Selasa, 25 Oktober 2011

MTV News

MTV News

Boyz II Men Celebrate <i>Twenty</i> Years With New Album

Posted: 25 Oct 2011 03:53 AM PDT

'We're trying our best to transcend time,' Wanya Morris tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena


Boyz II Men
Photo: Sandy Young/ Getty Images

Boyz II Men came on the scene 20 years ago with their debut album, Cooleyhighharmony. That's right: 20 years ago. To put that in a pop-culture timeline: that's three years before Justin Bieber was born, and seven years before Destiny's Child released their first album.

That's important to note because this year not only are the guys releasing a new album, the aptly titled Twenty, they also appear on Beyoncé's "Countdown" and will be featured on Justin Bieber's Christmas album, Under the Mistletoe. In addition to all the love from this new crop of pop stars, Boyz II Men enthusiasts should enjoy their latest endeavor.

Twenty is a mix of eight old-school classics, like "End of the Road," as well as 12 new tracks. That's 20 songs, for those keeping count.

"Twenty is our latest effort," Wanya Morris explained to MTV News. "It consists of the span of 20 years of our career. It's been seven years since we did an album with our own music; it felt like it was time to put our efforts and our maturity and all of the things we gained through the 20 years on this album. We're trying our best to transcend time, but at the same time maintain our integrity and allow people to see the maturity as well."

Nathan Morris admits that while they're not the fresh-faced kids they were two decades ago, they aren't that different from the rookies who declared "Motownphilly" a thing. Or, at least their music hasn't strayed much from that R&B sound that made them famous.

"Music is who we are. Our concepts may be different; obviously, it's 20 years later, [and] we've grown. But the music itself is the constant," Nathan said. "It's the only thing that has really kept us here for 20 years. The concept of music is still the same, but what we write about and what we think about nowadays is a little different. We're a little older, but the main objective is still all about love."

In the end, the men, who know a thing or two about performing love songs both happy and sad, hope to capture that spirit again. "I think we're most excited for people to hear the whole album," Wanya added. "We have a lot of different new songs and styles that will actually show the growth of Boyz II Men. At the same time, we still kept the same vibrations, the same integrity. Nate's idea, and all of our idea, is just keep it love and try and be ambassadors. We might not do it all that well, but we love love."

What's your favorite classic Boyz II Men jam? Tell us below!

'Dancing With The Stars': Ricki Lake Is Back On Top

Posted: 25 Oct 2011 03:53 AM PDT

But she has to share with J.R. Martinez, who also scores a 29 on Broadway night.
By Kelley L. Carter


Ricki Lake and Derek Hough
Photo: ABC

It was Broadway week on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," and naturally, the theatrics were high.

The cast of Broadway's "Sister Act" performed, as did Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth. The remaining celebrities pulled out all the stops with creative costumes and over-the-top performances. This also was the first time the celebrities danced a group performance, to "Hey Big Spender" from "Sweet Charity" and "Money" from "Cabaret." The performance didn't get scored, but the judges commented and thought it was a fitting tribute.

As for the dances that were scored, it was a dead heat at the top of the board between war hero J.R. Martinez and former talk-show host Ricki Lake, who impressed the judges with their takes on the quickstep.

Here's how everyone fared:

Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke
The duo took on a tune from "Jersey Boys," the Four Seasons' "Walk Like a Man," and danced the cha-cha. The judges found the performance to be a bit muted and not at all daring for a high-stakes week like this. "It was clean. It was precise. It had good timing. Each dance gives you new challenges. The cha-cha-cha has got to show rhythm. There was no rhythm. It was all too stiff. It wasn't oily. It was a bit ... starchy," head judge Len Goodman said. 22/30

Nancy Grace and Tristan MacManus
The TV host was asked to do more after last week, when they found her routine to be a bit drab; this week, they took on the foxtrot and danced to a tune from "Spamalot." The judges said the pair upped the ante and considered her performance to be a showstopper. They thought much more of her personality came out and she performed with great flair, earning her highest score in the competition. "It's Nancy Dance-alot! I've seen the musical, and you captured the theme of it, and yet you did a foxtrot. Well done!" Bruno Tonioli said. 24/30

David Arquette and Kym Johnson
The actor earned his highest score of the season last week, and he said he wanted to keep that momentum going and stay at the top. They danced "We Go Together" from "Grease" and did the quickstep. The judges thought it was rough around the edges but high-energy and fun. "It's a really tough number to live up to. But as far as performance goes, I thought you completely lived up to any expectation that we'd have for 'We Go Together' from 'Grease.' It's not easy. That was the good side. The bad side: You guys were out of sync today. But ... there was a fluidity that was going. You just got a little ahead of yourself," Carrie Ann Inaba said. 23/30

Ricki Lake and Derek Hough
The former talk-show host and actress had previously dominated the leaderboard but fell last week to the #5 position after failing to impress the judges during '80s week. Also a former Broadway star, Lake was hoping that would give her the edge during Monday night's competition. They danced the quickstep to a track from "Guys and Dolls," and the judges gave her a standing ovation. "You don't need luck if you've got talent. And this number, you proved your talent. I loved it," Goodman said. 29/30

Chaz Bono and Lacey Schwimmer
The activist tangoed to a track from "Phantom of the Opera," and he was hoping his newfound confidence from last week would continue in Monday night's performance. The judges thought it was the most aggressive they've seen him, but think that he needs to be pushed a little further. "It was like watching a cute little penguin trying to be a big menacing bird of prey. This is the truth: It has to be menacing. Dark. Dangerous. Naughty. The tango wants to be driven continuously. It is hard. It's very difficult. To me, this character didn't fit you," Tonioli said. 19/30

Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
The soccer star and her partner danced the rumba to "Seasons of Love" from "Rent," and they were hoping this would be the performance that would push them to the top of the pack. Goodman thought it was her worst dance of the whole season and got into it with Chmerkovskiy, who argued that the judges' comments were too, well, judgmental. "I see all the effort that you're putting in towards your movement. For the first time, I saw you relaxing and trusting your natural sexiness. But still ... I think it goes against your natural feistiness, which I love and respect. But sometimes you force the move," Inaba said. 20/30

J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff
Last week's top scorer wowed the judges and earned his first 10 last week. This week, the war hero took on the quickstep and danced to a tune from "Chicago." (Director Kenny Ortega was in the audience and applauded his dance.) They thought famed choreographer Bob Fosse would have approved of the performance. "You are truly relentless, and you just keep on keeping on. Tonight, you have really come up a notch," Goodman said. 29/30

Who had your favorite dance of Broadway night? Let us know in the comments!

