Performances At The 10th Annual BMI Urban Awards
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1647596
Scarlett Johansson Shakira The Pussycat Dolls Sandra Bullock
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Adam Lambert's 'Whole Lotta Love': The Story Behind The Cover
Glam rocker tackled the legendary 1970 Led Zeppelin song for 'American Idol' rock night.
By Gil Kaufman
Adam Lambert performs "Whole Lotta Love" on "American Idol" on Tuesday
Photo: R. Mickshaw/Getty Images/ Fox
Imagine a freight train speeding toward you at midnight. Or a rockslide barreling down a hill as you try to outrace it. That's the feeling of the ominous, chugging Jimmy Page riff that kicks off Led Zeppelin's 1970 Stonehenge of rock, "Whole Lotta Love." And that's before singer Robert Plant leans into one of the nastiest, ecstatic rock screams this side of the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again."
That's the song Adam Lambert chose to sing on "American Idol" rock night Tuesday (May 5), and, needless to say, it was a challenge that the eyeliner-loving Los Angeles stage veteran was more than up for, hitting a series of high notes and rock screams that would have made Plant proud. It was a risky maneuver that paid off for Lambert, who chose a tune that came in at #75 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004.
The legendary British rock act recorded the tribute to Chicago blues icon Willie Dixon during their second U.S. tour after working it out in their live show, including it on their 1969 classic album Led Zeppelin II. Like many of the songs Zeppelin performed early in their career, "Love" was a blues standard turned on its head with a heavy dose of crunching psychedelic guitar and thundering drums, courtesy of late drummer John Bonham. The song was based on a 1962 tune by another blues forefather, Muddy Waters, called "You Need Love," which was penned by Dixon.
For Zeppelin's version, Plant customized the lyrics by adding some lyrical quotes from a few other songs Dixon wrote for Howlin' Wolf, "Back Door Man" and "Shake For Me," nailing the tricky vocal in a single take. It was also inspired by 1966's "You Need Loving" from the British rock group the Small Faces, for whom Zeppelin had great affection, but they also did not credit Dixon for his part in writing the original lyrics. The song became Zeppelin's first U.S. single and their only U.S. top 10 hit. Though their manager would not let them release singles in the U.K. because he thought it cannibalized album sales, the song was finally released as the band's only British single in 1997.
Dixon sued Zeppelin over the song in 1985, claiming it borrowed too heavily from his "You Need Love," and Zeppelin reached an agreement with him, with Dixon using the money he received to set up a program that provided musical instruments for schools. A cornerstone of heavy rock, the tune -- which was the theme song for the long-running British countdown show "Top of the Pops" in the 1970s and '80s -- has been covered by dozens of artists over the years, from Tina Turner and Ben Harper to Prince, Slash, Leona Lewis, Train's Pat Monahan, the London Symphony Orchestra and Jane's Addiction.
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1610709/adam-lamberts-whole-lotta-love-story-behind-cover.jhtml
'Hangover Part II': The Reviews Are In!
'The stock dismissal 'more of the same' has rarely been more accurately applied to a sequel,' one reviewer writes.
By Eric Ditzian
Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis in "The Hangover Part II"
Photo: Warner Bros.
By this point, if anyone is still doubting whether "The Hangover Part II" will be a massive worldwide hit, Wednesday's midnight screenings should quiet skeptics. Warner Bros. announced that the follow-up to 2009's record-smashing hit roped in $10.4 million in those early showings, setting a new midnight opening record for an R-rated film on its way to what many are predicting will become a $125 million opening over the five-day holiday weekend.
