Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/12/23/tara-reid-enjoys-a-liquid-lunch-with-friends/
Saturday
Tara Reid Enjoys A Liquid Lunch With Friends
Tara Reid enjoyed drinks with her girlfriends in NYC yesterday afternoon.� The ‘American Pie‘ actress reportedly turned down food during the lunch date and chatted up the men seated at the table next to her. I’m still a little boggled … Continue reading
Enter to Win the Fit Pregnancy Holiday Gift Guide Prize Package-Value $7,000
Dec 21 2011 12:15pm – Dec 25 2011 12:15pm
Our friends at Fit Pregnancy are giving away $7,000 worth of prizes! Check out their holiday gift guide for all the fun baby and pregnancy gear. Three lucky readers will win these must-have products:
1st winner will receive an Angelcare Digital 3-in-1 Video, Sound & Movement Baby Monitor, Target� Infant Toy Collection from Chicco, Cinch Tummy Wrap & Atlas Band, Cloud B?s Twilight Turtle, free annual storage from Cryo-Cell International, Dr. Brown?s Baby Bottles, GroVia?s Cloth Bundle, and Summer Infant?s Prodigy? Infant car seat
2nd winner will receive cord blood banking from ViaCord (includes cord blood collection and first year?s storage) and a Diono (formerly known as Sunshine Kids Juvenile Products) Monterey Blue cart seat
3rd winner will receive cord blood banking from Cord Blood Registry (includes initial processing, shipping, plus annual storage for an 18-year period, for a single birth)
Enter to win at Fitpregnancy.com.
Uploaded Picture:
In Memoriam: Nate Dogg, Heavy D Among Stars We Lost In 2011
MTV News remembers 'Jackass' daredevil Ryan Dunn, Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr and Cali Swag District's M-Bone, among others.
By Tami Katzoff
Nate Dogg
Photo: Mark Sullivan/ WireImage
This year we lost some of our brightest stars: artists that spanned the genres of rock, hip-hop and pop, as well as TV and film. They were at different stages in their careers — some just starting to rise, others already legends — but all left a distinct mark on pop culture, and their deaths affected us deeply.
Beloved hip-hop icons Nate Dogg and Heavy D influenced the generations of artists who followed them. Nate (born Nathaniel Hale) died at age 41 after suffering several health setbacks related to a stroke. One of the key players in the birth of the West Coast G-Funk sound, the crooner's silky smooth vocals touched classic tracks from Snoop Dogg and Warren G to 50 Cent and Ludacris. Fun-loving Heavy D, a major force in the New Jack Swing era, had hits with songs like "We Found Love" and "Nuttin' But Love," but he had also branched out into film and theater. He was 44 when he died this past fall.
Photos: The celebrities gone too soon in 2011.
We lost Mike Starr, former bassist for the groundbreaking Seattle grunge band Alice in Chains. Like Amy Winehouse, who also died this year at the age of 27, Starr's talent was often overshadowed by dependency on alcohol and drugs.
Gun violence claimed the life of 22-year-old Montae Talbert, the Cali Swag District dancer otherwise known as M-Bone. And Australian actor Andy Whitfield, who got his big break when he was cast as the lead in the Starz TV series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," was 39 when he succumbed to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Finally, the MTV family mourned the death of "Jackass" daredevil and "Viva La Bam" star Ryan Dunn. The 34-year-old died on a rural Pennsylvania road along with his 30-year-old passenger, Zachary Hartwell, when their car slammed into a guardrail and caught fire.
Share your memories of those we lost this year in the comments below.
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
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676441/dead-celebrities-2011-nate-dogg-heavy-d-amy-winehouse.jhtml
'Prometheus' Trailer: Five Key Elements
Ridley Scott's teaser, featuring Noomi Rapace and Charlize Theron fighting for their lives, is reminiscent of 'Alien' and 'Blade Runner.'
By Kara Warner
Photo: 20th Century Fox
If you're a fan of movie trailers, consider your holiday wants and wishes fulfilled now that the teaser for Ridley Scott's "Prometheus" has dropped. It's the fourth trailer released this week for a hugely anticipated 2012 film, following "The Dark Knight Rises," "Wrath of the Titans" and "The Hobbit." Here's a look at five key elements that deserve MTV News' over-analysis:
Plot Tease
We still don't know a lot about the story line in this film, but this one-minute spot sheds a lot of light on what the action will center around: a team of explorers, scientists and anthropologists sets out on a journey to find clues to the origin of our species. "What they found could be our end," we're told in cold, blue type, before quick cuts of what looks to be death and destruction. And although the prequel rumors have been shot down by those involved, there is room here to interpret it as such. Not to mention the title: In Greek mythology, Prometheus is the titan who stole fire from Mt. Olympus and gave it to humans. If the humans in the film are searching for their origin, maybe it is Prometheus, in some way, shape or form.
Lost in Space/Discovery of Life on Other Planets
Unsurprisingly, there are several gorgeous shots of space vehicles, spaceships, spacesuits, etc. that help properly accentuate the size and scope of what it would be like to be up/out there, as well as how big this film really is. Director Ridley Scott shot the film in 3-D and serves up a few hints to the beautiful technology at play, though there is still a grittiness to it all. This is not friendly, bright and shiny unexplored territory; it's dark, dangerous, deep space. And then there are the scenes at the end of the trailer that look to take place on another planet, in another galaxy. There is dry, dusty terrain and ancient-looking symbols, a towering horseshoe-shaped totem of some sort, that looks to be either crumbling to the ground, or it is moving of its own accord, beginning a small war between the natives and the humans who've discovered them.
