Friday, December 31, 2010

Usher - OMG

OMG



Artist: Usher

Label: LaFace Records, JLG
Director: Anthony Mandler
Album: Raymond V. Raymond

January Jones Jennie Finch Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Gareis Jennifer Garner Jennifer Gimenez

Lady Gaga To Make Born This Way Announcement New Year's Eve

'My gift to you is a BORN THIS WAY announcement Midnight on NEW YEARS EVE,' she writes in a Christmas tweet.By Jocelyn Vena





Lady Gaga

Photo: Michael Caulfield/ Getty Images




Lady Gaga is kicking 2011 off with a bang. The singer shared with her little monsters that, come New Year's Eve, she will have a special announcement for her loyal fans about her upcoming album, Born This Way.
She tweeted over the weekend: "Merry Christmas little monsters! I love you with all my heart. My gift to you is a BORN THIS WAY announcement Midnight on NEW YEARS EVE. -MM."
The Mother Monster didn't reveal anything else about the announcement but did react to a fan-made video sending Christmas love to the superstar. "This is so darling!" she wrote. "You make me so happy, Im sending you monster kisses!"
Gaga had always planned to end 2010 on a high note. She shared with Rolling Stone back in June that she had every intention of making an announcement on New Year's Eve, even if what she had planned to announce was pre-empted. "I think I'm gonna get the album title tattooed on me and put out the photo," she said of her plans six months ago. "I've been working on it for months now, and I feel very strongly that it's finished right now. It came so quickly. Some artists take years; I don't. I write music every day."
Since she already revealed her album title at the VMAs, what she plans to announce on New Year's Eve is a mystery, but we're sure her fans are counting down the moments.
Gaga recently shared that the album will be her "most innovative." A single is expected in February, and the album will follow shortly thereafter.
"[The album is] a marriage of electronic music with major, epic, dare I even say, metal or rock and roll, pop, anthemic style melodies with really sledge-hammering dance beats," Gaga said. "I think that lyrically this album is more poetic ... It's really written by the fans, they really wrote it for me because every night they're funneling so much into me. So I wrote it for them. Born This Way is all about my little monsters and me, mother monster."
What do you think Gaga will unveil on New Year's Eve? Share your guesses in the comments!



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Michael Jackson - Liberian Girl

Liberian Girl



Artist: Michael Jackson

Album: Bad

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Photos | Diddy-Dirty Money Premiere 'Last Train To Paris' In New York

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Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin Circling 'Rock of Ages'

Borys Kit Adam Shankman's film adaptation of the hit musical has captured the attention of Gwyneth Paltrow as well.read more



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Photos | 2010 American Music Awards Presenter, Nominee And Performer Highlights

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Jared Leto Braves The Cold In SoCal

When last we saw 30 Seconds to Mars frontman (and sometimes actor) Jared Leto he was out and about on the streets of London, England rockin’ some pretty seriously blue hair. Today we get to see Jared back home here in SoCal braving the chilly LA weather so that he can do some shopping for [...]

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Lindsay Lohan Admits To Failing Drug Test

And THIS is why early discharges from rehab are generally a bad idea {sigh}. Lindsay Lohan confessed on twitter that she had, indeed, failed a drug test.
Regrettably, I did in fact fail my most recent drug test and if I am asked, I am prepared to appear before judge Fox next week as a result.
TMZ is now reporting that Lindsay actually failed two drug tests. In addition to landing her in jail, this setback could also further derail Lindsay's career, according to TMZ.
Lindsay is now relying on Judge Elden Fox to allow her to leave California to shoot "Inferno" in Louisiana and possibly fly to New York City for "Saturday Night Live."
Here's the problem. Sources connected with the case have been telling TMZ ... if Lindsay were to fail a drug test the judge would probably pull the plug on out-of-state-travel -- a privilege for Lindsay, not a right.
...But all bets are off now that Lindsay has flunked two tests.
And sources close to Lindsay somehow already know the big wigs on "Inferno" are pissed that she may have screwed up again, so flying to Louisiana may be a moot question.
You can't really blame the 'Inferno' producers for being upset. It looks like the best thing for Lindsay at this point is a long-term stay in an inpatient facility that focuses solely on drug abuse (not drug problems and psychiatric problems, which is what the UCLA program did).
This is really just TOO sad.
Photos by FAME


























Whitney Port Willa Ford Xenia Seeberg Yamila Diaz Yvonne Strzechowski Zhang Ziyi

Teena Marie Autopsy Fails To Pinpoint Cause Of Death

No signs of trauma were discovered on late singer's body, Los Angeles County assistant chief coroner tells The Associated Press.By Mawuse Ziegbe





Teena Marie

Photo: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/ Getty Images




Days after soul singer Teena Marie suddenly died, answers about her death remain in short supply.
According to The Associated Press, investigators said an autopsy turned up no signs of trauma or a discernible cause of death. Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said Marie's cause of death may be determined by toxicology tests, the results of which would be available in around six weeks. No illegal drugs were found in a search of the singer's Pasadena home earlier this week, and the AP reports that police said Marie appeared to have died from natural causes.
Marie was found unresponsive in her home Sunday after she settled in for an afternoon nap. TMZ reported that Marie might have suffered a grand mal seizure while she slept, which may have contributed to her death. The songstress' publicist has also said Marie experienced a grand mal seizure a month ago, from which she was still recovering, and had since reportedly insisted on having someone nearby when she was sleeping.
According to Essence, Marie had suffered an additional seizure en route to the hospital after she sustained an attack last month. She was unable to secure an appointment with a neurologist for another three weeks and was prescribed medication in the interim. However, her publicist, Lynn Jeter, said the medication "made her suicidal," so Marie reduced the dosage.
Marie also opened up to Essence last year about her struggle with an addiction to prescription medication after the sudden 2004 death of her onetime musical mentor and paramour Rick James.
"After his death I became addicted to Vicodin, which I had been taking for my physical pain because I'd had a lot of accidents. Once I realized that those pills not only took away my physical agony by masking my emotional pain, I really became addicted. When I was on the medication I never cried about him, but then I went cold turkey and I cried so much and have been for the last three years," she said. "He was my musical soul mate. We were like an extension of each other. I miss all our talks. We were like family; only family can talk about family, not anyone else."
Share your memories of Teena Marie in the comments.



