Monday, October 31, 2011

Jigsaw Tests Into MTV's Killer Halloween

This week's horror-movie-themed bloodletting continues with Day 4 of MTV's Killer Halloween, an in-depth competition in which we ask you, the best and brightest fans, to vote on who is the boldest, baddest and scariest movie murderer. Which horror-movie baddie has the best personality? Make your pick in our MTV Movies Blog poll! Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Leatherface, Chucky, Michael Myers and Ghostface all have received spotlight treatment, and now it's time to turn the focus toward a seriously scary mass-murderer: Jigsaw. Jigsaw Name: John "Jigsaw" Kramer, so nicknamed for his practice of cutting puzzle pieces out of the flesh of victims who didn't "pass" his deadly tests in the "Saw" movie franchise Occupation: Civil engineer turned sadistic self-appointed judge of others' life choices Weapons: Practical home-improvement items found at a local Home Depot or Lowe's, along with the aid of a few helping hands here and there Archenemy: People who waste or don't appreciate their lives, laziness Profile: Kramer is a former civil engineer who is dying from colon cancer. After an unsuccessful suicide attempt, he suddenly gains a new appreciation for life and sets out to make others appreciate what they have before it's too late. Unfortunately, and as is standard in all good horror flicks, his methods are a bit twisted. In an effort to test his victims' survival instincts, he crafts deadly and torturous traps that play upon his captives' character flaws. He doesn't really want his victims to die, but makes it nearly impossible for them to survive. Horror-movie expert Ryan Turek, managing editor of ShockTillYouDrop.com, explains Jigsaw's brilliance: "Behind the flayed flesh and exposed guts his messy traps leave behind, Jigsaw does have a pretty solid message to pass along: Live your life and live it right. It's up to the people he captures to survive the blades, gears and barbed wire of his contraptions," Turek told MTV News, adding that what separates Jigsaw from other horror-movie killers is the fact that he's basically a regular guy. "That's something that the audience can invest in and be terrified of: that lurking behind this amiable face is something incredibly deranged. That somber, withering older guy in the corner? He's quietly eyeballing you and probably has a trap waiting for you somewhere. It also helps that he's smart," Turek continued. "This is a man with an education, and to a degree, you can respect him, which is a scary thought. Jigsaw's vicious tests get the audience engaged in a discussion about right and wrong. He forces people to better themselves. I'm waiting for the day 'The Jigsaw Challenge' reality show hits television. We're not that far off, are we?" Check out everything we've got on "Saw." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. John Kramer, known as Jigsaw, in "Saw" Photo: Lions Gate Films

'Breaking Dawn' Director Talks Sex Scene 'Adjustment'

Was the first cut of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" racy enough to be slapped with an R rating? In the December issue of Glamour UK, star Kristen Stewart revealed that Bella and Edward's feather-strewn sex scene was so saucy that it had to be recut. "It was so weird, it didn't even feel like we were doing a 'Twilight' film," she recalled to the British mag. "I was like, 'Bella! What are you doing? Wow! What is happening here?!' It was very surreal. We [originally] got rated R. They recut it." Though director Bill Condon couldn't confirm the R rating when MTV News recently spoke with him on the phone, he did reveal the approach necessary to earn a more teen-friendly PG-13 for the November 18 release. "It's almost clinical the kind of strict guidelines [the MPAA] have about anything that appears to be — how do I put it delicately? Can It Still Be Steamy With a PG-13? Predict On Facebook That appears to be, let's call it thrusting. In fact, you know, it was so much more about romance than it was about hot-and-heavy action, so it was a very kind of simple adjustment to make." If filming the infamous sex scene was one of the simplest items on Condon's honeymoon to-do list, one of the most difficult was scouting the location: the secluded Isle Esme owned by Carlisle Cullen. "We went to Brazil where it was at, that felt important to us," he said. "There are very few houses built on the water because it's against the law. So they're mostly built up, so it was hard to find a house that was like that. It took us — wow — we were five hours outside of Rio and then a boat trip of 40 minutes to get to this one island that had the house that we wanted." It was a good thing Condon was satisfied with the locale seeing as he and the crew spent several unexpected extra hours there. "We spent four days there and one night, when we had this incredible hurricane and couldn't get off the island," he said. "Eighty of us slept in the house on the floor and in bathtubs. It was incredible." Tweet your questions for Rob, Kristen, and Taylor to@MTVNews tagged #AskTwilight! Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1" Photo: Summit Entertainment

Sunday, October 30, 2011

'Expendables 2' Stuntman Dies In On-Set Accident

Tragedy has struck the Bulgarian set of the star-studded action sequel "The Expendables 2." A stuntman was killed when an accident occurred involving a rubber boat and an explosion. Two stuntmen were involved in the scene, which was filming around 7 p.m. local time on Thursday night. The second man suffered serious injuries, but he is now said to be in stable condition. No information has been released yet as to the identities of the men involved in the incident. A representative from the production company behind the Sylvester Stallone-produced film, Nu Image/Millennium Films, released a statement, saying, "It is with great regret that we confirm this unfortunate accident. Our hearts go out to the families and those on the production affected by this tragedy. The filmmakers are working closely with the authorities in responding to and investigating this accident." The accident occurred while the second unit filmed at the Ognyanovo dam in Bulgaria. None of the film's stars were present during the incident, as the first unit was filming at a resort more than two hours away. "Expendables 2" is scheduled to hit theaters next August and stars Stallone, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme. It is the sequel to the hit 2010 action film written and directed by Stallone. The sequel reunites most of the cast, while adding Simon West as director and adding Norris and Van Damme to the lineup. Check out everything we've got on "The Expendables 2." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Sylvester Stallone in "The Expendables" Photo: Lionsgate

'Dark Knight Rises' Prologue To Play Before IMAX 'Mission: Impossible'

It is almost certain now that the Dark Knight will be rising sooner than expected. As MTV News reported last week, there was a rumor circulating that a six-minute prologue to the upcoming Christopher Nolan Batman film, "The Dark Knight Rises," would play before IMAX showings of "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol." The presentation was, in theory, supposed to be similar to the Joker's reveal that played before IMAX screenings of "I Am Legend" in 2008. The rumor remained just that until theater chain AMC released a statement on their blog that reads: "The six-minute Dark Knight Rises prologue footage will only be shown on the higher resolution 70mm IMAX screens. Not the digital IMAX screens. Locations haven't been confirmed yet, so stay tuned for an update on AMC Theatre locations that will be showing the prologue Dark Knight Rises footage at a 70mm IMAX screen nearest you." AMC's statement aligned with the original rumor that had been posted on /Film, but news of the clip only showing on the "higher resolution 70mm IMAX screens" was an unexpected bit of information, though not entirely surprising. Nolan is known for his meticulous control over his films, so insisting on the higher res for the preview makes sense. This detail from the AMC post may spell trouble for some fans. If the report is accurate, the prologue will play on far fewer screens than initially expected. The digital IMAX screens tend to be more common than the 70mm format ones, so some fans may have to travel further than expected for their first glimpse at "The Dark Knight Rises." The post was the most solid confirmation yet about the footage, but it was soon removed. A new statement was issued by AMC, stating, "The information in this post has been retracted until further notice. Please refer to Warner Bros. for any information about The Dark Knight Rises." If AMC was confident enough to confirm the rumors, the prologue seems like more or less a certainty. The redaction by Warner Bros. could have to do with how they typically release Batman info. With "The Dark Knight," the "Why So Serious" marketing campaign involved highly complicated tasks that rewarded fans with content, like the Joker prologue. A straight news release for the "Dark Knight Rises" prologue would go against precedent. What do you want to see in the prologue for "The Dark Knight Rises"? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter! Check out everything we've got on "The Dark Knight Rises." For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com. Christian Bale and Tom Hardy film "The Dark Knight Rises" Photo: Jared Wickerham/ Getty Images

Saturday, October 29, 2011

'Lone Ranger' Is 'Built Around Tonto,' Director Says

Now that Disney, Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp have ironed out most of the budget kinks surrounding their production of "The Lone Ranger," we can all rest easy that the masked man and his trusty sidekick Tonto are headed to the big screen soon. When MTV News caught up with Verbinski at the Hollywood Awards Gala Monday night, where his quirky animated film "Rango" received the Hollywood Animation Award, we asked how he was feeling about the film and what his plans are for the adaptation. "I feel great. We're not shooting a Western in the middle of winter; the whole thing is pushed into a more reasonable time of year, so now we have to go make the movie," Verbinski said, speaking to the film's new May 31, 2013, release date. "There's been a lot of talk. Hopefully in a year and a half we'll have something we can talk about." Verbinski went on to say that he's been hard at work on the screenplay for two years and that the central character is not the Ranger. "It's all built around Tonto," he said. "You've heard the Lone Ranger's story; you just haven't heard it told from this guy, and he was there." Depp has already teased that their take on the beloved duo's Western adventures will be "interesting," to say the least. "I like the character. I think I have interesting plans for the character, and I think the film itself could be entertaining and very funny," he said. "But also I like the idea of having the opportunity to make fun of the idea of the Indian as a sidekick — which has always been [the case] throughout the history of Hollywood. The Native American has always been a second-class, third-class, fourth-class, fifth-class citizen, and I don't see Tonto that way at all. So it's an opportunity for me to salute Native Americans." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Gore Verbinski Photo: MTV News

'In Time': The Reviews Are In!