All this box-office talk gets even more impressive when you note reviews for the film have been decidedly mixed. While the first "Hangover" won over both critics and moviegoers, the sequel is currently languishing at just a 31 percent approval at the Rotten Tomatoes review aggregator. Critics have pointed out how the second film follows the plot points of the original far too closely. They've also argued that the sequel simply isn't as funny as the first. Other reviews, however, are still getting a kick out of watching the Wolf Pack flail and fail all over again, similarities are not. Read on for a deep dive into the "Hangover Part II" reviews:
The Story
" 'The Hangover Part II' opts for the most popular cure: the hair of the dog that bit it. In other words, the sequel is almost identical to the first 'Hangover.' This time, dweeby Stu (Ed Helms), slick Phil (Bradley Cooper) and attention sponge Alan (Zach Galifianakis) are at a wedding (Stu's) in Thailand, instead of Las Vegas, but the rest is pretty much the same. The movie starts with the three waking up after a night of debauchery, with one of their pals missing, with a threatening crook on their tails and with vague knowledge of peccadilloes both sexual and chemical. Oh, and Mike Tyson is tangentially involved (Stu has a facial tattoo just like the former champ's). They spend the rest of the movie trying to make it to the wedding while piecing together clues to what happened the previous night and searching desperately for their missing bud." — Chris Hewitt, St. Paul Pioneer Press
The Laughs
"[The] laughs aren't just staged, they're superlatively engineered — even if that means, at moments, that they feel like they're falling into formatted slots. When they don't, the movie can be flat-out hilarious. As the guys begin their desperate search for a missing bank account number (they have to give it to a drug lord or he'll kill them), it's no surprise to discover that they went to a Bangkok strip bar. And when we learn what happened in that club to Stu — who hasn't shaken his tendency to fall drunkenly head over heels in love with hookers — you may see the twist coming, but you won't foresee the casual outrageousness of the dialogue, the kind that keeps on giving. Yet that sort of choke-on-your-popcorn laugh is more the exception than the rule." — Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
The Performances
"Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis slide into their roles as if they didn't go on to play other characters in the interim, although at least two of the three (Helms being the exception) have seen significant career upticks. Phil is the good-looking leader, Stu is the worry-wart nerd, and Alan is quite possibly the most loathsome individual to have crawled out from under a rock. He's not a loveable loser; he's a detestable loser — and that's where a lot of the comedy comes from. Galifianakis stole the show in 'The Hangover,' and he steals it here. Refreshingly, [director Todd] Phillips does not feel the need to give Alan a heroic moment of redemption." — James Berardinelli, ReelViews
The Comparison
"The stock dismissal 'more of the same' has rarely been more accurately applied to a sequel than to 'The Hangover Part II,' which ranks as little more than a faded copy of its predecessor superimposed on a more brightly colored background. One can understand director Todd Phillips' initial reluctance to tinker with a formula that made the 2009 romp the highest-grossing R-rated comedy ever, but the rote professionalism on display verges on cynicism, and despite some occasional sparks, this ranks as a considerable disappointment. Box office should be huge all the same." — Andrew Barker, Variety
The Final Word
That comfortable air of familiarity provided by the returning characters also extends to many of the original's more inspired bits — but to less potent effect. Still, even a milder 'Hangover' manages to deliver more laughs than most of the competition. ... In addition to that hard-to-replicate element of surprise, also in short supply here is the manic energy that made the original such a delightfully unpredictable ride. The reunited cast looks to have been up for a greater challenge, especially gonzo Galifianakis, who emerged as the breakout star of the first 'Hangover.' " — Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter
Check out everything we've got on "The Hangover Part II."
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/1664699/hangover-part-2.jhtml
Tori Spelling's Beach Bump
Bikini bump!
Glowing mom-to-be Tori Spelling bared her gorgeous baby bump in a black bikini on Memorial Day (May 30). The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum soaked up the sun with hubby Dean McDermott and their two kids - Liam, 4, and Stella, 3 next month - at their beach house in Malibu, Calif.
Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/05/30/tori-spellings-beach-bump
Carmelo And LaLa Anthony Boating On The Hudson + Jeezy Throws A Miami Pool Party
One of the NBA's hottest couples hit the open waters of the Hudson River yesterday. See pics of Carmelo Anthony and his wife LaLa inside along with Jeezy at his Miami Beach pool party....
Carmelo Anthony and his wife Lala spent yesterday on a boat with a few cocktails.
Carmelo has been celebrating all week, first with a party at Greenhouse with Swizz Beatz.
Carmelo also had his mini-me Kiyan with him. And LaLa tweeted that she and Carmelo will be doing something special for his birthday later today.
