Thursday, March 31, 2011

MSNBC Commentator Rachael Maddow Gives Props to Florida Death Metal

When political commentators mention extreme metal on the air it's usually in reference to something tragic like a school shooting, church burning or suicide pact. But when MSNBC liberal correspondent Rachael Maddow invoked the names of Cannibal Corpse, Six Feet Under, Obituary, Death and Deicide it was mostly to take a stab at Republicans, not [...]

Source: http://blog.mtvmusic.com/2010/05/14/msnbc-commentator-rachael-maddow-gives-props-to-florida-death-metal/

Vanessa Minnillo Michael Michele Giulianna Ramirez Tila Tequila Avril Lavigne

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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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1633563/mary-j-blige-dishes-on-her-crazy-led-zeppelin-covers.jhtml

Vogue Rachel Weisz Joanna Krupa Jennifer Love Hewitt Izabella Scorupco

'Source Code' Requires A 'Leap Of Faith,' Director Says

Duncan Jones says if moviegoers can suspend disbelief, they'll 'go with it and enjoy the ride.'
By Kara Warner


Michelle Monaghan and Jake Gyllenhaal in "Source Code"
Photo: Summit Entertainment

In most cases, when we travel to the theater or sit down to watch movies, we're looking to be swept up by a great story, transported to other realms and just plain entertained. In doing so, however, there is an element of suspended disbelief that both filmmakers and audiences alike rely on in order to fully immerse themselves in a story.

And while the upcoming thriller "Source Code" is based in present-day reality, there are several elements that draw on the sci-fi and fantastical genres and, as such, rely on the audience to suspend disbelief a bit. When MTV News caught up with director Duncan Jones recently, we asked him to explain his strategy for presenting audiences with challenging ideas without making them too convoluted or confusing.

"Ben Ripley wrote the script, and I thought it was terrific," Jones said. "I thought, 'There are some heady ideas here,' and I think he's done a really good job of balancing what the audience needs to know and giving the audience enough rules that if you just invite them to take a leap of faith you'll go with it and you can enjoy the ride."

Jones went on to say that the one element they added to Ripley's story of traveling into people's brains during the last eight minutes of their lives was humor.

"I think one of the things we were able to do is lighten the tone, inject some humor into it so the audience is able to make that leap of faith and say, 'I understand you, I trust these rules you've set up, let's just see how the story goes.' "

Check out everything we've got on "Source Code."

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

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1661008/source-code.jhtml

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Photos | 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Premiere After Party

'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Premiere After Party

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1624956

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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Links for 2008-10-29 [del.icio.us]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/stupidcelebrities/~3/wH5HlYlBsa8/blacke30

Rachael Leigh Cook Lindsay Lohan Olivia Munn Anna Paquin Melissa George

Sakura to soothe the soul: Still time for nature in Tokyo

Sakura

It?s not going to be easy to sit under a cherry tree this spring and get drunk and silly with friends and thousands of other people, as in more trouble-free times.

With so many gone overseas or to other parts of Japan, some hanami parties might feel incomplete, and a lot of emotionally exhausted people will be drinking to wash away their less pressing worries.

As Japan faces its toughest challenge since the war, many will find strength and comfort in the ancient ritual of cherry blossom viewing, whose essence runs much deeper than the temporary disruptions to the rhythm of life in Tokyo.

read more

Source: http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/play/japan-tsunami-earthquake-2011/sakura-soothe-soul-still-time-nature-tokyo-086197

The Avatars of Second Life Katherine Heigl Sara Foster China Chow Gwen Stefani

Justin Bieber Shows Off New Hairdo In 'That Should Be Me' Clip

Video features Bieber performing song with country band Rascal Flatts.
By Jocelyn Vena


Justin Bieber
Photo: Neil Mockford/ Getty Images

The weekend that Justin Bieber cut his hair, he also shot the music video for his "That Should Be Me" remix, featuring country band Rascal Flatts. This weekend, the full music video premiered, and it shows off that very famous cut.

The video is a meta-statement on making videos. The guys of Rascal Flatts pull up to the studio while Bieber sits in a room practicing the track. Bieber and the band sit and rehearse the song before they are brought to the room to shoot the lo-fi performance video.