The New Ripley(s)
It's hard to talk about Ridley Scott and an "Alien"-esque movie without thinking about Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, one of the most bad-ass protagonists in film history. There's no replacing Ripley, but Scott has enlisted two very capable ladies to carry the torch: Noomi Rapace and Charlize Theron. From what the trailer shows, both women will be fighting for their lives, but Rapace seems to be the most Ripley-esque, particularly in one shot where she is hanging upside down, being held by someone or something. The resemblance is uncanny. And let's not forget about the rest of the cast, of whom we get only brief glimpses: Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce and Rafe Spall.
That Ridley Scott Touch
The trailer is cold, calculated and just too cool. Just like Scott has said himself, if "Prometheus" isn't an "Alien" prequel, the two films definitely share the same DNA — not to mention a few "Blade Runner"-esque elements thrown in for good measure. And as is the case with most of Scott's films, the effects are far more practical than CG. The world of "Prometheus" is set in a distant future, but not too distant. It's big, bold and, very likely, terrifying.
The Alien(s)
As much as we might have hoped to see some big, bad aliens in this trailer, all we get are hints of an unidentified, menacing force out there. In one brief scene, the team happens upon an area full of small, perfectly arranged casings that could be artifacts or alien eggs, we don't know. But we do see one of the humans' helmets enveloped by a mysterious gas, followed by a loud, painful scream. There is a quick shot of the head of something being examined in a lab, what looks like it might be an alien ship of some sort hovering over dusty terrain, followed by brief shots of human suffering at the hands of something we can't quite make out. Yet.
"Prometheus" hits theaters June 8, 2012.
Check out everything we've got on "Prometheus."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related VideosSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676437/prometheus-trailer.jhtml
Maggie Gyllenhaal Is A Big Apple Beauty
Expectant actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, 34, was spotted out and about in New York City on Thursday (December 22).
The Crazy Heart star - who is mother to 5-year-old Ramona and expecting her second child with hubby Peter Sarsgaard next year - donned some red lips, stylish frames, a patterned jacket, some multi-colored leggings and a bright yellow bag as she made her way around the Big Apple streets.
Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/12/12/Maggie-Gyllenhaal-Is-A-Big-Apple-Beauty
Friday
Beyoncé - Best Thing I Never Had
- Artist: Beyoncé
- Label: Columbia
- Director:
Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=671258
Cameron Douglas Receives 4 1/2 More Years In Prison
Michael Douglas may have a lot to celebrate this holiday season, but his son's recent prison term add-on surely isn't one of them.
Cameron Douglas - the troubled son of Michael & his ex-wife Deandra Douglas - is currently serving a 5 year federal prison term when he was sentenced in April for possession and dealing methamphetamine and cocaine. However, his sentence has since been extended when it was discovered that he was in possession of drugs behind bars.
Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/12/22/Cameron-Douglas-Receives-4-1/2-More-Years-In-Prison
Thursday
Beyonce Christmas Shops In NYC
Expectant mom Beyonce Knowles showed off her wild maternity style as she shopped at Curye in New York City.� The pregnant singer was wearing a pair of animal print leggings with a top and black leather jacket – and of … Continue reading
Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/12/22/beyonce-christmas-shops-in-nyc/
Guess Which Rappers Flex Their Vocab Skills On WORDS WITH FRIENDS + Samuel Jackson TWEETS His XXX Birthday Goodies
Both Big Boi and Fabolous are known for their creative word play in their songs, and now they've revealed that they have taken that word play viral with the addictive iPhone app Words With Friends. Hear what the rappers had to say about their new obsession inside and see what XXX goodies Samuel Jackson got for his birthday....
When you think of hip hop or gangsta rap, you don't imagine UGK, Jim Jones or Ice Cube getting together for games of Scrabble....yet it makes perfect sense. Rappers make their money off creating cool combinations of word play a la Jay-Z in Decoded. And in the latest issue of "GQ" magazine, rappers Big Boi and Fabolous reveal their obsession with Words With Friends, a popular iPhone app. See them discuss strategy and making money off the game inside....
GQ: Were you big scrabble players as kids?
Big Boi: I ain't never played Scrabble. Ever.
Fabolous: I actually got put on to it by one of my engineers who used to play. He brought [Scrabble] to the studio and he would consistently bust my ass. I think from there, I got a start in it. But I never really played it either growing up.
GQ: Did you ever play the similar Scrabble-type game Scrabulous on Facebook?
Big Boi: [Pause] Yeah, I don't really do that Facebook like that.
Fabolous: I never played that either. I don't got a Facebook.
GQ: Right. My bad. So when did you get into Words With Friends?
Big Boi: I started playing 'cause my wife was on it. Her and her friends, they were playing the game on the phone all the time. I was like, "What the fuck is this?" They said, "Just start playing, you'll get into it." So then we started playing for a $100 a game. When we started she'd kick my ass. She can't beat me no more.
Fabolous: I think I just started from that same engineer who brought it into my studio. Then it advanced to the phone, and he started having it on his phone, and we could play each other on the phones. His name is Scribble, actually.
GQ: Do you have a default strategy?
Fabolous: I definitely play it defensively. When you first start playing you start playing with an offensive mindset, just trying to make words. And as you learn how to play, you get better. It becomes clear that you wanna play on defense, to let other people not get words, and not get the spaces that get you points.
Big Boi: I'm a little strategic but it's different each game. It's whatever strategy for me to get my championship belt.
GQ: When you get jammed up with bad letters, do you swap out letters?
Big Boi: I swap it out. I swap my shit out.