And in Miami.....................
Jeezy hosted a pool party in Miami Beach.
Then he and his pal DJ Drama gave a few poses for the camera.
Photos via Wireimage/Nunez/Carmelo Anthony
Monday, May 30, 2011
Britney Spears Says Femme Fatale Tour Will Be 'Spectacular'
Singer also hopes her choreographers create the 'most outrageous things.'
By James Dinh
Britney Spears
Photo: Jive
Britney Spears is known for delivering an over-the-top stage show, and she promises that her forthcoming Femme Fatale Tour alongside Nicki Minaj will be no different.
In a new video interview posted on her website, the pop princess opens up about her 26-date summer venture, which is set to kick off June 16 in Sacramento and make its way across North America, before concluding August 13 in Toronto.
"The Femme Fatale Tour will hopefully just be outrageously spectacular," Spears said when asked about the trek. "I'm just hoping that the choreographers will come up with just the most outrageous things, and I'm really excited."
While it's been just over a month since the release of Femme Fatale, Brit gushed about the outing, saying, "This is one of the most excited I've been about a project in a really long time, so I can't wait."
While a set list has yet to surface, it would make sense that some of Spears' personal favorite Femme Fatale cuts will be performed throughout her concert, which she revealed as "He About to Lose Me," "Criminal" and "Till the World Ends."
Fans caught an early glimpse at the forthcoming tour last week when video footage of the pop star rehearsing the Bloodshy & Avant-produced "How I Roll" surfaced online. Wearing a baby-blue sports bra and sweatpants, a smiling Spears showed off some playful dance moves surrounded by a group of dancers.
Spears' manager, Larry Rudolph, told MTV News back in March that the tour is expected to have a postapocalyptic theme in tune with her latest single, "Till the World Ends." "This is exactly the direction we're moving in," he said. " 'Till the World Ends' keeps becoming a theme for us. ... The way we come up with a concept for a show like this is we sit with Britney, she talks to us about what she's interested in and what excites her."
Have you purchased tickets to Spears' tour yet? Let us know in the comments!
Related Videos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1663210/britney-spears-femme-fatale.jhtml
Britney Spears - 3
- Artist: Britney Spears
- Label: Jive, Jive Label Group
- Director: Diane Martel
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=501686&vid=452061
'American Idol' Finale Reportedly To Feature Lady Gaga, Beyonce Performance
Carrie Underwood, Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez also rumored to be taking the stage.
By Gil Kaufman
Lady Gaga
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
As "American Idol" fans sweat out the final hours before they find out whether Scotty McCreery or Lauren Alaina will be crowned the new people's champ, more details have emerged about who will perform on the season 10 finale on Wednesday night (May 25).
As always, producers have kept a tight lid on what surprises are in store for the two-hour finale — and a spokesperson for "Idol" did not return requests for comment at press time. But according to The Hollywood Reporter, a pair of this year's mentors will be back to celebrate the coronation.
Citing unnamed production sources, the trade magazine reported that in addition to U2's Bono and The Edge performing with castmembers from the troubled Broadway musical "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," Beyoncé and Lady Gaga will take the stage.
The story claimed that both pop divas, who helped mentor this year's finalists, will team up with all-time "Idol" champ Carrie Underwood to perform a group medley with judge Steven Tyler and title contenders McCreery and Alaina. There is also unconfirmed talk that fellow judge Jennifer Lopez will also take the stage for a command performance.
In addition, bearded season 10 growler Casey Abrams will take the stage with "Kung Fu Panda 2" funnyman Jack Black.
Don't miss a special edition of "Idol Party Live" Thursday at noon on MTV.com for analysis, finale red-carpet coverage and the last "Idol in 60 Seconds" of season 10. Get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664524/american-idol-finale-performers-lady-gaga.jhtml
Kate Walsh Chelsea Handler Christina Aguilera Danica Patrick
Britney Spears - Radar
- Artist: Britney Spears
- Label: RCA, Jive, Zomba Label Group
- Director: Dave Meyers
- Album: Circus
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=501686&vid=410008
Usher, Ke$ha And More Help Dance Music Go Pop In 2010
But is it here to stay? Our music-industry experts weigh in.
