' books. Elizabeth Banks was a bit more cagey in revealing any details about her transformation into pink-haired, type-A Effie Trinket, but she did admit that she and co-star Woody Harrelson have chemistry.

Harrelson, who plays alcoholic Hunger Games survivor Haymitch Abernathy, praised Lawrence's portrayal of Katniss and revealed that his character's hairstyle was inspired by his own brother. "I was like, 'OK, let's get a wig. Let's do the Brett Harrelson hair,' " he said of the long and slightly shaggy style. "It's kind of cool. I really liked the look. It's a fun character, and I think it's going to be a good movie."

Fellow supporting player Stanley Tucci, a.k.a. the blue-haired Caesar Flickerman, echoed Harrelson's sentiments about Lawrence's performance. "She was amazing," he said. "They were all amazing. She's just so good and so mature at such a young age. It was really fun. Really fun. And [director] Gary Ross, he's great."

We didn't have to take Tucci's word for it, as we also sat down with Ross for an exclusive interview surrounding our debut of the "Games" teaser trailer back in August. The "Seabiscuit" and "Pleasantville" helmer took us through his detailed plans for the film and the challenges of filming.

And we finally stole a few moments with Peeta Mellark himself, Josh Hutcherson, who took us through his grueling audition process and the anxious wait for the news of his casting, why he was "so right" for Peeta and his excitement for the fans to see the finished product.

"It's exciting to hear people are that interested in something you're doing, so it's a little nerve-racking, but I'm onboard," he said. "The fans for 'The Hunger Games,' they're die-hard. They're the best fans in the world, so I'm really excited for them to see the movie."

Check out everything we've got on "The Hunger Games."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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Dimmu Borgir Release Live DVD; Plus Led Zeppelin, Brujeria, & More News That Rules, In Metal File1596756

'It shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums,' guitarist says.
By Chris Harris