What do you get when you mix a futuristic, time-as-money/life-or-death premise; a cast of pretty young things, including Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Matt Bomer and Cillian Murphy; plus the sound sci-fi sensibilities of writer/director Andrew Niccol ("Gattaca," "The Truman Show") and appropriately stylized cinematography by Roger Deakins ("True Grit," "The Reader")? "In Time" is what, a complex, visually appealing sci-fi thriller that has audiences and critics somewhat divided. (The critical collective over at Rotten Tomatoes is at 36 percent rotten, while its audience rating sits at 76 percent fresh.) Take a few moments to check out the film's ticking points, if you will, as we sift through the "In Time" reviews! The Story "The premise builds on the notion that time is money. In the movie's dystopian future, where today's cars have tomorrow's grilles, time has replaced money. People are born with genetic clocks that stop at the age of 25; after that they've got one year in which to beg, borrow, steal or even earn more time. If they don't, the digital clocks embedded in their forearms dwindle down to zero and they time out, i.e., die. That's clever, right? But then there are roving gangs called Minute Men (Teddy Boy types out of 'A Clockwork Orange') who steal time; the borderline-silly spectacle of almost everyone looking 25; the polemic element of social injustice (the richest of the rich can live forever because they've got eons socked away); and the action-adventure element, a clumsy amalgam of Robin Hood, 'Bonnie and Clyde,' 'The Avengers,' 'Les Misérables,' 'Dick Tracy' (for the color and graphics) and Mr. Niccol's earlier, and impressive, genetic-engineering opus 'Gattaca.' " — Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal The Sci-Fi Confusion/ High-Concept Factor "For a movie about the importance of maximizing every second, 'In Time' ultimately grows repetitive and wears out its welcome. It's fast-paced and hugely stylish, though, with its great-looking cast and a mix of gleaming, futuristic visuals and grimy, industrial chic. And it's a welcome return to the kind of slick sci-fi Niccol made his name on in the mid-'90s with 'Gattaca' and 'The Truman Show' (which he wrote). But his high-concept premise raises several nagging questions. Why do all the inhabitants of this dystopian world (which happens to look just like downtown Los Angeles and Century City) stop aging at 25, then find themselves with only a year left unless they can buy themselves more? When did this start — what is the purpose? And if Justin Timberlake is so busy working in a factory just so he can afford to live one day to the next, where does he find time to go to the gym?" — Christy Lemire, The Associated Press The Performances "There are moguls who are mean and have more time than God, which they bank in banks. Chief among them is a calculatingly evil Philippe Weis ('Mad Men's' Vincent Kartheiser, well-turned-out here too), with daughter Sylvia (Seyfried) the apple of Daddy's eye — although whether he loves her or time more will be tested. There are regular bad guys, time thieves called Minutemen, led by Alex Pettyfer, who seems to be getting a little too comfortable in bad-guy roles ('Beastly,' 'Tormented'), as Fortis. Meanwhile, inflation is rampant; the class divide is growing ever wider; the world is ripe for an action hero. Cue Timberlake. 'In Time' was supposed to turn Timberlake into a superhero, though given the way he manages a fairly massive pop career with an increasingly impressive acting portfolio ('Social Network' most recently), that may not be necessary. He brings an interesting sensibility to his characters, Will included, that suggest a complex interior that 'In Time' never quite reveals. The same goes for Seyfried ('Mamma Mia!,' 'Red Riding Hood'), who can do a lot more than use those big eyes and sleek lines." — Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times The Final Word, Pro-Con-Pro Style "There's plenty to enjoy about that genre standard, which, with the help of the cinematographer Roger Deakins (shooting in digital), Mr. Niccol transforms into a neonoir gaudily washed in green and gold. There's a memorable night scene when Will and Sylvia sprint across a succession of roofs pursued by Raymond, the camera racing parallel with the couple, the exuberance of their freedom and flight palpable. Here, as in other scenes where Mr. Niccol let his images do the talking, the movie works, despite its wavering tone and slow-and-go energy. But then the characters open their mouths and start going on about minutes and hours, clocks and watches, and their time running out and not having enough time and where's my time, don't waste my time, that time will get you killed, brother can you spare some time because, well, I'm all out." — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times "One problem with 'In Time' is that it's more fun to describe than to sit through. Another is that Niccol's direction of his cast is spotty at best. Timberlake has the steely visage and stubbled cheeks for a rogue hero, but Seyfried, always a watchable presence, has trouble connecting with Sylvia's inner rebellious streak or, for that matter, lending urgency to her line readings. The film's crucial failing, though, is that Niccol's imagination is vigorously literary but not thrillingly cinematic. The movie exhausts its capital about halfway through — devolving, as the Timekeeper tracks the lovers on the run, into a series of car chases and foot races, none of them very spiffily executed. If you're like me, you will be captivated by the first hour and, after that, impatiently checking your watch." — Richard Corliss, Time "Even if 'In Time' descends from its gripping and thought-provoking premise into a mediocre chase thriller before it's over, it's still pretty damn satisfying to watch in the current climate. Of course the contradictions of capitalism are just as present in eras of widespread affluence as in eras of recession or stagnation, but we see them a hell of a lot more clearly at the moment. Niccol is dramatizing the human costs of the concentration of wealth, expressed by Philippe in the film with the formula that some must die so others can live forever. Somewhere Marx quips that capital is immortal even if its possessors are not; this movie's imaginative leap is to conflate the two and build a world where even death, the great leveler in human affairs, can be bought off." — Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com Check out everything we've got on "In Time." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried in "In Time" Photo: 20th Century Fox

Friday, October 28, 2011

Beavis And Butt-Head 'Taking Shots' At Reality Shows, Mike Judge Promises

It's been almost 14 years since the slackest slackers of a generation, Beavis and Butt-head, filled the airwaves with their shenanigans, but when the duo return to television with new episodes Thursday (October 27), the MTV they return to is quite a different one. Creator Mike Judge had to address the changes to the channel when deciding which direction to take the show in. Without music videos playing as regularly on MTV, there is less of an opportunity for Beavis and Butt-head to sit around and comment on them as they did during the show's original run. Reality shows like "Jersey Shore" and "16 and Pregnant" have replaced what were formerly blocks of music videos, and Judge said he wanted the new "Beavis and Butt-head" episodes to reflect that shift. According to Judge, MTV reality shows comprise 60 percent of the content Beavis and Butt-head sit and watch now. The transition from music videos to reality programming has been an easy one for Judge. "I think it is easier taking shots at the reality shows than music videos," Judge said. Missed it the first time around? MTV's Remote Control has a Beginner's Guide To "Beavis and Butt-head"! But Beavis and Butt-head didn't just make fun of the videos they watched. "In the beginning of the first run, I did a lot of what I would call taking shots at the videos," Judge said. "But then a lot of times I would just have them talk about whatever, and it didn't necessarily have that much to do about saying anything one way or another about the video." Reality TV, on the other hand, is a different story. Judge has found that with the new crop of shows, the material is too ripe for ridicule to ignore. "With the reality shows, it just feels like pay dirt to me," Judge said. "Those shows have just been really fun to have Beavis and Butt-head watch." Don't miss "Beavis and Butt-head" when it returns to TV Thursday at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Beavis and Butt-Head Photo: MTV

'Paranormal Activity 3': Seven Burning Questions Answered

On Friday, after the directors of "Paranormal Activity 3" helped us reveal 10 secrets about their horror sequel, we promised that on Monday, once fans had actually been able to check out the movie, we'd deliver a slew of answers to burning questions. And check it out, fans most certainly did. "PA 3" reeled in $54 million at the box office over its first weekend. That's a lot of money for a lot of screams and, likely, a lot of sore throats today. So you guys deserve it: Read on for directors Henry Joost's and Ariel Schulman's answers to many of the eye-popping moments in the flick (needless to say, major spoilers exist below). How did they make everything fall in the kitchen? Henry Joost: "All summer, people were like, 'How do we top the cabinets blowing open [from the previous film]?' " Ariel Schulman: " 'The cabinet scare! The cabinet scare!' " Joost: "It was just so regular. We all have cabinets, but they've never done that before. It's the last thing you expect to happen. So we were brainstorming and brainstorming. I wanted Randy's dead body to drop from the ceiling. And [screenwriter] Chris Laden was like, 'What about all the stuff in the kitchen?' That was massive rigging for special-effects crew. It was so beautiful. It was like an art installation. It was all practical." Schulman: "We did one take. We rigged everything to a hinge and had one button. You say go and it just launches." Joost: "The release is staggered. The stuff gets closer to the camera, which is something you don't even register, but it is 100 times better than everything falling at once." Wait, you were going to kill Randy? Schulman: "We never killed Randy. We talked about it. The character who knows something is wrong and leaves and then meets his death somewhere else because the demon has followed him. But we never killed him." Where did the idea for Bloody Mary come from? Schulman: "Chris Laden had been wanting to bring back Bloody Mary, which was a great idea. And we'd been wanting to do a scene in total darkness." Joost: "We shot that scene three different ways. We shot the version that's in the trailer, where it's just the girls. And then we shot it with Dennis, Randy and Katie. The first two times were good, but we felt like we could take it to the next level. On set, we came up with the rattling door. We were like, 'Can you make something in the room fly out of the room?' " Schulman: "Not only is the acting improvised, but a lot of the writing is. That scene starts off with Randy and Katie playing Bloody Mary and Randy gets scratched. End of scene. But it felt like it could get scarier. So we huddled and said, 'What if the demon is right outside the door and just slamming on it?' And we just went from there." Where is Julie's husband? Will we ever see him? Schulman: "Maybe. Gotta leave some questions kind of unanswered!" What exactly happened at the end? Schulman: "The grandmother is the leader of a coven that is calling forth a demon. That demon is requesting a male host, a child. Someone has made a deal with the devil in return for a boy somewhere along this family lineage. That hasn't happened yet. It happens in 'Paranormal 2.' In 'Paranormal 2,' the grandma is forcing the issue. Once that boy is had, she will be there with her coven and the demon in order to deliver the baby." Joost: "Dennis is in the way, and ultimately Julie is too." So at the end, the creepy women are going to have a séance? Schulman: "Well, not exactly. It's not in the movie. I think a lot of this movie is left up to your imagination. So much had been done within the genre. People know a lot more about demonology than they realize. You actually don't need to show it. You just insinuate it and people are like, 'Oh yeah, that's going to be a séance later. I know how those work.' " Joost: "It's a huge thing in this movie that now, not only are you afraid of a demon, you're also afraid of a bunch of people in cahoots with the demon." Schulman: "The women in the coven are very sweet. But if you look at their IMDb credits, they each have played 'creepy lady' many times. Talk about being pigeonholed." Will you guys return for "Paranormal Activity 4"? Schulman: "I had a blast. I'd do it again." Joost [laughing]: "We have some ideas. It's going to be just drawings. Calligraphy and watercolors. And set in the 1800s." Schulman: "Found watercolors!" Check out everything we've got on "Paranormal Activity 3." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Lauren Bittner in "Paranormal Activity 3" Photo: Paramount Pictures