By Akshay Bhansali
Ke$ha
Photo: Andreas Rentz/ Getty Images
In 2010, pop princesses, R&B icons and chart-dominating newcomers all danced to the same beat. Not only did dance music go pop, but pop music caught the club-music bug.
Between Katy Perry's "Firework," Ke$ha's "We R Who We R," Rihanna's "Only Girl (In the World)," Enrique Iglesias' "I Like It," Usher's "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" and "OMG" and countless other singles, established artists definitely looked to dance beats for surefire hits. And two of this year's biggest success stories in music were Jason Derülo and Taio Cruz; could there be a soul left in this country who hasn't heard "Dynamite" or "In My Head"?
The love went both ways, with dance music's biggest stars finding mainstream success this year. Dance-music maestro deadmau5 took up house-artist duties at this year's VMAs, and Swedish House Mafia and Usher teamed up for a medley of their gems at the American Music Awards.
So how did this happen? We caught up with some music-industry experts to get their takes.
"You definitely saw tempos go up this year," Jon Caramanica of The New York Times told MTV News. "And I think what you had are a lot of producers who are really familiar with nightclub stuff. They are familiar with Europe. Things are happening on a more global scale now."
"I think everything from Europe, and sometimes even Asia, it comes to America, and we just adopt things a little bit slower," said Jared Eng of JustJared.com. "I think it was just a change. People like different types of music at different times. And dance was of this moment."
Noah Callahan of Complex magazine added: "I think 2010 saw the merging of the pop and dance genres. Pop artists realized that there were best practices that could be borrowed from dance music. And, ultimately, [all] pop music that has been made in the past 20 years had ended up being remixed for the club by dance artists. I think they basically just cut out the middleman and went straight there."
Dance music being introduced into the hip-hop and R&B realms was particularly notable this year.
"I think David Guetta kind of at the end of last year and the beginning of this year spearheaded it," said freelance writer Julianne Escobedo Shepherd. "He produced a lot of tracks. I think as trends go, people revile 'unst-unst.' But it's just coming back around. Big-room techno was a way for people to get decadent in a year that no one could get decadent."
"You have someone like will.i.am, who's like, 'Well, I spent all this time in Ibiza, and this is what they are doing,' and he wants to find a way to bring that into his music," Caramanica said of the Black Eyed Peas mastermind. "R&B especially became dance music. And especially with your Jason Derülos, Taio Cruzes. Guys like that would have literally been blocked at the border two years ago. That would not have made it through customs. And now all of a sudden they have #1 songs. I think will.i.am had a lot to do with that last year."
Elliott Wilson of RapRadar.com added: "It's actually even affected hip-hop. I was talking to Q-Tip, and his next record, I feel like that's gonna kind of go in that vein. I know that was also Jay-Z's thought process with Blueprint 3 at first, that he wanted to make a little bit more of a world music [vibe], a little more dancey. I think the kids today want to go to the clubs. They wanna have a good time. They wanna dance. So I think the artists of today are trying to kind of feed that audience."
"I think it's caught on this year because the people who've done it have been successful," offered Clover Hope of Vibe magazine. "Like 'OMG,' with usher, he didn't have success until he made a dance record. He had 'There Goes My Baby' and these really, like, adult-contemporary records that didn't really catch on. And then once you see that everybody is doing it and that people are liking it, they are like, 'OK, let me just try this out.' It's like Auto-Tune. Like, 'Let me see what I sound like on a record by David Guetta.' They end up liking it and doing more of it."
So does the club-music trend have staying power. According to our tastemakers, not so much.
"I do think it's a blip," Caramanica said. "I don't think that's gonna be something that lasts in America. I think this is gonna be a moment we'll all look back on and go, 'Wasn't that weird when Jason Derülo and Taio Cruz had #1 records?"
"At some point, these R&B artists will get kind of sick of it and be like, 'Let me go back to my soul background,' " Hope said. "When you actually have to say something, dance doesn't really lend itself to substance. And I think that R&B artists, they really want to talk about love and in a deep way, and to do that, you need to do, like, a soul or a traditional R&B record. I want to say that it's kind of a fad."