Coldplay Call <i>Mylo Xyloto</i> A 'Schizophrenic Album'

Posted: 23 Oct 2011 11:00 PM PDT

Band's latest album 'keeps changing sounds,' frontman Chris Martin tells MTV News.
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Gil Kaufman


Coldplay's Chris Martin
Photo: John Shearer/ Getty Images

It may be their best, biggest and boldest album yet, but Coldplay's Chris Martin knows which adjective he would use to describe the band's brand-new Mylo Xyloto:

"It's definitely a schizophrenic album ... it keeps changing sounds," he said. "That's why we called it such a strange thing, Mylo Xyloto. Because we felt like so many people have already made up their minds about us, both good and bad, that we can sort of start again from scratch and try and reflect all the music we listen to and we love."

That sentiment is readily apparent throughout Xyloto, an album full of walloping electronics, soaring choruses and quiet, tender ballads. In a lot of ways, it plays very much like the band's personal iPod, packing anthems like current single "Paradise" alongside artfully minimal instrumentals and hushed acoustic numbers like "U.F.O." Even Rihanna shows up, lending her vocals to the track "Princess of China." And that shuffling schizophrenia is due as much to the band's taste as it is the ethos of frequent collaborator Brian Eno, a man who practically lives to break down boundaries.

"Working with Brian, he was very much of the opinion that you should just be free to follow whatever you feel sounds best," Martin said, "without worrying about having to talk about it in interviews and everything and explain it."

And, given all that, it's somewhat fitting that Mylo Xyloto actually began life as a far different animal: a quiet, acoustic-based album. But as their songs began to grow, Coldplay quickly realized that their self-imposed parameters couldn't contain their ambitions, so they scrapped them and started from scratch. And, not surprisingly, the end result is a record that defies convention — and, of course, definition too.

"Very early on in the process of recording this record, we were playing a lot of acoustic instruments and we had it in our mind that we might try to record a small-sounding, intimate, reflective record," drummer Will Champion explained. "And [a song like 'Paradise'] came about, and it dawned on us that we couldn't play it in that acoustic style. So we thought, 'OK, we'll finish this one and then we'll do another record,' and the realization came very quickly that we can't really focus on more than one thing at once.

"So we decided to put everything in one basket, and some of those songs from the acoustic thing survived — the song 'Charlie Brown' was originally in that format and 'Us Against the World,' " he continued. "And I think putting all our eggs in one basket allowed us to kind of free everything up and allow the songs to dictate where they want to go."

What do you think of Mylo Xyloto? Coldplay's best yet? Tell us on Facebook!

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Bruno Mars' 'Breaking Dawn' Video Delayed

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 01:47 AM PDT

'It Will Rain' was set to premiere Wednesday on MTV, but Mars is still working on the clip.
By James Montgomery


Bruno Mars
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Bad news, Twilighters: You're going to have to wait a little longer for the video for Bruno Mars' "It Will Rain," the first single from the "Breaking Dawn - Part 1" soundtrack.

Originally, the clip was set to premiere Wednesday night on MTV — with a special live-stream event to follow on MTV.com — but those plans have been put on hold for the foreseeable future because the video isn't finished just yet.

Mars himself took to Twitter on Monday (October 24) to break the news about the "Rain" delay and to beg forgiveness from all the "Twilight" fans out there.

"Hey guys, I'm still working on the 'It Will Rain' video," Mars wrote. "The MTV premiere will happen in a couple weeks. Be patient for ya boy. Love y'all."

A spokesperson for Mars' label, Atlantic Records, could not be reached for comment on the delay, and while the news is sure to disappoint "Twilight" folks, there is a new development that will surely help soften the blow: Even though "Rain" has been pushed back, there will still be a "Breaking Dawn" video premiering Wednesday for Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years," a song she told MTV News she wrote specifically for the film's star-crossed protagonists, Bella and Edward.

So fret not, "Twilight" fans. You'll still get your fix Wednesday, October 26, when Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years" video premieres at 6 a.m. ET/PT on AMTV, MTV Hits and MTV.com. And as soon as we get an update on "It Will Rain," you'll be the first to know about it, we promise.

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Jason Voorhees Creeps Up On MTV's Killer Halloween

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 03:49 AM PDT

Terror of Camp Crystal Lake joins Freddy Krueger on our list of horror icons: Vote for the deadliest in our poll!
By Kevin P. Sullivan


Jason Voorhees from "Friday The 13th"
Photo: Paramount Pictures

MTV News kicked off our Killer Halloween with Freddy Krueger on Monday (October 24), but now it's time to take a look at one of his rivals: "Friday the 13th" terror Jason Voorhees. If you're just tuning in, each day we'll profile two of cinema's deadliest serial killers and ask you to help create the ultimate ranking. Each villain will be ranked from 1 to 5 on a number of deadly attributes, so check back all week for new profiles and new polls, and help decide on the deadliest of them all.

Head over to our Movies Blog poll to determine which horror icon has style to die for!

