Sunday, March 6, 2011
'Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark' Hit With Federal Safety Violations
U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration slaps musical with three citations.
By Shawn Adler
"Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark"
Photo: Don Emmert/ AFP
He's been hunted by the Green Goblin, The Lizard, and Venom, but the webbed avenger just got challenged by what might be his most powerful foe yet: The U.S. government.
Already plagued by problems ranging from delays, to rewrites to actor injuries, the Julie Taymor directed musical "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" and its production company, 8 Legged Productions LLC, have been issued three citations for violations of workplace safety standards by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), according to a report in The New York Times.
The beleaguered musical, which has reportedly cost upwards of $65 million to finance, faces a proposed fine of $12,600.
The citations were issued in response to injuries to four separate actors, sustained during performances beginning in September 2010. Most notable among these injuries was a November 28 incident in which cast member Natalie Mendozaand suffered a concussion and a December 20 incident in which Christopher Tierney, the actor portraying Spider-Man himself, fell into the orchestra pit and suffered a fractured skull and our broken ribs among other injuries.
"'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark'" remains in compliance with all government agencies and continues to adhere to all safety protocols," Rick Miramontez, a spokesman for the production said in a statement.
The citations, which come on the heels of two violations issued by The New York State Department of Labor, are the latest in a long line of troubles for the musical, the sum total of which prompted Taymor to recently describe the production as a "trial by fire."
"I am in the crucible right now. It is my trial by fire. It's my company's trial by fire. We have survived because our theme song is 'Rise Above,'" Taymor said during the TED2011 conference in Long Beach, California. "Anyone who creates knows when it's not quite there. Where it hasn't quite become the phoenix or the burnt char. And I am right there."
The production company has 15 business days to contest the violations.
Barring any more problems, "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," with music by Bono and The Edge, is set to premier March 15.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Lady Gaga's 'Government Hooker' To Debut At Fashion Show
Gaga will also walk in the Mugler show in Paris on Wednesday as latest Born This Way track premieres.
By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga
Photo: Tom Briglia/ WireImage
Lady Gaga and Mugler creative director Nicola Formichetti know a good thing when they see it. That's probably why they are always collaborating.
Formichetti is Gaga's stylist, and Gaga has been acting as musical director for Mugler's fashion shows. On Wednesday, Formichetti will debut his women's wear collection in Paris, and Gaga will debut a new song. She also revealed on Twitter she will be walking in the show.
"I'm making my debut as a runway model, walking in the MUGLER PARIS FASHIONSHOW 3/2," she shared, revealing what song she was set to debut at the show. "I directed the show music, previewing Government Hooker." For those hoping to catch the appearance and the song, the show will stream live at 3 p.m. ET.
In January, Gaga previewed another one of her Born This Way tracks, "Scheiße," during Mugler's Paris Men's Fashion Week show.
"Nicola hummed it to me and tried singing it to me. It was hilarious," Mariano Vivanco, who directed a short film that included the remix, told MTV News about the album version of the song. "And described it to me in a really articulate way. He said, 'It's techno meets Whitney Houston, in a really good way.' "
As for this latest track, Gaga has already teased fans with what they will hear on the song. When Gaga called into Ryan Seacrest's radio show earlier this month, she described it is "one of my favorites" and said it "has more of a hip-hop beat."
"We double-timed the beat. It's a super fast, really hard record, and the lyrics are really filthy," she added. "It's also empowering, but more in the direction of sexual female empowerment."
Are you excited for the latest Gaga track? Let us know in the comments!
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658992/lady-gaga-government-hooker.jhtml
Exclusive 'Limitless' Clip Puts Super-Smart Bradley Cooper In Super-Deadly Situation
If there's one thing that "Limitless" teaches its audience, it's this: unlocking 100% of your brain power is not a smart idea. It's like crossing the streams -- it would be bad.