"I think music is very cyclical," Eng offered. "So I think dance music might be here for a little bit, but I'm sure it will phase out at some point."
Wilson called dance music "the sound of today. I think that people want more aggressive, faster beats, and I think that that probably has legs until at least next summer."
What do you think? Is dance music here to stay? Let us know in the comments!
Related Videos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655031/usher-keha-more-help-dance-music-go-pop-2010.jhtml
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Michael Jackson - Gone Too Soon
- Artist: Michael Jackson
- Label: Epic
- Director: Bill Dicicco
- Album: Dangerous
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1102&vid=208381
Beyonc� - Ego (Remix)
- Artist: Beyoncé
- Label: Columbia, Music World Music
- Director: Beyonce, Frank Gatson
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=401347
Katie Price & Leandro Penna's Ocean Club Poolside PDA
Not one to hold back when it comes to PDA, Katie Price was hands on with her new man as they kicked off the weekend with a fun-filled afternoon in Puerto Banus, Spain on Saturday (May 28).
The UK glamour girl showed off her busty figure in a blue bikini as she passionately embraced Leandro Penna while joining a group of friends at the Ocean Club pool area.
The loved-up twosome sipped on drinks before getting wet 'n wild while doing a little chicken fighting and straddling one another on the poolside ledge.
Miss Prince and Mr Penna's Spanish excursion comes as they've been an item for a few months now after having met at Elton John's Oscar viewing party in Los Angeles back in February.
Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/katie-price/katie-price-leandro-pennas-ocean-club-poolside-pda-509756
Britney Spears Brittany Murphy Cameron Diaz Carrie Underwood
Lady Gaga: The After-Show
Now that you've watched her intimate interview on "Lady Gaga: Inside the Outside," react and discuss the show with Lady Starlight, Justin Tranter and other Little Monsters.
Photo: MTV News
Related Artists
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Mariska Hargitay Comments On Chris Meloni's SVU Exit
Making the sudden and surprising announcement that his longtime "Law & Order: SVU" tenure is coming to an end, Christopher Meloni will certainly be missed by his co-star partner Mariska Hargitay.
The Detective Olivia Benson actress spoke about her beloved castmate's departure for the first time, releasing a statement reading: "For the past 12 years Chris Meloni has been my partner and friend, both on screen and off. He inspired me every day with his integrity, his extraordinary talent and his commitment to the truth."
Expressing her sorrow over the news, Miss Hargitay added, "I love him deeply and will miss him terribly ? I'm so excited to see what he'll do next."
The report of Meloni's SVU exit was made earlier in the week - with NBC confirming the news that Detective Stabler will not be back for what would have been his 13th season this fall.
According to insiders, Christopher is leaving the long-running program after his contract negotiations with the network couldn't come to agreeable terms.
Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/law-order-svu/mariska-hargitay-comments-chris-melonis-svu-exit-509747
Ciara Dishes On Her "Obsession" With Nudity
In a recent US Weekly interview, Ciara opened up about her fondness for walking around in the nude. And I can guarantee there's a lot of folks who wouldn't be mad at her for it. Get the deets inside...
While Ciara is known for her sexy legs and killer abs, it seems the "Goodies" singer has just discovered how much she actually likes her own body.
She recently told US Weekly:
"I feel the sexiest when I'm by myself, walking around nude. I have this new obsession with nudity, it's really weird. It may sound weird, but I just really love embracing the body."
The "Gimmie That" singer also dished she works out 5 times a week to stay in shape. And hs esays to ease up on the hard-core dieting:
"I would never advise somebody to be so strict to where you don't enjoy yourself," she says.
Hmmmm.....I wonder does Amar'e Stoudemire get to particpate in these nude displays.
Watch Ciara behind the scenes at her US Weekly shoot here:
Hot.