Jason Voorhees
Occupation: Mongoloid

Weapons: Machete, the teenage libido

Arch-Enemies: Swimming, campers, Freddy Kruger

Profile: You know the saying: Hell hath no fury like a mongoloid serial killer with mommy issues. Jason Voorhees has more than a few things he should discuss with a therapist. His mother, a cook at Camp Crystal Lake, lost her mind when Jason drowned and went on a murderous rampage, killing the canoodling counselors and Kevin Bacon in the process.

But Mrs. Voorhees met a very headless end, when one of the counselors decapitated her with a machete, thus handing the camp reigns over to her recently resurrected son, Jason. Wearing a hood over his head to mask his disfigurements, he laid low for a while, hiding out in the woods and a cabin near Crystal Lake. Jason eventually proved more than any sociopathic mother could have ever asked for, killing counselors left and right. He took up that iconic hockey mask in the third installment.

While Jason is known for his slow gait, Detroit Redwings mask and machete, he could just as well be known for his many, many resurrections. Campers at Crystal Lake need to learn a simple equation: dead Jason plus electricity equals alive and pissed-off Jason. After two official deaths, Jason earned supernatural powers of regeneration that made him virtually indestructible. His newfound powers allowed him to be frozen and, in turn, to travel 400 years into the future in "Jason X."

Jason's most recent resurrection came at the razor-sharp hands of Freddy Kruger, who pretended to be Mrs. Voorhees in order to revive Jason. The two eventually faced off, but neither emerged as the clear winner.

Check out everything we've got on "Friday the 13th."

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

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Michael Jackson Surveillance Tape Called Into Question

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 05:31 AM PDT

Dr. Conrad Murray's lawyers question why LAPD surveillance expert only submitted a portion of tape into evidence.
By Kara Warner


Orlando Martinez
Photo: Pool/ Getty Images

Day 16 in the involuntary manslaughter trial against Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray marked the end of the prosecution's case and the first day the defense had an opportunity to call witnesses to the stand.

Testimony kicked off with a cross-examination of propofol expert Steven Shafer, during which Murray's attorney Ed Chernoff challenged Shafer's theory that there is no way Jackson could have killed himself with self-administered doses of Lorazepam and propofol. Chernoff and his team then moved through several witnesses Monday (October 24).

The Witnesses
» Dr. Steven Shafer - propofol expert
» Alex Supall - LAPD surveillance specialist
» Donna Norris - Beverly Hills Police Department communications director
» Dan Myers - LAPD detective
» Orlando Martinez - LAPD detective
» Cherilyn Lee - nurse practitioner

Key Testimony
» Shafer reiterated his testimony from Thursday in that he does not believe it is possible Jackson killed himself and that it is difficult to determine the specific effect propofol had on Jackson because of the amount of the drug that had been previously administered to the singer in the two months before his death.

» Donna Norris took the stand briefly to discuss details of the 911 call Murray placed the day of Jackson's death: the time the call came in, the location from which the call was placed and from what number the call was received.

» Alex Supall, who visited Jackson's home the evening after his death, discussed the details of the security and surveillance systems set up at Jackson's residence. Supall was pressed by the defense for the reasons why he only submitted a few minutes of footage to the investigation (the last time Jackson entered his home) versus the entire day. Supall told the court he copied Jackson's arrival in order to establish a timeline for his return home.

» LAPD detectives Myers and Martinez were brought to the stand to question the testimony of Jackson's bodyguard, Alberto Alvarez. Myers told the court that contrary to what Alvarez claimed Murray told him to do, the bodyguard did not tell the detectives about putting propofol bottles or a saline bag away before the EMTs' arrived. Martinez agreed with Myers that Alvarez never mentioned being instructed to hide the materials, which led Murray's defense team to insinuate that Alvarez might have been influenced by reading a press release from the county coroner a few days after his initial interview with the police.

» Lee took the stand to provide the court with details about her treatment and care of Jackson, including a description of what fluids she administered Jackson through his IV.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to the charge of involuntary manslaughter. He faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical license.

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Tyler, The Creator Wants To Produce For Lil Wayne

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 04:19 AM PDT

'I actually have this beat that I want him on,' MC tells MTV News of Weezy, an admitted Odd Future fan.
By Rob Markman


Tyler, the Creator
Photo: FilmMagic

Odd Future can now add Lil Wayne to their already-rabid fanbase.

While on the set of Birdman's "Y.U. Mad" video in Miami on October 15, Weezy — who was rocking a MellowHype T-shirt — told MTV News how he supports the Cali collective. "I just rock with 'em. Shout-out my man Taco; that's my dude," Weezy F. said of OF and Taco in particular. "I'm just real cool with the homies. Shouts out, Tyler."

Well, for OF de facto frontman , the admiration is mutual. "Wayne's cool. I ran into him at my hangout back home, and he's just cool," Tyler told MTV News.

Tyler also has dreams of working with Wayne, but he hasn't yet built up the courage to tap his manager Christian Clancy to help put the plan in motion. "I actually have this beat that I want him on, but I was too scared to get it to Clancy to get it to them, but Wayne's cool."

When they met, the two rappers didn't get to speak long, and it was Weezy who dominated the conversation.

"I wanted to kinda fan out and sh--," Tyler admitted, "but he gave me a speech about how happy he was that I won a VMA and that seeing my mom go crazy kinda made him feel like he won it too, because that sh-- was real as f---."

While the Goblin rapper and producer was taken aback by Weezy's props, he was disappointed that he didn't get to speak his piece and talk about his favorite Weezy mixtape. "He sat there for three minutes giving me a speech, and I'm like, 'I just wanted to say that Da Drought 3 was my sh--,' and I couldn't," Tyler said with disappointment.

During his OFWGKTA hangout session, Weezy and members of the ragtag crew skated at Supreme Store in L.A. Though many have been critical of Tunechi's affinity for skateboarding, Tyler, who is a lifelong skater, is supportive.