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Michael Myers: From 'Halloween' To MTV's Killer Halloween

We're just about halfway through MTV's Killer Halloween, and the competition is just heating up in the battle to find out which movie murderer tops them all. So far, we've profiled Freddy, Jason, Leatherface, Chucky and Ghostface, but now we look at the man who ushered in the modern era of slashers. Which horror-movie baddie has the best personality? Make your pick in our MTV Movies Blog poll! Michael Myers Occupation: Homicidal boy, homicidal adult Weapons: Knife, inability to ever freaking die Archenemy: His family, his psychiatrist, anyone who gets in the way of him killing his family and his psychiatrist Profile: Michael Myers was a bit of a prodigy in the ways of serial killing, changing the game even as a young boy. Pre-teen Michael may have been the first to don a mask — a creepy clown one for his first murder — and go after the babysitter, his sister Judith. He spent the remainder of his youth in an institution for the mentally disturbed under the close observation of Dr. Sam Loomis. After Michael escaped, stealing a mask, jumpsuit and knife from a hardware store, movie serials have never been the same. The target of most of Michael's deadly attention has been his surviving sister, Laurie, the lead played by Jamie Lee Curtis in the first two films and "Halloween: H20" and Scout Taylor-Compton in the Rob Zombie remakes. The early films simply focused on Michael's obsession with finding his long-lost baby sister, but later in the series, the true origin of Michael as an embodiment of pure evil added a supernatural element to the villain. There has never been too much to Michael Myers' tactics. He stalks. He walks. He kills. His style of murder will be remembered for a number of reasons. His mask, an old William Shatner "Star Trek" mask painted white, has become a horror icon. His slow gait and silent disposition directly inspired dozens of imitators — Jason Voorhees, most famously. Modern slasher films owe a debt to Michael Myers and his creator John Carpenter, whose work has affected the genre for generations. Where do you think Michael Myers falls in the scope of horror-movie psychopaths? Let us know in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "Halloween." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Michael Myers in "Halloween" Photo: Dimension Films

Jason Voorhees Creeps Up On MTV's Killer Halloween

MTV News kicked off our Killer Halloween with Freddy Krueger on Monday (October 24), but now it's time to take a look at one of his rivals: "Friday the 13th" terror Jason Voorhees. If you're just tuning in, each day we'll profile two of cinema's deadliest serial killers and ask you to help create the ultimate ranking. Each villain will be ranked from 1 to 5 on a number of deadly attributes, so check back all week for new profiles and new polls, and help decide on the deadliest of them all. Head over to our Movies Blog poll to determine which horror icon has style to die for! Jason Voorhees Occupation: Mongoloid Weapons: Machete, the teenage libido Arch-Enemies: Swimming, campers, Freddy Kruger Profile: You know the saying: Hell hath no fury like a mongoloid serial killer with mommy issues. Jason Voorhees has more than a few things he should discuss with a therapist. His mother, a cook at Camp Crystal Lake, lost her mind when Jason drowned and went on a murderous rampage, killing the canoodling counselors and Kevin Bacon in the process. But Mrs. Voorhees met a very headless end, when one of the counselors decapitated her with a machete, thus handing the camp reigns over to her recently resurrected son, Jason. Wearing a hood over his head to mask his disfigurements, he laid low for a while, hiding out in the woods and a cabin near Crystal Lake. Jason eventually proved more than any sociopathic mother could have ever asked for, killing counselors left and right. He took up that iconic hockey mask in the third installment. While Jason is known for his slow gait, Detroit Redwings mask and machete, he could just as well be known for his many, many resurrections. Campers at Crystal Lake need to learn a simple equation: dead Jason plus electricity equals alive and pissed-off Jason. After two official deaths, Jason earned supernatural powers of regeneration that made him virtually indestructible. His newfound powers allowed him to be frozen and, in turn, to travel 400 years into the future in "Jason X." Jason's most recent resurrection came at the razor-sharp hands of Freddy Kruger, who pretended to be Mrs. Voorhees in order to revive Jason. The two eventually faced off, but neither emerged as the clear winner. Check out everything we've got on "Friday the 13th." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Jason Voorhees from "Friday The 13th" Photo: Paramount Pictures

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Eddie Murphy, Brett Ratner Can't Agree On 'Beverly Hills Cop 4'

There seems to be two varying opinions on whether "Beverly Hill Cop 4" will ever happen. Ask the attached director, Brett Ratner, and he'll tell you he wants to make it happen with Eddie Murphy. But the response is ... rather different if you put the same question to the A-list actor. MTV News recently caught up with Ratner as he promoted "Tower Heist," out this Friday and starring yes, Murphy. The director sounded hopeful about another "Cop" sequel. "I think one day, I'm hoping, because it is one of the most iconic characters ever," Ratner told us. "Eddie does not go anywhere in the world where they're not like, 'Axel Foley, what's up?' more than 'Eddie Murphy.' It is something that our hope and desire is to get it made." Much like he did with MTV News, Ratner has spoken on several occasions about his hopes for a fourth movie featuring the legendary Axel Foley, a Detroit cop who finds himself solving crimes in the very posh Beverly Hills. In the latest issue of Rolling Stone, however, Eddie Murphy tells the magazine that the possibilities for a fourth "Beverly Hills Cop" film are dead. "They're not doing it," Murphy told the magazine. According to the actor, the proposed screenplays didn't really support the making of a new film. "None of the movie scripts were right; it was trying to force the premise. If you have to force something, you shouldn't be doing it. It was always a rehash of the old thing. It was always wrong," Murphy says. But Murphy has other ideas for the beloved character. "What I'm trying to do now is produce a TV show starring Axel Foley's son, and Axel is the chief of police now in Detroit," Murphy revealed. "I'd do the pilot, show up here and there." Ratner himself acknowledged the challenges involved with revisiting the "Beverly Hills Cop" franchise. "It's a hard nut to crack, especially since there are three that exist before that. It's a hard thing," Ratner admitted, before adding that the three films allow him to see what worked in the series and what didn't. Would you like to see a new "Beverly Hills Cop" movie? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter! Check out everything we've got on "Tower Heist." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Eddie Murphy Photo: Getty Images

'Breaking Dawn' Stars, Musicians Hit The Road

Some of the stars of the upcoming "Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" will be hitting the road next month for a barnstorming tour to jack Twilighters up even more about the penultimate film in the vamps-and-werewolves saga. Peter Facinelli, Jackson Rathbone, Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz and Elizabeth Reaser will pile into the van (OK, probably a plane) for a five-city tour from November 7 to 11 that will hit Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco and Salt Lake City, just one week before the movie hits screens (November 18). They will be joined by singer and "Breaking Dawn" soundtrack contributor Christina Perri on the first three dates. Three other soundtrack contributors — Aqualung, Lucy Schwartz and Sleeping at Last — will be on hand for the final two shows. Tickets for the appearances are free and will be available beginning at 10 a.m. local time Saturday, November 5, at each location, with a two-ticket-per-person limit. Each event will feature a red-carpet arrival followed by the mini-concert. If you just can't wait that long, tune in to MTV at 7:54 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 26, to see the debut of the video for the first single from the "Breaking Dawn - Part 1" soundtrack, "It Will Rain," from Bruno Mars. The "Rain" video will feature a never-before-seen clip from the film. Immediately following the video's premiere, the action switches over to MTV.com for a live stream featuring MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway's exclusive interview with Mars, plus "Twilight" music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas, who will discuss everything about the "Breaking Dawn" soundtrack. "After seeing the movie, I thought that it would be a perfect fit," Mars told Billboard last month about the lead single from the soundtrack. "The 'Twilight' movies for me [are] a love story. But it's a dark love story," he added. "And I think the best way to describe the song is: It's the darker side of love. I think that pretty much sums it up." Mars will also be answering your video and text questions, which you can submit starting today at MTV.com or via Twitter using the hashtag #AskBruno. The "Twilight" tour dates are: " 11/7 - Atlanta, GA @ The Buckhead Theatre (Greene, Reed, Facinelli, Rathbone and Perri) " 11/8 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues (Greene, Reed, Facinelli, Rathbone, Lutz, Reaser and Perri) " 11/9 - Dallas, TX @ The Palladium Ballroom at Gilley's Dallas (Greene, Reed, Facinelli, Rathbone and Perri) " 11/10 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore (Greene, Reed, Facinelli, Rathbone with Aqualung, Schwartz and Sleeping at Last) " 11/11 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Rail Event Center (Greene, Reed, Facinelli, Rathbone with Aqualung, Schwartz and Sleeping at Last) Will you check out the "Twilight" tour? Let us know in the comments! Bruno Mars' "It Will Rain" video premieres Wednesday, October 26, at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV, with a live stream to follow on MTV.com. Fans can submit their questions for Bruno through MTV.com, or via Twitter, using the hashtag #AskBruno. Ashley Greene Photo: Didier Messens/ WireImage

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Leatherface Makes The Cut For MTV's Killer Halloween