Photos via Antoine Verglas/UltimateCiara.com
Source: http://theybf.com/2011/05/27/ciara-dishes-on-her-obsession-with-nudity
Scarlett Johansson Shakira The Pussycat Dolls Sandra Bullock
Beyonc� - Sweet Dreams
- Artist: Beyoncé
- Label: Columbia, Music World Music
- Director: Adria Petty
- Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=404504
Friday, May 27, 2011
Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror
- Artist: Michael Jackson
- Label: Epic Records
- Director: n/a
- Album: Moonwalker
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1102&vid=206759
Scarlett Johansson Shakira The Pussycat Dolls Sandra Bullock
Brooklyn Decker: Throw Away the Scale!
She's known for her fabulous form, and now Brooklyn Decker has revealed how she keeps her ever-so-enviable physique perfectly fit.
The 24-year-old blonde bombshell says the key to her killer figure is as easy as saying goodbye the the scale, telling FOX 411, "Throw it out the window. I got rid of mine three years ago, and I haven?t been on one since. When you put on muscle, you gain weight, and it has nothing to do with size.?
The "Sports Illustrated" swimsuit model also revealed that she, too has to hit the gym on top of eating right to keep her bikini-ready body, admitting, ?A lot of girls are like ?I eat a cheeseburger, and I?m a size zero.? Me? No way! I have to workout, and it?s part of my life and I love it. I do yoga, cardio, boxing ? everything. For me, it?s about mixing things up and staying in shape.?
Adding one final piece of advice for getting that sizzling summer body, Decker told, "The most important thing is to have a suit that covers enough and supports your boobies! At the beach, you don?t want to be vulgar, you want to feel radiant.?
Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/brooklyn-decker/brooklyn-decker-throw-away-scale-509630
Watch Kristen Wigg & John Hamm Have Sex In These NSFW "Bridesmaids" Outtakes
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Bishop Eddie Long Reaches Settlement With His Accusers
Bishop Eddie Long has reached a settlement with the four plantiffs who accused him of using his influence to coerce them into sexual situations. Deets inside.....
Though he had previously told his congregation, "This thing I'm gonna fight," Bishp Eddie Long has decided to settle with the four male plantiffs who accused him of using his influence to coerce them into sexual acts.
This brings a close to a case that had many twists and turns since it was launched in September 2010. So what did Bishop Eddie Long, who's been accused of being homophobic, settle on? We will likely never know....at least officially. Clearly a gag order is in place and the only persons speaking so far are lawyers for Bishop Long and the plantiffs. And even they (the lawyers) aren't saying much.
B.J. Bernstein, who represented the four men who sued Bishop Long, said neither she nor the plaintiffs, Maurice Robinson, Jamal Parris, Anthony Flagg and Spencer LeGrande, would be available for an interview "on this matter, now or in the future. "
And all Barbara Marschalk, who represented New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and LongFellows Youth Academy, would say was "...the lawsuits will be dismissed, with prejudice, by close of business tomorrow."
Major side eye.....I wonder how this will impact New Birth and will the bishop receive a hero's welcome at church on Sunday?
Source: http://theybf.com/2011/05/26/bishop-eddie-long-reaches-settlement-with-his-accusers
'Kung Fu Panda 2' Stars Call Voice Acting 'Cushiest Job In The World'
'It's cushier because you can do it naked,' Seth Rogen tells MTV News at film's Hollywood premiere.
By Kara Warner
Angelina Jolie
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD — From the outside looking in, voice acting seems just a bit more lax than regular acting. MTV News headed to Hollywood on Sunday for the "Kung Fu Panda 2" premiere to find out what the cast thought of the gig.
"It's the cushiest job in the world," Angelina Jolie, who voices Tigress in the film, told us. "You can bring your kids, you can go in your pajamas, [director] Jennifer [Yuh]'s really good about whatever you want to order for lunch, so you end up ordering pizza with your kids, snacking — it's great."
Jolie admitted that it's not all fun and games and pizza, though.
"What's challenging is that you're not with the other actors, and you have to come back sometime to respond to each other," she said. "You don't know exactly what they're doing with your voice, but when it's a great team like this, you can relax."
Naturally, Seth Rogen and Danny McBride, who play Mantis and Wolf Boss, respectively, took the G-rated subject to a more R-rated place.