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Jeff Bridges Relayed 'Lebowski' Theories To Coen Brothers On 'True Grit' Set

Oscar-winning actor says he'd love to team up with directing duo again.By Terri Schwartz





Jeff Bridges

Photo: MTV News




Fans might find Jeff Bridges' most-memorable performance to be as The Dude in the Coen brothers' 1998 comedy "The Big Lebowski," and Bridges is looking to impress audiences yet again as Rooster Cogburn in his second Coen brothers flick, "True Grit." Unsurprisingly, Bridges is a fan of Joel and Ethan Coen's directing style, which is what had him returning for more.

When MTV News asked what his favorite Coen films are, Bridges responded with a laugh, "['True Grit'] is the freshest in my mind. Number two would be 'Lebowski.' I'm partial, but two great movies!"
For Bridges, returning to the set of a Coen brothers film was like returning to an old group of friends. On each of their films, the Coens surround themselves with many of the same crewmembers, including cinematographer Roger Deakins and composer Carter Burwell, and Bridges said the sense of community on-set makes the environment "very easy-going."
Bridges and the Coens only made plans for the Oscar-winning actor to star in "Lebowski" and "True Grit," but Bridges said he'd love to team up with the directing duo again.
"I'd like to do whatever. They're a joy to work with, and they really know how to do it," he said.
That comment might have fans crossing their fingers for a "Big Lebowski 2," and Bridges said The Dude still has a special place in both his and the Coens' hearts. With fans still approaching him to talk about "Lebowski," Bridges said he and the Coens talked about the cult classic on the set of "True Grit."
"Everybody's got different things to say about 'The Big Lebowski,' " Bridges explained. "One guy came up to me with a theory. He said I've got to check this out with the brothers. It was very earnest and desperate. He said, 'Donny [Steve Buscemi] is a figment of Walter's [John Goodman] imagination. He doesn't really exist.' It gets you thinking a little bit, doesn't it? So I ran that by the brothers, and they chortled, and that was about it."
Which is your favorite Coen brothers film? Tell us your pick in the comments below!
Check out everything we've got on "True Grit."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.



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Beyonce Can't Pick Her Favorite Jay-Z Song

'I can't tell you which one is my favorite. It's just too many,' singer tells MTV News.By Jocelyn Vena





Beyoncé arrives at her "I Am ... World Tour" DVD screening on Sunday

Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images




Jay-Z is letting fans into his world with two major releases this month. He just published his book, "Decoded," in which he takes a closer look at his career, and on Monday (November 22), Hova is releasing a greatest-hits album, The Hits Collection, Volume 1.

The album features Jay's most memorable tunes, including "Big Pimpin'," "Hard Knock Life," "99 Problems" and his collabo with his superstar wife, Beyoncé, "03' Bonnie & Clyde."
But when MTV News caught up with Bey Sunday at a New York screening for her DVD concert special, "I Am ... World Tour," she admitted that "Bonnie & Clyde" isn't her favorite Jay-Z track.
"God, that's not my favorite, even though I like it," she laughed. "I can't tell you which one is my favorite. It's just too many. You're putting me on the spot!"
While the pair may be releasing fresh products at the same time, the singer insists there is no competition in the Carter-Knowles household.
"No absolutely not, [there is no competition]," she told reporters at the DVD event, going on to praise "Decoded." "That book is unbelievable, and I think we're all really proud of it. And this DVD [out this] Thanksgiving — it's the holiday season of everyone's [material] coming out."
The DVD shows a new, more intimate side of the usually private Beyoncé, and Jay-Z admits that his book also sheds new light on his persona and career. "A lot of people listen to music, but they don't really listen to it," he explained. "You may know the words and you may bop your head to it, but you don't really understand what you're singing."
Open the floodgates! It's Mega-Release Week, with Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Ke$ha, My Chemical Romance and Lloyd Banks all dropping new albums. Stick with MTV News for everything you need to know about the brand-new music.



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Is East Coast Blizzard To Blame For Scrooge-Like Christmas Box Office?

Snow isn't the only thing that kept 'Little Fockers' and other films from raking in the bucks.By Tom DiChiara





Ben Stiller in "Little Fockers"

Photo: Universal Studios/DW Studios




Holiday weekends often equate to big bucks at the box office. And while Christmas weekend doesn't always pack the punch of a Labor Day, Memorial Day or Fourth of July, it has been known to generate its fair share of cash. There are an abundance of revenue-friendly family flicks, Christmas Day movie marathons have become a popular tradition and mall-goers often take a break from hitting up post-holiday sales to catch a film.
But what happens to those Christmas-weekend box-office numbers when almost the entire East Coast, from North Carolina through Maine, is pummeled by a blizzard on December 26? Safe money would bet that B.O. revenues drop as precipitously as 2 feet of snow. And though those numbers probably chilled Hollywood execs to the bone, they weren't just due to the blizzard.
The lackluster $30.8 million take of "Little Fockers" topped the charts for a weekend that was down a whopping 48 percent from last year's Christmas-weekend receipts of $270 million (an all-time record for any weekend, by the way). But a quick look at the numbers suggests that while snowy weather certainly didn't help matters, it was not to blame for the Scrooge-like turnout at the box office.
For starters, Christmas Eve, a notoriously slow movie-going day, fell on a Friday this year, eating into a big slice of the weekend box office. "Fockers" was the day's top-grossing flick with a paltry $4.95 million. By comparison, the movie earned about $7.2 million on both Wednesday (when it opened) and Thursday, and took in $14.6 million and $11.3 million on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. More to the point, "Fockers" saw its box-office haul drop just 23 percent from Christmas Day (Saturday) to Sunday, when the snow hit. That number is in line with normal Saturday to Sunday decreases. Meanwhile, "True Grit" saw its earnings fall a mere 6.5 percent from Saturday to Sunday, while "Tron Legacy" and "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" dropped only around 1 percent, and "Yogi Bear" and "Tangled" saw their revenues increase over the same two-day period.
Numbers aside, one can't ignore the possibility that the movies in theaters this Christmas simply weren't as appealing to moviegoers as those in previous years. Last year's record-setting weekend was spearheaded by the one-two-three punch of "Avatar," which raked in $75.6 million in its second week of release, "Sherlock Holmes" ($62.4 million) and "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" ($48.9 mil).
Though "Little Fockers" had a built-in audience, its 2004 predecessor "Meet the Fockers," which led the B.O. the last time Christmas fell on a Friday, wasn't as well-received as the franchise's first entry, 2000's "Meet the Parents." Combine that with the fact that "Little Fockers" didn't exactly wow critics (it scored only an 11 percent rating on review aggregator RottenTomatoes.com), and it's not hard to see why the threequel failed to snag blockbuster numbers. And, while the Coen brothers' Western "True Grit" rode a wave of critical praise to a second-place finish and an impressive $24.9 million gross (the biggest opening for a Western ever), that wasn't enough to make up for a shallow field of holiday-weekend contenders.
In other words, Mother Nature is off the hook for this one.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.