We see the camera and lights filming the guys, who stand in front of a white backdrop performing the song. Bieber is occasionally seen in the sparse room alone singing the track, dressed in black. Shots of the finished performance are edited with those of Bieber and the band rehearsing the track, off his Never Say Never - The Remixes album, which was released last month. The video ends with Bieber walking off the set.

"They flipped out," lead singer Gary LeVox said of bringing his daughters to the set the day of the shoot with the teen star. "Brittany ended up singing one of his songs to him. He was hugging them and was so sweet to them. I've even got a low-grade Bieber fever. I think I'm in the running for dad of the year."

Bieber also tweeted about the video's runaway success on Sunday, writing, "And just saw... #ThatShouldBeMe vid with @rascalflatts is now #1 on ITUNES!! Thank u all so much. We are very proud of that song. #MuchLove."

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659796/justin-bieber-that-should-be-me-clip.jhtml

Ivanka Trump Willa Ford Rosario Dawson Chandra West Bar Refaeli

Photos | Lady Gaga Knows How To Make An Entrance

Lady Gaga Knows How To Make An Entrance

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1657928

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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Usher - There Goes My Baby

There Goes My Baby

  • Artist: Usher
  • Label: LaFace Records, JLG
  • Director: Anthony Mandler

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=544989

Saira Mohan Mia Kirshner Salma Hayek Sara Spraker Veronica Kay

Usher - There Goes My Baby

There Goes My Baby

  • Artist: Usher
  • Label: LaFace Records, JLG
  • Director: Anthony Mandler

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=544989

Julia Stiles Hilary Duff Elisha Cuthbert Keira Knightley Tricia Vessey

Japanese Earthquake, Tsunami On The Minds Of Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, More

Katy Perry, Ryan Seacrest, Lindsay Lohan tweet support for those affected by the disaster.
By Jocelyn Vena


Smoke rises from a construction site in Tokyo on Friday
Photo: Sankei/Getty Images

The world is still reacting to the news of an 8.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan on Friday (March 11). The devastating quake triggered a 10-meter tsunami that now threatens Pacific coastal areas including Hawaii and the West Coast of the United States. Celebrities have taken to Twitter to share their love and support for those affected by the natural disaster.

"I'm sending my thoughts and prayers and love to those in Japan who are hurting," Taylor Swift tweeted. Fellow pop princess Katy Perry shared a similar sentiment, writing, "My prayers go out to anyone that is being effected by the disaster in Japan. #prayforjapan."

Selena Gomez, who was just in the country, took to Facebook to express her concern. "Wow, I don't even know what to say, Japan. I was just there and you were all so wonderful to me," she wrote. "I am sending all my love, prayers and support."

Justin Bieber also tweeted about the news. "Japan is one of my favorite places on earth. ... It's an incredible culture with amazing people. My prayers go out to them. We all need to help." He added, "#prayforjapan."

"Our hearts and prayers are with all of our BSB family in Japan. We love you all so much. Please try to stay safe. ... Kisses and hugs from us!" the Backstreet Boys tweeted, with their tourmates New Kids on the Block adding, "Our thoughts are with all those around the world affected by the earthquake in Japan."

"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest wrote on Twitter, "Glued to TV watching this unreal earthquake footage out of Japan. Sending prayers to everyone affected. Unbelievable."

As the weather threatens his home state of Hawaii, the president tweeted a strong message of support. "Sending condolences to the people of Japan, particularly those who lost loved ones in the earthquake & tsunamis. U.S. stands ready to help."

"Glee" stars Lea Michele and Amber Riley also had kind words for those affected. Michele tweeted, "So devastating to hear about the huge earthquake & tsunami [in] Japan. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone there." Riley added, "Omg my heart goes out to Japan. I pray this devastation stops."

Embattled actress Lindsay Lohan even seemed overwhelmed by the news, writing, "My mommy just woke my sister and i up to this! god bless those that are in fear."

"The images on the news are breaking my heart," Paris Hilton wrote online. "I am so worried for everyone in Japan. My thoughts are with you Japan. God bless you all."

For more information on what you can do to help with earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan head to MTV Act, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659733/japanese-earthquake-tsunami.jhtml

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Michael Jackson Doctor's Trial Delayed

Judge pushes start of Conrad Murray's trial back to May.
By Gil Kaufman


Conrad Murray
Photo: AFP/ Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — Though Conrad Murray's lawyers had been pressing for a speedy trial, a judge in the involuntary manslaughter case against Michael Jackson's doctor ruled on Wednesday to delay opening statements in the proceedings until May.