"It's cushier because you can do it naked," Rogen said. "And that doesn't come across on voice."
"You always want to do roles naked," McBride pointed out.
"I always do. ... I finally found a way to do it," Rogen admitted. "And I also sit in a big bowl of custard when I do it."
"Oh, that's great," McBride added.
"Yeah. Naked in custard," Rogen continued. "I can finally do all the stuff I like doing at home, at work."
Lucy Liu brought us back to logical territory, echoing Jolie's comments that the challenges in voice acting are doing the recording sessions solo.
"What's difficult is that you don't actually get to see your other fellow actors until you get on the red carpet in Los Angeles. That's always fun, but sometimes you would love the energy of someone else reading with you," she said. "Sometimes you don't really know what's going on because they've made massive changes behind the scenes, and suddenly you're reading something, and then you watch it and you're like, 'Oh my gosh, that's what it was about.' "
"It's the same as any acting thing, really," Jack Black assured us. "You're just trying to imagine fairy-tale scenarios and make them as real as possible."
Black also revealed that, much like his regular acting gigs, he doesn't hold anything back even though he's just working with a microphone.
"I definitely let it rip. But when I go blooper reel, I go pretty blue," he said. "I don't think it's anything that's going to be used on the DVD outtakes."
Veteran actor Dustin Hoffman, who voices Shifu in the film, said that he found the recording booth to be pretty intimidating.
"I would rather do regular acting. I'd rather do interviews — and that's not high on my [list], they're difficult — than going in a room by yourself with a microphone," he said. "You feel like a first-year acting student."
Check out everything we've got on "Kung Fu Panda 2."
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/1664442/kung-fu-panda-2-seth-rogen-angelina-jolie.jhtml
Justin Bieber, Chris Brown 'Next 2 You' Video Will Be 'Big,' Director Says
Colin Tilley also talks about shooting 'Look at Me Now' from F.A.M.E.
By Jocelyn Vena, with additional reporting by Vanessa WhiteWolf
Justin Bieber and Chris Brown (file)
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
On Tuesday, fans immediately became excited by the news that Justin Bieber and Chris Brown have plans to shoot a video for Brown's F.A.M.E. track "Next 2 You." Luckily, that same day, MTV News had the pleasure of speaking with the video's director, Colin Tilley, who shared a bit about the clip.
"Tomorrow, I'm shooting New Boyz and Chris Brown ... then Justin Bieber and Chris Brown, together," he teased. "I can't tell you anything about that yet, but it's going to happen. It's gonna be big. It's gonna be big. I can't say anything else."
Tilley had more to say about working with Brown on his eye-popping video for "Look at Me Now." "I remember when we first got the song and Chris sent it to us: It was the first time I had heard the song, and it was so crazy to me," Tilley recalled. "Before we do every video, I always talk to Chris to kind of feel where he's going with the song and just where his motivation was with the song, and he actually sent me this one YouTube link ... It was this little '80s clip of these hip-hop dancers dancing.
"I would play it to the actual song, and at one point of the song, there were all these dancers dancing on these street elements like benches and tables and stuff like that," he continued. "From there, it just started to evolve from street elements and this whole underground vibe to just getting crazier and crazier. I wanted to make sure it was really exciting."
Visually, the video never stops, thanks to a saturated color palette, cameos from Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes (who are featured on the track), funky clothes and funkier dancing.
"Chris is just always down to make something different, so that was really it ... the mask came about from Diplo and the cage, and it all started to evolve to this awesome video," Tilley added.
Share your predictions about the "Next 2 You" video in the comments below!
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1663666/justin-bieber-chris-brown-next-2-you-video.jhtml
Beyonce's 'Till The End Of Time' Hits The Internet
Song is rumored to be next single off the pop singer's new album, 4.
By James Dinh
Beyonce
Photo: Getty
Days after the premiere of the postapocalyptic dance clip for "Run the World (Girls)," Beyoncé fans are now being treated to the recently leaked tune "Till the End of Time." Rumored to be the next single off Beyoncé's new album, 4, which hits stores on June 28, the uptempo track has the pop powerhouse professing her everlasting love.