"It's just weird when people from a different world come into our world," he said. "But then again, he's just f---in' having fun. That's what people don't get and sh--. He's learning, and I think it's cool that he takes the time out of his day to just do some f---in' sh-- that makes him happy for the day. I just wish people would realize sh-- like that."

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Akon Signs Verse Simmonds To KonLive

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 04:00 AM PDT

'Boo Thang' singer 'going to be the next biggest thing,' Akon says.
By Rob Markman


Verse Simmonds and Akon
Photo: MTV News

When it comes to picking talent, Akon's ear is golden. Credited with discovering T-Pain as well as being an early cog in Lady Gaga's career, Akon looks to add to his executive résumé by signing singer/songwriter Verse Simmonds to his KonLive label.

"I think he's going to be the next biggest thing under the brand that's going to take it to the next level," Akon said. "He has everything it takes, internationally and domestically."

Simmonds broke out in 2009 with his catchy alcohol ode "Buy You a Round." Though he was always close with Akon, Verse continued to grind on his own, making singles, doing shows, writing songs and producing. In August, Verse, along with his production partner Sak Pase, landed a few tracks on Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne.

Simmonds' latest single, "Boo Thang," from his Sextape Chronicles 2 mixtape, features Kelly Rowland and has once again put him back in the spotlight. Perfect time to sign a new deal.

"It definitely felt like the right thing to do, and it was time. I been working, I been grinding," Verse said. "Me and my team just been on the road grinding for the past two years since 'Buy You a Round,' and we just been building up our credits as far as the writing and production side as well as just making sure we stay active on the artist side."

Akon has been impressed: For him, Verse's early success seems all too familiar. "Everything that I see in myself, I see in Verse — I might just be a little more handsome," he joked. "Honestly, he's a hard worker, a great songwriter, a great producer, great artist, a great performer. That's pretty much everything that's qualified to be a great superstar in this business."

What do you think about Akon signing Verse Simmonds? Tell us in the comments!

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Freddy Krueger Kicks Off MTV's Killer Halloween

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 01:55 AM PDT

Where does the 'Nightmare on Elm Street' baddie rank among other horror icons? We're polling you all week to find out!
By Kevin P. Sullivan


Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger in "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984)
Photo: New Line Cinema

Get ready to scream! We're kicking off MTV's Killer Halloween — an in-depth competition to determine the best and scariest movie murderer — with "A Nightmare on Elm Street" baddie Freddy Krueger. Each day, we will offer up two of the fiercest competitors cinema has to offer, and we'll ask you to rank them on their deadliest attributes.

Head over to our Movies Blog poll to determine which horror icon has style to die for!

We've already seen "Freddy vs. Jason," so now it's up to you to decide who wins Freddy vs. Ghostface or Jason vs. Leatherface, etc. Face your fears and check back every day this week for two new killers and another chance to decide just who is the scariest of them all!

Freddy Krueger
Occupation: Plant worker, school janitor (remake)

Weapons: Razor fingers, dreams

Arch-Enemies: Nancy Thompson, Jason Voorhees, Red Bull

Profile: "One, two, Freddy's coming for you." With those words from a set of angelic-looking dream children, your fate is set. Freddy Krueger, the dream killer from Wes Craven's "A Nightmare on Elm Street" series, will come at you with the unlimited power of your nightmares and not only take you out in your sleep but in the real world as well with his famous set of razor fingers.

Freddy got his start in 1984 with the original "Elm Street" movie. Famously played by horror legend Robert Englund, the killer known for his burn marks was a plant worker in Springwood who murdered children in the town. (He became a school janitor in the 2010 remake.) After a legal technicality allowed Freddy to walk away from the charges without a scratch, the parents of Springwood decided to take the law into their own hands. They killed Freddy, but that didn't stop him. Freddy returned to stalk the children of Springwood in their dreams. One by one, Freddy took his victims (including a young Johnny Depp in one particularly bloody scene), but he finally met his match in Nancy Thompson, his most famous victim.

Though Craven originally conceived of Freddy as a more serious psychopath, the character's humor came to define him in his later iteration, spouting off one-liners before taking his hapless teenage victims. The kills would take on elaborate and surreal methods.

In 2003, Freddy went toe-to-toe with another '80s horror icon, Jason Voorhees. They fought it out from Elm Street all the way to Camp Crystal Lake. The fight ended up too close to call, when Jason emerged from the water holding Freddy's head — which winked right before the credits rolled.

The remake didn't grab hold of audiences like Freddy previously did in the '80s, but it's never a good idea to count him out. He has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it.

Where do you think Freddy falls in the scope of horror-movie psychopaths? Let us know in the comments!

Check out everything we've got on "A Nightmare on Elm Street."

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

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Demi Lovato 'Cannot Wait' To Perform At World Series

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 01:33 AM PDT

'Without my fans' support, I wouldn't be singing the National Anthem,' Lovato tells MTV News.
By Christina Garibaldi


Demi Lovato
Photo: MTV News

Demi Lovato is taking the field during Game 5 of the World Series to support her hometown team, the Texas Rangers. No, she won't be suiting up and taking the mound; the "Skyscraper" songstress will be belting out the national anthem before Monday night's (October 24) game verses the St. Louis Cardinals.

"I'm so excited," Lovato recently told MTV News of singing the "Star-Spangled Banner." "I just nearly died when I found out. I cannot wait."

Lovato said she wouldn't have been able to sing the national anthem at the game if it weren't for her loyal Lovatics. She recently tweeted, "Only my lovatics could land me a spot singing the national anthem at the WORLD SERIES!!!! I couldn't do it without you guys!!!!"

So how did Lovato's fans land her the chance to sing before her hometown crowd? "My fans were actually the ones that sent a petition saying, like, 'Can we get Demi to sing the national anthem?' and sent it to the MLB and the Rangers' Twitter, and they saw it and they called," Lovato said. "So without my fans' support, I wouldn't be singing the national anthem."