Fabolous: I swap it out sometimes. Sometimes. Depending on how close the score is, I might not swap out. I might just try to hold steady. But if you can't make a word, definitely, swap out the letters.
GQ: Who have been some of your fiercest competitors?
Big Boi: Me, I think I play a lot of professors and schoolteachers. And sometimes they be using the cheat app, too.
Fabolous: Yeah, that's the only thing. I lost a little love for it because of that. I only do a small circle of friends now, friends who don't cheat. I used to grab names off of Twitter. If I'm bored or whatever, I'd get people on Twitter. Now, I didn't even know about the cheat apps. I knew that a few people I used to whip they ass all the time, they got a little better. I didn't know why! I thought they just got better over time. Certain people even came up to me and said 'Yo, I got better. Let me play you.' The cheat apps spoiled it.
Big Boi: Fab, I knew you were 100! I could tell.
Fabolous: It ain't really no fun, if you gonna cheat.
Big Boi: What's the whole purpose of doing that shit? You don't know your real skill level. You beat me? Nah, motherfucka, the computer beat me.
Fabolous: I play with Angie Martinez, the radio personality in New York. She's pretty good. And she doesn't cheat.
GQ: Do you have a favorite word that you've played?
Big Boi: I think I played 'zooms' for like a 107.
Fabolous: If I get over a 100, I tweet the screen shot. But I had an issue where I did that before. I put it on Twitter because I'm thinking that I wanna shit on somebody and show the whole world what I did, but they seen my [WWF user name] and I got so many friend requests that it ended up freezing my account. I can't even put my name out there.
GQ: Do you think that the fact that you guys are rappers, and therefore are uniquely proficient in wordplay, makes you better at the game?
Big Boi: I think it's true, but it's not all of it. There are plenty of people I play that ain't savvy rappers such as ourselves.
Fabolous: I really didn't even know that this many people played. I can't believe we even doing this interview.
Big Boi: I mean, the dude Alec Baldwin got kicked off the plane for playing Words With Friends. He wouldn't turn off his phone!
Fabolous: [animatedly] That's what dude did?! I heard he got kicked off the plane but I ain't hear for what. That's crazy.
Unprovoked, Fabolous starts rattling off a few suggestions for the game.
Fabolous: One thing they gotta fix is that if someone be taking days to make they move, you should be able to resign motherfuckers. Like, they be taking days to make a move.
Big Boi: Yeah.
Fabolous: And the other thing is that the kid in the studio, when we was playing in the board game, like, you can't just be trying shit. Like, just plugging in words and letters. I think you should get like three, four tries and that's it.
GQ; Have you guys ever played each other?
Fabolous: Nah, but we got to now. Yo, Big, what's your handle?
Big Boi: [Hilarious, redacted name]. What's yours?
Fabolous: [Hilarious, redacted name].
Big Boi: Let's do it then.
*Searching for their name on my Words With Friends app as we speak*
And in foolywang news.....
Today is Samuel Jackson's 62nd birthday...and look what he tweeted!
SMH.......speechless! Bet it came from his wife LaTanya too. At least we hope it did...
Source: http://theybf.com/2011/12/21/interview-fab-big-boi-and-fabolous-play-words-with-friends-for-gq
Swedish House Mafia Focus On Future Releases, Expanding Tour
Trio parts ways with annual Pacha Ibiza residency in 2012.
By Adam Stewart, with additional reporting by Akshay Bhansali
Swedish House Mafia
Photo: MTV News
There's a good chance your ears are still ringing from Swedish House Mafia's takeover of Madison Square Garden, which was streamed live over the weekend. But now that New York is back to normal and you've had a chance to watch the "Antidote" video a hundred times, it's safe to say that Swedish House Mafia fans the world over are anxiously awaiting what's next from the rock stars of house music. After months of rumors and chatter on studio work, MTV News sat down with the boys to see just what their plan of attack for 2012 and beyond really is.
"There's stuff in the works," Steve Angello said. "Obviously, we always have stuff in the works."
"But there's something that's really close," Axwell teased.
Whether that means an album or the formal release of what's being dubbed "Inks" (which is rumored to be the new SHM single and debuted as the MSG opener on Friday), any chatter of fresh SHM tunes is certainly welcome news to their loyal following. But SHM admit they aren't sure what form any of their releases will take.
"We haven't decided yet," Angello admitted.
"We would like to obviously present something, more of a fuller experience," Axwell added.
"[But] we still have to be together in the studio to finish it," Angello continued.
Even though "Save the World," their remix of Coldplay's "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall," and "Antidote" have unequivocally pacified the masses, it is perfectly clear that everyone wants more.
"We really are focusing on getting together and finishing stuff," Axwell said. "We kind of cleared our schedules a bit and [are making] fairly clever decisions of when we are doing a tour — let's rent a villa, let's put in a studio, let's work! Those kind of things."
Part of that focus includes parting ways with their now-legendary, Monday night gig at Pacha Ibiza, where for three years, they held residencies with The Dark Forest and most recently Masquerade Motel — both were must-sees for anyone's visiting the Balearic shores.
"This coming year we'll probably do more shows," Angello explained. "But it will be more spread out. Seventeen shows in Ibiza might be 17 shows around the world instead, which I would prefer now because — it's a big world."
A world that's actually become a lot smaller in a sense thanks in large part to SHM courting the masses into one big EDM family. In all likelihood, this coming year, the Mafia will continue charting new territories and pushing the boundaries, all the while making us smile.
"You've seen how we work through the years," Angello said. "It's just growing and growing and growing — and we're gonna grow some more — and hopefully Axwell is gonna grow a beard!"
