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'Megamind' Pairs A Big Brain With A Fishhead In MTV's Fall Preview
MTV's Fall Preview week of exclusives continues today with a look at the hottest upcoming movies of the next four months. We know what you should see and why you should see it, and we've got it all right here. Keep it locked to MTV News and MTV Movies Blog for continued updates throughout the [...]
Wyclef Jean Slams Sean Penn, Pras
'Maybe [Penn] ain't see me in Haiti because he was too busy sniffing cocaine,' 'Clef sings in concert.
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Wyclef Jean and Sean Penn
Photo: Getty Images
Wyclef Jean may not be president but he's got some high-profile critics.
When the singer and musician launched a highly-publicized bid for president of Haiti in August he had a lot of support, but also some very vocal detractors — namely actor and fellow activist Sean Penn and Jean's former Fugees bandmate Pras. Both stars publicly questioned 'Clef's political credentials and at a New York City on Friday, Jean lashed out against the critics.
"I got a message for Sean Penn: Maybe he ain't see me in Haiti because he was too busy sniffing cocaine," Jean sang at Hot 97's On The Reggae Tip concert, switching up the lyrics to his 2004 song "President." "I got a message for Praswell, even though you don't want to support me, I got love for you, even though you only kicked 8 bars in the Fugees." A few weeks after announcing his plans for the presidency, Jean was declared ineligible to run by Haitian electoral officials.
Wyclef's lyrics are the latest swipes in a series of public comments between the musician and Penn and Pras. When Jean spoke about his plans to run for Haiti's head of state on CNN, Penn, who was also a guest on the show, expressed his concerns about the singer's motivations for seeking political office.
"Right now, I worry that this is a campaign that is more about a vision of flying around the world, talking to people. It's certainly not one of the youth drafting him. I would be quite sure that this is an influence of corporations here in the United States and private individuals that may well have capitalized on his will to see himself flying around the world," Penn said. The actor also wrote in a Huffington Post column that despite Jean's public support for the island nation, the MC wasn't around during critical moments after Haiti's devastating January earthquake.
"I was there for those six months after the earthquake and so many of us on the ground wondered where he was when that kind of attention was so necessary and absent, and why he was NOT helping to keep this desperate situation in the news," he wrote. "None among us felt or expressed anger toward it, but rather a universal sadness for his silence, as he is America's most admired cultural link to Haiti."
Pras questioned 'Clef proposed strategy -- or lack thereof -- for revitalizing the country after the distaster.
"He talks about health care, he talks about education, he talks about infrastructure," Pras told MTV News last month. "But that's in any society. That's right here in America, we need that. But how are you gonna get to that point? There's a short-term goal that needs to be addressed and there's a long-term goal. To be honest with you, the short term is probably more important than the long term. And he didn't even mention the short term."
What do you think about Wyclef Jean's comments about Sean Penn and Pras? Let us know!
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'Machete' Slices Competition At Friday Box Office
'The American' is hot on the heels of the action flick.
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Jessica Alba in "Machete"
Photo: 20th Century Fox
The Box-Office Top Five
#1 "Machete" ($3.9 million)
#2 "The American" ($3.8 million)
#3 "Takers" ($3 million)
#4 "The Last Exorcism" ($2.3 million)
#5 "Going the Distance" ($2.2 million)
"Machete" was a cut above the competition in a close Friday box-office race crowded with new releases. According toreports, the sexed-up, action-packed Robert Rodriguez-directed film took first place with $3.9 million on Friday.
However, the star-heavy caper, which boasts performances from Jessica Alba and Danny Trejo, and a buzzed-about screen turn from Lindsay Lohan, just barely slipped past The American." The George Clooney thriller, which revolves around an assassin who lands in Italy for a final job, kicked off the weekend with $3.8 million. Friday's haul bumps the film's cumulative take to $7 million since the movie landed in theaters on Wednesday.
Rounding out an action-heavy top three, "Takers" pulled in $3 million during its second Friday in theaters. Although the film opened at #1 last weekend, it appears news of the film's star T.I.'s arrest hasn't completely doused the fire of the heist flick. The film also boasts appearances from Idris Elba and singer Chris Brown, who has recently triumphed on the music charts with his single "Deuces." The movie has made an estimated $29.5 million since landing in theaters.
The horror movie "The Last Exorcism," which nabbed the second-place slot in a photo-finish box-office race against "Takers" last week, slipped to the #4 spot. The creep-fest raked in $2.3 million during its second Friday on screens, which nudged its total gross to $27 million.
The rom-com "Going the Distance," starring Drew Barrymore and real-life on-and-off beau Justin Long, debuted in fifth place. The movie, which follows a young couple working to sustain the spark in their long-distance relationship, scored $2.2 million in ticket sales.