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Shopping, beaching and exploring Malaysia's Langkawi islands

White sand beaches and pristine calm seas is what Langkawi is made of. Warm and inviting throughout the year, this place offers all kinds of marine adventures.
Langkawi is a cluster of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland of north-western Malaysia. The islands are a part of the state of Kedah in Malaysia. Langkawi is also an administrative district with the town of Kuah as it?s capital and largest town.

Beaches Beaches are the main attraction here ? and they come in all forms ? white, black, pebble.read more

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MTV News' Top 25 Stories Of 2010

Of course Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber made the list, but some of the other high scorers might surprise you.By Kara Warner





Lady Gaga at the 2010 VMAs

Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images




The ebbs and flows of the news cycle are as inconsistent and difficult to predict as Lady Gaga's next outfit or Kanye West's next tweet. This year in particular has been a wild ride, complete with meat clothing, new music superstars and the spread of Bieber fever. As the year comes to a close, here at MTV News, we've been taking a look back at all the news that was fit to print in 2010 and, more specifically, which people, places and events you, our most valued readers, found most interesting.
We enlisted the biggest brains in our offices to come up with some magical mathematics (i.e., Internet traffic numbers) in order to determine the top 25 people, events, TV shows, movies and other news that received the most MTV love from our readers. For our most loyal fans, and those in tune with pop culture, it's likely not too difficult to imagine which people and events made the list, but there were a few surprises here and there. So without further ado, here's a breakdown of the 25 most clicked-on stories of the year, followed by the full list.
» Four of the top five stories were about people: Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Eminem and Kanye West.
» Five TV shows made the cut: "American Idol," "Dancing With the Stars," "Jersey Shore," "Glee" and MTV's bittersweet farewell to "The Hills"
» Five stories involved some form of drama: Lil Wayne's legal drama, T.I.'s legal woes, Bret Michaels' brain hemorrhage, Lindsay Lohan's addiction and court dramas, and John Mayer's Playboy interview.
» Two movie franchises had — and continue to have — their audiences and fans captivated: "The Twilight Saga," and "Harry Potter."
Check out the lineup below. Which one was your favorite?
1. Lady Gaga
2. "American Idol"
3. Justin Bieber
4. Eminem
5. Kanye West
6. Drake
7. VMAs
8. "Twilight"/"Eclipse"/"Breaking Dawn"
9. Haiti/ "We Are the World"
10. Nicki Minaj
11. Taylor Swift
12. Lil Wayne's legal drama
13. Katy Perry
14. "Dancing With the Stars"
15. "Jersey Shore" becomes a pop culture phenomenon
16. T.I. legal dramas/album
17. "Harry Potter"
18. Bret Michaels' brain hemorrhage
19. Lindsay Lohan's many dramas
20. Lady Gaga's "Telephone"
21. "Glee"
22. Britney Spears
23. "The Hills"
24. John Mayer's Playboy interview
25. Conan/Leno late-night drama



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Andrew Garfield Says Tobey Maguire Gave His 'Spider-Man' Blessing

'It was generous of him to reach out and say something, so I'm thankful,' new Spidey tells BBC News.By Terri Schwartz





Andrew Garfield

Photo: Jon Furniss/ Getty Images




One would expect that there were some hard feelings after Sony dropped their planned "Spider-Man 4" movie early this year and chose instead to pursue a reboot of the franchise focusing on a teenage Peter Parker. But the star of the upcoming "Spider-Man" film, Andrew Garfield, said that isn't the case.
In fact, during an interview with BBC News, Garfield said that, though he still hasn't met Tobey Maguire, the previous star of the "Spider-Man" franchise has willingly passed the torch to the young British actor.
"[Maguire] sent me a lovely message through a mutual friend," Garfield revealed. "He gave me his support, and it meant a great deal, of course, because part of the reason I love and have continued to love this character was because of his portrayal. To step into those shoes is no mean feat. It was generous of him to reach out and say something, so I'm thankful."
News that Garfield had been chosen to play Spidey was announced on July 1 after a series of casting rumors. This has been a big year for Garfield, as he earned his first Golden Globe nomination for his role in "The Social Network" and is likely to earn an Oscar nod as well. Maguire has been doing pretty well for himself since the news, too.
As a huge fan of Spider-Man since he was 4 years old, Garfield was thrilled to be cast as his comic book hero. This franchise is a big step away from his previous dramatic roles, but Garfield compared Stan Lee's comic books to a "modern kind of Greek mythology" in terms of their themes.
Filming began on the movie two weeks before Christmas, and the star confirmed that the footage is being shot in 3-D for its planned 2012 release. Garfield said footage was shown on the camera monitors in 3-D as well, so director Marc Webb and the rest of the production staff would sit behind the camera wearing their "silly glasses" while he and co-star Emma Stone performed.
As for his casting, Garfield told BBC News, "It's wonderful in theory, isn't it? You kind of go, 'Well, this is going to be great.' But then, of course, in practice, it's obviously a great deal of hard work and a great deal of pressure, but wonderful. It's incredible."
Check out everything we've got on "Spider-Man."
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies -- updated around the clock -- visit SplashPage.MTV.com.



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Thursday, December 30, 2010

'Cast in Metal: Airbourne Frontman Joel O'Keefe

If AC/DC aren't cranking out albums fast enough for you and Rhino Bucket don't get your engine revin,' then check out the new Airbourne album 'No Guts, No Glory.' The second disc by these Aussie/DC obsessives is a feast of sleazy, slammin' rhythms, jagged flesh-cleaving guitars and howled melodic vocals that sound like Angus-and-company on [...]Zoe Saldana Zooey Deschanel
Aaliyah
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Michael Jackson - Beat It

Beat It



Artist: Michael Jackson

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Cher & Kathy Griffin Are Beach BFFs

Iconic Diva Cher and self-proclaimed D-Lister Kathy Griffin spent part of their weekend in Hawaii hanging out together on the beach. The BFFs who spend the Xmas weekend holidaying in Hawaii met up for a paddleboarding trip together on Xmas Eve. I don’t know how you spent your Xmas Eve, but paddleboarding in paradise sure [...]