The Associated Press reported that Murray's attorneys consented to the postponement after they discussed the matter with prosecutors and both agreed they could be ready for trial by May 9.

According to a transcript from the closed-door session, though opening statements will not begin for several months, Murray told Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor that he did not want to forfeit his right to a quick trial, but agreed to the delay if screening of prospective jurors begins as scheduled on March 24.

"It is only acceptable to me if this is not strung along over a long period of time," Murray told the justice. "I don't want to lose my constitutional right to speedy trial." Murray — who has pleaded not guilty to the charges — reportedly has been in favor of having the proceedings begin as soon as possible because he is facing financial troubles, but he said he understands that the delay is necessary to allow both sides to prepare for the trial.

Pastor consented because he said he didn't want to lose a jury pool, and believed a month-long delay might let potential jurors shuffle their schedules for the case, which could take up to two months to decide. The judge has reportedly clashed with Murray's defense team in recent weeks, pressing them for answers about why they had not turned over more witness notes and other potential evidence to prosecutors in the run-up to the trial.

Cardiologist Murray was hired to be Jackson's personal physician while the King of Pop prepared for his planned 50-date comeback series of shows at London's O2 arena in the summer of 2009. The doctor told police that he provided the then-50-year-old Jackson with sedatives and the surgical anesthetic propofol in order to combat the singer's chronic insomnia. He said he did so on the morning of June 25, 2009, when Jackson died of what a coroner deemed acute propofol poisoning.

Murray's lawyers reportedly plan to argue that Jackson was already in weak health before he died, that it's unfair to blame propofol for his passing and that, if the anesthetic was to blame, the pop superstar may have given himself the fatal dose by drinking the drug in a panic.

A status hearing in the case has been set for this Wednesday.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659100/conrad-murray-trial.jhtml

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Monday, March 28, 2011

Britney Spears - Circus

Circus

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=501686&vid=322811

Brooke Burns Samantha Mathis Kristin Kreuk Charlize Theron Shana Hiatt

Photos | 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Premieres Around The World

'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Premieres Around The World

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1624985

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Britney Spears Announces Plans For New Video, Kids' Choice, More

Brit's site confirms "Ellen" appearances, MTV takeover day and more leading up to Femme Fatale release.
By Jocelyn Vena


Britney Spears
Photo: Jive

Britney Spears has become a very busy lady in the lead-up to the March 29 release of Femme Fatale.

After rumors came out on Wednesday that Spears would make several appearances on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," the week her album drops, a press release posted on her website now confirms that and a few other engagements on Brit's calendar.

The release also confirms that Spears will pre-tape her "Good Morning America" appearance on March 27, two days before it airs on the show. MTV will dedicate March 29 to the femme fatale herself for what is being dubbed a "Britney take-over" day on the network. Additionally, Spears will make an appearance on the Kids' Choice Awards on April 2, though there is no word on whether she'll be performing, presenting or just getting slimed.

Spears is currently rehearsing for her appearances and working on the video for her second single, "Till the World Ends." It will be directed by Norwegian director and photographer Ray Kay, who has worked with Lady Gaga, the Backstreet Boys, Beyoncé and Justin Bieber. The video will be shot in L.A. No date has been set for the video's premiere.

In recent weeks, Spears has been on several magazine covers (including Out and V magazine), and in interviews she has talked about wanting to try something new on the album.

"I think Femme Fatale speaks for itself," Spears told V. "I worked really hard on it and spent almost two years recording it. I think it's the best album I have ever made. There's nothing to say. I'll let the music speak for itself. ... It's definitely my edgiest and most mature sound yet.

"It's a little bit of [an evolution and a revolution]," she continued. "There are songs on this album that don't sound like anything else and are completely revolutionary, but I also believe this album expresses where I am today as a woman and is an evolution of who I am."

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660125/britney-spears-femme-fatale.jhtml

Alecia Elliott Miranda Kerr Monica Keena Amanda Bynes Monika Kramlik

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Tokyo's 5 best pubs for great beer

Tokyo bars, beer bars, Shibuya, harajuku

They say hops is the spice of life. So, while we love Japan?s handful of ubiquitous Big Beer Brands that are served in almost every bar, restaurant, izakaya and convenience store in the land, we?re always on the lookout for something different.