MTV's Killer Halloween continues! We're on a mission to find out who the best and scariest movie murderer is based on your votes, and we're ranking these ghastly guys on their deadliest attributes. Freddy Krueger and Ghostface, Jason and Leatherface are just a few of the cinematic terrors on our list. Check out our latest killer profile, for "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" crazy man Leatherface, and be sure to visit us every day this week to see the latest matchups! Name: Leatherface Occupation: Taxidermist, cannibal, serial killer Weapons: Chainsaw, meat hooks, butcher's hammer, family baggage Archenemy: Sanity, vegetarians, syphilis (the reason Leatherface doesn't have a nose) Profile: What's not to love about a killer who wields a chainsaw and wears a mask made of human skin? Not to mention that bloody butcher's apron — it is a killer getup, pun intended. Leatherface made his terrifying debut in 1974's beloved slasher classic "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." The backwoods cannibal's gruesome appeal is enhanced by the involvement of his totally twisted, psychotic, inbred family members, who own and operate the Last Chance gas station and use it to find new victims to torture, kill ... and barbecue. Horror movie expert Brian Collins of Horror Movie a Day attributes Leatherface's appeal to his simplicity and consistency. "They never really screwed him up like the other guys. Freddy [Krueger] turned into a cartoon, Michael [Myers] was ret-conned into a henchman for some druid cult, but Leatherface was always just a simple cannibal with a chainsaw and a mask made of human skin," Collins told MTV News. "He always had a group of other killers to play off of, making him a little more three-dimensional than the others who worked alone." Leatherface and his family, along with their creepy cannibalistic ways, were featured in several other films following the original: "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2," "Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III," "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation," the 2003 Michael Bay-produced remake, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," and a 2006 prequel, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning." Their appalling adventures also inspired several comic books: 1991's four-issue series, "Leatherface," 1995's three-issue "Jason vs. Leatherface," and one-off special issues like "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Special" and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Cut!" "Leatherface is up there with Freddy, Jason and Michael as far as the die-hard horror fans are concerned," Collins said of the chainsaw wielder's place among favorite horror movie killers, adding that the hankering for human flesh and hacking through it is an unforgettable combo, even if he isn't as mainstream as the likes of Freddy and Jason. "I don't think he's as iconic to the casual moviegoer as the others, since there haven't been as many movies," he said. Check out everything we've got on "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Leatherface in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" Photo: Vortex

Eminem's 'Southpaw' Boxing Movie Back On Track

Talk about an epic battle. Eminem has been circling the gritty boxing drama "Southpaw" for more than a year now. But it seemed like the rapper's second feature film was down for the count when its original distributor, DreamWorks, shelved it in August. According to the Hollywood Reporter , the scrappy tale of a welterweight boxer who becomes a champ despite being a lefty has gotten off the mat and is back in contention. Sony Pictures Entertainment has picked up the flick, which would be Marshall Mathers' first major movie role since his acclaimed debut in the semi-autobiographical 2002 drama "8 Mile." The movie is expected to start production early next year and will be directed by Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day"), from a script written by Em and "Sons of Anarchy" creator Kurt Sutter. Like "8 Mile," Eminem says the tale is a parallel to his own life: the story of a boxer who rises to the top only to see tragedy strike, forcing him to mount a personal and professional comeback. Em famously reached the pinnacle of rap fame in the early 2000s, only to fall into a nearly fatal spiral of drug addiction, which he later snapped, getting clean and releasing a triumphant comeback album, Recovery, in 2010. Eminem has done a few cameos since "8 Mile," including the Adam Sandler movie "Funny People" and HBO's "Entourage," but has not headlined a movie since his screen debut. He was recently named a "God of Rock' by GQ magazine, which put him on the cover alongside Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and Lil Wayne. "I've realized that the way I am helps with the music," he said about the natural personality quirks that fuel his music. "Sporadic thoughts will pop into my head, and I'll have to go write something down, and the next thing you know, I've written a whole song in an hour. But sometimes it sucks, and I wish I was wired like a regular person and could go have a f---in' drink. But that's the biggest thing about addiction: When you realize that you cannot — for f---'s sake, you cannot — f--- around with nothing ever again." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Eminem Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

Monday, October 24, 2011

'Paranormal Activity 3' Seizes Box-Office Record

Moviegoers were feeling the Halloween "spirit" over the weekend. "Paranormal Activity 3" broke the box-office record for the biggest fall opening with an estimated $54 million debut, passing "Jackass 3D" to become the highest-grossing September/October opening ever. Meanwhile, "The Three Musketeers," "Johnny English Reborn" and "The Mighty Macs" all underperformed. Both "Real Steel" and the remake of "Footloose" held strong over the weekend. Hugh Jackman's robot action adventure was #2 with $11.3 million for a $67.2 million total, with "Footloose" right behind at #3 with $10.9 million for a $30.9 million total. Roughly 55 percent of "The Three Musketeers" $8.8 million debut, which landed the film at #4 at the box office, can be attributed to its more expensive 3-D screening ticket prices. Co-star Milla Jovovich made entertainment news headlines with a flurry of tweets questioning the promotion effort behind the flick on the part of distributor Summit Entertainment, which also handles the "Twilight" franchise. "I think 'summit' have swept '3 Musketeers', a grt family adventure film, under the rug in the US. Shame on them," the actress declared in one of several tweets unleashed on Friday. The film, directed by Jovovich's husband, Paul W.S. Anderson, was dismissed by most film critics. "An editorial mess, an atonal wreck, and a huge waste of cash from inception to release," Scott Weinberg at Twitch wrote. "The Ides of March" rounded out the top five with $4.9 million. The George Clooney-directed political feature has earned $29.2 million to date. While the comedy "Johnny English Reborn" has done respectable business internationally, it made just $3.8 million during its first weekend in North American theaters. "The Mighty Macs" made just over $1 million, although it played in less than a third of the locations as "Paranormal Activity 3." Elizabeth Olsen's "Martha Marcy May Marlene" got off to a strong start at just four locations in New York and Los Angeles, taking in a respectable per-theater average of $34,385. Elizabeth is the sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Next weekend's new releases include Johnny Depp's "The Rum Diary," "Shrek" spin-off "Puss in Boots," Justin Timberlake's "In Time" and director Roland Emmerich's "Anonymous." Check out everything we've got on "Paranormal Activity 3" and "Footloose." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Katie Featherston and Sprague Grayden in "Paranormal Activity 3" Photo: Paramount Pictures

'Amazing Spider-Man' Villain Debuts His Lizard Voice

For Andrew Garfield, becoming your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is as simple as slipping on some red-and-blue tights. For Rhys Ifans, the process of becoming the Lizard -- the reptilian nemesis Peter Parker will face in next summer's "The Amazing Spider-Man" -- is considerably trickier. As is the case with so many superhero films these days, Ifans filmed his scenes as the Lizard while wearing a complicated motion-capture suit that will make way for the villain's scaly visage somewhere along the post-production process. But fans won't have to look too hard to see Ifans' performance shine through the presumably CGI-heavy Lizard's presence: His eyes, facial expressions and -- yes -- even his voice will be front and center when "Amazing Spider-Man" swings into theaters. "It's totally my voice," Ifans told MTV News when asked if we'd be hearing his Lizard voice when the movie arrives next year. "I'm sure the voice will be toyed with in the eventual edits, but when I was shooting the CGI moments, when I wasn't actually human, when I was Lizard, I looked like a crash-test dummy in a green leotard thing. There were many moments when I had to speak to Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone as the Lizard." Not content with simply telling us that we'd be hearing his Lizard voice, Ifans one-upped us with one heck of a terrifying exclusive: his first public performance of the Lizard's voice! "Sooooo prettyyyyy," he hissed at MTV's Josh Horowitz, making our fearless reporter very, very uncomfortable. "Beauuuuutiful MTV ... " Perhaps not the most menacing words Ifans could have strung together, but let us assure you, witnessing the incredibly talented "Anonymous" actor's Lizard drawl firsthand is not an experience we'll soon forget. If his Lizard voice is even half as terrifying in the final edit of "Amazing Spider-Man" as it was in person, webheads everywhere are going to be very pleased next summer. What do you think of Ifans' "Spider-Man" voice? Let us know in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "The Amazing Spider-Man." For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies -- updated around the clock -- visit SplashPage.MTV.com. Rhys Ifans Photo: MTV News

Sunday, October 23, 2011

'Paranormal Activity 3' Terrifies Fans At New York Screening

It's not often that you see people standing for hours in a line that wraps around the block just for the chance to get scared out of their minds, but that's exactly what happened Tuesday night in New York at an advance fan screening of "Paranormal Activity 3." Fans tweeted for a chance to check out the third entry in the found-footage horror series and to learn how the haunting started. Some of the hopeful audience members showed up as early as the morning before the 10 p.m. screening. Once inside the theater, the lucky crowd competed for prizes like iPods, only heightening the excitement in the room. When it was finally time to screen the movie, directors Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost showed up, appropriately decked out for Halloween with fake knives and syringes lodged in each of their heads. Schulman warned people that they weren't ready for the scares in "Paranormal Activity 3," promising that nobody in the theater was going to sleep that night. Among chants of "P-A-3," the lights dimmed and the screams started, and they didn't stop for 84 minutes. As soon as the screening ended, the fan reaction was clear. "I thought 'Paranormal Activity' was tuck-your-feet-under-the-blanket horrifying," said Jeffrey Caban, who claimed his heart was still racing. Nelson Rosa said he understood "the saying 'my heart skipped a beat' [for the] first time ever." "It was intense. It had me screaming, jumping up and down, covering my eyes, everything," Maria Huighes said. Are you excited for "Paranormal Activity 3"? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter! Check out everything we've got on "Paranormal Activity 3." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Lauren Bittner in Paranormal Activity 3 Photo: Paramount Pictures

