MTV News |
- Daniel Craig Worried 'Dragon Tattoo' Would Be 'Sanitized'
- Andrew Jenks Has A Burning Question For Newt Gingrich
- 'Hobbit' Trailer Goes Back To Middle-earth
- Avoid 'Dark Knight Rises' Spoilers With Our Five Tips
- 'Dragon Tattoo' 'Impossible To Leave Behind,' Rooney Mara Says
- MTV's 'Power Of 12: Our Voice': Watch It Now!
- J.J. Abrams Teases 'Amazing' 'Star Trek' Sequel
- Lady Gaga Reveals Where She'll Spend Christmas
- Rihanna Article Backlash Leads To Editor's Resignation
- 'Breaking Dawn - Part 1' Is Our #2 Newsmaker Of 2011
- Nicki Minaj Hints At Super Bowl Appearance On New Single
- Tom Cruise Having 'A Blast' With 'Mission: Impossible' Series
- Mary J. Blige Takes On Pat Benatar, Journey In 'Rock Of Ages'
- Common Calls <i>The Dreamer/The Believer</i> A 'Great Piece Of Art'
- 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo': The Reviews Are In!
- Rebecca Black Explodes, Charlie Sheen Implodes: That Happened <i>This</i> Year?
- 'The Dark Knight Rises' Trailer: Burning Questions
- Lady Gaga, will.i.am Tracks Make Oscar Song Short List
- Swedish House Mafia's 'Antidote' Video: Guns, Gore, Gangsters
- Lady Gaga Is Our Top Newsmaker Of 2011!
| Daniel Craig Worried 'Dragon Tattoo' Would Be 'Sanitized' Posted: 21 Dec 2011 03:53 AM PST 'However much I wanted to work with David [Fincher], I was a little concerned,' actor tells MTV News.
Fans of Stieg Larsson's book "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" know full well that the story is dark, violent and ventures into very NC-17 territory, something big movie studios aren't too keen on producing these days. As a fan of the original work himself, Daniel Craig recently revealed to MTV News that his only reservation in taking on the lead role in David Fincher's English version was that Sony and Fincher might do away with the darker, violent elements in favor of better marketability.
"I'd read the book years ago, and a lot of it stayed with me, and then I got the call," Craig explained about initially being offered the role "out of the blue." "Amy Pascal from Sony called me, and David [Fincher] said, 'Can we have dinner?' and they sent me the script. However much I wanted to work with David, I was a little concerned," he added. "Understandably, I thought that they'd maybe try to sanitize it — It's a big movie, and they have to make their money back — but they hadn't, and David was in charge, so it was a no-brainer." When asked what he enjoys about playing more flawed, vulnerable characters, like Mikael Blomkvist, Craig said he appreciates their realness, which makes them more believable. "That's the appeal of the character, the only thing I wanted to do is make him real. He's a guy, he's a man, he's very happy in his own skin, he doesn't have to go around beating his chest, 'Hey, I'm here.' He's like, 'This is the world I live in; I'm happy with it; I know my place in it.' He's truthful, he's honest, he has no problem when it comes down to it, he runs away and goes to her [Lisbeth Salander]. I would: She's more than capable," he said of the fierce, independent and intelligent character played by Rooney Mara.
Referring to their characters' somewhat-unexpected love scene, Craig added: "I think genuinely, it's the last thing on his mind. I'm just being truthful about the way men think," he said with a smile. "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," which opened Tuesday, is rated R by the MPAA for "brutal violent content including rape and torture, strong sexuality, graphic nudity and language." Check out everything we've got on "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos |
| Andrew Jenks Has A Burning Question For Newt Gingrich Posted: 21 Dec 2011 03:53 AM PST Star of MTV's 'World of Jenks' relives his political baptism as he sets out on the campaign trail with GOP hopefuls for 'Power Of 12.'
As the namesake for MTV's doc-style series "World of Jenks", I've landed in some pretty surprising places and met more than a few interesting characters. But I never thought the first time I shook hands with a presidential candidate would be while he signed copies of a children's book. Yet there I was at a Hilton Garden in Staten Island, where a group of mostly older book-buyers fiddled with their Sharpies in anticipation of GOP hopeful Newt Gingrich.