Dimmu Borgir's Silenoz
Photo: Nuclear Blast

On October 14, Dimmu BorgirDimmu Borgir — who just happen to be Demi Lovato's favorite black-metal band — will release a a three-disc DVD/CD set called "The Invaluable Darkness," the band's first visual offering since 2002's "World Misanthropy." Boasting live footage shot last year, during gigs in Norway, Germany and England, "The Invaluable Darkness" demonstrates the unbridled furor of seeing Dimmu live, guitarist Silenoz said. "It shows the honest rawness and atmospheric darkness of our concerts," the Norwegian told Metal File last week, after dismissing recent online rumors that his band's next LP would be coming out through Roadrunner Records. "Basically, it shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums. It's just a different side to the band, basically." Dimmu Borgir began thinking about "The Invaluable Darkness" two years ago, but didn't start capturing footage until last summer, Silenoz explained, adding that the band will use its current stint on the Blackest of the Black Tour — which got underway Thursday night in Miami Beach, Florida, and also features the tour's founder, Danzig, along with MoonspellMoonspell, Winds of PlagueWinds of Plague and Skeletonwitch — to promote the DVD. Dimmu Borgir will not, however, use the tour to write material for their next LP. "It's our first time on Blackest, but Glenn [Danzig] had wanted to bring us out before [on the tour], but we weren't available until now," Silenoz said. "We've done Ozzfest before, but we're looking forward to this tour more. We did the main stage on Ozzfest, playing in f--_ing broad daylight. This tour will let us play in bigger places, but at the same time showcase more of what the band's about, visually. We are going to concentrate on the tour for now. Some years ago, we tried putting [material] together on the road, but once we got home, we listened back to it, and were like, 'What the f--- is this?' So, we just scrapped it all. We find it's so much better to totally focus on one thing at a time, and then, when that's over, you move on to the next [thing]. We don't really feel like we need to rush things, anyway, so we'll just take our time, and it's going to be what it's going to be." Dimmu Borgir hope to reconvene in late December to begin writing the follow-up to 2007's diabolically titled In Sorte Diaboli. "We have some ideas floating around already, but we haven't arranged any material yet," he said. "We'll start doing that once the touring for this DVD is over." The band's frontman, Shagrath, is also due to marry soon — he's engaged to actor Nicolas Cage's ex-girlfriend, Christina Fulton, so that may have an effect on when Dimmu finish their next album, which Silenoz said could be out this coming spring. "I'm sure [Shagrath] won't let anything get in the way [of] the band — I think, I hope," the guitarist said. "We don't need a Yoko [Ono] situation." While Dimmu have been at it going on 15 years now, Silenoz said he doesn't think their forthcoming material will be much of a departure from their previous black-metal offerings. "And we have always been about more than just that term, 'black metal,' " he said. "Luckily for us, the older you get, the less concerned you get with the categorization and putting labels on your music. Things start getting more and more limitless with us, and we know that we operate within certain frames. But we try not to analyze things too much, because it's just going to be working against you in the end. When we write new stuff, we don't think about what we should write — we just get together, and put material together, and if we like it, we keep it. That's the formula, if we even have a formula." Dimmu Borgir are definitely getting older — guitarist Galder will be missing Blackest because of a recent addition to his family, and Susperia'sSusperia's Cyrus will be filling in for him; while former VaderVader drummer Dariusz Brzozowski takes over for Hellhammer, who had to leave the band in 2007 after sustaining a neck injury that's now limited the use of his right arm. As Dimmu has gotten on in years, Silenoz admits they have failed to keep pace with some of the more extreme black-metal acts that have followed in their wake. "We helped open doors for the more extreme bands out there," Silenoz said. "I'm sure we helped open doors for bands like Watain, [insomuch as] people that had maybe started listening to us first then went on to the more extreme stuff. Let's face it — we're not as extreme as Watain and other bands like that, but we're fine with that." The Blackest of the Black Tour continues through November 10 in San Francisco. The rest of the week's metal news: Dimmu's tourmates on Blackest, Winds of Plague, have announced ex-Azusa drummer Art Cruz has joined their ranks — he replaced Jeff Tenney. According to the band's blog, "Art has already added a new spark to the band and has provided us with a solid backbone that will allow us to continue our rampage stronger than ever." ... What the world really needs is another Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin box set, so, on November 4, Rhino Records will issue the Led Zeppelin Definitive Collection Mini LP Replica CD box set. For just $200, you'll get 1969's Led Zeppelin, 1969's Led Zeppelin II, 1970's Led Zeppelin III, 1971's Led Zeppelin IV, 1973's Houses of the Holy, 1975's Physical Graffiti, 1976's Presence, 1976's The Song Remains the Same, 1979's In Through the Out Door and 1982's Coda, as mini-LP replicas, with artwork from the original U.K. LP sleeves. Now, you know what you can get your dad for Christmas. ... Former Killswitch EngageKillswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach and current Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz have teamed up for a new project they're calling Times of Grace, and they've already started working on material for their debut album. According to Leach, "We have two songs to go and we will be finished with all of the vocals. Adam has taken lead vocals in three songs as of yet and he is doing a great job. We also worked on a track yesterday that is so epic — we trade vocals and do two different melodies at the same time. This album went from a melodic metal album to an epic mix of metal/rock/pop/shoegaze and punk. So all of your metal expectations will be incorrect — we are pushing genre boundaries." To quote "Meet the Parents," we'll look forward to that, Greg. ... The Funeral Pyre and Early Graves will be hitting the road together next month, starting November 7 in South Lake Tahoe, California. Dates are booked through November 21 in Hollywood. ... The latest incarnation of Brujeria, which features CarcassCarcass frontman Jeff Walker and Napalm Death'sNapalm Carcass's Shane Embury, have lined up several U.S. dates for this winter. The band will begin its brief trek November 28 in Denver, and wrap things up in Dallas on December 7. ... DemiricousDemiricous will be touring with the Gates of Slumber starting November 9 in Denver, for a jaunt that's scheduled to run through December 6 in Indianapolis. ... Nearly three years after Roadrunner Records' Roadrunner United concert, which took over the Nokia Theater in New York's Times Square, the label is now releasing footage from that special night as "Roadrunner United: The Concert." The DVD, which hits stores December 9, will boast two discs and 24 live tracks, including Life of Agony'sLife of Agony's "River Runs Red," King Diamond'sKing Diamond's "Abigail," Killswitch's "My Last Serenade," Type O Negative'sType O

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Thursday, December 29, 2011

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'War Horse' Director Steven Spielberg Captures 'Beauty Of The Accident'

Actor Tom Hiddleston says, 'Every day, there is magic that will happen.'
By Kevin P. Sullivan


Tom Hiddleston in "War Horse"
Photo: DreamWorks

"He is the master." At the premiere of "War Horse," praise like this for the movie's director wasn't hard to come by.