Sadly, Bradley Cooper didn't get that memo. He stars in the film as Eddie Morra, a struggling writer that gets his hands on a [...]
Sadly, Bradley Cooper didn't get that memo. He stars in the film as Eddie Morra, a struggling writer that gets his hands on a [...]
Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/03/04/limitless-clip-bradley-cooper/
Kourtney Kardashian: "My Love Affair with Breast Feeding" Is Over
Kourtney Kardashian's little boy is growing up. The reality star took to her blog to express her feelings about letting go, just a bit, of her 14-month-old son, Mason Disick.
"My love affair with breastfeeding has come to a sad end," she wrote. "When I was pregnant with Mason I said I would try breast feeding but not beat myself up if it didn’t work out or wasn’t for me. When my angel was born and my breasts filled up with milk, we got to work and I was nursing almost every hour at times. I loved it and so did he. Trust me, in the beginning there were those times when it did hurt very badly until I got used to it, and then it was very easy for us."
After nursing for six months, Kardashian had planned to go to formula, but couldn't let go of the bonding experience with her little one (whose dad is Scott Disick). She continued up until he was 13 months and then started just nursing him at night. Then the night feedings began to diminish, and the reality star had to come to the harsh reality that her daily sessions with her 14-month-old were going to be a thing of the past.
"I seriously could cry just thinking about it being over," she wrote on Thursday. "I love what a beautiful experience I had with my son and just wanted to share it."
We think it's pretty brave of Kourtney to be so open about her experiences -- and it makes her even more likable than ever! What do you think?
Source: http://www.ivillage.com/kourtney-kardashian-my-love-affair-breast-feeding-over/1-a-328699
Whitney Houston's Daughter: Drug Pictures Were a Set-Up
Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown's teenage daughter swears that she didn't inherit her parents' drug problems -- and that those pictures in the National Enquirer were a setup. The photographs printed by the tabloid appear to show Bobbi Kristina Brown, 18, snorting cocaine at a party last year. The accompanying story quoted Kristina's ex-boyfriend calling her a drug addict. Kristina took to Twitter this week to air her side of the story: That the photos were a setup by her vindictive ex.
"The person that did this was a result of a horrible relationship that went sour," writes Bobbi Kristina. "I was in love -- he was in love with money. I've learned my lesson."
Bobbi writes that the ex-boyfriend "set me up to make it look exactly what it looks like. God will smite them yes... But it's not really what it looks like... all I can do now, is keep my head up high, keep looking towards the lord." Brown also praises her mother, tweeting, "I love my family so much. My mom just comforted me to the max, and I'm so thankful for her. Thank you so much lord for blessing me with an Phenomenal family and incredibly phenomenal mother. Thank you for giving me the strength to move forward and put things in the past."
As for going down the same path as her singer parents, who have both been in and out of rehab and jail, Brown says it's not happening.
"I'm following my mother's footsteps industry wise," she tweets. "My family is great -- and I know I will overcome this and succeed. This is all I'm gonna say." According to Popeater, the Enquirer has a history of printing negative stories about Bobbi Kristina, including a 2008 report that Bobbi "tried to stab her mom during an argument -- and then attempted to kill herself by slashing her wrists." Brown was fifteen at the time.
Source: http://www.ivillage.com/whitney-houstons-daughter-drug-pictures-were-set/1-a-328704
Karen Rodriguez Plans To 'Represent For All My Latinos' On 'American Idol'
Top 13 finalist tells MTV News she'll dabble in more bilingual singing: 'I have it in my blood.'
By Kara Warner
Karen Rodriguez
Photo: MTV News
Newly anointed top 13 "American Idol" contestant Karen Rodriguez wowed the audience and judges' panel earlier this week with her performance of Mariah Carey's power ballad "Hero." While her song choice wasn't particularly unusual, the fact that Rodriguez chose to deliver the song in both English and Spanish was.