While the former House Speaker began scribbling his signature on copies of his books as well as "Sweet Land of Liberty" — written by wife Callista and featuring a cover illustration of the main character, Ellis the Elephant — I came to a sudden realization: There, at the Staten Island Tea Party Town Hall, I'd entered the world of politics. And On Tuesday, I made it official, helping MTV kick off the Power of 12, 11 months worth of election-year coverage, with the documentary short "Our Voice." To be fair, though, I had always been a political junkie. I turn on the TV and go straight for the cable news stations. I DVR my favorite political morning show and watch it at night before scanning the nightly news programs ... it's gross. But there I was at a Gingrich political press conference (also part of the Town Hall event) at the Hilton. CNN, ABC and other bigwig networks that I've watched on a daily basis were gathered to my left. I felt like too much of an outsider to be standing in the middle of the pack of aggressive-looking news types — pens out, adjusting their hair and their camera lenses. As I held onto my MTV microphone, the other reporters eyed me as if I had checked into the wrong event. My friend and producer Monty, who had been to many of these political events, turned to me and asked, 'OK, Newt points at you — Go! What's your question?' Occasionally, Jonah, my lifelong friend and [director of photography], expressed concern about our audio levels. Finally Gingrich walked in, though, and you could hear a pin drop. I've spoken with homeless people, convicted murderers, even people on their death beds, but this was different. I'd never seen a hush come over a room like that. A potential future president had just walked into an awkwardly named first-floor conference room (the Cherry Willow Suite?). 'SPEAKER!' 'MR. SPEAKER!' they started shouting, each one louder than the next. I found myself acting out a real-life episode of "The West Wing" and soon, I was yelling just like everyone else, trying to get my question in. It didn't take long for it to click that this was how you played the game: being aggressive, sneaking into factories for a press conference, lingering around a car you suspect might be there to pick up a candidate, waiting three hours just to catch a politician walking down the hallway to use the bathroom. ... I can't imagine it had ever been that loud in the Cherry Willow Suite. Suddenly, Monty gave me a puzzled look, "What was that?" Next Question! On the second go-around, I decided I was going for it. "Speaker! Mr. Speaker!" My voice was being drowned out, and after it happened again for the third time, I took a deep breath. Next Question! So I shouted a combination of words that probably made little sense: "Jenks! MTV News! I'm traveling! The country! Everywhere and need to know!" In what seemed like slow motion, Newt turned his head and looked right at me ... suddenly, everyone was looking at me, dead silent. I'm the only guy wearing a T-shirt, but the floor is mine. For more on MTV's election coverage, check out the Power of 12. And make sure to catch the premiere of "Our Voice" on Tuesday at 4:54 p.m. ET/PT on MTV! Related Videos |
| 'Hobbit' Trailer Goes Back To Middle-earth Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:54 AM PST 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' teaser features Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett and other 'Lord of the Rings' characters.
What a week of 2012 movie trailers and teasers! We've had looks at "The Dark Knight Rises," "Wrath of the Titans," and now, the first official trailer for Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," part one of his two-film treatment of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved book. The trailer opens with an elderly Bilbo (Ian Holm) explaining to Frodo (Elijah Wood) that he might not have shared all there was to know about his adventures, followed by a quick cut to young Bilbo (Martin Freeman) being recruited to come on a new journey with Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen). It then introduces a slew of Dwarves and Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), who begin an eerie foreshadowing chant that provides backing for quick clips of this new fellowship on their journey. After that, it shows brief glimpses of Cate Blanchett reprising her role as ethereal Galadriel and a shadowy appearance of Andy Serkis as Gollum muttering about his "precious."
While "The Hobbit" is a return to Tolkien's famous Middle-earth for Jackson, whose critically acclaimed "Lord of the Rings" trilogy won millions of fans around the world and 17 Oscars, this film has a slightly different tone and look to it. "The Hobbit" takes place 60 years before the events that unfold in "The Fellowship of the Ring" and follows Bilbo Baggins' journey to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the treacherous dragon Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo and the brave warrior Thorin Oakenshield have run-ins with Goblins, Orcs, Wargs and giant spiders — and a chance meeting with Gollum that will change the course of Bilbo's life forever and leads to the discovery of the "one ring to rule them all."
Much to the delight of the "Lord of the Rings" dedicated fanbase, many of the actors from Jackson's first three films are reprising their roles: Andy Serkis is back as Gollum, Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Elijah Wood as Frodo, Orlando Bloom as Legolas and Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Hugo Weaving as Elrond and Christopher Lee as Saruman. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is set to arrive in theaters December 14, 2012. Check out everything we've got on "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Photos |
| Avoid 'Dark Knight Rises' Spoilers With Our Five Tips Posted: 20 Dec 2011 05:10 AM PST As July 20, 2012, release inches closer, how to keep some mystery.
Gone are the days when moviegoers could arrive at a theater on opening day knowing almost nothing about what would unfold onscreen. Too much technology and the big, bad advertising/promotional machine have made it nearly impossible to avoid finding out about key plot points ahead of time. I don't like it. Take all this crazy hullabaloo surrounding next year's surefire crowd-pleaser "The Dark Knight Rises," for example. Don't get me wrong: I am as psyched about this movie as anyone; I just don't want to know everything about it. So, in an effort to keep myself from stumbling across something I don't want to, here is a handy guide for avoiding "The Dark Knight Rises" spoilers from now until the film's July 20, 2012, release.
1. Take a Stand/Tell Your Friends 2. Stay Away From Social-Networking Sites 3. Don't Watch Trailers
4. Don't Have a Job Covering Entertainment News 5. Be Realistic, or Move to El Paso Check out everything we've got on "The Dark Knight Rises." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos |
| 'Dragon Tattoo' 'Impossible To Leave Behind,' Rooney Mara Says Posted: 20 Dec 2011 02:55 AM PST 'It's attached to your head and your body,' actress tells MTV News
It took a lot of work for Rooney Mara to become the tattooed Lisbeth Salander. For David Fincher's big-screen adaptation of Stieg Larsson's bestselling "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," the actress didn't just have to think like the famed fictional hacker: It was a process to get into not just the mind, but also the body of the 24-year-old character — and Rooney's transformation into the broken and abused Lisbeth lingered with her long after shooting the film.