Here are five Tokyo boozers where the beer is handcrafted domestically, imported or homemade -- and where flavor is always the main attraction.

 

1. Popeye

With over 70 beers on tap (that?s the largest selection in Japan), Popeye in Ryogoku, Sumida Ward, is the obvious first port of call for the serious beer lush.

read more

Source: http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/drink/tokyos-five-gourmet-beer-pubs-visit-177481

Bar Refaeli Jessica Paré Megan Fox Thora Birch Rachel McAdams

Former Vice Presidential Candidate Geraldine Ferraro Passes Away At 75

Very sad news to pass along today … Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro, who was the first female candidate to run for Vice President here in the US on a major party ticket back in 1984, passed away today at the age of 75. It may not seem like a big deal now but it was such [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/0uHranEYfU0/

Kate Bosworth Summer Altice Michelle Rodriguez Piper Perabo Sarah Wynter

Photos | 'Hold It Against Me' Fashion Finder

'Hold It Against Me' Fashion Finder

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1658278

Zoe Saldana Kim Smith Desiree Dymond Samantha Morton Bridget Moynahan

Ke$ha Postpones Japan Tour Dates

Ne-Yo, Cyndi Lauper continue to perform in the country following earthquake.
By Gil Kaufman


Ke$ha
Photo: Noel Vasquez/ Getty Images

As the people of Japan continue to struggle with recovering from the nation's devastating earthquake and tsunami, some artists are being forced to cancel their tour dates in the nation. Ke$ha released a statement on Monday announcing that she would have to postpone her upcoming dates in Japan.

"My heart is with Japan right now through this disaster and these hardships," the singer wrote on her website. "I genuinely don't think right now would be appropriate timing for me to perform in Japan given the content and the spirit of my show, which is all about feeling exuberant, rowdy, and wild. ... I plan to bring my party there and to that part of the world when we are all ready to dance and Get $leazy together again. In the meantime I am going to do everything I can to help relief efforts and I encourage everyone in the world to do the same."

In the meantime, Ke$ha has a string of North American dates kicking off on April 1 with a show in Clarion, Pennsylvania, and running through early May.

According to Billboard, the promoter of the scotched Japanese tour, Creativeman Productions, also announced that it would be canceling a pair of its annual spring festivals. The Springgroove, an R&B, soul and hip-hop festival scheduled for April 2 near Tokyo and April 3 in Osaka, would have featured Nelly and Flo Rida, among others. Also called off was then annual hardcore Punkspring festival on April 1 and 2 in Osaka and Nagoya with headliners Good Charlotte and Hoobastank.

Ne-Yo continued with his planned dates in Japan over the weekend, performing a show in Nagoya on Friday and launching a charity initiative to help the people of the country. Called "Spread Love Through Music," the show included donation boxes at the concert to help those in need and the sale of a special wristband with proceeds going to earthquake relief. He plans to do the same during his shows on Tuesday (March 22) in Yokohama and Thursday in Tokyo. "You can absolutely spread love through music, and I think that's what's absolutely called for in this time of crisis," he said in a video on his website.

Also currently touring Japan is Cyndi Lauper, who is slated to play a show in Osaka on Tuesday and was in the country promoting her Memphis Blues album when the quake hit on March 11. She's been tweeting about her experience all along, and on Monday, she wrote about the healing power of music in the shattered country.

"Miss my family but have my music family and the warmth of the peeps I sing to. Tonight I will lose myself in the music and the rhythm," she wrote. Like Ne-Yo, she is asking fans to donate cash at the shows to earthquake relief and is donating all royalties from sales of her Blues album in Japan to the Japanese Red Cross.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660383/kesha-japan-tour.jhtml

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Saturday, March 26, 2011

Photos | MTV News' 2009 Men Of The Year: #1 Michael Jackson

MTV News' 2009 Men Of The Year: #1 Michael Jackson

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1628537

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Ronnie James Dio Dead at 67

Today, the heavy metal world lost a true legend. Ronnie James Dio, who most recently fronted the Black Sabbath-without-Ozzy band Heaven & Hell, lost his battle with stomach cancer at 7:45 a.m. PST. He was 67.
?My heart is broken,? said his wife and manager, Wendy Dio in a statement. ?Many, many friends and family were [...]

