Thursday, September 30, 2010

Photos | Drake, Nicki Minaj, Usher And More At Hot 97 2010 Summer Jam

Drake, Nicki Minaj, Usher And More At Hot 97 2010 Summer Jam

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'Let Me In' Child Stars on Their Horror Roles

Sept. 30 - The teenage stars of 'Let Me In,' Chloe Moretz and Kodi Smit-McPhee, talk about starring in the grown up horror flick.

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Bill & Giuliana Rancic Share Story Of Miscarriage

Earlier this year Bill and Giuliana Rancic opened up about the fact that after a long struggle to conceive they were turning to in vitro fertilization. Though Giuliana got pregnant after the first IVF treatment, the couple reveal the sad news that she miscarried at 9 weeks.

"Both of us were in shock," the Apprentice winner tells People. "Failure wasn't an option!"

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Justin Timberlake Says 'The Social Network' Will 'Split' Moviegoers

JT says his friends got into a heated Facebook discussion 'without me ... steering the conversation in any way' after a screening.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Vanessa White Wolf


Justin Timberlake in "The Social Network"
Photo: Sony Pictures

When "The Social Network" opens this weekend, moviegoers are likely to leave the theater divided about who's in the wrong and in the right in the David Fincher-directed flick about the founding of Facebook. Its star, Jesse Eisenberg, defended founder Mark Zuckerberg to MTV News, and now another one of the movie's stars, Justin Timberlake, is weighing in on the polarizing subject.

"There was a screening in Los Angeles and my friends were very excited to see this film and I was excited that my own friends were excited to see a film that I was in, so I scored some tickets for the screening," Timberlake recalled. "And I took all of them and it was about eight of us so we carpooled and caravanned in two cars. When we walked out, we all went to get some dinner afterwards and immediately the conversation just started."

Timberlake plays Napster co-founder Sean Parker in the Aaron Sorkin-penned movie based on Ben Mezrich's book "The Accidental Billionaires." The pop star-turned-actor said it didn't take much for his friends to get into a spirited discussion.

"I just posed the question 'So what did you guys think of the film?' and without me prodding or steering the conversation in any way ... there was a couple of my friends that are married and watching her talk about who she empathized with and watching him say who he related to ... that conversation and then somebody else chimed in," he said. "It was split between every person there."

Timberlake explained that, in the end, each of his friends sided with a different character. "I was like, 'Wow,' and I think that spoke true to what people will do [when they see] the movie," he added. "But one of my friends specifically said — he sort of brought some finality to the situation because he just wanted to eat. He was like, 'I don't 100 percent agree with any of the characters, but I don't disagree with any of them.' Life is life. Things happen sloppily."

What do you think of Justin's take on the Facebook movie? Are your friends already taking sides? Let us know in the comments!

Check out everything we've got on "The Social Network."

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

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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

30 Seconds To Mars, Ke$ha Plan Big VMA Arrivals

Can this year's nominees rival the elephants and yachts of years past?
By James Montgomery


30 Seconds to Mars
Photo: Myriam Santos/ Kayda

For much of the past decade, the MTV Video Music Awards has really been two shows: The one where they hand out the Moonmen, and the one that occurs on the red carpet, where the stars try their very best to outdo each other with over-the-top arrivals.

From yachts to 18-wheel trucks, elephants to horse-drawn carriages, how you arrive at the VMAs has become just as important as whether you take home an award. As you can probably imagine, sometimes, things get a little crazy.

"Usually, artists don't let us know [how they're arriving] until the last minute, which makes things interesting," Video Music Awards Pre-Show executive producer Ryan Kroft told MTV News. "A lot of times, they'll want to do things like land a hot-air balloon on the carpet, or drive a car down the carpet, but generally, the fire marshal frowns on those kinds of things, so we have to tell them 'no.' "

Still, there are plenty of ideas that do get the green light, and they're just as epic as the stars that thought them up. And this year's VMA arrivals are no different, though for aesthetic reasons, they're slightly scaled back.

"In New York, we had stars arriving on a fire truck, a double-decker bus, but that wouldn't play this year," Kroft said. "The carpet is designed to look like the stars are arriving at a Hollywood Hills mansion — white, chrome, glass — so having someone arrive with a marching band would seem somewhat out of place."

But there are big arrivals nonetheless: One of the biggest involves 30 Seconds to Mars, who have already started touting their entrance as being thoroughly crazy.

"30 Seconds to Mars are recreating a scene from their 'Kings and Queens' video," Kroft explained. "They'll have an army of bicyclists arriving with them, and they'll be riding bikes themselves. Most of the bicyclists are from the video."