When MTV News asked if she carried herself differently while playing the character, Mara explained, "I think that I probably did. It's hard to look at yourself in that way. I think it'll be easier for me to really see that years from now. It's impossible to leave it behind whenever it's attached to your head and your body. But when you work 16 hours a day, there isn't really time to do anything else but go home and go to sleep." Playing Lisbeth certainly comes with a unique skill set that goes far beyond just understanding her dark backstory. Given Lisbeth's penchant for computer hacking, motorcycles and physical activity, it comes as no surprise that Mara had to undergo some intense training for the physically and emotionally demanding role, one that had already been imagined once before by Noomi Rapace in a 2009 film version of the novels. "That's my favorite thing about my job is that your education never really stops," Mara shared. "I feel like I went to school: I had motorcycle class from 9 to 11, and then I went to dialect class, and then I had skateboarding, and then I had computer training, and then I had kickboxing. I just feel like I learned so much. And that's kind of the most incredible part about my job is I got to acquire all these skills that I never really wanted or needed, but now I have them." Whatever Mara did seems to have worked. Her performance is garnering her and the film some high critical praise. The flick opened Tuesday (December 20), and also features Daniel Craig, Stellan SkarsgÅrd, Christopher Plummer and Robin Wright. Check out everything we've got on "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| MTV's 'Power Of 12: Our Voice': Watch It Now! Posted: 20 Dec 2011 01:54 AM PST Short film follows Andrew Jenks on the campaign trail with young voters, and the GOP candidates courting them.
In December, filmmaker Andrew Jenks hit the road to talk with young voters — and the Republican candidates currently courting them — as part of MTV's Power of 12 campaign, our ongoing coverage of the 2012 election. And, well, let's hope he packed a big suitcase.
Because for the next 11 months — from the pre-primary stump speeches to the last minute of Election night — Jenks will be working overtime for MTV, covering the race for the White House and amplifying the voices of the 45 million voters ages 18 to 29, who not only make up one of the largest voting blocs, but genuinely hold the power to swing the election. The first of his reports, "Our Voice," premiered Tuesday (December 20) on MTV, and can be seen in this story. In it, we follow Jenks as he crosses the country interviewing young voters — everyone from high-school students concerned about attending college and members of the ongoing Occupy Wall Street protests to the recently graduated unemployed and returning war veterans. The 25-year-old filmmaker gets their take on the issues that matter the most, and scores face time with a handful of Republican presidential hopefuls, including Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. "Our Voice" is just the first phase of MTV's Power of 12 series, which will also include the MTV News docu-series "When I Was 22," which gives viewers a unique look at the lives of the men who may be president, painting a portrait of each candidate in their early 20s. The online game "Fantasy Election '12" will allow users to draft a team of candidates pursuing the White House, Senate and House of Representatives, and rack up points, just like in fantasy baseball or football. The first-of-its-kind game also rewards players for getting involved in the electoral process — they'll get extra points for registering to vote, "checking in" to town halls and debates, and discussing issues with friends. MTV News will begin its coverage of the election on the ground in Iowa and New Hampshire, with Jenks and MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway at the helm. For more on MTV's election coverage, check out the official Power of 12 site. Related Videos |
| J.J. Abrams Teases 'Amazing' 'Star Trek' Sequel Posted: 20 Dec 2011 03:20 AM PST But director wouldn't give up too many details about the film due May 2013.
When it comes to getting the gory details about the "Star Trek" sequel, J.J. Abrams is a master of a few words and not revealing anything too juicy. Nevertheless, when MTV News encountered the writer/director/producer at the premiere of "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" recently, we came armed with questions, the first of which was when we'll find out whether Khan will be in the picture.
"It's a little early to be talking about 'Star Trek,' but I will say that they wrote — the three writers, Damon [Lindelof], Bob [Orci] and Alex [Kurtzman] — they wrote the most amazing script, and I'm thrilled to get a chance to direct it," he said. "It's totally mine to screw up, so if you don't like it, it's completely on me. Our sets are almost done, so we're going to go back and start shooting next month." Abrams, being the perfectionist that he is, went on to say that he hopes to improve upon a few things in the first film, but didn't mention what those fixes or improvements may be. "I'm sure, like many people, you see what you do and you go, 'I really could have done that one better, I should have done that, that was a mistake, more of this, less of that.' You always do that," he said. "I'm hoping that as we do the next one, all the mistakes that I've made that I've hopefully learned from, I can bring to this one and hope make it better." A master of no information, Abrams is. We did manage to get him to talk about whether "Trek 2" will be shot in 3-D and/or IMAX, however. "We're shooting on film, 2-D, and then we'll do a good high-end conversion like the 'Harry Potter' movie and all that. Luckily, with our release date now we have the months needed to do it right because if you rush it, it never looks good. "We were talking about [shooting in IMAX] and I would love to do it. IMAX is my favorite format; I'm a huge fan," he added. And finally, because we decided to go for the goods while we had him, we asked Abrams for an update on the long-discussed "Cloverfield" sequel. "I wish I could give you an update," he said. "We would love to do it if there was an idea that is worth your time. We're playing with some ideas, but we haven't found the one that you go, 'That's the reason to do it.' " Check out everything we've got on "Star Trek 2." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| Lady Gaga Reveals Where She'll Spend Christmas Posted: 20 Dec 2011 02:44 AM PST 'I'll be eating with all my Japanese Little Monsters,' she tells MTV News.
Little Monsters saw how Lady Gaga celebrates Thanksgiving during her lavish TV special, and now we know where Mother Monster will spend the holiday season.