Source: http://blog.mtvmusic.com/2010/05/16/ronnie-james-dio-dead-at-67/

Leslie Bibb Esther Cañadas Tina Fey Katie Cassidy Maggie Gyllenhaal

Oh No!

Santa left one of his reindeer here!

Merry Christmas!

Source: http://www.prettyinthecity.com/blog/2010/12/25/oh-no.html

Rachael Leigh Cook Lindsay Lohan Olivia Munn Anna Paquin Melissa George

Michael Jackson Estate Rakes In $310 Million To Date

Singer left behind more than $400 million in debt.


Michael Jackson
Photo: Time Life Pictures/DMI/Time Life Pictures/Getty Im

Between album sales, movie profits, licensing arrangements and lucrative deals for Cirque du Soleil shows, the estate of late King of Pop Michael Jackson has raked in more than $300 million since the singer's shocking death in June 2009.

According to TMZ, legal documents released on Thursday reveal that executors of MJ's estate have managed to make a major dent in the more than $400 million in debt that Jackson owed at the time of his death.

The first accounting from the executors shows that they have already spent around $159 million paying back various debts, income taxes and other expenses, which include providing support for the pop star's mother, Katherine Jackson, as well as his three young children.

"Although there remain unresolved creditor claims, pending litigation and additional challenging business, tax and legal issues, and the estate is not yet in a condition to be closed, the executors have made substantial progress in reducing the estate's debt," the documents state, according to a Reuters report. Two of Jackson's longtime confidants, attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain, were named as administrators in a will sign by the pop icon.

In addition to paying to make "substantial improvements" to the Jackson family's Havenhurst estate in Encino, California, the executors also spent an undetermined amount of money on "last illness and funeral and memorial service expenses." Those costs included a $900,000 payment to the Forest Lawn Memorial cemetery where Jackson is buried and $35,000 on expenses described as "costume for memorial."

TMZ reported that not only did the famously cash-strapped Jackson have more than $400 million in debt, but his estate also owed more than $40 million to concert promoter AEG tied to the scuttled This Is It Tour, for which MJ was rehearsing when he died unexpectedly. They've also paid $27.2 million in taxes and $4 million in mortgage payments on Jackson's properties.

Despite the solid sales of the Michael album and millions of units of the singer's back catalog being sold, as well as the box office of the "This Is It" movie and DVD sales, the estate is not nearly out of the woods. TMZ noted that the administrators have received more than 65 creditors' claims, some of which are subject to "extremely high" interest rates, and there are several outstanding lawsuits against the estate in several countries.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658290/michael-jackson-estate.jhtml

Jamie Gunns Kelly Hu Alessandra Ambrosio Dania Ramirez Shanna Moakler

Friday, March 25, 2011

Photos | The 2010 Grammy Awards Red Carpet

The 2010 Grammy Awards Red Carpet

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1630866

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TV Ad For Norwegian Deaf Metal

This image, which nicely compliments the video below, is for a 1993 metal comp that featured some pretty ripping bands, including Eucharist, Dissection, Impaler, At the Gates, Pitchshifter and Therion, along with a bunch of groups we've never heard of. Good luck tracking it down. But before you try, check out this Norwegian TV ad [...]

Source: http://blog.mtvmusic.com/2010/06/02/tv-ad-for-norwegian-deaf-metal/

Rosario Dawson Chandra West Bar Refaeli Jessica Paré Megan Fox

Watch: ?Captain America: The First Avenger? Releases A Full-Length Trailer

Yesterday we got to see a promo video that features new footage from Captain America: The First Avenger and today we learn that that footage is from the film’s first full-length trailer. In February we got to see a short, 30-second trailer spot for The First Avenger during the Super Bowl but today we get [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/O2bqt_PKVUw/

Rachel Blanchard Rebecca Mader Lorri Bagley Bijou Phillips Katy Perry

Coldplay, Led Zeppelin Album Covers Featured On New British Stamps

Album art from Pink Floyd, Blur and David Bowie also included.
By James Montgomery


Coldplay's new British stamps
Photo: Royal Mail

On Thursday (January 7), the U.K.'s Royal Mail unveiled a series of 10 new stamps, honoring the most iconic album covers of the past 40 years.

The albums featured in the new series are the Rolling Stones' Let It Bleed, Led Zeppelin's IV, David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells, The Clash's London Calling, New Order's Power, Corruption and Lies, Primal Scream's Screamadelica, Pink Floyd's The Division Bell, Blur's Parklife and — the most recent album on to make the cut — Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head.