Going equally big is Ke$ha, who has a few surprises ready for the VMA carpet. We don't want to give it all away, but here's what we can reveal: "Ke$ha has big plans for the carpet. I can't talk about all of them, but she is arriving in a Delorean, which she got herself," Kroft said. "It'll be like 'Back to the Future.' "

And, in keeping with grand tradition, there are still plenty of stars who haven't said how they're going to be arriving — Jay Sean is planning something "big and sexy," Soulja Boy Tell'em has some swaggadocious plans in the works, and Bruno Mars is still plotting, too — and then, there's Lady Gaga, who ... well, you never know what she'll do.

"We still don't know what some people are doing," Kroft laughed. "The only way you'll know is to tune in to the VMA Pre-Show and watch."

The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday.

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Lindsay Lohan Suing E-Trade For 'Milkaholic' Baby Ad?

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Lindsay has an issue with E-Trade about the 'Milkaholic' Baby Ad and I will post the news here first. Not everything can be shared during these kind of talks, but it is important for you to get the truth. So check back here to find out the latest. Thank you - Dina

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Jay-Z, Eminem Joined By Kanye West, Beyonce, Others At Yankee Stadium

Drake, Chris Martin, Nicki Minaj also appear at first New York stop of Home and Home tour.
By Shaheem Reid


Eminem and Jay-Z perform at Yankee Stadium on Monday
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

NEW YORK — A year ago, Jay-Z showed why he's music's Emperor of the Empire State with a historic charity concert at Madison Square Garden, which Jay called "the house that Hovie built." On Monday night, "the God MC" took his mastery of performance to the front stoop of Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, Yankee Stadium. And because that's no setting in which to go small, he brought out special guests like Kanye West, Drake, Chris Martin, Swizz Beatz, Nicki Minaj and, of course, Beyoncé.

After kicking off in Detroit two weeks ago, Jay and Eminem's Home and Home concerts landed on the Jiggaman's soil for shows on Monday and Tuesday (September 14). This time, after J. Cole opened, Slim Shady shook the stadium in the second slot, with special guests the G-Unit and Dr. Dre. Then Jay took over with a bevy of surprises and a catalog of hard-line hits.

"Before I start this piece, let me say, rest in peace to the boss, George [Steinbrenner]," Hov began, freestyling a reference to the late Yankees owner after commencing his program with the "Dynasty Intro."

"By the time we sliding home/ I hope we playing in the dome," he continued rapping.

During "Run This Town," Jay asked, "Where you at, boy?" And out came 2010 VMA closer Kanye West in a red suit. The roar was thunderous for the Louis Vuitton Don, who also rocked a huge gold link chain.

They followed up with the first live performance of the "Power" remix — where all 50,000-plus people did the soulful "power clap" — and "Monster." There was no Rick Ross on the latter, but 'Ye and Hov brought out Nicki Minaj, who was showered with love from her hometown.

Hov said that since they were in New York, he couldn't let Kanye off the hook that easy. West told the audience he was going to "take them back." The Chicago-born icon then crushed the concert with "Can't Tell Me Nothing" and a follow-up haymaker of the stadium-friendly "Good Life."

"It's one of the most unbelievable feelings in the world, being from New York and being in Yankee stadium," Jay said about the night.

"That's how you feel, New York City?" Hov continued, in response to the crowd's overwhelming cheers. "New York City, is that how you feel tonight? I can't believe this sh--!"

Jay's next guest was Bronx native Swizz Beatz, who was also celebrating his birthday. What a present!

Further along in his set list, Jay rolled out his jaw-dropping verse from "Free Mason." Like in most of his shows, the Jiggaman constantly spoke to the crowd. "Just because you question religion doesn't mean you don't believe in God," he said after his rumor-admonishing verse. "Don't let anybody scare you into having their beliefs. Be a muthaf---in' renegade."

Out came Eminem for their classic colossal meeting of the minds. No matter how many times they perform "Renegade," it's still surreal to see the two biggest names in rap stand unified, side by side.

Memphis Bleek then came out for a parade of familiar Jay knockers, including "U Don't Know," "99 Problems" and "Big Pimpin'."

There was a tribute to hip-hop's gone-but-not-forgotten greats that included B.I.G., D12's Proof, Pimp C and Tupac Shakur. Monday was the 14th anniversary of Pac's tragic death.

Chris Martin from Coldplay came out to sing the hook on "Heart of the City." Martin was crisp and soulful on the mic. Jay kicked the graceful lines to "Most Kingz," and then Martin took the energy up a few levels with "Viva la Vida."

"I used to rule the world," the crowd sang. "Seas would rise/ When I gave the word/ Now in the morning I sleep alone/ Sweep the streets I used to own/ I used to roll the dice/ Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes."

Hov then told his DJ to throw on any song, and out came Drake for "Miss Me."

"Tellllllll me/ What's really going / Drizzy back up in this bitch/ What's happenin!!!" Drake came on rapping. The approval for the 23-year-old was vibrant.

"Say, 'Free Weezy!' " Drake commanded during Lil Wayne's verse. Jay and Drizzy then let the mics explode with "Light Up."

Not letting the audience catch their breath, Beyoncé came out for "Forever Young."