'Once Upon A Time' Preview: Fairy Tales Meet Reality

The characters in the fairy tales you grew up listening to are people too. That's a big part of the story behind ABC's upcoming fantasy series "Once Upon a Time." From the minds of former "Lost" writers and producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis, "Once Upon a Time" follows the lives of a number of storybook characters who find themselves trapped in the real world after a curse is placed on them. Jennifer Morrison ("Warrior") stars as Emma Swan, the woman tasked with saving the fairy-tale world and bringing back the happy endings. Morrison says that there's much more to the series than the familiar faces, like Snow White, and that the show is about something bigger and much more relatable. "It's relationship driven. There is this sort of underlying universal thing," Morrison said. "We're in a time in our lives where the economy's kind of tough and jobs are tough, a lot of struggles people are facing. In a sense, our show really represents that in the curse that is on the characters and the hope that there is a way out, that you can band together and find a way out." Taking such a fantastical premise and making it about something real is a trick Horowitz and Kitsis say they learned from their time working on another sweeping fantasy epic, "Lost." The creators cite the character-driven drama of "Lost" and that show's executive producers, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, for giving them the direction and recipe for a successful outlandish drama series. "I think that the important thing that Damon and Carlton always told us was that it's about character first, although the fairy tale is fun, and Storybrooke's fun," Kitsis says. "Like, oh my god, that's Grumpy in a scene with Little Red Riding Hood. If you don't care about the characters and you don't care about their struggles, for us it's important that they're not just animated characters." For any TV show with even the most tenuous connections to "Lost," there will be questions of whether there is an overall arch already planned. Horowitz and Kitsis say they know where they want to take it but are waiting to see how viewers react first. "You can really only take those big picture ideas and then look at what's right in front of you and try to tell the best story you can, and we'll see what the audience says," Horowitz explained. To clarify further, Kitsis offered up an analogy. "It's kind of like we're on a road trip. We know we want to get to New York eventually, but if we see a large potato in Idaho we have to go see, then we're going to veer off and see it," Kitsis says. "Once Upon a Time" premieres this Sunday on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. CT. "Once Upon a Time" cast Photo: ABC

Saturday, October 22, 2011

'Hunger Games' Star Jennifer Lawrence A 'Powerful Person'

We'd heard "Hunger Games" star Jennifer Lawrence talk about the intensity of her workouts to prepare for the role of the arrow-slinging reluctant warrior Katniss Everdeen. And we'd heard director Gary Ross brag on his star's behalf, using phrases like "intensely physical," "physically demanding" and "very rigorous" to describe Lawrence's training program. But the Oscar-nominated actress' physical transformation into the District 12 tribute didn't really hit home until we checked out the "Hunger Games" teaser footage we debuted in August at the MTV Video Music Awards. We just didn't know what to expect. Her "Like Crazy" co-star Anton Yelchin, however, knew exactly what was coming. Months after their romantic drama premiered at Sundance (and walked away with the Grand Jury Prize), the duo ended up at the same gym, prepping for the next steps in their cinematic careers. "I was training for a film called 'Odd Thomas' that I was doing at the same gym Jen was training [at for] the bow stuff and all the running," Yelchin told MTV News recently. "I got to see her and talk to her. I think she's amazing, and she's a good friend of mine." And after checking out the "Hunger Games" teaser, Yelchin had firsthand knowledge of what it took for Lawrence to become Katniss. He was impressed, but not surprised. "When I saw Jen, it was different kinds of physical training she was going through, like running training," he said. "She's such a powerful person. She can do anything she puts her mind to. If she needs to transform for something, she'll transform. If she needs to learn how to kill you with the bow, she'll do that. She'll do anything she needs to do." Check out everything we've got on "The Hunger Games." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Jennifer Lawrence in "The Hunger Games" Photo: Lionsgate

'Hunger Games' Cast Is 'Amazing,' Stanley Tucci Says

"Wait till you see Stanley Tucci do Caesar Flickerman," teased "Hunger Games" director Gary Ross back in August as MTV News was getting set to debut first-look footage from the upcoming adaptation of the best-selling young-adult series. We had to wait then — the teaser only showcased Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen — and we continue to wait to finally peep Tucci as Flickerman, the flamboyantly attired interviewer who chats with each tribute before the start of the gladiatorial competition known as the Hunger Games. But whenever fans do get to check out Flickerman, they can be sure the character will stay true to the guy readers are familiar with from Suzanne Collins' novels. How do we know? Tucci told us himself. "Absolutely it [stays true]. Blue hair. Very bizarre," the actor said while promoting his upcoming drama about the mortgage crisis "Margin Call." Earlier this year, Tucci was in England shooting "Jack the Giant Killer" when he began to map out his Flickerman look. "We had wigs made there," he said. "I had some noses made, which we ended up not using and teeth and a whole bunch of different things. When I got to North Carolina [to shoot 'Hunger Games'], we played around for about seven hours and we started shooting the next day. I was only there for about a week, but it was fantastic." One of the scenes he shot was the pre-Games interviews with Lawrence's Katniss and Josh Hutcherson's Peeta Mellark, who confesses his love for Katniss during the chat. Both Lawrence and Hutcherson, Tucci said, pulled off the pivotal scene with an aplomb that defied their years. "She was amazing," he said. "They were all amazing. She's just so good and so mature at such a young age. It was really fun. Really fun. And Gary, he's great." Check out everything we've got on "The Hunger Games." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Stanley Tucci Photo: MTV News

Friday, October 21, 2011

'Paranormal Activity 3': The Reviews Are In!

This Halloween is the third in a row that the shaky-cam, faux-documentary series "Paranormal Activity" has released an entry into theaters, and critics agree that "Paranormal Activity 3" shares more than just a filming style with its predecessors. While the critical consensus is generally positive, most reviews note how similar the new "Paranormal" is to the two that came before it. This could be seen as a good or bad thing depending on how you feel about the first two films. There are new scares filling out a quiet, homespun frame, but not much else. Check out our roundup of the reviews, and be sure to read MTV News' five reasons to check out "Paranormal Activity 3." As a Sequel
" 'Paranormal Activity 3' is a prequel, revealing that the characters in 'PA1' and 'PA2' had already been through the all-night video surveillance ordeal. At least in this film they are undergoing it for the first time, which is less than can be said for us. The formula for the films involves pallid characters, perfunctory dialogue and very long waits for something to happen." — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times The Director
"Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost have fun with the archetypal image of a white-sheeted costume ghost, but mostly what they're aces at is timing. They know just how to thread a handheld camera up the stairs, down a hallway, and into the scattered bric-a-brac of a middle-class children's bedroom, settling at just the right moment upon a talking teddy bear that plays as a joke, even as a part of you momentarily thinks: Is that bear possessed?" — Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly The References
"Having been handed the entirely uninspiring challenge of fattening up the 'Paranormal' origin story (pop culture mythology in the making, or not), directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman (the doofuses behind the 2010 is-it-or-isn't-it-a-sham-doc-about-an-Internet-sham, 'Catfish') reach into their kit bag of plot elements from, and references to, a whole bunch of older horror movies that most of their target demographic likely hasn't seen. A bit of 'Rosemary's Baby' here, 'The Shining' there, 'Poltergeist' there, not to mention some Japanese stuff, and, of course, 'Blair Witch' itself, particularly at the end." — Glenn Kenny, MSN Movies The End
"As usual, the climax, in which the family makes the mistake of retreating to the sweet grandmother's (Hallie Foote) house, replaces the air of mystery with an all too explicit explication for what's been going on. But it does effectively fulfill its requirement of setting things up for the inevitable next installment. One doesn't need a Ouija board to discern that it will probably arrive sometime around next Halloween." — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter Bottom Line
"Like its predecessors, the movie is more clever than good, and if you feel as if you're being manipulated by the filmmakers, it's because you are. That's the fun of these movies, something you know going in. The point is to manipulate you in the scariest way possible, and 'Paranormal Activity 3' does a good job of that." — Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic Check out everything we've got on "Paranormal Activity 3." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Paranormal Activity 3 Photo: Paramount

Angelina Jolie's 'Blood And Honey' Trailer Debuts

We all know Angelina Jolie, Academy Award-winning actress, sex symbol, mother and philanthropist, but today for the first time, the new for "In the Land of Blood and Honey" introduces all of us to Angelina Jolie, writer and director. There's been talk about the project, a love story set during the Bosnian war in the early '90s, for a while now, but there was little actually known besides a rough description of the plot. Brad Pitt even refused to give his review of the film when he spoke with MTV News while promoting "Moneyball." The movie remained more or less a mystery with Jolie's name as the only recognizable feature. That is, until the trailer hit the Web on Friday (October 21). In it, we get a look at a sweeping romance buried deep within the horrors of the Bosnian war and filled with suspicion and betrayal. The film stars Zana Marjanovic and Goran Kostic as two lovers caught in the middle of the conflict. The scale is surprisingly big, attempting to portray a full-out war, and features lots of gunfire and several large explosions. The trailer also makes clear the emotional weight tied to both the romance and its wartime backdrop. Jolie pulled the cast from the area, choosing unknowns rather than A-listers with Eastern European accents. Two versions of the film exist, one in English, the other in the native Serbo-Croatian. The film opens December 23 and, from the looks of the trailer and its release date, "In the Land of Blood and Honey" could spell another trip to the Academy Awards for the first-time director. Check out everything we've got on "In the Land of Blood and Honey." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more -- updated around the clock -- visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Zana Marjanovic in "In the Land of Blood and Honey" Photo: GK Films

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Kristen Stewart Hurt On 'Snow White' Set?