Now, after her performance, Lovato will be cheering on her team — but don't ask her to pick a favorite Ranger. She is just hoping for a win.

"I don't have a favorite player," she said. "I support my home team."

Lovato isn't the only star to sing the national anthem at the World Series this year: "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery and Zooey Deschanel have both lent their vocals before the big game.

Are you looking forward to Demi Lovato's patriotic performance? Let us know in the comments!

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How 'Paranormal Activity 3' Killed It At The Box Office

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 01:08 AM PDT

Industry experts say franchise succeeds by giving moviegoers what they want.
By Eric Ditzian


Photo: Paramount

The "Saw" franchise is no more. The "Scream" series didn't exactly take off when it was relaunched earlier this year. Recent reboots of "A Nightmare on Elm Street," "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Halloween" and other classics haven't sustained consistent and lucrative runs at the box office. After its record-setting opening weekend, "Paranormal Activity" now stands as the undisputed horror-franchise champion.

The stats for "Paranormal Activity 3" are staggering. The sequel's $54 million haul is not only the biggest fall opening ever, but the largest ever for a pure horror movie, according to Box Office Mojo. It averaged an impressive $16,266 per screen, a 29 percent rise over "PA3," reports Gitesh Pandya of Box Office Guru, bringing the franchise's worldwide gross to $450 million "while the combined production costs have amounted to a puny $8 million."

All this box-office growth comes against the backdrop of a Hollywood reality. "Typically, when films reach the threequel stage, momentum wanes," said Jeff Bock, box-office analyst for Exhibitor Relations. "What Paramount has done so expertly with this series is stay true to the original grassroots feel of the first. They didn't try to reinvent the wheel with each successive installment. They didn't recast, reboot and retool their original formula. The creators of 'PA' and the studio know exactly what they have with 'PA,' and they are dishing out exactly what fans are craving: cheap thrills."

That "Paranormal" has even reached this point is a feat in and of itself. "The Blair Witch Project," the found-footage horror flick to which "Paranormal" is always compared, turned from a Sundance sleeper to a $250 million blockbuster in 1999. But a year later, the sequel bombed at the multiplex, grossing just 19 percent of the original. "PA2," by contrast, opened with $41.5 million a year after the first film caught on with the public, breaking the R-rated midnight record then held by "Watchmen" ($4.6 million).

This time around, filmmakers continued to heed the lesson of "Blair Witch": They didn't mess with success. "Paramount could have taken the third film and added CGI creatures or something. They didn't. Fans respond to that," said Phil Contrino, editor of Boxoffice.com, adding that "Paranormal" diverges from many other horror franchises in one key way: "Less truly can be more when it comes to this genre. I think a lot of moviegoers are turned off by excessive gore. These films have a very strong understanding of one simple truth about horror: If you allow your audience to use their imagination, it'll be scarier than anything you can put onscreen. That's why the 'Paranormal Activity' franchise feels like a breath of fresh air."

There's a lesson here for other franchises — not just horror ones — a lesson "The Hangover" kept in mind for its $581 million-grossing sequel earlier this year. "Give the audience what they want," Bock said. "They liked it the first time, so don't tweak it too much. Advance the story, but don't reinvent the wheel. Sometimes less is more, and audiences are very peculiar when it comes to big changes in film series that they like. Whether you agree with it or not, the general public wants the same thing, just a little different."

Now we await the inevitable announcement of "Paranormal Activity 4," wondering if the series can continue to stay true to its storytelling roots while also inventing fresh scares and unexpected ways of capturing the found-footage action. That's a fine line to keep on walking Halloween after Halloween. "The brilliance of this franchise isn't just that it's made on the cheap, but that they slowly and methodically answer questions that explore and expand the mythology of the series," Bock said. "The fact of the matter is, 'PA' will succeed wildly until a new brand of horror show is deemed worthy. The haunting will never end until something else goes bump in the dark and captures audiences' imagination."

Check out everything we've got on "Paranormal Activity 3."

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

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Kelly Clarkson Calls <i>Stronger</i> Her 'Best Album'

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 12:48 AM PDT

'I think after 10 years of doing it you feel a little stronger personally and musically,' she tells MTV News of brand-new LP's title.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Matt Elias


Kelly Clarkson
Photo: MTV News

Kelly Clarkson's Stronger, the follow-up to 2009's All I Ever Wanted, is an album full of power pop that finds Kelly delivering an empowerment message with her signature sassiness.

Released on Monday (October 24), Stronger is a mix of ballads and uptempo tracks. Lead single "Mr. Know It All" kicked off the release and sets the tone for the record, which includes production and songwriting credits from industry heavyweights like Toby Gad, Clarkson fave Claude Kelly, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and Brian Kennedy.

"I worked really hard on it," said Clarkson, who is now five albums into a nearly decade-long career. "And it's my best album, I think, to date."

The singer had to deal with some issues, however, including some delays before the record finally got an official release date; many tracks even leaked onto the Internet. But Clarkson knows how to handle adversity, as her album title reflects.

"There were a few different titles that were going around and I think the reason why we came up with Stronger was just because every song was about empowerment and almost like overcoming stuff," she explained. "So, even if it was a bad situation and a sad song, it was about overcoming that. So by the end of the song, it's kind of more inspiration than sad. So I think that's why [we named it that], and I think after 10 years of doing it you feel a little stronger personally and musically. People know you better. It's just easier, I think."

The album's track list is full of song titles that include the word "you": "What Doesn't Kill You," "I Forgive You," "You Love Me." So we asked Clarkson, exactly who did she have on her mind while recording the album.

"I don't know. I guess I was the opposite of a narcissist this time," she laughed. "They're all different 'you's.' I didn't have a bad breakup or anything," she continued. "I just think life is about relationships so I always write all about these different ones going on in my life. And I don't have a filter, so it's pretty verbatim."

With her album finally out, Clarkson is looking forward to hitting the road. "Starting the tour in January, we're doing that right now [and] we're developing that right now."