"One word, Beyoncé, make some noise," Jay said about his wife. "That girl baaad! That girl tough!"

After "Already Home" came "Empire State of Mind." No Alicia Keys, but Roc Nation artist Bridget Kelly was on her A-game with the vocals. Not that it mattered, because the NYC crowd drowned the song out.

"This is better than any Grammy. Better than any MTV award," Jay said about being able to rock his city.

He then went into overtime with a barrage of classics such as "Jigga My N---a" and "Izzo."

He told the fans he wasn't going anywhere and continued to keep the energy high with "Where I'm From" and "Dirt Off Your Shoulder." Most of the sold-out crowd stayed until the very end, which featured Jay doing the Linkin Park mash-up version of "Encore."

"This night was like a gift for me," said the man who seemingly has everything. "I hope I returned it tenfold."

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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Usher's VMA-Nominated 'OMG' Inspired By '80s Sci-Fi Character

Director Anthony Mandler wanted to let R&B superstar take viewers 'on a journey, not a ride.'
By Jayson Rodriguez


Usher in "OMG"

For a video as forward-thinking as Usher's "OMG" -- with its laser beams and light flashes -- director Anthony Mandler actually looked back for inspiration.

"The original idea was kind of Max Headroom," Mandler told MTV News, citing the animated science-fiction character from '80s British TV. "That's where it came from — the TV flickering on and there's this character. We just wanted to bring it up to date."

"Max Headroom was always in his room," he continued, "this unidentifiable room, '80s shapes. I used that for inspiration."

The formula worked: "OMG" is among the Best Male Video nominees for the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. The clip is up against Drake's "Find Your Love," Jason Derülo's "In My Head," Eminem's "Not Afraid" and B.o.B's "Airplanes." Mandler is a multiple nominee, having also helmed Drake's video.

"OMG" is the first time Usher and Mandler — who has worked with Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige and Rihanna — collaborated on a project.

Usher said he knew the video would be a challenge and wanted to make sure the director was up to the task.

"When I first shot the song to him, I was like, 'Are you sure you're gonna be able to catch this one?' And he said, 'I got it,' " Usher explained.

"We wanted to bring Will.I.Am (the song's producer) into my world," he continued. "Obviously, the international sound and look and feel has already been set, but we wanted to do something theatrical, fun and energetic to show us working off of each other and playing off of each other as artists, but the cinematography would be artistic and incredible."

Mandler described the visuals as "Hitchcock-ian." Though the style of the shot was important to the director, he had a simpler goal in mind: to capture Usher in his element. He said the key to the clip was simply letting Usher's talent take over.

"The concept was to create a world where we put Usher in a space where he does what I think he does better than anyone else in the world, which is perform at a level and magnitude of a superstar and take us, the viewer, whether audible or visually, on a journey, not a ride," the director said. "And, in that, I wanted to create an unpredictability, so one set leads to another and another, and you never know what's gonna happen. Along the way, Usher becomes our guide. We're so focused on him, we don't notice the change. The thing is unfolding little by little, and you can't quite see far enough ahead to know what's gonna come next."

The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through September 12.

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'Green Lantern' Star Ryan Reynolds Talks Sequel Possibilities

'The first one has got to land and people have got to see it and have to have that appetite for a sequel,' he tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Ryan Reynolds
Photo: Getty Images

Aside from the buzz about Ryan Reynolds' claustrophobia-inducing performance in the upcoming thriller "Buried" — for which Reynolds filmed all his scenes within the confines of a wooden coffin — the news about the actor has been almost entirely focused on his superheroic efforts in "Wolverine," a possible Deadpool spin-off and "Green Lantern."

When MTV News caught up with him recently, we couldn't help but ask about possible "Lantern" sequels, as well as which comic book authors he found most helpful in getting into the character of Hal Jordan.

"It's a pretty big universe; there's a lot to explore," Reynolds said of the "Green Lantern" sequel possibilities. "There's a lot to explore with Hal, then without him. You could do a couple movies with Hal and then move on to Guy Gardner or Kyle Rayner or any of those guys."

More "Lantern" without Hal Jordan — and Reynolds? Surely the busy actor isn't ready to give up his ring that quickly.

"Look, I'm saying in success, let's not put the cart before the horse," Reynolds said, emphasizing the fact that the first movie has to come out and be a hit before he can start talking about sequels. "In success, you do another movie, you do two, great. I think [the idea of two sequels] is fantastic, but the first one has got to land and people have got to see it and have to have that appetite for a sequel."

Fair enough. Regarding his go-to source for "Lantern" research, Reynolds cited famed DC writer/ current Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns.

"Geoff Johns is it," Reynolds said. "His 'Secret Origins' book was the one I kind of used as the bible for this. It's an easy thing to reference, because it's an origin story as well. That was the one I sort of stuck to."

Check out everything we've got on "Green Lantern."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

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