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AMA 2010 Performance Highlights

Taylor Swift performs at the 2010 American Music Awards

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ Film Magic








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Is East Coast Blizzard To Blame For Scrooge-Like Christmas Box Office?

Snow isn't the only thing that kept 'Little Fockers' and other films from raking in the bucks.By Tom DiChiara





Ben Stiller in "Little Fockers"

Photo: Universal Studios/DW Studios




Holiday weekends often equate to big bucks at the box office. And while Christmas weekend doesn't always pack the punch of a Labor Day, Memorial Day or Fourth of July, it has been known to generate its fair share of cash. There are an abundance of revenue-friendly family flicks, Christmas Day movie marathons have become a popular tradition and mall-goers often take a break from hitting up post-holiday sales to catch a film.
But what happens to those Christmas-weekend box-office numbers when almost the entire East Coast, from North Carolina through Maine, is pummeled by a blizzard on December 26? Safe money would bet that B.O. revenues drop as precipitously as 2 feet of snow. And though those numbers probably chilled Hollywood execs to the bone, they weren't just due to the blizzard.
The lackluster $30.8 million take of "Little Fockers" topped the charts for a weekend that was down a whopping 48 percent from last year's Christmas-weekend receipts of $270 million (an all-time record for any weekend, by the way). But a quick look at the numbers suggests that while snowy weather certainly didn't help matters, it was not to blame for the Scrooge-like turnout at the box office.
For starters, Christmas Eve, a notoriously slow movie-going day, fell on a Friday this year, eating into a big slice of the weekend box office. "Fockers" was the day's top-grossing flick with a paltry $4.95 million. By comparison, the movie earned about $7.2 million on both Wednesday (when it opened) and Thursday, and took in $14.6 million and $11.3 million on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. More to the point, "Fockers" saw its box-office haul drop just 23 percent from Christmas Day (Saturday) to Sunday, when the snow hit. That number is in line with normal Saturday to Sunday decreases. Meanwhile, "True Grit" saw its earnings fall a mere 6.5 percent from Saturday to Sunday, while "Tron Legacy" and "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" dropped only around 1 percent, and "Yogi Bear" and "Tangled" saw their revenues increase over the same two-day period.
Numbers aside, one can't ignore the possibility that the movies in theaters this Christmas simply weren't as appealing to moviegoers as those in previous years. Last year's record-setting weekend was spearheaded by the one-two-three punch of "Avatar," which raked in $75.6 million in its second week of release, "Sherlock Holmes" ($62.4 million) and "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" ($48.9 mil).
Though "Little Fockers" had a built-in audience, its 2004 predecessor "Meet the Fockers," which led the B.O. the last time Christmas fell on a Friday, wasn't as well-received as the franchise's first entry, 2000's "Meet the Parents." Combine that with the fact that "Little Fockers" didn't exactly wow critics (it scored only an 11 percent rating on review aggregator RottenTomatoes.com), and it's not hard to see why the threequel failed to snag blockbuster numbers. And, while the Coen brothers' Western "True Grit" rode a wave of critical praise to a second-place finish and an impressive $24.9 million gross (the biggest opening for a Western ever), that wasn't enough to make up for a shallow field of holiday-weekend contenders.
In other words, Mother Nature is off the hook for this one.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.



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Thursday, December 23, 2010

'Tron Legacy' Director Contemplates Sequel 'Possibilities'

'I would definitely consider going back,' Joseph Kosinski says of possible third film.By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz





Lightcycles in "Tron Legacy"

Photo: Disney




After "Tron Legacy" was crowned box-office king with a $43.6 million haul on its opening weekend, naturally the "Tron" talk shifts toward the sequel question. There's already a script in the works, so when MTV News had the chance to chat with one of the power players in the discussion — director Joseph Kosinski — we asked if he's thought about a sequel.

"Yeah, and I think we've created a world that has a lot of possibilities in it," he said. "It was important to me that we created those connections back to the original film. If audiences are interested in this movie and decide they want to go back, and we can find the right story and a way to push the envelope again, I would definitely consider going back."
In addition to bringing back stars Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde, one character that seemed as though he could have a part in the continuation of the story is the briefly appearing Edward Dillinger (played by Cillian Murphy), a rising star at ENCOM, the ominous tech company at the center of "Tron" mythos.
"I'm a big fan of his," Kosinski said when asked how Murphy joined the project. "I'd been talking to him about a way to get involved in the movie from the beginning, and this opportunity came up, so I asked him to be a part of it, and he was excited to do it," Kosinski explained. "So I'm thrilled to have him in there."
Wilde echoed Kosinski's sentiments regarding Murphy's brief performance.
"Cillian Murphy — we were so lucky to have in this film," Wilde said. "His part in 'Tron Legacy' is so mysterious and cool. His role really fits into the mythology of 'Tron,' the corrupt environment of ENCOM. It just shows you that this fight is far from over."
Wilde has also said that she'd be game for another "Tron" movie, particularly exploring how her character, Quorra, would adapt to the human world.
"I'm so thrilled to play with Quorra in the human world. It would be sort of like 'Splash,' " she said, referring to the '80s comedy starring Daryl Hannah as a mermaid unleashed in Manhattan. "I want to see her whispering to laptops and hugging toasters. ... There's a whole other chapter ahead."
Do you want to see a sequel to "Tron Legacy"? Do you want to see more of Cillian Murphy's character? Tell us in the comments!
Check out everything we've got on "Tron Legacy."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.