"Well I'll be in Japan right up until Christmas day," Gaga told MTV News earlier this month. "So I'll be eating with all my Japanese Little Monsters. I like shabu shabu [a form of Japanese hot pot]." On Tuesday (December 20), the singer tweeted about her trip there. "Just arrived in Tokyo!" she wrote, including a photo of herself sitting in her hotel room. "So happy to see my Kawaii Monsters! #SleepyGaga bedtime. I'm a professional napper today." She kicked off the gifting season with her holiday-themed pop-up store and window display, Gaga's Workshop, at Barneys New York. She and stylist Nicola Formichetti gave fans an idea of what the pop star would want from Santa with Mother Monster-inspired products like head-shaped candles, leather jackets, her favorite books and chocolates shaped like shoes. The singer is expected to land Stateside on December 31, just in time for the 40th annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.". She's one of the many acts lined up for the event, including Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, LMFAO and Florence and the Machine. The show will be anchored by "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest, with help from Fergie and Jenny McCarthy. The busy holiday season caps off an even busier year for Lady Gaga, who happened to be MTV News' Top Newsmaker of 2011. She tirelessly released singles, videos, personas, a chart-topping album (Born This Way) and scooped up awards at seemingly every show from the Grammys to the VMAs. She was also our #5 Best Artist of 2011, and her disco empowerment track, "Born This Way," boasted the #5 spot on the Best Songs of 2011 list as well. MTV continues our Best of 2011 coverage by looking back at the biggest pop-culture stories of the year. As we count down the newsmakers that mattered to you most, also check out our Best Artists, Best Songs, Best MTV Live Performances and Best EDM Artists of 2011. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Rihanna Article Backlash Leads To Editor's Resignation Posted: 20 Dec 2011 01:32 AM PST Dutch magazine Jackie says story 'had no racial motive at its basis.'
After Rihanna took to Twitter to respond to a racial slur used by Dutch fashion magazine Jackie in a recent article written about her, the magazine's editor-in-chief, Eva Hoeke, has resigned from her position at the publication. In a press release translated by Parlourmagazine.com, the publishers of Jackie attempt to break down the sequence of events, including a Facebook apology from Hoeke about the article, followed by Rihanna's tweets in response, and confirm that the editor has resigned, effective immediately. "I realize that my first reaction through Twitter, in which I indicated that it was a joke, has been an incomplete description of what me, and also the author of the article, meant. The term 'n---abitch' came from America and we solely used it to describe a style of dress. Because of the enormous pressure through social media I was tempted to promise amendment regarding the language in future issues of Jackie," Hoeke says in the lengthy statement. "Apart from that I also offered a rectification. I have now come to the conclusion that rectification is not the right solution. I regret that I have taken a stand too quickly regarding an article in Jackie — which moreover had no racial motive at its basis. Through the course of events, me and the publisher have concluded that because my credibility is now affected, it is better for all parties if I quit my function as editor-in-chief effective immediately," it continues. "After putting my heart and soul into for Jackie for eight years, I realize that these errors — although not intended maliciously — are enough reason for leaving. ... I should have counted to ten before taking un-nuanced stands through social media channels." The magazine has extended an invitation to Rihanna "to share her feelings and thoughts on the article in the next issue." A rep for the singer had not responded to MTV News' request for comment as of press time. Related Artists |
| 'Breaking Dawn - Part 1' Is Our #2 Newsmaker Of 2011 Posted: 20 Dec 2011 12:41 AM PST Penultimate 'Twilight' film was about more than just Bella and Edward's first time.
One doesn't need Alice Cullen's powers of prognostication to foretell fang-tastic returns for "The Twilight Saga." Four years in, and the success of the franchise is a foregone conclusion. To wit, the penultimate film in the series, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1," has grossed more than $600 million worldwide since its November release and even set a new record by becoming the first installment to top the box office three weekends in a row. And it also landed at #2 on MTV News' Top Newsmakers of 2011 list, falling short only to Lady Gaga. It'd be tempting to chalk up this particular installment's massive appeal to one little (though very loaded) word: sex. As any avowed Twilighter will tell you, "Breaking Dawn - Part 1" marks the first time Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) do it, a titillating plot point that Summit Entertainment's marketing department took full advantage of. In fact, the very first promotional image for the flick, released in late 2010, was a close-cropped photo of Bella clutching a fistful of rogue feathers that had escaped a pillow during the couple's first romp. Then there was that much-talked-about publicity still released in January, showing a moodily lit Bella and Edward in flagrante. And, of course, the topic was a hot talking point during the film's many promotional stops. "It's not just human sex. It's ... obviously blown a little bit out of proportion, slightly. It's kind of like the most important scene in the movie. It's so weird," Stewart told MTV News during "MTV First: Breaking Dawn - Part 1." For co-star Pattinson, the discussion reached near-absurd levels. "It is kind of disgusting," he said with a laugh during the "Breaking Dawn - Part 1" red carpet. "It's weird. I feel like I'm going a little bit crazy." "Crazy" certainly describes the level of fan frenzy surrounding this pivotal scene, but as riveting as flying feathers and breaking headboards can be, "Breaking Dawn - Part 1" was about more than just sex. It marked the realization of Bella's — and the audience's — hopes and dreams for the mortal and the immortal who loved her. The couple walked down the aisle, as friends and family (and author Stephenie Meyer) watched, with tears in their eyes and love in their hearts. The two consummated their relationship, in the process conceiving a baby they didn't think possible. (Even vampires can achieve the American dream, it seems.) And, in the film's closing moments, near death, Bella becomes what she had always wanted to be: a vampire who could spend eternity with her soul mate. Though Twilighters have one final film to look forward to in 2012, it's hard not to feel some sense of finality as Forks' fictional residents achieve these rites of passage. The monumentality certainly wasn't lost on the actors. "It was very, very emotional for me," Stewart said of shooting the wedding scene. Saying goodbye is hard to do, but thankfully, we have 11 months to work up the courage. MTV continues our Best of 2011 coverage by looking back at the biggest pop-culture stories of the year. As we count down the newsmakers that mattered to you most, also check out our Best Artists, Best Songs, Best MTV Live Performances and Best EDM Artists of 2011. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Nicki Minaj Hints At Super Bowl Appearance On New Single Posted: 20 Dec 2011 01:10 AM PST Young Money MC's latest Roman Reloaded track, 'Stupid H--,' teases a halftime performance.