"I'm trying!" Axwell laughed "Mustache is not a problem. It's the rest of the beard that's a problem. It's called a 'model's' beard. I prefer to call it that. I have a model's beard."
What tunes are you looking forward to Steve, Ax and Seb releasing? Let us know in the comments below!
Related Videos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676370/swedish-house-mafia-2012-album.jhtml
'The Hobbit' Trailer: Five Key Scenes
Much-anticipated return to Middle-earth appeals to loyal 'Lord of the Rings' fans.
By Kevin P. Sullivan
Martin Freeman in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"
Just days after the 10th anniversary of the release of "The Fellowship of the Ring," we have our first look at director Peter Jackson's return to Middle-earth. The first trailer for "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" packs in a ton of action and gives fans a peek at what they can expect when the first of the two films opens next December.
We took some time off from watching the trailer on repeat to give you the rundown on the five key things you should pay attention to in the trailer.
The Hobbit(s)
It wouldn't be "The Hobbit" without a strong member of the Shire folk to rally behind. Martin Freeman is Bilbo Baggins, and he jumps right into Jackson's Middle-earth and feels right at home. He also fits in with the two returning hobbits, Elijah Wood and Ian Holm. Both make welcome returns in the trailer and draw in fans of the original films almost effortlessly.
The Dwarves
Almost as important as Bilbo in "The Hobbit," all 13 dwarves play key roles in the story. Fans who feared that the dwarves would look too cartoonish should find some peace of mind with the trailer. They completely worked (especially Richard Armitage as Thorin), with a balance between the child-oriented aspects of the book and the grittier look of the "Lord of the Rings" movies.
The Song
Nothing shows off that balance better than the dwarves' song. J.R.R. Tolkien featured many songs in the novel, and Jackson and co. incorporated this one in a natural way. It's a cool and ominous part of the trailer that sets the tone and shows the film's close adherence to the novel. However, the films do diverge from the novel to cover new material in a few instances.
The White Council
Because the book does not offer enough action for two complete movies, the films have been padded out with tales from the appendixes and other Tolkien books. The main addition is the story of the White Council. For those unfamiliar with the books, during the journey to Lonely Mountain, Gandalf leaves Bilbo and the dwarves to fight a mysterious enemy alongside Galadriel and Elrond. Jackson confirmed the story line's presence in the movie, but Cate Blanchett's appearance in the trailer is our only hint of what's to come.
Gollum
The trailer's big reveal comes at the end as the camera cranes down to the One Ring in the foreground. Next thing we know, Bilbo is chatting up Gollum in the dark, and Andy Serkis crawls down to make his welcome return to the character. The ring and Gollum are the two biggest connections between "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings," so their presence here is a near guarantee to rope in any fans of the first films.
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 VideosSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676354/hobbit-unexpected-journey-trailer-key-scenes.jhtml
Wednesday
'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol': The Reviews Are In!
As Tom Cruise returns as superspy Ethan Hunt, critics roundly praise eye-popping action sequences and strong supporting cast.
By Eric Ditzian
Tom Cruise in "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol"
Photo: Paramount Pictures
Anyone wondering if the "Mission: Impossible" franchise still has life in it after more than five years away from the cinema should do a simple critical comparison. "Mission: Impossible III," which kicked off 2006's summer movie season, notched a 70 percent approval rating, according to the Rotten Tomatoes review aggregator. "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol," by contrast, is currently hovering at 93 percent freshness as it goes into wide release on Wednesday (December 21), following a limited, IMAX-only debut.
Tom Cruise, after the recent stumble of "Knight and Day," is back as an action hero at the age of 49; his IMF superspy Ethan Hunt has possibly never looked better, according to some critics. Reviewers have gone on to praise the film's eye-popping action sequences and the entertaining supporting cast. Read on for a deep dive into the "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" reviews.
The Story
"IMF has been disbanded by presidential order after being blamed for a terrorist bombing that destroys the Kremlin. So, do Ethan Hunt and the remaining members of his now-rogue spy team sit around worrying about their 401(k)s? Possibly they would in real life, but not in 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol,' a largely successful attempt to reboot the moribund franchise that turns out to be probably the most entertaining installment since Brian De Palma's series opener from 15 years ago." — Lou Lumenick, New York Post
The Dubai Skyscraper Scene
"This is a sequence so ingeniously conceived and shot that even the audience doesn't want to look down — a sequence so death-defying that it gets you laughing at your own susceptibility (especially if, like me, you happen to have a fear of heights). Shimmying up and down and around the building's surface, with the ground looking as if it must be a mile below, Cruise becomes a fearless human bug (think Spider-Man without the superpowers). Then, just as we're sure that our hearts couldn't dig any deeper into our throats, one of his gloves begins to short out and lose adhesive power." — Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
The Supporting Cast
"Simon Pegg, returning from his 'M:I' debut in the last film, provides a hugely welcome dose of lightness and comic relief as Benji, a meek British computer nerd who in this installment has finally managed to score a gig in the field. Paula Patton and Jeremy Renner, as new additions to Ethan's team, hit their marks with professionalism and physical competence, with Renner in particular proving that he's ready to assume the central role in the 'M:I' franchise if and when Mr. Cruise finally hangs up his carabineers." — Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post
The Dissenters
" 'Ghost Protocol' is a less a film than a vanity license plate writ large — a throwback to when all an action film needed was a bogus concept, chase scenes and a roman numeral in a title. ... Its collection of stock elements — nuclear strikes, beautiful women, exotic locales, fast cars, megalomaniac bad guy — could have been ordered from a 'when superpowers stalked the earth' clearance sale catalog. Twenty-five years ago it would have starred Roger Moore." — Duane Dudek, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Final Word
"Should you see 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol'? By all means, and in the big, big, biggest theater you can find. Don't watch it on TV, and for God's sake, don't download it to your phone. I recommend the LG IMAX Theater in Sydney, Australia, which is eight stories high, but your local multiplex will do. Be prepared, afterward, to feel as if the outside world is just a little bit too small." — Dan Kois, Slate
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 PhotosSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676362/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-movie-reviews.jhtml
T.I. And Tiny HOST The King Foundation Annual Christmas Toy Giveaway
T.I.,Tiny, and his mother Violetta helped bring holiday cheer last night as the KING Foundation hosted its annual Christmas Toy Giveaway in Atlanta. See the pics inside and watch the Harris family drive home the importance of giving back.