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'Tron Legacy' Owns Weekend Box Office With $43.6 Million

Sci-fi sequel lands in theaters with hefty debut.By Mawuse Ziegbe





A scene from "Tron Legacy"

Photo: Disney




In a box office heavy with fresh takes on time-tested material, "Tron Legacy" led the pack when it came to filling theaters over the weekend.
The 21st century revisit of the 1982 sci-fi flick "Tron" owned the box office during its debut. The high-tech adventure, which stars Jeff Bridges and Garrett Hedlund, rang up $43.6 million in ticket sales.
The CGI-assisted, live-action romp "Yogi Bear" debuted in second place, although it lagged far behind "Tron." The contemporary take on the beloved kids cartoon, which features voice-over performances from Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake as the mischievous partners in picnic-basket-snatching Yogi and Boo Boo, nabbed $16.7 million.
"Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" spent its second week in theaters in third place. Audiences shelled out $12.4 million to catch the latest installment in Hollywood's adaptation of the classic C.S. Lewis book series. The film's total estimated tally now stands at $42.7 million.
In fourth place is the "The Fighter," a Mark Wahlberg vehicle inspired by the true-life story of a Massachussetts-bred boxer.
The flick, which also features performances from Christian Bale and Amy Adams, snagged $12.2 million over the weekend.
Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp's glossy thriller "The Tourist" landed in fifth place. The country-hopping caper, which was filmed in France and Italy and also features Paul Bettany, scored $8.7 million during its second weekend on screens. The weekend number kicks the film's total estimated haul to about $30.8 million dollars.
Check out everything we've got on "Tron Legacy," "Yogi Bear" and "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.



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Beyonce Can't Pick Her Favorite Jay-Z Song

'I can't tell you which one is my favorite. It's just too many,' singer tells MTV News.By Jocelyn Vena





Beyoncé arrives at her "I Am ... World Tour" DVD screening on Sunday

Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images




Jay-Z is letting fans into his world with two major releases this month. He just published his book, "Decoded," in which he takes a closer look at his career, and on Monday (November 22), Hova is releasing a greatest-hits album, The Hits Collection, Volume 1.

The album features Jay's most memorable tunes, including "Big Pimpin'," "Hard Knock Life," "99 Problems" and his collabo with his superstar wife, Beyoncé, "03' Bonnie & Clyde."
But when MTV News caught up with Bey Sunday at a New York screening for her DVD concert special, "I Am ... World Tour," she admitted that "Bonnie & Clyde" isn't her favorite Jay-Z track.
"God, that's not my favorite, even though I like it," she laughed. "I can't tell you which one is my favorite. It's just too many. You're putting me on the spot!"
While the pair may be releasing fresh products at the same time, the singer insists there is no competition in the Carter-Knowles household.
"No absolutely not, [there is no competition]," she told reporters at the DVD event, going on to praise "Decoded." "That book is unbelievable, and I think we're all really proud of it. And this DVD [out this] Thanksgiving — it's the holiday season of everyone's [material] coming out."
The DVD shows a new, more intimate side of the usually private Beyoncé, and Jay-Z admits that his book also sheds new light on his persona and career. "A lot of people listen to music, but they don't really listen to it," he explained. "You may know the words and you may bop your head to it, but you don't really understand what you're singing."
Open the floodgates! It's Mega-Release Week, with Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Ke$ha, My Chemical Romance and Lloyd Banks all dropping new albums. Stick with MTV News for everything you need to know about the brand-new music.



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Justin Bieber's 'Ride' Leaks Online

The previously unheard tune appeared on the Internet Wednesday.By James Dinh





Justin Bieber

Photo: George Pimentel/ WireImage




Despite his young and tender age, it should be painfully apparent that Justin Bieber is quite the ladies' man. So it comes as no surprise that the pop star took to the studio to confess his love-stricken teenage emotions through his music. In the latest of his odes to women comes the previously unheard track called "Ride," which surfaced on the Internet Wednesday (December 22).
Over a beat that sounds similar to old-school video game sound effects, Bieber serenades his girl, confessing that he'd go above and beyond to spend time with her. "We could go anywhere, to the moon and through the air/ We could go to the movies or the mall, baby I don't care/ Yeah this is true, wanna be with you/ And I just wanna ride with you," he sings.
No word on whether the sugary tune is old or a possible submission for Bieber's next project. However, the tune sounds like it might be a demo for a female vocalist as the pop singer ends the first verse with the line: "I could be your queen but you could be my boo."
"Ride" isn't the only new Bieber song to have surfaced online recently as Justin's club-ready "Latin Girl" also leaked just a few weeks ago. In addition to the tracks, Biebs has also been in and out of the recording studio with some familiar faces working on his next album, which is tentatively set to drop late next year.
While it's not clear whether Diddy will make an appearance on the Canadian heartthrob's next project, one act the singer is confirmed to have worked with is Rascal Flatts. The country trio's lead singer, Gary LeVox, spoke about the Bieber collabo in a recent interview with country radio station WSIX. "[Justin] asked us to do a duet with him on his next record," he said. "It's actually a really good song! The kid is really talented. He plays five or six different instruments really well."



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Celebrate Wendy O. Williams' Birthday With Bobblehead Doll

What better way to celebrate Wendy O. Williams' 61st birthday on May 28 (if she hadn't blown her head off at age 48) than with a cute, scantily clad bobblehead doll.
Yes, Aggronautix, the company that, in 2009, presented a bobblehead of GG Allin -- the lovable now-deceased counter culture character who beat up audience members, [...]

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Britney Spears' Producer Opens Up About Her New Album

'She is actually damn professional,' Shellback says in radio interview.By Jocelyn Vena





Britney Spears

Photo: Eric Charbonneau/ Le Studio/ Wireimage




Britney Spears fans are gearing up for the release of the singer's new music in 2011. With the album due out in March, and a single expected to drop before then, details are slowly emerging about the music and what it was like to work with Spears on the follow-up to 2008's Circus.
"Right now we are preparing for Britney's upcoming album, which will be released in March. Some other things too, but the main focus is the album," Swedish producer Shellback said in a recent radio interview. "It works in many different ways [when you work with Britney]. You can make something absolutely new, or take a beat that's three years old and come up with a good sound."
Shellback, who worked with Pink on "Raise Your Glass," collaborated with Dr. Luke and Max Martin on music for Spears. The producers are donating a guitar they used on the album to charity.
"[Britney]'s actually damn professional. You read a lot on the Internet that Britney is not singing and mimes, but she is actually damn professional," Shellback said. "She's done it since she was 16. And just rhythmic way, she is f---ing awesome! And you do not have to go through and talk about the rhythms and stuff that you sometimes have to do. She's very easy in the studio."
Spears has shared her excitement about the new album with fans via her Twitter page. "I'm almost done with my new album and it will be coming out this March," she wrote. "I AM IN L-O-V-E WITH IT!"
Are you excited for Britney's new album? Tell us in the comments below!