Meant to honor "the most potent graphic images of modern times, many of which have provided a visual soundtrack to people's lives," the series is the end result of a lengthy research process by the Royal Mail, who looked through thousands of album covers by British artists before deciding on the final list. And, during a Wednesday night BBC Radio broadcast, it was revealed that the queen herself actually approved each design.

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page — who helped design the cover for IV — was on hand to celebrate the release of the stamps and recalled the mysterious nature of the album's iconic imagery.

"Almost 40 years after the album came out, nobody knows the old man who featured on the cover, nor the artist who painted him," he said. "That sort of sums up what we wanted to achieve with the album cover, which has remained both anonymous and enigmatic at the same time."

Of course, any great honor is befitting of an equally great contest, so, on the same day the stamps were made available to the general public, Coldplay decided to give one of their Rush of Blood stamps away. In a message on their official site, the band held a contest to send one lucky fan "a letter using a Coldplay stamp, postmarked with today's issue date."

"We visited our local post office earlier today and bought some of the Coldplay stamps," the message read. "Very nice they are too."

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1629227/coldplay-led-zeppelin-album-covers-featured-on-new-british-stamps.jhtml

Elisha Cuthbert Keira Knightley Tricia Vessey Ivana Bozilovic Christina Applegate

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Photos | 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Premieres In Los Angeles

'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Premieres In Los Angeles

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1624940

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Ke$ha Enlists James Van Der Beek For 'Blow' Video

Singer and former 'Dawson's Creek' star battle it out in her new music video.
By Jocelyn Vena


Ke$ha in her video for "Blow"
Photo: RCA

Ke$ha's new music video for her song "Blow" opens with this disclaimer: "No mythological creatures were harmed in the making of this video."

Ke$ha isn't referring to "Dawson's Creek" star James Van Der Beek, who makes a cameo in the video, which was directed by Chris Marrs Piliero. She's referring to the champagne-swilling, hard-partying unicorns that also make an appearance in the video, which takes place at a society party.

Looking glossy and glam in her one-shoulder dress, she tells two unicorns, "I grabbed the bear by the throat, looked him right in the eyes and said, 'Bear you have until the count of zero to put some pants on and apologize to the president. And that's the story of how I was elected to the parliament of Uzbekistan."

She then giggles as she looks into the camera, telling viewers to "dance." Soon, she locks eyes with Van Der Beek. Ke$ha and Van Der Beek exchange glances as they make their way through the party. Scenes of their longing (and unicorns dancing with one another) are edited with scenes of Ke$ha, in a bodysuit, mugging for the camera, singing the song and kissing more unicorns.

Van Der Beek begins stripping off his suit jacket and dances his way towards the singer, who then pulls off her bra from under her gown. He follows suit, leaving viewers laughing and Ke$ha understandably perplexed about why he wears a bra under his dress shirt.

"Well, well, well ... if it isn't James Van Der Douche," she says.

"I don't appreciate you slander-beeking my name," Van Der Beek replies.

After snipping at one another and trading barbs, they begin shooting lasers at one another in a battle sequence, knocking down and killing rainbow-shooting unicorns in the process. In the end, it's revealed that Ke$ha has killed the actor and mounted his head on her wall, laughing off the encounter. The plaque in which his head is displayed reads "James Van Der Dead."

What do you think of the new Ke$ha video? Tell us in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658721/kesha-james-van-der-beek-blow-video.jhtml

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Justin Bieber's Next Album To Capture Justin Timberlake's Magic

Songwriter Sean Garrett says former 'NSYNC star's success inspires Bieber's new project and also dishes on Beyoncé's album.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Justin Bieber
Photo: Getty Images

Justin Bieber may have declined the chance to join Justin Timberlake's label, but according to a songwriter in the know, the former 'NSYNC crooner is the inspiration for the teen sensation's upcoming album.

Songwriter Sean "The Pen "Garrett, who has been working with Bieber on the follow-up to the chart-ruling My World 2.0., spoke with Billboard about the direction for the teen superstar's forthcoming album, saying the project will feature more grown-up fare.