"Till the End of Time" begins with spitfire drums as Bey's muffled lyric line loops over and over again until a dramatic explosion. "Come take my hand/ I won't let you go/ I'll be your friend/ I will love you so deeply/ I will be the one to kiss you at night/ I will love you till the end of time," she sings atop an airy buildup.
Mrs. Carter continues her appeal, convincing her lover that she is the one who'll be there at the end of every night and, as the song goes, "till the end of time." The song, reminiscent of an older Destiny's Child cut, has Beyoncé keeping the energy level high with marching band-esque drums. Bey also belts over the bridge's horn sequence.
No confirmation yet from Beyoncé's camp as to whether the track will appear on the singer's new LP. The recipient of Billboard's Millennium Award recently revealed that she recorded "more than 60 songs" for the new project, which includes the LP's lead single, "Run the World (Girls)."
MTV News caught up with Bey's longtime choreographer, Frank Gatson Jr., who gave us the scoop on her team's inspiration for the Francis Lawrence-directed video for "Run the World."
"We prepared a lot for it. We had seen something on YouTube; we had seen these three guys from Africa, this Mozambique African dance troupe. ... We were like, 'Wow, this is an amazing movement,' " he said. "And that movement has always been in the back of our heads for the last year. From there, we talked about a lot of concepts."
What do you think of "Till the End of Time"? Share your reviews below!
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664399/beyonce-till-the-end-of-time.jhtml
Chelsea Handler Christina Aguilera Danica Patrick Katie Holmes
Ke$ha, Adam Lambert, Ne-Yo Have A Few Royal Wedding Gift Ideas
From 'guyliner' to American delicacies like Uncrustables, Kathy Griffin, Mike Posner and more tell us what they'd get Will and Kate.
By Terri Schwartz
Kate Middleton and Prince William
Photo: Ben Stansall/ Getty Images
What kind of wedding gift do you give the royal couple who has everything?
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is on Friday (April 29), so MTV News reached out to some of our favorite Hollywood celebrities — from Ke$ha to Adam Lambert. Fortunately, they had some solid ideas!
"I haven't met them, so it would be kind of awkward," the "Tik Tok" singer admitted to MTV News. "I might paint them something. Maybe I'll paint them a guitar."
Like Ke$ha, other celebs had suggestions that were from the heart, even if they weren't the most practical.
"I will go out on a limb and say these two individuals maybe haven't had Uncrustables before in their life. I would get them a strawberry Uncrustable," Mike Posner said about the pastry.
David Cook followed up on the all-American food idea. "I feel like they have everything except maybe they probably don't have an Applebee's gift card. I'll go [with an] Applebee's gift card," the "American Idol" alum said.
Other stars said they'd gift the British prince and soon-to-be-princess with an item they were personally best known for.
"I'd probably buy William some eyeliner," Lambert said. "He could do that, he could rock that look. I think."
Ne-Yo was more empathetic, saying he would give gifts that could help shield them from photographers and blend in with everyday people. "Three years' supply of sunglasses. Yeah, put them on. A bunch of baseball caps, throw those on, and try to move around like regular people," the singer said. "I can't imagine what it would be like having to live under that big of a magnifying glass your whole life ... and fake mustaches, that's what I'd give them."
Brooke Burke went the more traditional route, saying she would get Will and Kate a journal to record the big event. "I would ask them to really take the time to write down thoughts and phrases and wishes," Burke said. "And not really to lose sight of how they feel about each other now and to really hold on to that feeling."
Kathy Griffin had good intentions but the comedian couldn't resist a puke joke.
"If I had to get the royal couple a gift, I would get them the Royal Couple Vomit Bag, which someone sent me a photo of," Griffin told us. "So you can actually buy vomit bags with their image on it, and I think that that is an honor and I hope that they see it as such."
What would you give to William and Kate? Share your ideas in the comments section!
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1662928/royal-wedding-gift-ideas.jhtml
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Michael Jackson - Heal the World
- Artist: Michael Jackson
- Label: Epic
- Album: Dangerous
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1102&vid=208386
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