Last night, T.I.'s K.I.N.G. Foundation helds its gift giveaway in Atlanta, Georgia.
During the event, the Harris family paid homage to Shrek and dressed as Ogres.
It's great to see Tip and Tiny willing to dress up and entertain the audience with some family fun.
Tiny's mother was there too.
A little mommy and me fun......
At the event, over 3000 toys, jackets, shirts, bags, and other goodies were given to those in need.
So why did Tip dress the whole family like Ogres? He said they wanted to show people its not all about looks but instead should be about giving from your heart.
Well said.
The Randomness:
1. Jennifer Hudson reveals she turned down the lead role in Precious. Story.
2. R. Kelly writes 32 new chapters of "Trapped In The Closet." Story.
Photos via Thaddaeus Mcadams/INFPhoto
Source: http://theybf.com/2011/12/21/ti-and-tiny-host-the-king-foundation-annual-christmas-toy-giveaway
Charli Baltimore Melania Trump Victoria Pratt Melissa Joan Hart
Beyonc� - Run The World (Girls)
- Artist: Beyoncé
- Label: Columbia
- Director: Francis Lawrence
- Album: Run the World (Girls)
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=654804
Kardashians Admit They Have No Talent
Did you see Barbara Walters’ interview with the Kardashian family on her ’10 Most Fascinating People’ special last night? She didn’t pull any punches, from asking Kim about her sex tape to pointing out they had no talent. Barbara asked … Continue reading
Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/12/15/kardashians-admit-they-have-no-talent/
Family Photo: The Sullivan-Packhams Wrap It Up
Nicole Sullivan stepped out with her guys - husband Jason Packham and sons Dashel Pierce, 4�, and Beckett Edward, 2 - on Saturday for Jayneoni Moore's Third Annual Holiday Children's Wrapping Party in Century City, Calif.
Source: http://feeds.celebritybabies.com/~r/celebrity-babies/~3/T-t1TYN3cVo/
Tuesday
'Dragon Tattoo' 'Impossible To Leave Behind,' Rooney Mara Says
'It's attached to your head and your body,' actress tells MTV News
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Rooney Mara
Photo: 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
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676321/girl-dragon-tattoo-rooney-mara.jhtml
Britney Spears - I Wanna Go
- Artist: Britney Spears
- Label: Jive, Zomba Label Group
- Director: Chris Marrs Pillero
- Album: The Morning Dew
Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=501686&vid=667190
Lady Gaga - Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)
Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)
- Artist: Lady Gaga
- Label: Interscope, Cherrytree, Streamline, KonLive
- Director: Mary Ann Tanedo
- Album: Hot Tuna
Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3061469&vid=499028
Beyonce, Britney Spears And More: 25 Best Songs Of 2011
We count down the year's most memorable musical moments, in Bigger Than the Sound.
By James Montgomery
Britney Spears on the cover of the "Till the World Ends" single
Photo: Jive
In 2011, we shuffled and shook it out. We found love and decided to dance until the world ends. We rolled in the deep and celebrated the boys with the booming systems. Shoot, at one point, we even went to Paris with Will Ferrell. It was, to say the very least, an interesting 12 months.
So, how else to sum up the year than with my picks for the 25 Best Songs of 2011: odes to partying and pumped-up kicks, songs of sadness and beauty, tunes about getting loaded and getting revenge. Pop, hip-hop, rock, bed-tronica, they're all here, and they're all important in some way, mostly because they all helped guide us through a rather tumultuous time. But that's enough from me, let's get to the songs. Oh, and I'd like to hear your picks too — drop me a line in the comments below. So now, on with the countdown.
25. Nicola Roberts, "Beat of My Drum": Supremely saccharine single from erstwhile Girls Aloud member mashes together every notable pop moment in recent history, yet somehow manages to be better that the sum of its parts. That's thanks mostly to the supercharged, sing-a-long chorus, where the whole thing comes together in a head-spinning rush. She should go solo more often.
24. Against Me!, "Russian Spies": Searing, surging punk from Gainesville lifers proves their time on Sire Records didn't soften them one bit. It only made them more resolute. And, strangely, sadder too.
23. Kreayshawn, "Gucci Gucci": Either the smartest song of 2011 or the dumbest, the beauty of "Gucci Gucci" — and Kreayshawn, for that matter — is that the answer is probably both. The goofy, horror-movie synth squiggle, the dollops of low-end whomp, the part where Kreay claims to have swag coming out her ovaries ... it's all good. Even if it's not.
22. Gospel Music, "This Town Doesn't Have Enough Bars for Both Of Us": Peppy, poppy, pocket-rock that laments the lack of quality drinking establishments in Owen Holmes' hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, and dares to ponder one of life's great post-breakup quandaries: When does our place become just my place? He's not smart enough to know the answer; instead, he spends his genius on barroom bon mots like, "I'm not drinking anymore/ But I'm not drinking any less." Works for me.