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Mary J. Blige Dishes On Her 'Crazy' Led Zeppelin Covers

'I've listened to their music since I was a child,' says the R&B diva, who recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love.'By James Montgomery, with reporting by Larry Carroll





Mary J. Blige

Photo: MTV News




You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin.
In early February, reports began circulating that Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven," working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her Stronger With Each Tear album, due Monday.

But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering another Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the Essence Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine.
"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun."
Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon.
"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.



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Teaser For Michael Jackson's 'Hold My Hand' Video Released

A 30-second preview of MJ's duet with Akon promises epic images.By Gil Kaufman





Michael Jackson

Photo: Ebet Roberts/ Redferns




It's hard enough to finish a song by a noted perfectionist such as Michael Jackson after the singer's death, but the challenge of filming a video for the first posthumous single from the most celebrated video maker in music history has got to be even more daunting.
So MJ fans must have been eager to check out a 30-second teaser of the clip for the Akon collaboration "Hold My Hand," that was posted on Jackson's website over the weekend, just over a week before the King of Pop's first posthumous studio album, Michael, is slated to hit stores.
The quick-cut preview opens with Jackson, bathed in a spotlight on stage and dressed in a black leather jacket, black pants and a gold lame unitard, blowing a kiss to unseen fans and spreading his arms wide. With the song's swelling, cinematic strings and Jackson and Akon's vibrant vocals on the chorus pumping behind, we then see a succession of images, including a mother holding a smiling baby, MJ on stage during his prime, a lit-up Ferris wheel, a grade-school girl stretching her arms toward the sun, a baby in a diaper learning how to walk and the track's title graffitied on a cement wall.
The action then moves inside to a dark venue, as a blinding light emerges in the distance from the point of view of an ecstatic, clapping crowd. It quickly becomes clear that the audience is awaiting Jackson's arrival on stage, as his unmistakable profile appears in shadow on the curtain. More quick cuts reveal a b-girl in a gold lame top busting a few moves while swinging chains and a child MJ impersonator shuffling his feet amid classic images of Jackson on stage at various points in his career.
Those clips are then interspersed with shots of a huge chorus singing the song's refrain while waving their arms in the air on a set that looks like a reservoir or a dam. The teaser ends with a montage of children's hands and a close-up of a grand piano cued to the tune's haunting keyboard break.
The duet with Akon was recorded in 2007 and, as a message on MJ's site points out, "a handwritten note from Michael belonging to his estate indicated his desire that 'Hold My Hand' be the first single on his next project."
After an unfinished version leaked in 2008, Akon recently went back into the studio to complete production on the track.
What do you think of the "Hold My Hand" teaser clip? Share your thoughts in the comments.



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Beyoncé - Kitty Kat

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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Matt Damon Says Future Of 'Bourne' Franchise Is Uncertain

'We explained to them that our character isn't like James Bond,' the star says of studio's desire to re-cast Jason Bourne.By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz





Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in "The Bourne Ultimatum"

Photo: Jasin Boland/ Universal Studios




Earlier this year, fans of the highly successful "Bourne" franchise got some surprising news when Universal announced its plans to make "The Bourne Legacy" with or without star Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass.
Then in October, the studio announced the next installment would be written and directed by Tony Gilroy, who penned the first three "Bourne" films. MTV News caught up with Damon during promotion for his awards-favorite "True Grit," and asked the actor whether he'd talked to Gilroy about plans for the next chapter.

"I have no idea what he has planned," Damon said of Gilroy. "But he's a very smart guy, so I'm sure it's going to be good. I do know that whatever he's doing won't preclude Paul [Greengrass] and I from coming back and doing ours," he added. (It's still unclear whether Damon and Greengrass will return.)
Damon explained that what Universal wants to do with the films is build a lasting franchise — one in which other actors besides Damon can step into the lead role. Of course, Damon and Greengrass aren't exactly onboard with that idea.
"What they ultimately want is a franchise that can kind of go on and on. We explained to them that our character isn't like James Bond," Damon said. "You can't send him on a mission. There's character development, there's an arc that the character has traveled through the three movies. You don't just start over at the beginning of every movie," he continued. "So I think what they're looking for is a way to build that in so that they can continue without Paul and me eventually."
Earlier this year, Damon said he would consider stepping into Bourne's shoes again, but only if the picture was helmed by Greengrass.
"I love the character. I love the stories," Damon said. "But only if Paul Greengrass says he will direct again. So far, though, he's decided not to. I'd definitely say yes if he went for it. I know he would have a great story, and it would protect the legacy of what we created."
What do you think about a "Bourne" movie without Matt Damon? Who should play Jason Bourne? Tell us in the comments!
Check out everything we've got on "True Grit."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.



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7 stories that changed Singapore in 2010

Lee Kuan Yew embarrassed by WikiLeaks
In November, Singapore?s founding father Lee Kuan Yew was added to the list of diplomatic embarrassments released by the global whistle-blowing site WikiLeaks.
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James Durston: Stop whining about Hong Kong's air pollution

As I walked through Kowloon Tong MTR station the other day, I was hit by a pungent, noxious, burnt-hair kind of smell. I looked around for whoever was setting fire to dogs, or burning tires. Nothing.

I looked at the other commuters. No one else was grimacing.

I asked my friend, what the hell is that smell? ?What smell??

And that is the story of Hong Kong?s air pollution: Yes it?s bad, but people, be it through acclimatization or deliberation, just get on with life.