Check out everything we've got on "Machete" and "The American."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Eminem Channels Marlon Brando For VMA Promo
Rapper remakes scene from 1954 movie 'On the Waterfront' for the shoot.
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Eminem
Photo: MTV
"I'm ready for my close-up," joked Eminem, who had two plugs rammed up his nose on the set of his MTV Video Music Awards appearance promo. Even though the superstar MC was covered in prosthetic bruises and hobbles away from an enflamed car in the commercial for the VMAs, Eminem kept things light behind the scenes at his shoot. In fact, the Recovery rapper said that he wasn't stressing the details, but was there get the job done and maybe horse around a little bit.
"They tell me that it's something for the VMAs, but I've been in my little rat hole. They just let me out to play," Eminem said. "So I'm kind of like that hamster in the ball, when they let him out and he runs around in the ball. I'm in my little ball right now, running around."
In between the running around, the hip-hop megastar, who is up for eight Moonmen, managed to turn in an intense performance in the clip. The commercial opens to the strains of "Not Afraid," with Em limping away from an overturned car right before it bursts into flames with a blast that sends the rapper toppling to the ground. After an onlooker helps him up, a slew of young men in '50s period clothing watch Em stagger along as he gains an upright, steely-eyed version of himself. Then, the confident, unharmed Eminem leads the crew of young men toward a city skyline in the distance. The rapper explained that the visual is based on a scene from a classic 1954 Marlon Brando flick. "It's kind of a take on 'On the Waterfront.' Like, loosely," Em explained. "The car is exploding and I'm hurt."
The promo is infused with the high drama of the chart-topping MC's return to the top of the music game after battling the lows of a debilitating drug addiction. If the power of the visual short is any indication, Em is going to run things as a performer at this year's VMAs.
What are you expecting from Eminem's appearance at the VMAs? Let us know in the comments below!
The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through September 12.
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Drew Barrymore: A Look Through the Years
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'Camp Rock 2' Cast Excited For Musical Showdown
Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato return to camp and face off against new rivals.
By James Dinh
The Jonas Brothers at the "Camp Rock 2" premiere
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/ Getty Images
Before the summer ends, the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato will return to the wilderness one more time in "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam." While on "Good Morning America" and on tour, they've teased fans with new songs from the movie's soundtrack. But what's the most exciting thing about the flick itself? MTV News caught up with some of the "Camp Rock 2" stars to find out.
Chris Pine Rode With His Idols For 'Unstoppable'
The 'Star Trek' captain describes becoming a train operator for the Denzel Washington/ Tony Scott film.
By Kara Warner
Chris Pine in "Unstoppable"
Photo: 20th Century Fox
Any time Tony Scott and Denzel Washington team up on a film, moviegoers can count on blockbuster-scale action sequences, serious acting and a thrilling plot. Their latest effort, and fourth film together overall, is "Unstoppable," and with "Star Trek" star Chris Pine thrown into the mix, the film has all the makings of a box-office hit when it opens on November 12.
The story, which is loosely based on real events, revolves around seasoned train engineer Frank Barnes (Washington) and newly hired operator Will Colson (Pine). While out doing a training run, they hear a warning of an out-of-control train full of hazardous chemicals careening down the rails on a path toward massive destruction. Barnes and Colson set out on a suicide mission to stop the train before it's too late.
When MTV News caught up with Pine, we talked about the technicalities and dangers of train operation, his out-of-body experience during his first meeting with Scott and Washington, and the inevitable "Speed" comparisons.
MTV: What kind of training did you get with regard to operating actual trains?
Chris Pine: There's a little railroad yard in L.A. that — essentially there are different classes of railroad, and this is, I think, maybe a third-level railroad. So we went to that yard and got a chance to hop on the trains, learn what it was like to be in the cab, and what all the various assorted technical jargon was all about. It was a lot of fun. It was like being a kid.
MTV: What does it feel like to operate the trains? Can you feel the power behind the machines?
Pine: Well, the one thing they keep telling you, and it's so true, is that especially the trains in the yards, they're very quiet, and obviously the trains are thousands and thousands and thousands of pounds, tons of weight. The guys would tell stories about guys who weren't paying attention on the tracks, with their backs turned, and very silently a train would creep up, whether it was working on the yard, or whatever was happening at the time, and would crush someone. And there's no way to stop a train once it's going. If a train's going, a train will not stop on a dime. And pretty much to a T, every single one of the conductors or engineers had stories about hitting someone or maiming someone, and each yard has a therapist in place to deal with that. And more often than not, it's not their fault. People are committing suicide or people are screwed up and accidently left their cars on the tracks. But it can be a pretty grim business.
MTV: Yikes. What was the stunt work like on the film?