21. Demi Lovato, "Skyscraper": For about a week, this was the biggest song in the world (or the Internet), a fact that had nothing to do with irony, our nascent sense of superiority or kittens, and everything to do with the startling connection Lovato makes with the track itself. Oh, and the fact that she sings the absolute beejezus out of it. Given everything that's happened in Lovato's life, that connection makes sense, but it's the maturity she shows on the song — and that final, chill-inducing chorus — that opened eyes, and served notice. Welcome to the club, Demi.
20. Lykke Li, "Get Some": Overlooked, otherworldly single off Li's equally overlooked (and otherworldly) Wounded Rhymes album, this one is very much about sex. Thumping, bumping, panting ... and then Li pushes it all over the top with her smoldering, sumptuous vocals. The kind of song that requires a cigarette and a cold shower after repeat listens.
19. The Black Keys, "Lonely Boy": After spending portions of their breakout Brothers album getting slightly contemplative, the Keys roar back with "Lonely Boy," a song that only contemplates how best to make a guitar rev like a V-8 engine. A hard-charging, and even harder-chugging treat (with an equally hard-partying music video), it's the kind of classic claptrap you always knew they were capable of making.
18. Chris Brown, "Beautiful People": Folks can talk about Brown's hip-hop turn on "Look at Me Now," but this single represents his biggest reinvention to date. A slippery, shiny club track helmed by Benny Benassi, like most of Breezy's work it is undeniably sexy, but it's also subtly smart too. And that's where he made his biggest strides. Also, unlike "Look at Me Now," he doesn't even mention Mr. Miyagi once.
17. YACHT, "Dystopia (The Earth Is on Fire)": Every day the sky gets lower (lowerlowerlower!) And every day the flames get higher (higherhigherhigher!) So, with apologies to Rock Master Scott and the Dynamic Three, this disco duo just decide to let the motherf---er burn.
16. Washed Out, "Eyes be Closed": Massively ebbing and echoing bed-tronica (or, you know, "chillwave") from some dude in Perry, Georgia. Bonus: Sounds nothing like Perry, Georgia.
15. Lil Wayne, "6 Foot 7 Foot": Weezy and producer Bangladesh may still hate each other (or maybe they've made up, I can't remember), but there's no denying that both men are better off together. "6 Foot" starts with Harry Belafonte's "The Banana Boat Song," then twists it into something else entirely. Knotty and slightly seizure-inducing, it's like "A Milli" times, well, a million.
14. Nicki Minaj, "Super Bass": The unlikely champion of the Summer Jam Sweepstakes, it started life almost as an afterthought (a bonus track on the Pink Friday deluxe edition) and ended up being Nicki's breakthrough hit. Sometimes things just work out that way. Here's to the guys with the booming systems.
13. LMFAO, "Party Rock Anthem": It's either the stoopidest song in recent memory, or perhaps LMFAO's magnum opus (or maybe both), but why ponder points like that when the end result is this good. From its ebola-catchy hook to party-hearty machinations, this one is just begging to be blasted ... and shuffled to.
12. Foster The People, "Pumped Up Kicks": The year's catchiest rock tune was actually last year's catchiest too — it just took folks a while to realize it. Hazy, loping and scratchy like a mohair sweater, it recalls a headier era when bands wrote ultra-hooky singles about ultra-dark things (Eels' "Novocaine for the Soul," the Smashing Pumpkins' "Today," etc.) and earned repeated spins on radio as a result. Also known as the 1990s.
11. Rihanna, "We Found Love": A few weeks ago, someone told me that this would ultimately end up being Rihanna's signature hit and, at the time, I sort of laughed him off. I mean, did he remember "Umbrella"? But, the more I think about it, he may be right. Or at least on the right track. From the icy synth strains to Calvin Harris' hard-charging pre-chorus, it most certainly is the song that best represents pop, circa 2011, and given RiRi's standing in the field, perhaps in time, it will become her set-closing number too. For now, at least, I'm content to bask in "Love's" masterful mix of the carnal and, well, the club.
10. Britney Spears, "Till the World Ends": I have been accused (many times) of being a Brit basher and, sure, that's probably true, but not even I could deny this song. Super-charged star-burst synthesizers, robo-vocals and, of course, that iconic "Woah-Oh-Oh" chantalong, it's the party jam for the post-apocalyptic future. And because of all that, it's also an important song; not only a reminder that Britney is still capable of making truly terrific pop music, but that, really, she never stopped. And coming from one of her most ardent critics, that's high praise indeed.
09. Beyoncé, "Love on Top": You wanted a throwback jam, you've got a throwback jam. Big, bold, brassy and blissed-out, it represents everything B was going for on her 4 album, recalling roiling old R&B classics and the supreme diva-tude of the all-time greats. Sure, I could've gone for something like "Run the World (Girls)" or even "Countdown," but "Love on Top" is where it all clicks, sublimely so. Joy for days, which, given our dire times, made this one an absolute lifesaver. Oh, and as is the case with all of her best tunes, Beyoncé belts here. And really, what else do you need?
08. Nickelback, "Bottoms Up": Take away my cred card, but I am unapologetically in awe of this song. I wrote an entire column about its boozy brilliance earlier this year, but suffice to say, it is without a doubt the greatest thing Nickelback will ever do, in that they are first and foremost a party band, and this is their ultimate party jam: a song about getting supremely sh--faced, about drinking everything from Jim Beam to "straight gasoline," complete with a crushing, ALL-CAPS chorus and appropriately chugging riffs. Oh, and at one point, Chad Kroeger rhymes "bar" with "fire," mostly because he can. Hammer down, now and forever.