For Tom Hiddleston, working with a director as talented as Steven Spielberg meant more than just acting under a guy who has made dozens of timeless films. Hiddleston told MTV News on the red carpet premiere of "War Horse" that working with Spielberg was more like a crash course in classic movie magic.

Spielberg recently directed the "Thor" star in "War Horse," a World War I-era drama about the connection between a boy and his horse. Hiddleston shared a few of the lessons he learned from the legendary director.

"He's a master craftsman," he said. "And what I learned from him, really, is that he's so impeccably prepared."

Hiddleston recalled Spielberg's habit of storyboarding many of the film's scenes, but that never stopped the director from making changes on the fly and running with them. "He turns up on set every day with an open mind and an open heart, because he still doesn't know where the magic is. And every day, there is magic that will happen."

But for Spielberg to find that magic, he has to keep both this cast and crew on their toes. For Hiddleston, this often meant changing direction on a moment's notice. "He just has to be sharp enough and on point enough that he's there to catch it and to keep his crew nimble and fleet of foot," Hiddleston explained. "So that if he suddenly sees something like the sun's in a particular place or something's happening between two actors, or in this case, an actor and a horse, that he can capture that, the beauty of the accident, and it lasts forever on film."

Check out everything we've got on "War Horse."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Britney Spears - Womanizer

Womanizer

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  • Label: Zomba Label Group/Jive
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'Prometheus' Trailer: Five Key Elements

Ridley Scott's teaser, featuring Noomi Rapace and Charlize Theron fighting for their lives, is reminiscent of 'Alien' and 'Blade Runner.'
By Kara Warner


Photo: 20th Century Fox

If you're a fan of movie trailers, consider your holiday wants and wishes fulfilled now that the teaser for Ridley Scott's "Prometheus" has dropped. It's the fourth trailer released this week for a hugely anticipated 2012 film, following "The Dark Knight Rises," "Wrath of the Titans" and "The Hobbit." Here's a look at five key elements that deserve MTV News' over-analysis:

Plot Tease
We still don't know a lot about the story line in this film, but this one-minute spot sheds a lot of light on what the action will center around: a team of explorers, scientists and anthropologists sets out on a journey to find clues to the origin of our species. "What they found could be our end," we're told in cold, blue type, before quick cuts of what looks to be death and destruction. And although the prequel rumors have been shot down by those involved, there is room here to interpret it as such. Not to mention the title: In Greek mythology, Prometheus is the titan who stole fire from Mt. Olympus and gave it to humans. If the humans in the film are searching for their origin, maybe it is Prometheus, in some way, shape or form.

Lost in Space/Discovery of Life on Other Planets
Unsurprisingly, there are several gorgeous shots of space vehicles, spaceships, spacesuits, etc. that help properly accentuate the size and scope of what it would be like to be up/out there, as well as how big this film really is. Director Ridley Scott shot the film in 3-D and serves up a few hints to the beautiful technology at play, though there is still a grittiness to it all. This is not friendly, bright and shiny unexplored territory; it's dark, dangerous, deep space. And then there are the scenes at the end of the trailer that look to take place on another planet, in another galaxy. There is dry, dusty terrain and ancient-looking symbols, a towering horseshoe-shaped totem of some sort, that looks to be either crumbling to the ground, or it is moving of its own accord, beginning a small war between the natives and the humans who've discovered them.

The New Ripley(s)
It's hard to talk about Ridley Scott and an "Alien"-esque movie without thinking about Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, one of the most bad-ass protagonists in film history. There's no replacing Ripley, but Scott has enlisted two very capable ladies to carry the torch: Noomi Rapace and Charlize Theron. From what the trailer shows, both women will be fighting for their lives, but Rapace seems to be the most Ripley-esque, particularly in one shot where she is hanging upside down, being held by someone or something. The resemblance is uncanny. And let's not forget about the rest of the cast, of whom we get only brief glimpses: Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce and Rafe Spall.