When MTV News caught up with the bilingual, aspiring "Idol" champ after Thursday's first elimination episode, we asked Rodriguez about her decision to sing in Spanish and what other songs she wants to do in two languages.
"I decided to sing in Spanish because I am a Latina," she explained. "I want to represent for all my Latinos out there. America is a big melting pot, it's not only English, there are so many languages infused in this country and I just wanted to support my race," Rodriguez said. "I have it in my blood, it lives inside me and I have to be who I am."
The 21-year-old went on to say that if America wants her to be the next "American Idol," they have to accept her for who she is. "There's nothing I can do to change that but just be proud," she said of being Latina.
With regard to how often Rodriguez plans to bring out her Latin side and sing in Español, she said it's up to America to decide when and how, but that she has a few artists in mind she'd like to cover.
"I love Juan Gabriel and Juan Louis Guerra," Rodriguez said, before adding that we might hear a few songs from a celebrated Mexican artist. "Selena is my biggest idol," she gushed. "She is my inspiration, she is who I aspire to be."
What do you think of Karen's "Idol" performance so far? Tell us in the comments!
Don't miss "Idol Party Live" every Thursday on MTV.com, following the "American Idol" results show, for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
Related VideosFriday, March 4, 2011
Lady Gaga Wanted 'Born This Way' To Be 'A Viral Message'
'BTW' video creative director Laurieann Gibson says Gaga recruited director Nick Knight to push the envelope.
By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
If it wasn't clear from watching Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" video, the singer intended for the over-the-top clip to be a visual spectacle. And that's why she wanted fashion photographer Nick Knight onboard to direct.
"Well, that was completely from the gate. She was like, 'I want Nick Knight for this video, I want a visual,' " the video's creative director, Laurieann Gibson, explained to MTV News. "She was always birthing something visual in her head. [Knight's] prolific, but he's so genius visually. He's such an Englishman. He's so particular and everything must be spot-on. [The video] was about a beautiful photograph and it was about pushing the bar; it is a viral message. Nick was flawless."
Many of the visuals in the video are tied to the dance, which Gibson choreographed for the splashy sci-fi-style video.
"At first, when I thought about birthing a new race and adding the prosthetics, I thought that maybe they should have a certain way they should walk or maybe they move a certain way, but then I realized it is actually a race within our race; it's a mindset," Gibson recalled. "So they don't have to walk funny," she said of the figures in the video.
Instead, Gibson focused on how she to interpret the song's feel-good message in the moves. "So I just told the story of the record," she said. "We birth ourselves out of the womb. There's lots of pushing and birthing [in the video]. There's lots of punching through the adversity, and then we go to church. So it's very symbolic, it's really based in modern dance: She's doing [Martha] Graham. She's doing [Lester] Horton. These are legitimate dance techniques."
What's your favorite part of the "Born This Way" video? Tell us in the comments!
Related Videos- MTV News Extended Play: Lady Gaga Creative Director Laurieann Gibson
- Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' Video Premieres
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659163/lady-gaga-born-this-way.jhtml
Britney Spears Confirms She Will Go On Tour In The ?Early Summer?
Earlier this morning, our dear Britney Spears paid an in-studio visit to the On Air with Ryan Seacrest show on KIIS FM in LA to officially debut her new single Till the World Ends (which you can listen to in full HERE) and to generally talk about her new album Femme Fatale. In the course [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/w3cqC3wwcbc/
Britney Spears' 'Till The World Ends' Hits Web
Femme Fatale's second single was penned by Ke$ha.
By Jocelyn Vena
Photo: Jive
Britney Spears' new single, "Till the World Ends," sounds poised to be a club smash. The Ke$ha-written, Dr. Luke/Max Martin-produced track was posted by Perez Hilton on Thursday afternoon (March 3), after speculation earlier in the day that the song would hit radio next week.