Kristen Stewart was reportedly hurt on the set of "Snow White and the Huntsman," halting production until Friday. While details about her injury remain a mystery as of press time, her co-star Max Manganello, who plays one of the duke's soldiers in the film, announced it on Twitter. The tweet has since been taken down, but according to E! News, Manganello had this to say about the injury on Tuesday: "It's a wrap for today. Kristen has hurt herself ... nothing scary. We shoot on Friday." A rep for the movie studio had not responded to MTV News' request for comment by press time and little else is known about Stewart's condition. Stewart has been busy shooting the film abroad. In late September, she was spotted in Pembrokeshire, Wales, filming a battle scene, and days later she was photographed drenched and wearing a gown on the back of a white horse. The film is expected to open on June 1, 2012 and also features Charlize Theron (the Evil Queen), Chris Hemsworth (the Huntsman) and Sam Claflin (Prince Charming). The story centers on the struggle between Snow White and the Evil Queen, who, jealous of Snow White's beauty, wants to destroy her. The catch is that Snow White has been training with the Huntsman, who has also been ordered to kill her. And in true fairy-tale form, Prince Charming is enamored with Snow White. "It's not a little girl sitting by a well with little tweety birds telling her what to do and where to go," Stewart told MTV News of her character. "[The costume] makes you feel kind of strong occasionally, sometimes, but I kind of feel tiny, my pinhead sticks out of these enormous things." Check out everything we've got on "Snow White and the Huntsman." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Kristen Stewart on the set of "Snow White and the Huntsman" (file) Photo: Splash News

'Sherlock Holmes 2' Trailer Reveals Rachel McAdams, Moriarty

As far as sensational, buzzworthy trailers go, Robert Downey Jr. is on a roll. He's been a prominent fixture in two of the most talked-about teasers from two of the most anticipated films. The first trailer is for "The Avengers," which Marvel and Disney rolled out last week, and the second is for Guy Ritchie's bromantic "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," which hit the Interwebs on Wednesday (October 19). This second trailer is all about upping the action and mystery. It opens with the voice of new leading lady Sim, played by Noomi Rapace. "What do you see?" she asks Dr. Holmes (Downey Jr.), to which he replies "Everything," as we are then shown quick cuts of what are likely pieces of the second film's big mystery. There are dancing couples in a glamorous ballroom (including Sim and Holmes) at some grand party, a game of chess, a possible crime scene with a pile of wreckage in the center, bullet holes in the walls, cocked pistols and — gasp! A shot of Rachel McAdams' shifty lady thief Irene Adler walking somewhere with haste and some sort of precious parcel. The last shot in the opening montage is a glimpse at Jared Harris as evil-ish Moriarty looking out from behind super-secret spy glasses (not really, he's just holding a lorgnette — those fancy glasses people use at the opera). "That is my curse," Holmes says, a bookend to our introductory 20 seconds or so, before Ritchie kicks the action into high gear and packs the remaining two minutes and seven seconds with explosions, running, shooting, etc. — basically, Holmes and Watson (Jude Law) are up to their old tricks. "Oh, how I've missed you, Holmes," Watson says to his friend. "Have you? I've barely noticed your absence," Holmes answers back in a passive-aggressive tone, pretending not to have missed his best friend. This brief exchange is followed by more quick cuts of exotic locations and Watson's wedding and an introduction to bad guy Moriarty. "What are we up against here?" Watson asks Holmes. "The most formidable criminal mind in Europe," Holmes says. "Professor James Moriarty," Watson says, reading his name from Holmes' notes somewhere. "If we can stop him, we can prevent the collapse of Western civilization," Holmes adds dramatically, before an explosion erupts in the background. "No pressure." This is followed by more running, bullets flying, a slow-motion cat-and-mouse chase in the snow, banter with lady Sim, as well as a few Holmes and Watson moments, including one in which the former suddenly appears dressed in drag. "What?" Watson says when he encounters Holmes as a lady. "I agree it's not my best disguise," Holmes counters. Finally there are more quick cuts of action, much of which looks to be set on a moving train that later explodes, along with a brief but passionate kiss between former lovers Holmes and Adler. Check out everything we've got on "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Robert Downey Jr. in "Sherlock Holmes 2" Photo: Warner Bros

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Johnny Depp Explains Bumpy Ride Of 'Lone Ranger'

Much like the unforgivable and unpredictable nature of the American Old West, the plight of Johnny Depp and Gore Verbinski's big-screen adaptation of "The Lone Ranger" has been quite a bumpy ride. The film got the green light earlier this year, with Depp settled into the role of Tonto and Armie Hammer selected to play the Ranger. Then in August, Disney put a halt on the production with claims that the budget was too big. Just this week, negotiations ended on a happy note, with the production back in full swing and a tentative start date scheduled for early next year. MTV News caught up with Depp as he promoted "The Rum Diary," which opens October 28, to find out why "Ranger" is so important to him and why the budget became such a big issue for the studio bigwigs. "I like the character. I think I have interesting plans for the character, and I think the film itself could be entertaining and very funny," he said. "But also I like the idea of having the opportunity to make fun of the idea of the Indian as a sidekick — which has always been [the case] throughout the history of Hollywood, the Native American has always been a second-class, third-class, fourth-class citizen, and I don't see Tonto that way at all. So it's an opportunity for me to salute Native Americans." With regard to the back-and-forth budget talks with the studio, Depp admitted that he and director Verbinski knew they'd be in for some negotiating from the get-go, but they also planned to be patient. "We knew that the budget was going to be huge initially, and we also knew that it was going to be shut down for a while, and it was kind of like we patiently wait — we shave a little bit here, we do a little bit there, [and] they fix it." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Johnny Depp Photo: WireImage

'Twilight' Time Capsule Launches Online

Want one place where all your "Twilight" memories can live? Well, Summit Entertainment has launched the "Twilight" time capsule as the go-to destination for all things Bella, Edward and Jacob. The launch comes a month before "Breaking Dawn - Part 1" hits theaters on November 18. The time capsule is an interactive online community where fans can relive all the great moments from the Stephenie Meyer-penned franchise. According to a press release posted on The Hollywood Reporter, the site is a place where "fans can commemorate and share content with each other, and relive any moment in 'Twilight Saga' film history." Fans can generate their own user content for the site, as well as view a timeline that includes memories and trailers from the releases. "The 'Twilight' time capsule brings them all together in one place for all fans to enjoy together," "Twilight" star Nikki Reed said in a video about the site. "Now you can commemorate your personal memories forever and become a part of 'Twilight Saga' history." This isn't the only way to get caught up on all things "Twilight." There will also be "Twilight" re-release events kicking off in November. The re-releases begin November 1 with the first flick in the franchise, 2008's "Twilight." "Twilight Saga: New Moon" (2009) will open on November 8, and last year's "Eclipse" opens the following week on November 15. Ticket information and a complete list of theaters hosting the events can be found at the Fathom events website. It's not over just yet, however. The last "Twilight" flick, "Breaking Dawn - Part 2," directed by Bill Condon, hits theaters on November 16, 2012. Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in "Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" Photo: Summit

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

'The Thing': The Reviews Are In!

The subject of film remakes and reboots has become a sensitive one. With two variations on that theme opening at the box office this weekend, "Footloose" and "The Thing," respectively, there are very defined, conflicting opinions on Hollywood's continued obsession with churning out new takes on old classics. With regard to "The Thing," a prequel to John Carpenter's '82 film, the critical conversation is especially opinionated, given the fact that the horror community takes its films very seriously and that the original is so beloved by fans. Some critics were satisfied and entertained by Dutch filmmaker Matthijs van Heijningen's take on the film, along with the performances by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton and Ulrich Thomsen; some were not. Without further ado, let's dig into the fleshy meat of "The Thing" reviews! The Story "For this prequel, first time feature director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. puts a female (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) at the center of the fray, flanks her with several male members (pun intended) of a Norwegian scientific team, throws a phallic, mouthy monster into her path, adds and touch of paranoia, and presto! It's a scary movie set in a place where hell actually does freeze over. It's no secret that The Thing 2011 leaves off exactly where the 1982 version picks up and it's a nice touch that Ennio Morricone end credits song — Humanity (Part II) — is used to complement Marco Beltrami's score." — Staci Layne Wilson, Horror.com The Performances "While this 'Thing' features a low-impact cast full of unknown Norwegians, Winstead (Kate) makes an appealing star, ably supported by Joel Edgerton in the pseudo-Kurt Russell role of a tough-guy helicopter pilot. (His ass-kicking sidekick is played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, otherwise known as 'the black guy who doesn't get killed first.') Thomsen is in fine form as the unctuous and untrustworthy scientist who may doom the entire world to being chewed up and eaten, and Jørgen Langhelle is terrific as a gruff Norse workman who sides with Kate although he speaks no English." — Andrew O'Hehir, Slate The Prequel Vs. the Original "This 'Thing,' shot largely in northern British Columbia, engaged me more than Carpenter's. That's not to say it can hold a candle to the superb 1951 'The Thing From Another World,' directed by Christian Nyby. That film is a marvel of indirection, of ensemble camaraderie in the face of the Cold War-era unknown. Compared with that picture, this new one's just an entertaining, well-acted oozefest. All three 'Things,' along with everything from 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' to 'Alien,' owe their central ideas to the Depression-era story 'Who Goes There?' by John W. Campbell Jr. There's a rock-solid notion in that tale, that of an alien being able to take over a human body and cause pure paranoia in the populace. Who's real and who isn't? Why does so-and-so seem a little off today? And why is my dog looking at me funny? While I wish van Heijningen's 'Thing' weren't quite so in lust with the '82 model, it works because it respects that basic premise. And it exhibits a little patience, doling out its ickiest, nastiest moments in ways that make them stick." — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune The Scream/FX Factor "Van Heijningen trades methodically established tensions for cheap, easy horror jolts, swapping the paranoia and distrust of Carpenter's version for simplistic rage and aggression. Where Carpenter carefully sliced into our deepest fears with the precision of a surgeon, Van Heijningen bluntly hacks away at our nervous systems like a maniac wielding a chain saw. Newcomers who rent Carpenter's film to see where Van Heijningen's story begins — or, continues — might be surprised by the reliance on organic horror makeup, stop-motion animation and creature compositions. Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Stan Winston ('Aliens,' 'Jurassic Park') reportedly worked on Carpenter's spectacularly gory dog creature, a triumph of horror wizardry. Alas, Van Heijningen replaces those tangible and imaginative alien inventions with shiny, empty digital effects — yet another miscalculation that undermines this 'Thing' prequel." - Sean O'Connell, Washington Post The Final Word, Pro-Con-Pro Style "It may not be as novel as the Carpenter original and ultimately, not as memorable, but Van Heijningen does a fine job recreating the look and tone of Carpenter's film, and there's enough alien-infested craziness to keep this prequel entertaining." — Edward Douglas, ShockTillYouDrop.com "Nothing can save The Thing from itself. Bigger and louder is not scarier nor better, it's just more annoying. The Thing is too big for its britches and bites off more than it can chew. Everything that was great about the 1982 version (it was a small, claustrophobic film with strong characters and awesome special effects) is ignored in this 2011 crap that's nothing more than a boring CGI promo-reel. Do not waste a second watching this; instead go pop Carpenter's version back into your VHS/DVD/Blu-ray player and revisit one of the greatest horror films of all-time." — Brad Miska, Bloody-Disgusting.com "This new take on THE THING is a gripping bit of horror entertainment that should excite audiences for its October release. In fact, it may inspire those who haven't seen the 1982 version to make it a double feature of sorts. Either way, this is a well cast, atmospheric piece that rates a hell of a lot better than some of the previous Carpenter remakes... I'm talking to you THE FOG. Stay for the end credits if you really want to get yourself in the mood for JOHN CARPENTER'S THE THING afterward." — Jimmy O, JoBlo Check out everything we've got on "The Thing." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Joel Edgerton in "The Thing" Photo: Universal Pictures