Or at least, we try to. Every now and again a small, squeaky-voiced contingent of "air defenders" pops up out of the smog to remind us that just breathing in Hong Kong is equivalent to smoking five cigars every minute. Or something. read more

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Lindsay Lohan Admits To Failing Drug Test

And THIS is why early discharges from rehab are generally a bad idea {sigh}. Lindsay Lohan confessed on twitter that she had, indeed, failed a drug test.
Regrettably, I did in fact fail my most recent drug test and if I am asked, I am prepared to appear before judge Fox next week as a result.
TMZ is now reporting that Lindsay actually failed two drug tests. In addition to landing her in jail, this setback could also further derail Lindsay's career, according to TMZ.
Lindsay is now relying on Judge Elden Fox to allow her to leave California to shoot "Inferno" in Louisiana and possibly fly to New York City for "Saturday Night Live."
Here's the problem. Sources connected with the case have been telling TMZ ... if Lindsay were to fail a drug test the judge would probably pull the plug on out-of-state-travel -- a privilege for Lindsay, not a right.
...But all bets are off now that Lindsay has flunked two tests.
And sources close to Lindsay somehow already know the big wigs on "Inferno" are pissed that she may have screwed up again, so flying to Louisiana may be a moot question.
You can't really blame the 'Inferno' producers for being upset. It looks like the best thing for Lindsay at this point is a long-term stay in an inpatient facility that focuses solely on drug abuse (not drug problems and psychiatric problems, which is what the UCLA program did).
This is really just TOO sad.
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Tricky Stewart Defends New Michael Jackson Tune, 'Keep Your Head'

'This was a record that [MJ] wrote and that he produced. And I just got in there,' the producer maintains.By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by James Lacsina





Tricky Stewart

Photo: MTV News




While detractors of Michael Jackson's Michael album cry foul over the unfinished material that makes up the bulk of the posthumous project, producer Christopher "Tricky" Stewart is insisting that his contribution to the release was material MJ put together — and finished — himself.

In the case of "Keep Your Head Up," one of the album's biggest standouts, Stewart told MTV News that the track was not a remake of any kind. Rather, he just added minor additional production flourishes to the number.
"The main thing I wanted to do was make sure that Michael would like it," said Stewart, who has worked with Beyoncé, Mariah Carey and The-Dream. "And that it would feel like something he would do naturally if he was here. A lot of it was probably me overthinking it a little bit. And trying to deliver what I think he would do. And there's so much music that he made that I could reference the precision of what he was into musically. I did that and this was a song that he wrote. It wasn't he and me making a record. This was a record that he wrote and that he produced. And I just got in there.
He added, "It was really just about getting into his mental space and trying to find out the best way to deliver that record."
"Keep Your Head" leaked online prior to Michael's release and was under scrutiny regarding the validity of MJ's vocals.
Although, it's evident that Jackson's lead crooning on "Keep Your Head" is authentic and new, some of the background vocals are alleged to be from previously released material, like the 1995 tune "Earth Song."
Stewart confirmed that the primary vocals are Jackson's and said he was satisfied with the result.
"It was really surreal," the producer said of the experience. "Getting into that moment and getting into that space, to have the opportunity to work with the greatest entertainer of all time. Or work on, I should say. It was a tremendous time in my life to just get in there and listen to his voice, be able to strip down the track and listen to him in his purest form — something that most people can't do. It was a great experience. I'm glad I did it, I had a lot of fun doing it and I think the track came out great."
What's your opinion about "Keep Your Head"? Tell us in the comments.



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Britney Spears Inspired 'Country Strong' Lead, Director Says

'I was seeing what was happening in the media to Britney Spears,' filmmaker Shana Feste says of crafting upcoming flick.By Mawuse Ziegbe





Britney Spears

Photo: Fame Pictures




Gwyneth Paltrow may have honed her country-music skills for her role in the upcoming flick "Country Strong," but her troubled character was actually inspired by a pop sensation.
In the film, Paltrow plays embattled crooner Kelly Canter, who fights to resurrect her struggling career as a music superstar. Writer/director Shana Feste recently told the Los Angeles Times that Paltrow's onscreen drama was inspired by the very public meltdown of pop megastar Britney Spears.
"That's where this movie came from. I mean, I was seeing what was happening in the media to Britney Spears," Feste said.
The filmmaker also added that wrapping up the script coincided with the outsize media frenzy surrounding another superstar. "I finished the script when Michael Jackson passed away," she revealed.
Feste also lamented the dark side of celebrity-making, which entails ripping apart a once-beloved public figure at the first misstep. "I think it's tragic how we treat people who give us so much, and we love to see them knocked down to build them back up again, to knock them down again," she said. "It's a weird fascination."
Paltrow has said that work on the project was challenging, due to both the physical and creative demands of the role.
"It was brutal," she told MTV News in September. "It was a brutal shoot. I mean, I wasn't naked, naked, but I was semi-naked, in various stages of undress. [My character] has a drug and alcohol problem, so she's struggling a lot. It was a lot of fun for me, as an artist."
Check out everything we've got on "Country Strong."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.



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Kings Of Leon Tour Bus Fire Postpones London Show

Fire began on one bus, spread to another in O2 arena's loading area.By James Dinh





Kings of Leon's Caleb Followill

Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images




Kings of Leon scorched the charts with their hit song "Sex on Fire," but on Tuesday morning (December 21) it was their tour bus that caught fire, forcing the rock band to postpone their sold-out O2 arena show in London.
According to BBC News, the fire began on one coach in the venue's loading area before spreading to another bus; eventually, the buses were completely burned out. Sixty firefighters and ambulance crews were on-site, and six people were treated for excessive smoke inhalation. There were no serious injuries reported.
While the fire didn't impact the seating or stage areas of the O2 arena, the entire venue had to be evacuated. A spokesperson for the O2 addressed the incident: "Unfortunately due to this morning's fire on board one of the tour buses at the O2, tonight's Kings of Leon concert will now be postponed," said a statement on the O2 website. "Whilst there is no damage to the O2 there is now insufficient time to rig the arena for tonight's performance."
The spokesperson emphasized that the crew had worked hard to follow protocol and made every attempt to go on with the show, but found there simply wasn't enough time to set up for the evening performance.
A rep for Kings of Leon said that Tuesday's concert in London had sold out "months ago," and a new date would be announced shortly.



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Lea Michele, Pre-'Glee': See Her, At Age 12, Talk Showbiz

'I can do anything,' actress says in video from 1998 interview.By James Montgomery





Lea Michele in 1998

Photo: MTV




On "Glee," Lea Michele has won over fans and critics alike with her diva-licious portrayal of Rachel Berry. As it turns out, Michele probably didn't have to dig all that deep for the role. And we've got the footage to prove it.