That Ridley Scott Touch
The trailer is cold, calculated and just too cool. Just like Scott has said himself, if "Prometheus" isn't an "Alien" prequel, the two films definitely share the same DNA — not to mention a few "Blade Runner"-esque elements thrown in for good measure. And as is the case with most of Scott's films, the effects are far more practical than CG. The world of "Prometheus" is set in a distant future, but not too distant. It's big, bold and, very likely, terrifying.

The Alien(s)
As much as we might have hoped to see some big, bad aliens in this trailer, all we get are hints of an unidentified, menacing force out there. In one brief scene, the team happens upon an area full of small, perfectly arranged casings that could be artifacts or alien eggs, we don't know. But we do see one of the humans' helmets enveloped by a mysterious gas, followed by a loud, painful scream. There is a quick shot of the head of something being examined in a lab, what looks like it might be an alien ship of some sort hovering over dusty terrain, followed by brief shots of human suffering at the hands of something we can't quite make out. Yet.

"Prometheus" hits theaters June 8, 2012.

Check out everything we've got on "Prometheus."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Best Live MTV Performances Of 20111675822

You — the fans — voted for your favorite performances of the year, from VMA spectacles to Buzzworthy sets.
By MTV News staff


Beyonce performs at the 2011 VMAs
Photo: Getty Images

As we continue our weeklong look back on the year in music — MTV kicked things off on Monday with a list of the Best EDM Artists of 2011 — it was hard not to notice that the biggest stars in pop, rock and hip-hop put on some of their most buzzed-about performances — right on our stages. From Adele's spine-tingling ballad at the VMAs to Two Door Cinema Club's rendition of the rollicking "What You Know" at Webster Hall, we culled 16 of the best performances of the last 12 months and you, the fans, voted for your favorites. Here, we present the top 10! 10. Odd Future, "Sandwitches," mtvU Woodie Awards
Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All Loiter Squad, or Odd Future, for short, were one of this year's breakthrough acts. And when they hit the stage for this year's mtvU Woodie Awards, it was clear why. The performance started out tame enough. Tyler, the Creator's "Yonkers" kicked in and a little person impersonating Tyler approached the stage. The calm didn't last long, though, as the real Wolf Haley emerged and confronted the pint-size imposter. From that moment on, the raw, rambunctious, rabid energy that got OF noticed took over as Tyler, Hodgy Beats and the rest of the group launched into an unforgettable performance of "Sandwitches." — Steven Roberts

9. Adele, "Someone Like You," VMAs
Some artists surround themselves with dozens of dancers, seizure-inducing banks of flashing lights and other tricks when they take the stage. But when it comes to Adele's take on the heartbreaking second single from 21 at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, all it took was a grand piano, a single spotlight and some emotive hand gestures. Perfect. — Gil Kaufman 8. Jack's Mannequin, "Release Me," Buzzworthy Live
It doesn't get much more epic than a stripped-down performance right above Times Square. Andrew McMahon of Jack's Mannequin did exactly that with his ode to growing up and settling down, "Release Me," for Buzzworthy's special live series. It's just McMahon, his shades and a piano, and we don't need much else. — Kevin P. Sullivan

7. Chris Brown, "Yeah 3X/ Beautiful People," VMAs
The white suit, the swagger, the strobing VMA stage and some gravity-defying aerial tricks are what defined Breezy's jaw-dropping dance clinic at this year's VMAs. His high-stepping kung fu waltz through Wu-Tang Clan, head-banging ode to Nirvana and mid-air flips again showed that Brown is at his best on an awards-show stage. — G.K. 6. Lil Wayne, "Nightmares of the Bottom," MTV2 "Unplugged"
For his MTV2 "Unplugged" debut in June, Birdman Jr. took the stage wearing a black sweatshirt, black sunglasses and a red fitted baseball cap. Backed by a full band, Wayne launched into his catalog of hits, taking the crowd to musical heights. But one highlight in particular was the MC's premiere of "Nightmares of the Bottom," an instant smash-in-the-making that details Wayne's rise to the top and unwillingness to fail. — Rob Markman 5. Two Door Cinema Club, "What You Know," New York
To say it was a big year for Two Door Cinema Club, the indie-rock group out of Northern Ireland, would be an enormous understatement. The band toured the U.S. for the first time, opening for Tokyo Police Club, and debuted on the American alternative charts with "What You Know." Two Door Cinema played the song at an MTV Hive-hosted performance at the Studio at Webster Hall. The screaming NYC fans seemed to approve. — K.S.