"Till the World Ends" is a swirling, "beat the beat" track, ready for late nights spent "dancing till the world ends" as she sings on the fast-paced party jam. "This kitten got your tongue tied in knots I see/ Spit it out 'cause I'm dying for company," a confident Spears purrs.
As the song slows for a moment — during a break before she moves her way to the chorus — she sings, "I can't take it take it take no more/ Never felt like felt like this before/ Come on get me get me on the floor/ DJ, what you what you waiting for?" she teases.
The beat chugs in the background as synths play with Spears' sex-kitten delivery of lines like "Watch me move/ When I lose, when I lose it hard/ Get you off with a touch/ Dancing in the dark.
"See the sunlight/ We ain't stopping/ Keep on dancing till the world ends/ If you feel it/ Let it happen/ Keep on dancing till the world ends," she sings as the song breaks down, fading out for a brief moment (revealing her signature breathiness), and then coming back in as she repeats those final lines again to close the song.
Ke$ha recently dished about the track to Spin.com, noting that it is about the power of an artist performing a great gig. "That song is me imagining her and any female musician touring the world," she said. "You know, when you go out, and you're having an amazing, magical night and you don't want to go to sleep and you want it to last until the world ends."
"Till the World Ends" is the second single from Femme Fatale, set to drop March 29. Its lead single, "Hold It Against Me," was an equally club-friendly jam by Luke and Martin, who are overseeing production on the album.
Give your review of "Till the World Ends" in the comments below!
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659161/britney-spears-till-the-world-ends.jhtml
Ke$ha - Take It Off
- Artist: Ke$ha
- Label: RCA
- Director: Paul Hunter, Dori Oskowitz
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3213641&vid=549666
'Game Of Thrones' Creator George R.R. Martin Announces 'A Dance With Dragons' Release Date
Dragons are coming, my friends, and you best get ready to dance with them.
It's been six years since "A Feast For Crows" was released, the fourth book in George R.R. Martin's epic "A Song of Ice and Fire" saga. Six long years of fans rebelling against the seemingly endless amount of time that Martin was [...]
It's been six years since "A Feast For Crows" was released, the fourth book in George R.R. Martin's epic "A Song of Ice and Fire" saga. Six long years of fans rebelling against the seemingly endless amount of time that Martin was [...]
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Celebrity Pictures: Selma Blair, Alexander Skarsgard, And Calista Flockhart
Mama-to-be Selma Blair was all smiles this afternoon as she grabbed some coffee in Los Angeles. Aww, look at that baby bump! She’s adorable, isn’t she? “Brothers & Sisters” star Calista Flockhart was caught leaving her spinning class in Santa … Continue reading
Britney Spears' Back Up Plan: "I'd Be A Full-Time Mom"
With her new album Femme Fatale being released later this month, Britney Spears is keeping her priorities straight as a devoted mom to Jayden James, 4, and Sean Preston, 5.
In the latest issue of V magazine, she says that her boys make her happy and reveals a talent that might surprise people.
Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/03/03/britney-spears
Usher - Moving Mountains
- Artist: Usher
- Label: LaFace Records/Zomba Label Group
- Director: The Brothers Strauss
- Album: Here I Stand
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=235341
Beyonce Jokes She's Been Pregnant With Concert Special
'I was pregnant with this DVD,' she laughs to MTV News as 'I Am ... World Tour' is set to air Thanksgiving Day on ABC.
By Jocelyn Vena
Beyoncé
Photo: MTV News
Beyoncé never really seems to slow down, so when the time came to choose a director for her concert special DVD "I Am ... World Tour," the singer decided to take on those duties too. It's an accomplishment the singer jokes may have sparked those pregnancy rumors.
"I was pregnant with this DVD, yes!" she joked to MTV News.
The DVD hits stores on November 30, but fans can catch the 90-minute "I Am ... World Tour" TV special when it airs on ABC Thanksgiving night at 9:30 p.m. ET. Beyoncé opened up about what it was like to sit in the director's chair.