At the beginning of December, Nicki Minaj teased her sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, with the zany track "Roman in Moscow." And early Tuesday morning (December 20), her latest single "Stupid H--" hit the Internet, showcasing her unrestrained, oddball flows and hinting that Minaj might be performing at the 2012 Super Bowl.
The Young Money rapper spits one particular line that teases she may take the stage at halftime: "Put ya cape on, you a super h--/ 2012, I'm at the Super Bowl." There has been speculation that Nicki and M.I.A. may perform with Madonna at Super Bowl XLVI, since both rappers are featured on her upcoming album. Super Bowl news aside, Nicki's second single of the month taps into her multiple personalities and employs her off-the-wall flow. She spits verses in different pitches, slowing down and speeding up her bars and stretching out some syllables like she did on the remix of Big Sean's single "Dance (A$$)." The track ends with the declaration "I am the Female Weezy," and after one listen, it's easy to understand why. The Young Money rapper handles the song's chorus herself, repeating the title of the track in her quirky voice. For her final verse, she spits a few lines directed at an unnamed enemy (speculation has already pointed to rival Lil' Kim) who she says should have befriended her instead. Nicki's sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, is scheduled for release on Valentine's Day 2012. Related Artists |
| Tom Cruise Having 'A Blast' With 'Mission: Impossible' Series Posted: 20 Dec 2011 12:01 AM PST 'Ghost Protocol' star tells MTV News he'll continue the series, 'If I can make 'em at a level I want to make 'em.'
The last time we wanted to talk to Tom Cruise, we had to get on a plane, fly 12 hours across the Atlantic, and practically scale the 2,716-foot Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It was easier this time, as the New York City premiere for Cruise's "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" took place at the Ziegfeld Theatre, just a few blocks away from MTV News' Times Square headquarters.
The Big Apple opening brought out an array of Hollywood talent in addition to Cruise: wife Katie Holmes, co-stars Jeremy Renner, Josh Holloway, Paula Patton and Simon Pegg, plus Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Queen Latifah, Robin Thicke, Jerry Ferrara and Adam Shankman. Oh, and a couple thousand fans screaming so loud for Cruise you'd have thought they were hanging by a shoelace from the top of the Burj Khalifa. In defense of these fans, it was freaking Tom Cruise they were cheering for, and it's been more than five years since the last "Mission" film. And if he keeps delivering franchise installments the way he wants, these premieres might happen many more times in the future. "If I can make 'em at a level I want to make 'em," Cruise told MTV News of continuing the series. "Thing is, I've never wanted to compromise. If we can figure that out, I love making them. As a producer, they're a lot of fun. As an actor, they're really a blast and challenging." What it comes down to for Cruise is a deep love of the source material: the '60s-era TV series starring Peter Graves, Martin Landau and others. "I just remember watching it at home on television. I loved the music and the whole thing with the gadgets and the team and the places they would go to. It was kind of a family event for us. When I went to Paramount the first time to produce it, they weren't really turning TV series into movies, but I was pretty excited about it. To be today at #4 is pretty cool." Are you excited for the latest "Mission" movie? Tell us in the comments! 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. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Mary J. Blige Takes On Pat Benatar, Journey In 'Rock Of Ages' Posted: 20 Dec 2011 02:11 AM PST Queen of Hip-Hop Soul tells MTV News her character in the big-screen '80s musical is 'a light in a dark place.'
Mary J. Blige is already one of the biggest divas in the music industry, but she's gearing up to set the big screen on fire in 2012 with the movie version of the hit Broadway show "Rock of Ages."
"In the movie 'Rock of Ages,' I play a gentleman's club owner and her name is Justice Charlier and she has to try to be a light in a dark place. ... [My role is] to make these chicks feel better about their lives and move past the strip club," she told MTV News at "VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul," where she took the stage alongside Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson and Jill Scott. But the movie's not sad all the time. The singer noted that, much like the stage spectacle the film is based on, there are good times to be had. And for anyone who loved the Broadway show or has watched the "Rock of Ages" trailer, it's clear that '80s nostalgia and merriment will be celebrated in abundance. "[It's] a lot of '80s classic rock that I'm singing: Pat Benatar, Journey even," she said. "It's fun." Directed by Adam Shankman, the film drops next summer and co-stars Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Alec Baldwin.
Blige also was just nominated for a Golden Globe for her song from "The Help" soundtrack. Blige's "The Living Proof" also landed on the Oscars short list for Best Original Song. So, 2012 could be the year that Mary J. takes La La Land by storm. "I'm excited about all of the success because I work really hard," she explained. "I put time in. I'm the type of artist that doesn't get anything for free. I have to bust my tail for everything, and I did exactly that." Check out everything we've got on "Rock of Ages." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Artists |
| Common Calls <i>The Dreamer/The Believer</i> A 'Great Piece Of Art' Posted: 19 Dec 2011 11:50 PM PST 'I wanted to make hip-hop that I felt right now and the way that I've known it in my years to sound,' rapper says.