'Avengers' Trailer: Five Key Scenes

The first full trailer for "The Avengers" is here, though at first glance, it seemed much more like the work of Michael Bay — a little citizens-ominously-watching-the-skyline "Armageddon" here, a bit of city-block-destroying "Transformers" there — than the handiwork of Marvel and writer/director Joss Whedon. But that voice-over you hear in the beginning (the one assuring us humans were made to be ruled) is none other than Loki, who makes his first appearance about 20 seconds into the new footage, kick-starting a furious visual procession of superheroes, superheroes and more superheroes. While the trailer didn't deliver everything we were hoping for — nor did it have the ineffable coolness we might have expected — it gave us a whole lot of Marvel goodness to unpack, which we did with another MTV News expert trailer analysis: Loki, Located We've known for a long time that Loki is the central villain in "Avengers," though whether other villains pop up to wreak havoc (like those persistent rumors about the alien Skrulls) remains to be seen. What we didn't know was how Loki would travel to Earth, considering the Rainbow Bridge — that mythic intergalactic transporter — was destroyed at the end of this summer's "Thor." Yet in that film, before tumbling into some kind of cosmic abyss, Loki announces there are other ways to get to Earth besides the Rainbow Bridge. In this early shot of Loki crouching in a warehouse, we see what just might be the bad guy's new mode of space transportation. What exactly this "Stargate"-esque contraption is remains to be seen. Turbulence When Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor and the rest of the Avengers assemble, they have to do so in style. In Marvel lore, when they take to the sky, they do so in a super-slick aircraft called the Quinjet, which flies overhead around the 55-second mark of the trailer. So that's cool. Except the sucker's on fire and looking like it's about to crash-land in Manhattan, perhaps as part of the epic urban battle the trailer teases again and again. We can't say for certain it's Quinjet — it could be a Skrullian craft — but we doubt it, based on visual comparisons to the comics and the fact that the jet just doesn't look alien. But do the Skrulls have a hand in the Quinjet's fiery situation? Or is that all thanks to Loki? Hmmm ... This Is Assembling? Who are we kidding? We wanted to see the Avengers assemble — not around the boardroom table, but in action. And the trailer, in this respect, just doesn't deliver. Alas, the shot (around one minute, 11 seconds in) of our heroes in a lab is the best look at the team together. Hawkeye isn't even there. Black Widow is mostly hidden. Captain America and Iron Man aren't even in their suits. Bruce Banner is just Bruce Banner, no hint of the hidden green beast within. We appreciate that Whedon is a writer who loves to pen a witty exchange between characters — we get a lot of that in the trailer, and we're not complaining — but we also maintain Marvel missed a chance in the trailer to show off the Avengers assembling for the first time in an unforgettable way. Thor vs. the Captain? At about the one-minute, 25-second mark, we have what looks like Thor battling Captain America. Now, the simple explanation is that these Avengers don't always get along and, hey, even superheroes might come to blows with one another from time to time. No harm, no foul. But here's a little conspiracy theory for ya: The Skrulls are notorious shape-shifters, and we just might be seeing one of them taking on the guise of an Avenger. So what we might — and we can't emphasize might enough — be seeing is actually a Skrull-vs.-Avenger throw-down. That kind of can-you-trust-your-buddy paranoia could be a lot of fun to play with in the film. Say Hello to Your Hulk We've seen Mark Ruffalo in character as Bruce Banner before. What we haven't seen — and what honestly makes the whole trailer worthwhile — is this first look at Banner transformed into the Hulk. Ruffalo has spoken often about how his Hulk will be a motion-capture creation modeled on the actor himself. So can we see the Oscar-nominated Ruffalo lurking somewhere inside the green beast? Hard to say in so brief a glimpse. We'll have to wait to see more "Avengers" footage, which we can't wait for and which is the clearest indication that for all our quibbles, the trailer is a superheroic success. Check out everything we've got on "The Avengers." For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com. Chris Hemsworth in the "Avengers" trailer Photo: Marvel

Monday, October 17, 2011

'Real Steel' Fends Off '80s Remakes At Box Office

Hugh Jackman's latest movie proved to be more than a one-hit wonder. "Real Steel" retained the #1 spot at the box office for a second consecutive weekend, fending off competition from re-workings of '80s classics, "Footloose" and "The Thing" (a remake/prequel). Meanwhile, the combined star power of Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Steve Martin didn't prevent "The Big Year" from bombing. "Real Steel" raked in another $16.3 million over the weekend, according to studio estimates, which is a 40 percent drop from its opening weekend. The futuristic robot-boxing flick has made $51.7 million to date, against an estimated production budget of $110 million. The remake of high-school-dancing flick "Footloose" was just behind with a $16.1 million debut. Critics were mostly kind to the film, with The Washington Post commenting, "[D]irector Craig Brewer has delivered a largely unobjectionable note-for-note facsimile of Herbert Ross's ode to teenage rebellion, young love and the unfettered joy of movement." The flick has a 72 percent Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes. By contrast, roughly 77 percent of film critics trashed the weekend's #3 film, "The Thing," which was conceived as a straight remake but evolved instead into a prequel to director John Carpenter's sci-fi/ horror classic. It opened with just $8.7 million in box-office receipts. "Carpenter's film is scary. This film is just loud," wrote avowed "Thing" fanboy Drew McWeeny on Hitfix.com. Bloody Disgusting went a step further: "Everything that was great about the 1982 version is ignored," the site's Brad Miska wrote. "The Big Year" suffered the second-worst big studio picture opening of 2011 thus far, just behind "Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star." The story about three bird-watchers played by comedic actors Black, Martin and Wilson claimed just $3.3 million to land at #9. George Clooney's "The Ides of March" dipped just 28 percent with $7.5 million in its second weekend. Thanks to its smaller budget, the political drama's $22.2 million total is good news for Sony Pictures. "Dolphin Tale" rounded out the top five with $6.3 million for a $58.6 million total. Next weekend's new releases include "Paranormal Activity 3," "The Three Musketeers" and "Johnny English Reborn." Check out everything we've got on "Real Steel" and "Footloose." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Hugh Jackman and Evangeline Lilly in "Real Steel" Photo: DreamWorks

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Robert Pattinson Eyed For Green Day's 'American Idiot'?

With the end of the "Twilight" franchise in sight, will star Robert Pattinson follow the lead of "Harry Potter" actor Daniel Radcliffe and segue into the land of musical theater? Maybe, if Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong has his way. The rumor that Pattinson could be eyed for the lead role in the big-screen adaptation of the Green Day album/Broadway musical "American Idiot" picked up some serious steam this week. The only problem is that the "news" is not exactly new, but rather based on speculation from Armstrong more than two years ago, before Pattinson was, well, mega. Asked who he would like to play Christian, the male lead, Armstrong told Spinner.com in an April 2009 interview, "I'm gonna say maybe that kid in 'Twilight,' [Pattinson]. He's a good actor. There's still more to come with that kid." So, why is the quote picking up steam now? You can thank VH1's rebooted "Pop Up Video," which recently recycled the rumor when it ran a version of GD's "21 Guns" with a series of bubbles that read, "Hollywood is trying to turn it into a movie ... Billie Joe has said that his first choice to play the main character: Robert Pattinson." The movie, being produced by Tom Hanks' Playtone in collaboration with Green Day, is currently in pre-production and no casting has been announced. At press time, MTV News could not reach Playtone or Green Day for comment on the rehashed Pattinson rumors or any other casting news. If true, the choice of Pattinson would not be that outrageous. In addition to being one of today's hottest young male stars, RPattz is still in search of a role that would help him break free of the "Twilight" orbit, and he has a musical background. In addition to playing guitar and piano, he composes his own songs, two of which appeared on the "Twilight" soundtrack. He also contributed three songs to the soundtrack of the little-seen "How to Be." Like the musical, the movie will be based on the band's 2004 album of the same name, which tells a story of love, loss and war. The Broadway production integrated songs from the original album as well as its follow-up, 21st Century Breakdown, and a previously unreleased tune called "When it's Time." The movie is tentatively slated to hit theaters in 2013. For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Saturday, October 15, 2011

'X-Men' Writers Land 'Top Gun' Sequel Gig

Just about one year ago, Tony Scott sent his "Top Gun" fans into a frenzy over the news that a sequel is not only planned, but Scott will take the directorial reins on the project. There has been little forward movement since then, but now we have word that "X-Men: First Class" writers Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz have been hired to helm the script. According to Variety, Miller and Stentz are in final negotiations to get to work on the screenplay, with Jerry Bruckheimer and David Ellison signed on to produce. The trade publication claimed that there are no plot details to reveal yet, but we're hoping the "First Class" writing duo sticks with the outline Scott shared with us last year. "It's not even a reinvention, it's not even a sequel. It's a re-thinking," Scott said of his plans for the sequel. "What inspired me is that the world today is great, it's so different from the world we touched originally. It's really run by guys sitting in Nevada on computers playing war games." Scott teased that the film will focus on the new generation of fighter pilots. "It's a mixture of that, and it's the end of the generation of fighter pilots. Not in a complete end to the generation, because these guys they go up in F-35s and they carry 10 drones with them. [But] it's a very different movie," he said. But the most pressing question on everyone's minds is: Will Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer reprise their iconic roles? "I'm gonna withhold that information," Scott told MTV News. "I can't say anything. I'm talking with Jerry [Bruckheimer], and I'm going to withhold [those other details]." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Tom Cruise in "Top Gun" Photo: Paramount Pictures