Share your reviews of Stronger in the comments below!

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Justin Bieber, Usher Drop Christmas Track

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 08:43 AM PDT

'The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)' debuted on Ryan Seacrest's radio show Monday morning.
By Jocelyn Vena


Justin Bieber in the "Mistletoe" video
Photo: Island Def Jam

On November 1, Justin Bieber will take his fans Under the Mistletoe on his holiday album. But he's giving them an early treat by releasing his Usher duet, "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)," on Monday (October 24).

The song dropped on Ryan Seacrest's radio show. Its vibe is reminiscent of '90s R&B tracks, and it sounds a lot like it could have been recorded by Boyz II Men, who also appear on the album.

The Christmas classic is all about the little joys of the holiday season, including the family get-togethers, the food and Santa bringing presents to children. The song, one of the classics that appears on the album, hits iTunes on Monday. Bieber and Usher previously appeared together on "Somebody to Love" off My World 2.0.

"Justin and I did the classic record 'Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.' This record is going to be remembered for years to come," Usher told Seacrest on Monday morning. "It's a record that has always been one of my favorites, and I'm happy that I was able to share it with Justin, and for us to put it out. The album is full of surprises. Justin's Under the Mistletoe is going to be incredible!"

In the lead-up to the release, Bieber released some behind-the-scenes footage of his mentor and him in the studio working on the song. He also shared that he had another surprise in store for his fans. Just one week after dropping the video for "Mistletoe," he tweeted, "Up early to shoot another video for #UNDERTHEMISTLETOE #Nov1st but something else is out this morning...."

In addition to Usher, Under the Mistletoe will also feature appearances from the Band Perry, Busta Rhymes, Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey, who re-recorded her classic "All I Want for Christmas" for the album.

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MTV's 'True Life' To Explore Occupy Wall Street

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 09:57 AM PDT

MTV embeds in Zuccotti Park to get real story in 'True Life: I'm Occupying Wall Street' airing November 5 at 6 p.m. ET.
By Gil Kaufman


Bryan in "True Life: I'm Occupying Wall Street"
Photo: MTV News

It's one thing to watch footage of the Occupy Wall Street protests on TV and hear the nightly news pundits give their two cents on the global movement. But what if you could live among the protesters and get a real sense of how the Occupy movement is taking shape and why it's become a phenomenon?

MTV did just that, embedding with the protesters for an upcoming "True Life" special set to air Saturday, November 5, at 6 p.m. ET. "True Life: I'm Occupying Wall Street" will visit the financial district sit-in and profile a group of 20somethings who've pitched their tents amid the skyscrapers of Wall Street to see how they're feeling about the event.

The special episode will take you to the front lines as MTV cameras follow three young people who get swept up in the political movement that has quickly grown into a global phenomenon. Viewers will be introduced to Bryan, one of the leaders of the Occupy sanitation team. You'll watch as he steels himself against a potential fight with the city when he fears that their request to clean the park is an excuse to evict the protesters.

"This needs to happen now, or it's over," Bryan is seen telling his fellow protesters about cleaning up the park before the city's mandatory deadline, which helps motivate them to collect trash, sweep up and scrub graffiti from the ground with hand-held brushes. "As worried as I was," he says, "it was amazing to see that as it really came down to the wire, people were willing to just do whatever it took to get the park clean."

The protests come at a time when the future seems grim not just for the millions who've been out of work and looking for jobs for several years, but for a younger generation that is just entering their prime earning years. In fact, 72 percent of young people surveyed by MTV over the past two years are afraid they won't live up to their potential, with nearly three-quarters of those age 18 to 29 feeling "things are unfair for my generation because we have to start our careers during this economic crisis."

They've found that the game has changed and the old equation for success that promised that college plus extracurriculars, summer internships and huge student loans would lead to a fulfilling job that helps pay off those loans — just doesn't compute. Many feel as if the rules have been altered on them and that they've been cheated.

David Banner, Tom Morello, Kanye West and Talib Kweli have also joined the Occupy Wall Street protesters throughout their month-long demonstration.

The problem for young protesters like Bryan is who do they turn to? Their parents, the government? Many believe it no longer matters who's in charge in Washington because none of those big money politicians has any answers. That might be why this group sees Occupy as a kind of war their generation must wage, one that might not end soon, but which they support because it allows them to speak out against corporate America and voice the concerns they have about not being able to find work. That also explains why nearly half (45 percent) have postponed a major life milestone (marriage, having children) because of the economy or their employment situation.


Click through to "Voices From Occupy Wall Street" — our interactive photo gallery — and get to know 20 young demonstrators' motivations, hopes and goals.

A recent MTV survey of young adults (ages 18 to 29) about economic conditions, the government and its impact on their generation found that 93 percent feel that the current economic situation is having a personal effect on them; 72 percent don't trust the government to take care of their well-being. A whopping 76 percent said they're worried about the future of our country. And they're not just fretting about themselves. More than 62 percent said they feared for their parents' ability to retire in this economy and 66 percent said they wish there was some leader, outside of a political one, who could speak to their generation's needs.

"I feel stressed out about it," 18-year-old Adalee recently told MTV News. "As a [Hispanic] college student relying on financial aid to get through school ... and with all the budget cuts, it's a stressful situation ... But if the economic crisis worsens or is not resolved soon, it won't matter how much financial aid we get, more than likely it won't be enough to cover tuition."

The nation has watched this anxiety amplified by Occupy demonstrations across the country, as a small gathering of activists in Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan has spread across the globe spanning hundreds of cities. When it came to those MTV surveyed, among the 69 percent who said they were aware of the Occupy protests, 57 percent supported the movement.

"True Life" viewers will also meet college students Kait and Caitlin, who are so worried that they won't be able to find jobs after graduation that they set out to recruit their friends to join the cause as they work to keep spirits high among the occupants.