With the Maya Angelou controversy over his song "The Dreamer" cleared up, Common can now drop his newest release, The Dreamer/The Believer, with a clear conscience. The rapper's latest effort hits the streets on Tuesday (December 20).
"That's very special to me, man. I'm excited, man. This is like one of the favorite, one of my favorite albums that I ever been a part of," he told MTV News on the red carpet at "VH1 Divas," where he was on hand to introduce the Amy Winehouse tribute. "And I feel like it has that music that we want to hear. So it's produced by No I.D. and it's some great music. "I wanted to make hip-hop music. I wanted to make hip-hop that I felt right now and the way that I've known it in my years to sound," he continued. "So it just was about, like, let's make some real good hip-hop music and make it a great piece of art, so when people hear the album, they can have the complete package of everything." In addition to releasing new music, Common is also knee-deep into the season of his AMC drama "Hell on Wheels," in which he plays former slave Elam Ferguson, who is struggling with his identity shortly after the Civil War. "I'm supercharged about that also," he said. "We've been doing really well. Everybody that has been supporting it, thank you very much. And those that haven't seen it, you got to check it out." Much like in his music, the show is about storytelling and taking fans on an emotional journey. "It's a great story about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, but it's more about the relationships of the people who were there to build this dream, you know, from freed men, from black freed men, to the Irishmen to Confederates to Union soldiers to the whores of the town and how these lives mesh." Balancing his acting and musical careers is sometimes a struggle, but it's a struggle that Common is willing to make. "Once I really got into the acting world, I definitely had to balance it," he explained. "I love acting — I love it for real and I love music too. I got to give them both attention. I can't neglect either one. It's a little easier working on the album, but they both mean a lot to me." Related Artists |
| 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo': The Reviews Are In! Posted: 19 Dec 2011 10:12 PM PST Critics are praising David Fincher's direction and Rooney Mara's performance.
The year's most anticipated movie about ritualized serial killing, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," finally hits theaters Tuesday (December 20), and critics have applauded both director David Fincher for bringing his signature style and Rooney Mara's performance. This is the second time we're seeing a big-screen adaptation of the über-popular Stieg Larsson novel, and opinions vary on whether the latest version brings much that's new to the battle. Check out what the critics are saying about "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."
The Story The Direction Comparisons to the Swedish Film
Rooney Mara The Final Word Check out everything we've got on "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos |
| Rebecca Black Explodes, Charlie Sheen Implodes: That Happened <i>This</i> Year? Posted: 19 Dec 2011 10:55 PM PST From Jennifer Lopez joining 'American Idol' to Charlie Sheen's meltdown, some of the year's biggest news stories seem like distant memories.
Every major entertainment news story has a life cycle. First it breaks and is inescapable as every detail of the event takes on an aura of significance (think the carat count on Britney Spears' engagement ring). With interest still high but new information scarce, the analysis begins. We reporters look to experts to see what it all means and to fans to find out what they think and how they feel about what's gone down. There are follow-ups and roundups as bright and shiny fresh news bits come together with what we already know to tell the whole story. Then the whole thing kind of dies as interest wanes and everybody moves on to the next big thing. Most major stories end up feeling like little time capsules and we never forget when they happened. Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" is as tied to 2011 as Beyoncé's baby bump reveal at the Video Music Awards, but other stories — despite being absolutely everywhere for a hot minute — dangle out there in the ether untethered, feeling for one reason or another like they happened in some distant past where Kim Kardashian was a happily married lady and "Glee" hadn't jumped the shark. Below are the huge entertainment stories from 2011 that for some reason we washed from our collective memories so thoroughly that when we were brainstorming the year here in the MTV Newsroom, we literally couldn't believe they happened this year!
Jennifer Lopez Joins "American Idol," Reigniting Her Career In the spring, Lopez's single "On the Floor" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart at #9 (the highest debut of her career) and went on to peak at #3. It marked her first top 10 hit since 2003's "All I Have." With about 445 million views on YouTube, the video for "On the Floor" eclipsed Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" in November to become the most watched video by a female artist ever on the video-watching website. And that's far from all. With Lopez seated at the judges' table, "Idol" posted its first season-over-season ratings gain since 2007, and her album Love? debuted at #5, her highest position on the U.S. albums chart since 2005. Film roles have even starting cropping up again and she's earned millions from her myriad endorsement deals with companies like Gillette, L'Oreal and Fiat. Lopez also divorced husband Marc Anthony in 2011 (an event that itself seems like it happened forever ago), causing a media stir that continues to this very moment as the tabloids breathlessly catalog her exploits with new boyfriend, backup dancer Casper Smart. Charlie Sheen's Meltdown In January, Sheen's top-rated comedy, "Two and a Half Men," was put on hiatus while he received treatment at his home for substance abuse. The remainder of the season was canceled the following month after Sheen made some extremely disparaging remarks about series creator Chuck Lorre, and CBS and Warner Bros. officially fired the actor from the series in early March. That was when things really went off the rails. Those interviews! The goddesses! His custody issues with troubled ex-wife Brooke Mueller. Tiger blood! "Winning." The drugs. The warlock nonsense. His disastrous "My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat Is Not an Option" Tour. It was a nonstop run of self-inflicted indignities that boggles the mind. But when it was over, it was over. Sheen was replaced on "Two and a Half Men" by Ashton Kutcher (is there something about that role?), and in September, he appeared at the Emmy Awards to introduce the Best Actor in a Comedy (his old category) nominees and took a moment to address his ordeal with CBS and "Two and a Half Men." "From the bottom of my heart, I wish you nothing but the best for this upcoming season. We spent eight wonderful years together and I know you will continue to make great television," he said. And now it's back to work. Less than a year after the most public meltdown in recent memory, FX ordered 10 episodes of "Anger Management," a show based loosely on the Adam Sandler-Jack Nicholson film. A press release for the show describes it as being about "an anger management therapist [Sheen] who may need more counseling than his patients [and] wreaks havoc on the lives of his patients through his unconventional methods." Sounds about right! The Royal Wedding The mainstream media coverage was truly excessive, boring and absolutely exhausting, but the royal wedding did inspire some bits of Internet genius. We were introduced to frequent backside-revealer James Middleton as well as Grace Van Cutsem, the "Frowning Flower Girl" and Princess Beatrice's amazing and absurd hat.