"What we're trying to do with Justin is to segue him into young adulthood," Garrett said of the project, which is also slated to feature production from hitmaker Christopher "Tricky" Stewart. "The one great thing about Justin Bieber is the fact that his fans are going to grow with him. So we want all the fans that started out with him to still be intrigued and excited about him, but we want to also stretch out a little bit and make the fans that are 22-23 years old love Justin as well. When Justin Timberlake went from the last album of *N Sync to his first solo album -- I want to say [we're aiming for] that level. That's the bar for the type of song, that level of 'Cry Me a River,' big records."

Garrett, who has crafted records for stars like Chris Brown and Bieber's mentor Usher, also said he's hard at work on Beyoncé's next project. However, the songwriter didn't divulge too much information, only revealing that he's "been working with her extremely hard ... she's my favorite."

While Garrett said the plan for his next outing is to angle Bieber toward a swiftly maturing audience, Bieber himself has refused to categorize his music, insisting to MTV News in December that he's just focused on creating quality records.

"Whatever comes out of my mouth is just what you guys are going to hear," Bieber explained of his hits. "I don't know, it's not a specific type of music. Whatever music I write, I wouldn't say I'm pop or R&B or country or anything: I would just say it's just good music,"

What do you think Justin Bieber's new music is going to sound like? Let us know in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656369/justin-biebers-next-album-capture-justin-timberlakes-magic.jhtml

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Robert Pattinson Dishes On Awkward Love Scenes

'Reese [Witherspoon] had this wig on, and literally, I was wiping my nose on her wig,' RPattz says of scene in 'Water for Elephants.'
By Eric Ditzian, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Robert Pattinson
Photo: MTV News

We've heard Robert Pattinson talk about his love scenes before. "Lot of my crack in it!" he once laughed to us about what we can expect in the upcoming drama "Bel Ami." And we've even seen photographic evidence of his honeymoon boom-boom with Kristen Stewart in November's first installment of "Breaking Dawn."

But when it comes to Pattinson's amorous encounters onscreen, his fans can never get enough. It's no surprise then that one Twitter user submitted a question during "MTV First: Robert Pattinson" asking if the actor felt awkward doing love scenes with "Water for Elephants" co-star Reese Witherspoon.

Awkward, no. Sick? Well, yes.

"The love scene in this, I was doing it when I had a really bad cold," Pattinson explained. "I'm not generally that awkward doing stuff apart from when I've got my belly coming out. But my nose is running all over the place and it was in one of the additional photography scenes, and Reese had this wig on, and literally, I was wiping my nose on her wig."

"We were doing this really passionate love scene," he added with a giggle. "It was really stupid. I guess I'm not that awkward anymore."

The key with any love scene, Pattinson went on to make clear, is that it has to make sense within the context of the story. You can't just get freaky in front of the camera because someone thinks it'll boost ticket sales.

"It always depends. You've got to really know what you're doing. If it's just a sort of arbitrary love scene, it'd be quite difficult," he said.

And what of his scene with Stewart in "Breaking Dawn," the one we got an early, feather-filled glimpse of in January? Rob hesitated before saying simply, "The one on 'Breaking Dawn' is pretty funny."

Check out everything we've got on "Water for Elephants."

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

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660277/robert-pattinson-water-for-elephants.jhtml

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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Movie preview: '3D Sex and Zen' is all about abstinence

sex and zen

I walked out of the world premiere of the softcore "3D Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy" never wanting to have sex again.

Not because the sex scenes were gross -- they actually ranged from picturesque to silly -- but because its message of "true love doesn't need sex" was so convincing.

Find out why this porno is special at Seeing is believing: 3D porn revival begins in Hong Kong.

The story starts innocently with boy-meets-girl. It is love at first sight for Wei Yangsheng, a handsome young Chinese scholar, and Tie Yuxiang, a beautiful young woman from a well-off family.

read more

Source: http://www.cnngo.com/hong-kong/play/movie-preview-3d-sex-and-zen-all-about-abstinence-427358

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Photos | Britney Spears' 'Hold It Against Me' Pop-Culture References

Britney Spears' 'Hold It Against Me' Pop-Culture References

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Leighton Meester Channels Ke$ha On New Song

The 'Gossip Girl' star gets her party on with 'Front Cut,' a new track that just hit the Internet.
By Jocelyn Vena


Leighton Meester
Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images

For a while there it seemed like Leighton Meester was only going to be "Country Strong," but now she's again embracing her dance-club music roots on a new track. On Tuesday, a new Meester tune titled "Front Cut" hit the Web.