What do you think about the Occupy Wall Street movement? Let us know in the comments.

Justin Bieber, Christina Aguilera Join 2011 AMA Performers

Posted: 23 Oct 2011 11:32 PM PDT

Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige, Maroon 5 also will perform, joining the likes of Katy Perry and Pitbull, at the American Music Awards.
By James Montgomery


Justin Bieber
Photo: Jack Guez/ AFP

Justin Bieber, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige and Maroon 5 have been added to the ever-expanding list of performers for the 2011 American Music Awards, joining a roster of talent that already includes Katy Perry and Pitbull.

While most of this year's performances are being kept under wraps, a spokesperson for Dick Clark Productions announced Monday (October 24) that Aguilera and Maroon 5 will team up on their current smash "Moves Like Jagger" at this year's AMAs, which will air live on ABC on November 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Earlier this month, in a nomination special hosted by Pitbull and Nicki Minaj, it was revealed that Perry would head into the show as one of the night's most-nominated acts (along with fellow females Adele, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift), up for Artist of the Year, Pop or Rock Music: Favorite Female Artist and Adult Contemporary Music: Favorite Artist. It's somewhat fitting, given not only the rather huge year she's had, but that she also delivered a full-throttle version of her hit "Firework" at last year's AMAs.

For the fifth year, American Music Award winners will be determined by online voting. Fans can support their favorites in all categories by heading over to AMAVote.com.

The 2011 American Music Awards will air live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 20, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

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Drake 'Fought' For Intimate Campus Dates Over Stadium Tour

Posted: 23 Oct 2011 10:51 PM PDT

'I want to make sure I go see these people that supported me from day one,' Drizzy tells MTV News of upcoming Club Paradise Tour.
By Rob Markman


Drake
Photo: MTV News

He may rap that all he cares about is money and the city that he's from, but Drake's fans also hold a special place in his heart. So rather than hit the stadium circuit for his upcoming Club Paradise Tour, Drizzy plans to keep it intimate with his base — overriding pushback from his handlers.

"I fought for this tour, I fought really hard for this tour because, of course, they want me to go get the big bucks, go into the stadiums and cash out," Drake revealed to MTV News. "But I was just like, 'I really made this album for the same people that supported me since day one.' "

The tour — which borrows its name from the "Club Paradise" track that Drake dropped last month — will feature Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky as opening acts. Unfortunately, the run has been pushed back partly because of the Toronto MC's delayed album (November 15) release, but also to optimize the number of schools that he'll be able to hit. "I'm moving it to January when everybody's back in school and so I can hit more places," he told us.

One school in particular that the Young Money star is looking forward to hitting is Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, where he performed solo for the first time in the U.S. in 2009. "Things like that, I made sure I put on the schedule. I want to make sure I go see these people that supported me from day one," Drake said.

Drizzy conceivably could take just about any newcomer on tour with him, so the fact that he's riding with rap rookie A$AP Rocky speaks volumes. "He's in a position to where if he co-signs somebody, it's valid, and he's a real lyricist, and he's got good taste. I mean, look at his music," A$AP told Mixtape Daily. "Therefore, when he comes to listen to people like me and he gets inspired and then wants to take us out on tour, it just shows you he's a real dude."

But some took the co-sign as a slight to Drake's Young Money labelmates, spawning rumors that the So Far Gone MC was unhappy with his label.

"I spent a lot of time out there [in Toronto]; that's what this album is about," Drake explained. "That's what I'm gonna showcase. It's the same thing with the tour: I wanna bring Kendrick, I wanna bring A$AP, those are guys that I love. It has nothing to do with people on my label," he added. "Tyga's out, Nicki's working on an album and everybody else is doing their thing on the road with Wayne or with Wayne in the studio, so I just sort of showcased the music that I happen to love right now, and those are the two guys that I'm bringing out."

As far as what fans can expect from his Club Paradise Tour (the reconfigured dates have yet to be announced), the OVO general didn't reveal much but promised to do it big. "I don't want to disclose too much but I know what people usually bring to colleges and I know that they usually try and scale it down when they go into college venues," he said. "I will probably do the opposite."

What do you think of Drake's opening acts? Tell us in the comments!

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'Paranormal Activity 3': Seven Burning Questions Answered

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 09:05 AM PDT

From how to top the 'cabinet scare' in 'PA 2' to the setup behind Bloody Mary, the film's directors reveal their secrets.
By Eric Ditzian


Lauren Bittner in "Paranormal Activity 3"
Photo: Paramount Pictures

On Friday, after the directors of "Paranormal Activity 3" helped us reveal 10 secrets about their horror sequel, we promised that on Monday, once fans had actually been able to check out the movie, we'd deliver a slew of answers to burning questions.

And check it out, fans most certainly did. "PA 3" reeled in $54 million at the box office over its first weekend. That's a lot of money for a lot of screams and, likely, a lot of sore throats today. So you guys deserve it: Read on for directors Henry Joost's and Ariel Schulman's answers to many of the eye-popping moments in the flick (needless to say, major spoilers exist below).

How did they make everything fall in the kitchen?

Henry Joost: "All summer, people were like, 'How do we top the cabinets blowing open [from the previous film]?' "

Ariel Schulman: " 'The cabinet scare! The cabinet scare!' "

Joost: "It was just so regular. We all have cabinets, but they've never done that before. It's the last thing you expect to happen. So we were brainstorming and brainstorming. I wanted Randy's dead body to drop from the ceiling. And [screenwriter] Chris Laden was like, 'What about all the stuff in the kitchen?' That was massive rigging for special-effects crew. It was so beautiful. It was like an art installation. It was all practical."

Schulman: "We did one take. We rigged everything to a hinge and had one button. You say go and it just launches."

Joost: "The release is staggered. The stuff gets closer to the camera, which is something you don't even register, but it is 100 times better than everything falling at once."