Rebecca Black's "Friday" By year's end, all the hype earned Black a spot on the list of Twitter's top trends of the year. But even though she hit the scene less than a year ago, Black already feels like a music industry veteran because, goodness, doesn't it seem like "Friday" came out in 2009 or something? What stories from 2011 feel like they happened years and years ago? Let us know in the comments! MTV continues our Best of 2011 coverage by looking back at the biggest pop-culture stories of the year. As we count down the newsmakers that mattered to you most, also check out our Best Artists, Best Songs, Best MTV Live Performances and Best EDM Artists of 2011. Related Videos Related Artists |
| 'The Dark Knight Rises' Trailer: Burning Questions Posted: 20 Dec 2011 08:36 AM PST What's with Bruce Wayne's cane, and did Catwoman steal Mrs. Wayne's pearls?
If you're able to tear yourself away from the new theatrical trailer for "The Dark Knight Rises," you should be applauded. The two-minute trailer packs so much goodness in that it can be hard to focus on anything else.
Other fans like you have already begun to post detailed trailer analyses and lists of supposed Easter eggs trying to unlock every secret the new preview holds. We have a few questions of our own that need answering, so here is our list of the burning questions from the "Dark Knight Rises" theatrical trailer. What's with the cane? The trailer doesn't come right out and say it, but it doesn't take much scrutinizing to see that Bruce Wayne walks with a cane in two scenes. Early in the trailer, you can see Bruce and his cane reflected in the cloche and from the side as he passes the camera. He also appears to be favoring one side during the masquerade scenes with Selina Kyle and Miranda Tate. It's hard to imagine Nolan choosing to feature Bane as the main villain and neglecting to make reference to the act he's most famous for, breaking Batman's back. The cane could signal some manifestation of the moment from "Knightfall." Are there two Robin references in the trailer? The blogosphere blew up Monday with theories that the stadium scene features two references to the Boy Wonder, thus confirming his presence in the movie, but both have been sufficiently debunked. Whether you noticed the first depended on whether you follow the NFL. When fans saw that the player who outruns the earthquake was named "Ward," they had either two reactions: "Oh hey, that's Hines Ward, wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers," or "I have no idea who Hines Ward is, so that's a reference to Robin's status as Batman's ward!" The other reference was most likely the work of a crafty background actor. Among the fans in the stadium, one person held up a large "R" that spelled out the team name "Rogues." Eagle-eyed viewers noticed that the "R" resembles the stylized one used for the Robin logo, but as Empire pointed out, most of the 10,000 extras for that scene brought their own props to set. Did Catwoman steal Mrs. Wayne's pearls? Reddit user "mpty" noticed something interesting while rewatching "Batman Begins." The pearls Selina Kyle dons in the trailer resemble the set Thomas Wayne shows young Bruce in the original movie. This could be the first we see of Catwoman's famous hobby, burglary. So much of her portrayal in the trailer focuses on her advocacy for the 99 percent. This may be the first hint at the other side of Ms. Kyle. Is there a flashback to "Batman Begins"-era Bruce Wayne? Christian Bale speaks his only line in the trailer while wearing clothes and sporting a beard that haven't been around since his early days as a world traveler. He looks very similar to how he did during his training with the League of Shadows. We know the last film in the trilogy doubles back to cover some territory from the first movie; perhaps we're seeing that here. Check out everything we've got on "The Dark Knight Rises." For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Lady Gaga, will.i.am Tracks Make Oscar Song Short List Posted: 20 Dec 2011 09:18 AM PST Tracks from 'The Help,' 'The Muppets' also make list of 39 contenders.
The Oscar nominations don't officially drop until January 24, but the short list for the Best Original Song has been released. On Monday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the 39 songs vying for the big prize at the Academy Awards next year.