The "Gossip Girl" star's track, a certain club banger that could easily be confused with any song in Ke$ha's dance-heavy discography, features the writing, production and vocal talents of Clinton Sparks.

"I'm too fly to be all up in this line, boy/ I should get a front cut/ I should get a front cut," Meester proclaims in the opening lines of the song — which is all about getting key access to a slamming party — before some killer keyboards and heavy beats kick in. She goes on to rap/sing, "You see me coming through/ Not just me, my girlfriends too/ You know what we came to do/ That's why we in front of you."

Meester really displays her swagga on the song's bridge, when she goes on to sing, "Don't tell me I gotta wait in the line/ I said f--- the front door, I should go in through the side/ Why don't you/ Lift up that rope to let through/ All these girls in my crew / Give me a drink or a few/ I mean a bottle or two/ We've been out here too damn long / And I hear Clint Sparks playin' my song/ Got my diamond and my Louboutins on/ Ya better hurry up or I'll be gone/ Don't tell me I gotta wait in no line/ 'Cause there's plenty of other clubs that want me inside."

With no official release date for the track or any definite plans for an album release, it seems that for now Meester fans will have to just enjoy the song online. The singer/actress' pop-star career has been long-simmering, to say the least. She was expected to drop an album in 2010, but that never happened.

In 2009, she appeared on Cobra Starship's "Good Girls Go Bad," then she hooked up with Robin Thicke on the song "Somebody to Love."

So what do you think of Meester's new club banger? Share your opinions in the comments.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657540/leighton-meester-front-cut.jhtml

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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!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655031/usher-keha-more-help-dance-music-go-pop-2010.jhtml

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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Ne-Yo Defends Beyonce 'Dis' Statements

'I'm tired of being nice to dumb people. ... Bottom line, Beyonce is my friend,' 'Irreplaceable' songwriter tweets.
By Jocelyn Vena


Ne-Yo
Photo: Mawuse Ziegbe/ MTV News

When a comment from Ne-Yo hit the Internet in which the songwriter said that he wished he could have kept the Beyoncé hit "Irreplaceable" for himself, some took it as a dis to the star.

"One song that I gave away and didn't want to, but it's actually a good thing that I did, is Beyonce's 'Irreplaceable'. I honestly wrote that song for myself, but that song taught me a very interesting lesson: Many women don't think that differently. ... However, a man singing it comes across a little bit misogynistic, a little bit mean," Ne-Yo, who wrote the song, said in an interview.

When it was implied on Twitter that Ne-Yo was dissing the Sasha Fierce star with his comments, the singer/songwriter defended himself. "Aiight my dude. Send me the link to where I said ANYTHING disrespectful about Beyonce, PLEASE! Dying to hear this," he wrote. "Just heard the audio where I supposedly dissed Beyonce. ARE Y'ALL SERIOUS!?! Did y'all even listen to what I said!?!"

Ne-Yo then continued to tweet his anger toward those who misunderstood what he said. "I said I originally wrote the song for me. That's true, so OF COURSE I didn't want to give it away originally. IT WAS FOR ME," he wrote. "Once I realized how the song comes across if sung by a guy, that's when I decided to give it away. HOW IS THAT DISSING BEYONCE!?! She took the song and made it a smash, NOBODY can deny that ...

"You know what? At first I was apologetic about what the hacker said, now that I've heard the audio myself, not so much," he continued. "Y'all should listen a lil' harder before you start dissin' people. Makes you look real dumb. I'm tired of being nice to dumb people. ... Bottom line, Beyonce is my friend. To HELL with anybody that ain't SMART enough to understand what I truly meant."

Do you think Ne-Yo was dissing Beyoncé with his comments? Tell us below.

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Beyoncé - Why Don't You Love Me

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=514842

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A New Report Claims Wyclef Jean Was NOT Shot In The Hand

Yesterday it was reported that Wyclef Jean was shot in the hand in Haiti on the eve of yesterday’s presidential election (which was confirmed by Wyclef‘s brother) but today we are hearing that Wyclef wasn’t shot at all. According to a police chief in Haiti, Wyclef‘s hand injury was due to a piece of broken [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/X485L7mRnTg/

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Ke$ha - Tik Tok

Tik Tok

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Monday, March 21, 2011