"Well, I've done some co-directing for music videos [but] this was definitely a big step for me, and I'm so thrilled," she said at the New York City screening for the flick.
Beyoncé said she was completely hands-on, deciding which moments made the final cut and which ones wound up on the cutting-room floor. "It was hard work," she said. "I learned so much. I have a new respect for directors and I think I would like to do more of it."
Her parents, Mathew and Tina Knowles, who also attended the screening over the weekend, said the film gives B the recognition she deserves after years of collaborating on many of her own videos.
"I'm really excited about this because Beyoncé has been making little short films and really helping to direct her videos," Tina told us. "So it's nice that she'll get credit for doing something that she really loves doing and that she's very talented at."
Dad Mathew recalled all of the effort his superstar daughter put into the special. "I'm so proud," he said. "I had an opportunity [to see the film], I've been to Houston with a screening; I've been to Bentonville, [Arkansas], with a screening, and to see the excitement from the audience, what an incredible job Beyoncé did as a director in the editing, I'm just so proud. Hopefully, all the fans go out and get the DVD and soundtrack and look at that ABC special coming on Thanksgiving."
Are you excited to see Beyoncé's concert special? Tell us in the comments!
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652994/beyonce-jokes-shes-been-pregnant-with-concert-special.jhtml
Beyonce, Leonardo DiCaprio Lead Flurry Of Movie Remakes
Russell Brand, Willow Smith, Jonah Hill are just a few stars looking to revamp film and TV classics like 'Arthur', 'Annie' and '21 Jump Street.'
By Terri Schwartz
Beyoncé
Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images
What do Willow Smith and Beyoncé have in common with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Kenny Wormald? They're all starring (or in talks to star) in the latest round of remakes of beloved films and TV shows coming down the pike.
On Thursday, news broke that Beyoncé would be starring in a Clint Eastwood-directed remake of the 1976 Barbra Streisand classic "A Star Is Born" (which was a remake of a 1954 movie that remade a 1937 film). In the meantime, Will Smith is reportedly petitioning Sony to remake "Annie" (the 1982 movie and 1977 musical) starring his 10-year-old daughter, Willow, best known for whipping her hair.
In October it was announced that Leonardo DiCaprio and best bud Tobey Maguire would be starring in Baz Luhrmann's 3-D retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby," with Carey Mulligan joining as Daisy Buchanan.
Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum have been working on bringing the '80s Johnny Depp-starring television series "21 Jump Street" to the big screen since 2008, and they might even get Depp to cameo in it in time for the film's March 16, 2012, release date.
And let's not forget the long hunt for a Ren McCormack (the character Kevin Bacon made famous in 1984), after Zac Efron and Chace Crawford dropped out of the planned "Footloose" remake that finally landed dancer Kenny Wormald the role of his life.
Then there's "Arthur," the Russell Brand-starring remake of the 1981 screwball comedy about a happily drunk millionaire who risks everything for love. The film has tapped everyone from Helen Mirren to Greta Gerwig and Nick Nolte.
Two recently announced remakes are "Lethal Weapon" and "The Wizard of Oz," which are still in early development and without stars attached. Warner Bros. announced their plans to reboot the Mel Gibson-starring franchise on Thursday and tapped writer Will Beall to pen the script with completely new characters. And director Robert Zemeckis announced back in November that he planned on remaking the 1939 Technicolor classic using the script from the original film, with Warner Bros. hoping Robert Downey Jr. will play Oz.
Just this past year, films from "Clash of the Titans" to "The Karate Kid" to "A Nightmare on Elm Street" were remade for the big screen and were well-received by audiences. "Alice in Wonderland" and "Clash of the Titans" went on to become two of the top 10 highest-grossing films of 2010, while "Piranha 3D" and "The A-Team" also went on to strong successes, proving that there definitely is a market for these kinds of remakes.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656416/beyonce-leonardo-dicaprio-lead-flurry-movie-remakes.jhtml
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