As first seen on MTV's "The Seven," a 12-year-old Michele (who had already wowed critics with performances in Broadway productions of "Les Misérables" and "Ragtime") was interviewed in 1998 by a documentary crew. And, even at a young age, it was apparent she was a star in the making.
"In sixth grade, I tried to going to regular school, which was very difficult, because some days, I'd come late, and they'd be like, 'Well, why are you late?' And I'd say, 'Because I'm tired. I have a show to do,' " Michele says in the footage. "And then I have my friends that are like, 'Wow, you're on Broadway,' which I hate to be treated that way. That, I think, has been the worst part of being in the theatrical business."
She also emphatically states that she considers herself "a normal kid," but at one point, her diva-tude is in full display as she expertly directs a makeup artist to apply powder to her chin and nose, while her mother rolls her eyes.
Michele also shows that she was destined for fame, explaining how she's managed to make a go in the cutthroat world of showbiz.
"Being in the business has kind of made me grow up so fast, because I'm around so many older actors that I just learned so much so fast," she says. "Everyone says, 'You know, you're so mature!' ... I can do anything, and that's how I kind of stay sane in this really tough, dog-eat-dog business."
Comment on Lea Michele's 1998 interview below!


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Tuesday, December 21, 2010

'Step Up 3D' Director Jon Chu Recalls Cast's Tribute To Michael Jackson

'We all danced to Michael on the dance floor,' director says of King of Pop, who died while film was being shot.By Jocelyn Vena





Michael Jackson

Photo: GAB Archive/ Getty Images




Jon Chu has become the go-to man for all things dance. And with the DVD for "Step Up 3D" hitting the streets on Tuesday, Chu is opening up about what it was like to direct the flick. He reveals that when Michael Jackson, who had such a major influence on modern dance, died during the making of the film, Chu and the cast and crew felt they had to pay homage to the King of Pop.

"I remember particularly the House of Red Hook [scene] just because [we shot it] the day after Michael Jackson passed away and Michael had a huge impact on every single dancer," he told MTV News while promoting his film's release on DVD, Blu-ray and 3-D Blu-ray. "I would say literally 99.9 percent of our dancers would say Michael is the #1 influence in their life and he passed [while] we were shooting and everyone was so upset.
"Literally it shook us all, and the next day we were gonna go shoot the Battle at Red Hook. And so we got there and it was like there was an energy that was very stale and weird and nobody knew how to act," he continued. "And so we just started playing Michael, first thing in the morning for like 15 minutes. We all danced to Michael on the dance floor. It was one of those beautiful moments."
While fans relive all the fun of the film in the comfort of their living rooms, Chu reminds them to check out the extras on the DVD. "The stuff that we really shot behind-the-scenes, in a way it's a real documentary about the dancers in our movie," he said. "We tried to squeeze as much as we could in the movie, but of course there's only so much you can get in, so for the DVD, you get to see it all and you get to really know the dancers."
Wade Robson should take note. Variety reported on Friday (December 17) that the choreographer will direct the fourth installment in the franchise, with Chu on-board to executive produce the Miami-set flick. The film will shoot in 3-D next summer.
Check out everything we've got on "Step Up 3D."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.



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In his interactions with festival goers, goateed Abdul, the mean looking security guard manning the entrance gate to the
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?Happy people are what we most wanted,?
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'Tron Legacy' Is A Virtual Hit At The Weekend Box Office

Disney's relaunch of 1980s sci-fi classic soars, while 'Yogi Bear' feasts on modest second-place snack.By Josh Wigler





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Photo: Disney




Twenty-eight years after the first film's release, the "Tron" franchise is officially back on the gaming grid. Walt Disney Pictures has poured a lot of time, money and effort behind "Tron Legacy," and it shows: The visceral techno-punk ride relies strongly on big-budget effects and a bass-heavy score from Daft Punk, all of which work on a surface level, but the question remains was it a commercial success?
Monetarily, "Legacy" was the weekend's clear winner, taking home a first-place prize worth $43.6 million. But some have been hesitant to call the result a flat-out victory, given the fact that it cost a reported $170 million to produce the Jeff Bridges and Olivia Wilde-starring reboot. That price tag doesn't even account for the various marketing and promotional efforts, which had more to do with "Tron" as a brand and less with the actual movie itself. With so much riding on solid box-office returns, the opening-weekend performance of "Legacy" wasn't exactly stellar.

In comparison, just a year ago James Cameron's "Avatar" debuted in theaters to a relatively lackluster $77 million opening weekend before going on to rule the box office for several weeks on a successful quest to become the world's highest-grossing movie of all time. It's not likely that "Legacy" will meet that same level of success, but with the Christmas holiday season in full effect as of next weekend, the "Tron" sequel could be saved if it shows some serious staying power.
Even if "Tron" didn't set the box office fully ablaze, it was easily the leader of the pack amongst new competition. "Yogi Bear" broke into the picnic basket and came up with a mere $16.7 million, not a surprising turnout given the mostly negative reviews thrown in the family film's direction. James L. Brooks' last week's box-office champ sunk to third place with a relatively disappointing $12.4 million take.
Awards-season favorites "The Fighter" and "Black Swan" expanded locations this weekend, and it showed in the numbers: The Mark Wahlberg-starring boxing drama punched out $12.2 million for fourth place while Natalie Portman's ballet thriller danced up $8.3 million to land in seventh place.
The Box-Office Top Five
#1 "Tron Legacy" ($43.6 million)
#2 "Yogi Bear" ($16.7 million)
#3 "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" ($12.4 million)
#4 "The Fighter" ($12.2 million)
#5 "The Tourist" ($8.7 million)
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It's Christmas time at the box office next weekend, an occasion marked by the arrival of Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro's "Little Fockers" on Wednesday alongside the Coen brothers' latest western, "True Grit." The competition blows up on Saturday when Jack Black sails onto screens with "Gulliver's Travels."
Check out everything we've got on "Tron Legacy," "Yogi Bear" and "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.



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Britney Spears tweeted Thursday (December 2) that her next album will drop in March. The singer, who has been working with a number of producers, including Dr. Luke and Max Martin, shared with her fans that she is "in love" with the yet-untitled project.
"I'm almost done with my new album and it will be coming out this March," she wrote. "I AM IN L-O-V-E WITH IT!"
She also thanked fans for sending birthday wishes; the singer turned 29 on Thursday. "My fans mean the world to me & waking up to all of your wishes really made me smile, so here's something that I hope will make you smile... ," she wrote. "Just wanted to thank all of you for the amazing birthday wishes you guys have been sending all day."
The singer also sarcastically responded to recent reports that her beau, Jason Trawick, has abused her. "Ok, off on a romantic weekend with Jason for my birthday. xoxo Brit," she tweeted. "PS - Star Magazine, Radar Online, Jason Alexander and the rest of you liars, Ya'll can kiss my lily white southern Louisiana a**!"
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