Pine: The stunt work was pretty hairy stuff. Again, you're working with actual trains, obviously, so there's no CG, there's nothing fake about it. You know there's trains going really fast, and you have to hang off trains or jump on the train, and thank god we had a wonderful stunt team behind us. And I had a great stunt double. You know, I would try to do everything I could within reason, but once it got really hairy, that's when I stepped back and went to video village, got my seat, got my drink, and watched the action unfold with everybody else.
MTV: What was your most impressive feat, stunt-wise?
Pine: Well, if I were to tell you that, I think I'd give away some of the movie, [but] suffice it to say, most of it's me. If it gets really scary, you can pretty much guarantee it was my wonderful stunt double.
MTV: What was your experience like with Mr. Washington and Mr. Scott?
Pine: Well, I grew up watching their movies. One of the first movies I ever fell in love with was "Top Gun," and I've been watching Denzel since "Glory," and on and on and on down the line. So, to work with two of my idols was just a dream come true, and I remember a point early on in the process when we all met in Tony's office in L.A. It was me and Denzel and Tony and we're kind of shooting the sh-- and talking about life, and seeing if our schedules were going to work out to be able to do this movie. And then afterwards, I kind of had this out-of-body experience thing — "I just had a conversation with two of my idols, one of the best actors of all time, one of the best directors of all time. We were talking about maybe doing a film together if our schedules worked out!" [That was] one of those times when you really remember just how lucky you are and how grateful you are to be able to be in the position.
MTV: And for audiences who know you from "Star Trek," what are they going to get out of this film?
Pine: It's a lot of fun. Like "Star Trek," it has the genetic code of the summer tentpole movie. It's fun. It's action-packed, and it's got some really interesting, complex characters to kind of anchor the whole thing. And Tony always talked about how the movie was like a train. You know, once it gets going, it just does not stop, and Tony doesn't give you much time to rest or settle in your seat before something happens.
MTV: What do you think about the inevitable "Speed" comparisons?
Pine: Well, it's very much like "Speed" in the sense that ... you have two vehicles that are moving, and they're both capable of inflicting large-scale damage, and it's up to two people to stop it who are initially at odds. Obviously, Denzel and I don't fall in love in this one, but there's a lot of love there for sure.
From the saucy Jessica Alba in "Little Fockers" to James Franco's grueling journey in "127 Hours," the MTV Movies team is delving into the hottest flicks of fall 2010. Check back daily for exclusive clips, photos and interviews with the films' biggest stars.
Check out everything we've got on "Unstoppable."
Babbo
Mark and I went to dinner at Babbo when he was in town.
Babbo is a Mario Batali restaurant, probably the one he's best known for. (He has nine restaurants in New York—Babbo, Esca, Del Posto, Esca, Lupa, Otto, The Spotted Pig, Casa Mono, and Bar Jamon.) There's no sticking to your diet when going to Babbo because 1) It's hard to get a reservation, and, 2) If you're going to eat pasta, this is the place to do so. Okay, so on to our meals...
I ordered an heirloom tomato and burrata salad for my appetizer, and the sweet potato ravioli, or I should say, the "Sweet Potato 'Lune' with Sage and Amaretti," for my meal. It was AMAZING. It was light and delicate, not too buttery, heavy or overly sweet. It will be definitely be added to my list of my most memorable NYC meals (a list which needs a serious update.)
Mark ordered the "Black Spaghetti with Rock Shrimp, Spicy Salami Calabrese and Green Chiles" and he thoroughly enjoyed it.
Liz (a friend of Mark and David's, and now me too!) ordered the "Goat Cheese Tortelloni with Dried Orange and Wild Fennel Pollen"—a dish I almost ordered, but didn't. I did try hers, however, but I liked mine better.
We also ordered the “Brasato al Barolo” (Braised Beef with Porcini Mushrooms) for the table. I had a bite and it was fine. Not amazing, just fine.
(PS - I didn't take pics of our meals; I found the above photos on the internet.)
For dessert I had the blueberry polenta with sweet corn gelato. I think it was a special for August because I can't find it on the menu, and also, the August calendar says, "Try Sweet Corn Gelato at Babbo this month!" It was soooooo delicious... another addition for my most memorable NYC meals list. Think of corn bread and ice cream mixed up. It was perfectly sweet and gritty but well-blended. I think it had cornmeal in it as opposed to ungrounded kernels from the cob. I need to see if the recipe is in The Babbo Cookbook.
Liz ordered the "Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Orange Sauce and Hazelnut Gelato", but I thought mine was better, too.
Since I mentioned sticking to my diet, I'm going to update you on that in a little bit (I've lost 30 pounds!), but a funny thing I've noticed lately is that I've lost my taste for chocolate. Isn't that weird? I've always been a chocolate freak but I find it too rich and overpowering nowadays. I prefer more delicate flavors now... vanilla and/or caramel dishes to things like brownies.
Anyway, go to Babbo, it's totally worth it. Remember to make reservations way ahead of time or you won't get in.