4. Beyoncé, VMAs
At this year's MTV Video Music Awards, Beyoncé hit the stage in a sparkly tux and a glowing smile that never faded as — in typical Sasha Fierce fashion — she worked the crowd. From the effervescent single "Love on Top" (from her critically acclaimed 4) to her nod to the Motown era, the performance was ebullient. But it was the very last moment in her set that ensured it would go down in the VMA annals. Mrs. Carter, with a little hip-hop swagger, dropped the mic, opened her jacket and revealed an adorable baby bump. Leave it to the Queen B to rock the house, make headlines and set Twitter records all at once. — Andrea Duncan-Mao

3. Mac Miller, "Knock Knock," Chicago
Mac Miller's live performance of "Knock Knock" in Chicago is a pretty good peek at what you're in for at one of his concerts: very little gravity, a lot of movement and fans who could easily understudy for the rapper because they know every word to every track. And it's the Pittsburgh 19-year-old's pumped-up, feel-good presence that helped him land on another coveted list this year: MTV News' Hottest Breakthrough MC contest. — Rya Backer 2. Paramore, "Brick by Boring Brick," "Fueled by Ramen 15"
Paramore are living proof that you can go home again and, in the process, rock so hard that fans will vote you to the #2 position on MTV's list. Clearly psyched to be rocking the stage as headliners for FBR's anniversary event in September, the band's take on "Brick by Boring Brick" was typical high-energy Paramore goodness. Bassist Jeremy Davis and guitarist Taylor York spun and lunged around the stage as singer Hayley Williams looked shot out of a canon, bouncing and pumping her fists as she let the audience handle the first verse of the tune. Williams took over the vocals soon enough in her breathless best, leaving enough space for the sweaty, ardent fans to chime in at strategic points. — Gil Kaufman 1. 30Seconds to Mars, "Hurricane," "Unplugged"
30 Seconds to Mars' award for the Best Live MTV Performance of 2011 comes on the heels of a globe-spanning, record-setting tour. And Just as they did at the group's closing show in New York, the Echelon demonstrated their devotion to the band ... by voting in force. 30STM's poll-winning "Unlugged" performance of "Hurricane" features acoustic guitars and Jared Leto's sparse vocals, but it also comes backed by a stirring string ensemble. The mood inside the studio is undeniably somber but, like pretty much everything 30STM do, there's a raging, revelatory undercurrent too. Their performance is very much a communal thing, one where a celebration never seems all that far off. — James Montgomery All this week, watch "AMTV" on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year!

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Justin Bieber Has 'It,' Mark Wahlberg Says

'I'm pretty intuitive,' actor tells MTV News about why he wanted to work with the pop star on an upcoming basketball-themed drama.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Mark Wahlberg
Photo: MTV News

Mark Wahlberg surprised movie fans everywhere when he announced plans to hook up with Justin Bieber on the big screen. But when MTV News caught up with the "Contraband" star recently, he explained why he wanted to work with the teen phenom on the basketball-themed drama.

"Intuition. I'm pretty intuitive," he said of why he thinks shooting a film with the pop star is the right choice. "I see the guy and spent time with him, and you see what he does and how he does it, and then you actually have a conversation with him, and it's there."

Of course, if it doesn't come easily to the rookie actor, Wahlberg has a backup plan: "It's there — and if not, I will extract it."

When MTV News caught up with Wahlberg and Bieber earlier this year at the MTV Movie Awards, they opened up a bit more about the in-the-works flick.

"Wait till you see me and Bieber in the flick. Think of, like, 'The Color of Money,' " Wahlberg said of his "old guy" role. "So I get this call from Paramount [with a story about] an old guy and a young guy. I'm like, 'Cool, let's get Jack [Nicholson]. Let's get Robert De Niro. Let's get Robert Duvall.' And they go, 'What about Garrett Hedlund?' I'm like, 'For what?' " he further recalled. "They're like, 'For the young guy.' "

Bieber, who previously appeared on the big screen in his 3-D concert flick "Never Say Never," said he hopes to be on a film set by sometime next summer. And while he kept his plans hush-hush, he added that his team is "working on the script."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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