07. Bright Eyes, "The Ladder Song": For as much noise as Conor Oberst is capable of making, it's often the quieter moments where his rickety, ramshackle genius shines brightest. And "Ladder Song" — a heartbreakingly raw tribute to a friend who committed suicide — is not only his quietest, it's one of his best. Backed by little more than a piano and a handful of otherworldly room tones, Oberst plumbs the depths of despair, his voice reedy and wavering, and, when he reaches bottom, discovers there are small beauties that make life worth living. It's too bad, he ultimately laments, that his friend didn't discover them too. The year's most achingly beautiful song, by a hair-raising mile.
06. Drake, "Take Care": There are no shortage of memorable, mystifying moments on Drake's Take Care, but for me, none were quite as memorable (or mystifying) as the title track, which combines Jamie XX's sparse reworking of Gil Scot-Heron's "I'll Take Care Of U" with Rihanna's aching vocals and Drizzy's bleary-eyed boasts. The end result is a song that's so dark it's practically nocturnal, echoing and empty. Perhaps 2011's best example of a prime-time artist taking a major risk, it not only paid off in spades, it proved that Drake's more than just a pretty face. He's got brains, too ... even if most of the time he's too fried to realize it.
05. Florence and the Machine, "Shake It Out": Part regret-filled lament, part old-fashioned revival, "Shake It Out" is a prime example of just what makes Florence Welch so great. It's a heartrending song with an absolutely uplifting chorus, a mixture of somber metaphors and messages that ultimately decides to be an anthem for the downtrodden. It's ethereal, otherworldly and, yet, decidedly visceral, too. And when combined with Welch's hurricane vocals, it packs a punch few other songs could match. Be blown away.
04. Lady Gaga, "Heavy Metal Lover": Buried toward the back of Born This Way, "Lover" was just about the only song Gaga didn't release as a single this year, which is odd, considering it's far and away the best track on the album. A masterful mix of "Transformers"-size techno pump and supple, slipstream synthesizers, it pulses and twitches, expands and contracts, and is probably the best example of what we all hoped BTW would be. As an added bonus, "I want your whiskey mouth/ All over my blond south" was unquestionably the pick-up line of the year.
03. Jay-Z and Kanye West, "N---as in Paris": NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS, BUT IT'S PROVOCATIVE. IT GETS THE PEOPLE GOING.
02. Girls, "Vomit": A haunting, haunted song that follows frontman Chris Owens as he drifts through deserted city streets, ghostlike, searching for his long-lost love, "Vomit" most certainly is not an uplifting thing. But it never tries to be anything of the sort. Instead, over the course of six-and-a-half minutes, it is content to work itself up to a frothy, gospel-tinged peak — recalling Pink Floyd and Spiritualized — and as Owens begs "Come into my heart," you sort of realize that sometimes it's OK to go it alone. Or at least that's what you try to keep telling yourself.
01. Adele, "Rolling in the Deep": Not only the song of the year, it's also quite possibly the song of our time, which is an odd thing to say, considering "Deep" is about as artfully anachronistic as popular music gets: a crackling, breathy thing that roils along on little more than a stubby guitar and some primal pounding, it positively roars to life the second the chorus hits, powered entirely by Adele's prodigious pipes. No Auto-Tune, no mention of partying or material excess (and not even a single Will Ferrell sample), "Deep" is a throwback in every conceivable way to a time when artists actually sang (and sang about real, genuine emotions like sadness and anger), when a single could push an album for months and months at a time and, most of all, when people still bought music. And despite all that, it was still the crossover smash to end all crossover smashes, the song that not only dominated 2011, but defined it, too. Sort of gives you hope ... or makes you realize we truly are living in the strangest of times.
Did he get it right? Sound off on Bigger Than the Sound's Top 25 Songs of 2011 in the comments!
All this week, watch "AMTV" on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year!
Related Videos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1675901/25-best-songs-2011.jhtml
Is Scarlett Johansson Happy To Not Play Sexy For Once?
Actress plays a 'practical, salt-of-the-earth' character in 'We Bought a Zoo.'
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Scarlett Johansson in "We Bought A Zoo"
Photo: Twentieth Century Fox
Anyone who has followed Scarlett Johansson's career will agree that she carved out a niche for herself early with several roles as "the fantasy girl." Those looking for that side of Johansson might be disappointed to learn that there is nothing "forced sexy" about her character in her latest film, "We Bought a Zoo."
When MTV News caught up with Johansson recently, we asked if it was refreshing to play "normal" and not have to appear scantily clad at any point in "Zoo."
"Yes, that's always refreshing. It means you can eat more," Johansson joked about remaining fully clothed. "For me, one of the big draws of the film was exactly that. It was the fact that I was not playing the girl who is always bridesmaid never a bride, or looking for a husband, or the other woman — none of those things. She's a very practical, salt-of-the-earth, rounded, motivated, independent woman. I find as I get older, it's nice to move away from the ingénue category.
"It's fun, and I've done very well by it, but it's nice to be able to transition into women that come with a history, that are established," she added.
We brought up the fact that the female characters in Cameron Crowe movies ("Almost Famous," "Say Anything" "Jerry Maguire") tend to be attracted to the emotionally broken and confused leading men. When we asked Johansson if she is attracted to that type of guy, she found the question hilarious.
"Oh God, a midlife-crisis guy — that sounds horrible!" she said, laughing. " 'Are you in between jobs? Are you broken from a previous relationship? Do you need dental work?' No, no, [I'm] not at all [attracted to that type]. I look for confidence and wit and charm."