Wait, you were going to kill Randy?

Schulman: "We never killed Randy. We talked about it. The character who knows something is wrong and leaves and then meets his death somewhere else because the demon has followed him. But we never killed him."

Where did the idea for Bloody Mary come from?

Schulman: "Chris Laden had been wanting to bring back Bloody Mary, which was a great idea. And we'd been wanting to do a scene in total darkness."

Joost: "We shot that scene three different ways. We shot the version that's in the trailer, where it's just the girls. And then we shot it with Dennis, Randy and Katie. The first two times were good, but we felt like we could take it to the next level. On set, we came up with the rattling door. We were like, 'Can you make something in the room fly out of the room?' "

Schulman: "Not only is the acting improvised, but a lot of the writing is. That scene starts off with Randy and Katie playing Bloody Mary and Randy gets scratched. End of scene. But it felt like it could get scarier. So we huddled and said, 'What if the demon is right outside the door and just slamming on it?' And we just went from there."

Where is Julie's husband? Will we ever see him?

Schulman: "Maybe. Gotta leave some questions kind of unanswered!"

What exactly happened at the end?

Schulman: "The grandmother is the leader of a coven that is calling forth a demon. That demon is requesting a male host, a child. Someone has made a deal with the devil in return for a boy somewhere along this family lineage. That hasn't happened yet. It happens in 'Paranormal 2.' In 'Paranormal 2,' the grandma is forcing the issue. Once that boy is had, she will be there with her coven and the demon in order to deliver the baby."

Joost: "Dennis is in the way, and ultimately Julie is too."

So at the end, the creepy women are going to have a séance?

Schulman: "Well, not exactly. It's not in the movie. I think a lot of this movie is left up to your imagination. So much had been done within the genre. People know a lot more about demonology than they realize. You actually don't need to show it. You just insinuate it and people are like, 'Oh yeah, that's going to be a séance later. I know how those work.' "

Joost: "It's a huge thing in this movie that now, not only are you afraid of a demon, you're also afraid of a bunch of people in cahoots with the demon."

Schulman: "The women in the coven are very sweet. But if you look at their IMDb credits, they each have played 'creepy lady' many times. Talk about being pigeonholed."

Will you guys return for "Paranormal Activity 4"?

Schulman: "I had a blast. I'd do it again."

Joost [laughing]: "We have some ideas. It's going to be just drawings. Calligraphy and watercolors. And set in the 1800s."

Schulman: "Found watercolors!"

Check out everything we've got on "Paranormal Activity 3."

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

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Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon Debut Twins

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 09:05 AM PDT

Couple opened up about parenthood on '20/20' special with Barbara Walters.
By Jocelyn Vena


Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon and their six-month-old twins, Moroccan and Monroe
Photo: ABC

Back in May, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon welcomed their twins, Moroccan and Monroe, into the world. And months after their birth, the happy parents sat down with Barbara Walters on Friday for a "20/20" special, where they debuted their bundles of joy.

Nicknamed "Dem Babies," the twins were born via C-section on the couple's three-year wedding anniversary as Carey's track "Fantasy" played. However, the pregnancy itself wasn't much of a fantasy for the superstar. "I don't think I understood the enormity and the magnitude of what it really does to your body," she told Walters. "Carrying two babies. Unless somebody's been through it, it's difficult to understand what I went through, because my pregnancy was very unique in terms of what happened to me.

"I had serious back problems," she continued. "I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to walk properly again. It was a huge strain."

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Carey first confirmed she was pregnant last October after lots of speculation; she also opened up about her struggles to get pregnant. So when it came time to welcome her babies into the world, she wanted it to be a happy experience.

"They came into the world to a live version [of 'Fantasy']," she said, "and the only reason I wanted it to be the live version is because I wanted them to hear the applause upon entering the world."

Cannon expressed equal amounts of excitement over their family, telling Walters during the special, "My family gives me everything. Unconditional love means ... the world to me. I mean, it's completion."

Shortly after the special aired, the couple launched a website for the babies, dembabies.com, where they take fans inside their family through pictures.

"We deliberated for so long about how to reveal the first pictures of our babies to the world. We just didn't want to do the typical thing and display them in a tabloid (not that there's anything wrong with that)," a statement on the site reads. "We decided to share this beautiful experience with you in a special intimate portrait of our family. Parenthood is absolutely the most life changing experience we could ever have imagined. The love we feel for these babies is above and beyond anything we'd ever dreamed of."

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John Mayer Undergoes Throat Surgery

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 05:52 AM PDT

Grammy winner announces granuloma diagnosis after series of concert cancellations
By Gil Kaufman


John Mayer
Photo: Getty Images

Singer/guitarist John Mayer has enjoyed a long, Grammy-filled career thanks to his bluesy rasp. But after canceling a series of recent performances to rest his voice, Mayer announced that he had gone under the knife to correct a throat problem that had laid him low.

Mayer was diagnosed with granuloma (throat inflammation) just above his vocal cord last month and has been ordered to take complete vocal rest for at least a month after the surgery.

"I wanted to give you an update on the granuloma just above my vocal cord," Mayer wrote on his Tumblr. "I had surgery this afternoon to remove it and am now on complete vocal rest for a month or more. It's been a very long process in waiting to see if time was an alternative to surgery, but even given two weeks' voice rest (along with many other approaches), there was no change for the better."

Mayer canceled some performances last month, including an appearance at the first-ever iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas as well as a show with Tony Bennett in Los Angeles. In addition, his upcoming fifth album, Born and Raised, which was originally slated for release this fall, has been pushed back to next year.

"I should be frustrated but I can't seem to stop thinking about beautiful things," Mayer continued. "I never thought I'd be wishing I could do what I love again; I stay in at night, picking guitar parts off of records and dreaming of playing on the big stage. The only difference between now and when I was 18 is that now I have this beautiful, meaningful record waiting for me when I can sing it."

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