'Avengers' Trailer: Experts Weigh In

The first trailer for "The Avengers" is finally here, offering our best look yet at what director Joss Whedon has in mind for when Earth's Mightiest Heroes gather together on the big screen in May. For many fans, the trailer delivered on all its promises: extensive looks at the team in action, creepy narration from Tom Hiddleston's Loki and even Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury stepping onto the battlefield with a bazooka in tow. For other fans — let's just say the sweet melodic stylings of Nine Inch Nails wasn't exactly what they had in mind for the trailer's soundtrack, among other grievances. To get a better sense at what fans are thinking regarding the "Avengers" trailer, MTV News reached out to film and comic book experts across the blogosphere to weigh in with their thoughts on the latest Marvel teaser. The overall verdict, with few exceptions, is that the trailer is a rollicking success. "I'm a guy who likes to deal in specifics, and what I can say specifically is I honestly liked all of it," said Jonah Weiland, executive producer at Comic Book Resources. "Sets an incredible tone and gives us a glimpse of the dynamic between the core members (I'm sure we'll find out more about Black Widow and Hawkeye in due time). The action looks intense, but most importantly the characters all look like they 'fit' together — frankly, that's one of the biggest challenges with this 'team movie' concept Marvel has been building to and it appears on first glance like they've succeeded in a major way." NextMovie's Kevin Polowy agreed that the "Avengers" trailer was the home run he was hoping for. "First off, I'm just relieved there's some meat to it," he said. "This is leaps and bounds beyond the unrevealing teaser trailer I think a lot of fans feared. Instead, we're treated to glimpses of all the Avengers as well as Nick Fury and Loki, not to mention plenty of other bells and whistles: Menacing narration, cars blowing up, rocket launchers, trademark Tony Stark snark, more cars blowing up ... lots of cars blow up in this trailer. Plus a look at that 'rage monster' the Hulk! I thought it rocked. This is really going to bring the house down at New York Comic Con." From the perspective of HitFix's Gregory Ellwood, Marvel hit the nail on the ol' Shellhead when it comes to the movie's big selling point. "It was fantastic to see Iron Man flying through the air again — Marvel knows how they are going to open this movie, and it's with him," he said. "The Downey Jr./Banner moment was cute (boy are those guys short, though), Hemsworth's charm is always infectious, Sam Jackson is kickin' ass like there are some snakes everywhere, Black Widow is in the house, we get our first glimpse of an Avengers Quinjet and a shot of Cap and Thor coming to blows." But there are some areas the "Avengers" trailer did not deliver on, according to the experts, like getting the chance to spend more time with Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye, whose only previous Marvel credit is a brief cameo in "Thor." "It would've been nice to see a little bit more Hawkeye," said Caleb Goellner, senior editor at Comics Alliance. "I understand that the 'Big Three' and Black Widow are the established characters with the biggest draw, but what can I say? I like arrows." Ellwood agreed, adding a dearth of Black Widow to his list of critiques: "It would be fantastic if Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner actually had a chance to speak. Although, obviously, many fans of the Black Widow might not care." Another potential area of weakness: the movie's central threat. Though we know Loki is the big bad in charge during "The Avengers," we're still in the dark as to the power he possesses. As Newsarama's Lucas Siegel pointed out: "What's the big threat? We saw Loki, who Thor took down on his own, and ... exploding cars. It would've been nice to have a little bit more direct of a 'big threat' shown." Having said that, Siegel added: "Of course, that's what we all want to see, but it could also be a great thing to save for the movie itself." "All in due time," Weiland agreed regarding Marvel's decision to withhold certain bits of key information. "This certainly isn't the last trailer for this movie." It certainly isn't. Asked what they were most looking forward to seeing next from the Avengers, many of the experts agreed upon a certain shade of green. "Hulk, Hulk, Hulk!" Weiland said. "It's a safe bet that some — if not much — of the NYC destruction seen in the trailer is caused by the Hulk and, look, we all want to see Hulk rampage. Sure, we got some of that in those two films, but I'm pretty sure in Joss Whedon's hands, he'll make those previous Hulk movies look like an episode of 'My Little Pony.' " Another frequently cited item on the wish list: confirmation of Loki's allies, long rumored to be the Skrulls, an alien race of shape-shifters prominently featured in Marvel Comics. "I'd like the next trailer to further tease what kind of threat the Avengers will face in 2012," Goellner said. "Skrulls? Robots? Elves? Whatever it is, I want to know the team is up against more than Loki and some city streets exploding." "Of course everyone still wants to know who's helping Loki wreak havoc on Earth," Polowy agreed. "Clearly some sort of intergalactic posse's got his back. But I wouldn't be surprised if Whedon and company keep that under wraps for as long as they can." But if there's one thing the experts could all agree upon? "Just the whole darn movie," Siegel exclaimed. "Can't wait!" Check out everything we've got on "The Avengers." For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com. Samuel L. Jackson in "The Avengers" Photo: Marvel

Friday, October 14, 2011

'Avengers' Trailer, By The Numbers

Now that the "Avengers" trailer has finally premiered, we can spend the next few hours, days and weeks overanalyzing it and trying to decipher the many messages director Joss Whedon chose to tease in that preview's action-packed one minute and 45 seconds. After multiple, careful viewings, here's a closer look at a few interesting things that stand out, by the numbers: 12+: Explosions in the first 25 seconds. The FX team did not discriminate here, as we see cars, a few city blocks, Grand Central Station, a plane, an unidentified Avengers hangout and buildings go up in smoke. 3: Gratuitous "suiting-up" shots, wherein we see Cap/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) checking out his new uniform and then trying out his new shield; Thor (Chris Hemsworth) getting ready with a grip on his trusty hammer Mjolnir; and Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) checking into his fancy Iron Man suit. 13+: Number of "looking coolly off into the distance or deeply into someone's eyes" moments. Whether lost in thought or in someone else's gaze, the trailer is packed with meaningful looks. 6: Avengers-in-action moments. Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) shoots arrows! Cap runs and leaps over debris! Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) pulls off an impressive face-kick/flip maneuver! Iron Man flies during the day and at night! Thor wields his mighty hammer! Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) fires a rocket launcher! 1.5: The number of Loki leaps. The aspiring supervillain, who looks even more menacing/unseemly with the longer, scraggly black hair, executes an angry-but-impressive jump thrust at the beginning of the trailer, then a half-jump toward the end when he uses his staff to fire a powerful bolt to destroy more cars and cement. 2: The number of S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents featured. "Iron Man" and "Thor" scene-stealer Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) is shown giving his new recruits a tour, watching a crisis unfold and making plans with his boss, Nick Fury, who also gets a few scenes to himself. 0: Skrull sightings. The consensus among the Internet peanut gallery is that the God of Mischief can't be causing all this destruction by his lonesome and must therefore be getting help from someone or something. All signs have so far pointed to shape-changing aliens the Skrulls, but alas, Whedon hasn't offered confirmation yet. 2.5: The number of times Tony Stark says something sassy. First, to Captain America: "No offense, I don't play well with others." Cap to Stark: "Who are you without that iron suit?" Stark's response: "A genius billionaire playboy philanthropist." To Bruce Banner/ the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo): "Dr. Banner, your work is unparalleled and I'm a huge fan of the way you lose control and turn into an enormous green rage monster." 2: The number of Avengers who get tossed out of glass windows and fall to the ground below. Captain America and Tony Stark get the honors here, both seemingly at the hand of Loki. 114: Seconds we have to wait until seeing the Hulk. Check out everything we've got on "The Avengers." For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com. Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. in "Avengers" Photo: Marvel

'Footloose' Stars Defend Their Remake

For some film fans who have precious, emotional connections to Kevin Bacon and the original "Footloose," the release of the remake this week, starring relative acting newcomers Julianne Hough and Kenny Wormald, has been met with some hesitation. Luckily, the stars of the Craig Brewer-directed retelling are fully aware of pressure to live up to the original, and they're happy to help alleviate any fears fans may have by addressing the misconceptions they've heard along the way. "I've seen on Twitter a lot that 'Patrick Swayze would be upset' that we're remaking it," Ziah Colon said of a fear that attached the "Dirty Dancing" actor to the role Bacon originated. "I'd like to tell everyone that he wasn't in the original, and if you are upset about that, you probably should not be upset that we are remaking it, because you know nothing about it. "I think that there is a lot of misinformation, and then there are people that are upset that it's too similar and there are people that are upset that it's not similar enough," Colon continued. "It's a fun movie," she promised. "Go watch it. Have fun!" "We're not gonna take your childhood dreams and just, like, wring them of any importance," co-star Miles Tiller said. "We understand that it's a very important film for people and that some of them saw it at an age where it really spoke to them. We're just trying to give a new generation of fans this story. So you should be OK with that." "Yeah, and wear comfy shoes, because after the movie, you're gonna wanna dance!" Colon promised. Hough, MTV's New Class Triple Threat, addressed a couple of other misconceptions she's heard about the film. "[People] think that it's going to be a dance movie, which it's really not — the original was a drama with dancing in it — but also that it's a remake that's going to suck, because a lot of remakes kind of, you know, butcher the original one," she said. "Those are the two misconceptions. One, it's not a dance movie, and two, I think we really did it justice and made it our own but kept what needed to be there." Check out everything we've got on "Footloose." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images

Thursday, October 13, 2011

'American Reunion' Trailer Offers New Slice Of 'Pie'

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