Two of Elton John's "Gnomeo & Juliet" tracks — including his Lady Gaga duet, "Hello Hello" — made the list, along with multiple tracks from "The Muppets." will.i.am's "Rio" track, "Hot Wings," Mary J. Blige's "The Living Proof" from "The Help," and Zooey Deschanel's "Winnie the Pooh" track, "So Long," are all in the running. More alternative fare like songs from "Machine Gun Preacher" (Chris Cornell, "The Keeper"), "We Bought a Zoo" (Sigur Rós' Júnsi, "Gathering Stories") and "Win Win" (the National, "Think You Can Wait") have also made the preliminary cut. Noticeably absent from the list is Madonna, who contributed the track "Masterpiece" to her directorial effort, "W.E." Reuters reports that the song, which is up for a Golden Globe, does not qualify because it's placed a minute and a half into the end credits and not as "the first music cue," per Academy rules. The songs will be narrowed from 39 when voters are sent three-minute clips or view the tracks at special Academy screenings and score the songs. To be eligible for the nod, the song must be scored a minimum 8.25 on a scale of six to 10. The show is slated to take place February 26 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. What track should win the Oscar for Best Original Song? Sound off in the comments below! Related Artists |
| Swedish House Mafia's 'Antidote' Video: Guns, Gore, Gangsters Posted: 20 Dec 2011 09:07 AM PST 'Something's going on there that's really dark — in a good way,' SHM tell MTV News of clip for Knife Party collabo.
Swedish House Mafia have left New York after two spectacular displays of big-room house: They raved with 20,000 fans at Madison Square Garden, and the party continued for another 3,000 revelers until 8 a.m. at Roseland Ballroom, with support from Jacques Lu Cont, Carl Kennedy, AN21 and Max Vangeli.
But before they head off to their solo New Year's Eve gigs, Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello and Axwell have one more gift for fans: an eye-popping first-person shooter video for "Antidote," the collective's new single with Knife Party. Directed by BB Gun Films (Kid Cudi, J. Cole, the Roots) and released on Monday, the short film is a first-person tracking shot of a Japanese underworld heist gone awry. "It's fun for the whole family!" Axwell joked to MTV News when we caught up with him and Angello last week. Reminiscent of Prodigy's now-classic "Smack My Bitch Up" video, "Antidote" was shot in New York City's Meatpacking District at a location designed to mirror a Japanese strip club. In the clip, a team of gangsters are seen ogling topless dancers before they don masks to rob an underworld boss. (SHM never actually appear in the short, which was cut in both clean and explicit versions.) "Great guys," Angello said of the video's creators. "[We] gave them free creativity to do whatever they wanted to, and they did. They delivered. They ran with the idea and it's crazy." "What I like about that video is that it feels real," Axwell said. "It's a part of a movie. Something's going on there that's really dark." "In a good way," Angello added. What do you think of Swedish House Mafia's "Antidote" video? Sound off in the comments below! |
| Lady Gaga Is Our Top Newsmaker Of 2011! Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:44 AM PST From Parisian fashion shows to presidential powwows, Gaga was everywhere in 2011 — and MTV News followed her every step of the way.
As 2011 draws to a close, it's difficult to look back over the past 12 months and not remember all the headlines made by one Lady Gaga. Unlike some of her pop contemporaries, Gaga never seemed to take a day off. Hers was an unending, 365-day news cycle, a constant stream of tabloid speculation, Twitter missives, high-gloss fashion shoots, globe-spanning promotional appearances, red-carpet escapades, super-secret video projects, television specials and political stunts. On top of all that, she somehow also found time to release Born This Way, not only the year's most anticipated album, but one of its most thought-provoking and forward-thinking too. At the end of the third year of her reign, it's no longer a question of when she sleeps, but if she does at all. So it's little wonder that, as MTV News counts down our Top Newsmakers of 2011, Lady Gaga sits at #1. Bringing you every aspect of her every whim was practically a full-time job, one requiring its own team of tireless reporters, editors and producers ("MTV News: Special Gaga Unit"). And they were in overdrive from the very beginning of the year, when Gaga premiered the first Born This Way track at a Thierry Mugler fashion show in January, then followed that up by debuting the album's title track and arriving at the Grammys encased in a space-age egg (of course). By the time the calendar read May, she had unveiled a pair of big-budget music videos (for "Born This Way" and "Judas"), both of which were prologue to the release of the BTW album itself, a massive, multi-pronged promotional masterstroke that saw her appear everywhere from "Oprah" to "Ellen" and partner with everyone from Amazon to Zynga. She also guest-edited several publications, premiered an in-depth documentary, "Inside the Outside," live on MTV and greeted fans on the eve of BTW's debut in New York City. In short, she was everywhere, and her hard work (and 99-cent Amazon pricing plan) paid off, as Born This Way sold 1.1 million copies in its first week, the most of any album since 50 Cent's The Massacre in 2005. The album held on to #1 on the Billboard albums chart in its second week, too, making it one of the only releases this year to (temporarily) displace Adele's 21 from the top spot. Once her album was out, if anything, Gaga only ramped up her schedule, premiering even more music videos, announcing a photo book and opening the 2011 Video Music Awards as her alter ego, Jo Calderone. As 2011 entered the home stretch, she met with President Obama to discuss the bullying epidemic, announced she was already working on the follow-up to Born This Way and basked in the glow of her three Grammy nominations, including a nod for Album of the Year, and plotted a massive 2012 world tour. And, with that last bit of news, she basically assured that she very well be next year's Top Newsmaker too. Don't worry, we're already clearing our schedules. Over the past 12 months, Gaga not only continued her rule as the most-famous person on the planet, she expanded her empire. Her fame was hard-earned, and she doesn't show any signs of relinquishing it anytime soon. Because above all else, Gaga is our most tireless superstar. MTV continues our Best of 2011 coverage by looking back at the biggest pop-culture stories of the year. As we count down the newsmakers that mattered to you most, also check out our Best Artists, Best Songs, Best MTV Live Performances and Best EDM Artists of 2011. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
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