There you have it, guys. Mr. Johansson need only possess those three key traits.
Check out everything we've got on "We Bought a Zoo."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related VideosSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676096/scarlett-johansson-we-bought-a-zoo.jhtml
Monday
How Did Rihanna Sneak By Beyonce On Best Artists Of 2011?
It was close, but Rih's ability to remain in the pop-culture consciousness all year places her just above the Queen B.
By Jason Kaufman
Rihanna
Photo: Getty Images
It was a showdown between two queens of pop — Rihanna and Beyoncé — each vying for a prime spot on MTV's Best Artists of 2011 list. RiRi wound up besting Lady B by a slim margin. But how did she come out on top?
MTV correspondent Sway Calloway moderated a spirited roundtable discussion with some of our very own experts: James Montgomery and Rob Markman (MTV News), Yomi Desalu and Malika Quemerais (MTV Music and Talent) and Tamar Anitai and Nicole James (MTV.com). The panel discussed the artists who ruled 2011, from the Throne and Lil Wayne to Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga. It was during that debate that Beyoncé and Rihanna met in a battle for the #6 position. In the end, Rihanna prevailed, with B taking #7.
"I love Rihanna," Montgomery said. "I think she is the kind of artist that I really like as a pop star who makes really cool, controversial videos and pushes the envelope in every conceivable way."
"She hustled so hard," Anitai added.
After all, Rih did have us buzzing about songs off two albums in 2011. New hits popping from 2010's Loud — including a remix of "S&M" with the one-and-only Britney Spears — ruled the charts in the first half of '11. While some artists would just ride the momentum of that smash album, Rih went back into the studio mid-tour and cranked out Talk That Talk. The first single off TTT, "We Found Love," was a certified dance-pop classic from the minute it hit.
See where "We Found Love" placed on MTV's Best Songs of 2011 countdown!
It was a tough decision for our experts because Knowles had such a remarkable year. Her album 4 — a collection of soulful ballads and mid-tempo tracks tempered with a deep nostalgic streak — was arguably her most mature yet. And she triumphed during intimate, sold-out shows at New York City's Roseland Ballroom in August. B was also responsible for this year's most talked-about (and tweeted about) pop-culture moment, announcing her pregnancy to the world right on our VMA stage.
But it was Rihanna's ability to rule for 365 days straight that was the deciding factor.
"It's very rare that you see an artist that's there, that is consistently there throughout the year that people don't get sick of," Quemerais observed. "I feel like the appetite for Rihanna is constant."
"If you were to go numbers by numbers, Rihanna can go toe-to-toe with anyone on our list," Montgomery reinforced. "She never gets the credit that she deserves."
She certainly got the credit here.
All this week, watch "AMTV" on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year!
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676061/rihanna-beyonce-best-artists-of-2011.jhtml
Whitney Port Enjoys Her Pedicure
This weekend was filled with R&R (and plenty of coffee) for reality starlet Whitney Port! The blonde beauty was spotted out and about on Dec. 17, where she checked into a local SoCal nail salon for a pedicure. Styled in … Continue reading
Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/12/19/whitney-port-enjoys-her-pedicure/
'Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows' Cheat Sheet
We have everything you need to know about the Guy Ritchie sequel.
By Kara Warner
Robert Downey Jr. in "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows"
After the spectacular success of "Sherlock Holmes" — $515 million in worldwide ticket sales and a Best Actor Golden Globe win for Robert Downey Jr., both of which were unpredictable accomplishments given the fact that the film arrived in theaters at the same time as James Cameron's "Avatar" — it was no surprise when Warner Bros. announced plans for a sequel.
To celebrate the arrival of "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," in theaters Friday (December 16), here's our comprehensive cheat sheet of everything you need to know about the action-packed, Guy Ritchie-directed sequel.
A New World of Possibilities
Amazingly enough, talk of a "Sherlock" sequel began three months prior to the original's release, when Brad Pitt was rumored to be joining the cast as Moriarty and there were rumblings that it would be shot in 3-D. Neither of those things panned out, but we did eventually learn that the sequel would be filmed in Paris and London and that instead of "Sherlock Holmes 2," the film's title would be "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows."
Fresh Meat
Early on, we learned that Rachel McAdams' return as Irene Adler was trimmed to a "very small part," which made way for the addition of a new female lead, Noomi Rapace, who originated the role of Lisbeth Salander in Sweden's "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." Ritchie summed up her character thusly: "She's a gypsy princess with balls," he told us when we visited the set. "That's what Noomi brings to the table."
The other new addition was "Mad Men" actor Jared Harris, who won the coveted role of the villainous Professor Moriarty. Harris couldn't give us many details about the role when we caught up with him in early '11, but he did gush about the "great fun" he had on set.
Setting the Shadowy Tone
As we started to inch closer to the film's release, we started to see that the sequel was going to be a bit darker via the first official posters, photos and the first full-length trailer. It's not all dark and stormy, of course, since a lot of the fun of the first film was in the whimsical moments between Downey and Law, and Holmes' various disguises, as revealed in this funny clip featuring more of RDG in drag.
When MTV News caught up with the main players recently, Downey assured us the film is a "superior product" and that everyone had gone to great lengths to make it bigger and better. Perhaps Ritchie summed it up best: "All in all, we tried to basically put this film on 'roids."
Check out everything we've got on "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676169/sherlock-holmes-game-of-shadows.jhtml
Garcelle Beauvais Britney Spears Shiri Appleby Bianca Kajlich
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