Mini-movie is inspired by the upcoming G.O.O.D. Music album of the same name. By Gil Kaufman Kanye West Photo: Getty Images Kanye West doesn’t know how to do small, so whenever the rapper unveils a new project it’s almost always on the biggest platform possible. That explains why his new “short art film,” “Cruel Summer,” will debut on the fabulous Palm Beach in Cannes, France during the Cannes Film Festival. The hush-hush movie, inspired by the upcoming all-star G.O.O.D. Music album of the same name, will world premiere on May 23 and remain open to the public for two days afterward. It is being screened out of competition in Cannes amid the world-famous film fest. And, this being Kanye, the project is described as, “a fusion of short film and art installation … an immersive ‘7 screen experience’ for the eyes and ears unlike anything West has attempted before.” Among those listed as starring in the film are comedian Aziz Ansari, Kid Cudi, Lebanese actress Razane Jammal (“Djinn”) and Palestinian actor Ali Suliman (“The Kingdom”). Yeezy is listed as the producer, writer and director of the effort, based on a screenplay by Elon Rutberg, who was the associate director of the Throne’s “N—-s in Paris” video. The co-director is Alexandre Moors, who worked with West on “Runaway” as well as the “Paris” clip. Kanye and Cudi were spotted filming scenes for the movie earlier this year in the middle eastern nation of Qatar, but little or no information has emerged about the subject matter or plot of the project. Expectations are high given the over-the-top look and feel of ‘Ye’s last mini-flick, 2010’s “Runaway.” Click here for ticket information for the screenings. Related Photos 2012 Cannes Film Festival Related Artists Kanye West
With model-turned-actress in two movies opening the same day, we look back at (and forward to) other stars’ box-office twofers. By Amy Wilkinson Brooklyn Decker in “Battleship” Photo: Universal Pictures If you have a thing for busty blondes, we suggest you pencil a double feature into your weekend plans, seeing as model-turned-actress Brooklyn Decker stars in not one, but two movies opening Friday: the blow-’em-up action flick ” Battleship ” and the pregnancy rom-com ” What to Expect When You’re Expecting .” In the Decker vs. Decker showdown, box-office analysts seem to agree that “Battleship” will sink “What to Expect,” though it’s unlikely either will unseat reigning superheroes of the cinema, “The Avengers,” who are eyeing their third first-place weekend. Nonetheless, having two films open on a single day is a neat distinction for the 25-year-old actress, though one that’s not as rare as you might think. Here are a cluster of stars who have pulled theatrical double-duty (or are set to): James Franco Nowadays, you can’t shake a stick at pop culture without James Franco fetching it, but back in the early aughts — following the cancellation of the beloved “Freaks and Geeks” — Franco wasn’t nearly so ubiquitous. Yet he still managed to star in two films opening May 3, 2002: “Spider-Man” and “Deuces Wild.” We probably don’t need to tell you which one snagged all the dollars at the box office that weekend. Christian Kane Big-name stars aren’t the only ones holding a pair. You may recognize Christian Kane from the TNT heist series “Leverage,” or you may know him from a duo of 2004 film roles. On October 8 of that year, he appeared in the film version of “Friday Night Lights” and the Queen Latifah/ Jimmy Fallon comedy “Taxi.” Dakota Fanning No one saw Dakota Fanning in two films opening February 6, 2009, technically speaking, but that’s only because one was animated. The pint-size actress flexed her supernatural skills in the action flick “Push,” while letting her vocals do all the work as the titular heroine of “Coraline.” David Koechner Another actor dabbling in both animation and live-action on a single release date is David Koechner. The “Anchorman” actor hit the pit crew in Will Ferrell’s “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” and channeled his inner-animal as the voice of a coyote in the animated “Barnyard,” all on August 4, 2006. Samuel L. Jackson The most recent two-for-one special comes courtesy of the prolific Samuel L. Jackson, whose “Avengers” continues to hammer the competition. But did you know his crime drama “Meeting Evil” (based on the novel by Thomas Berger) also opened May 4? Yeah, we didn’t think so. Channing Tatum Maybe it’s a sign of the apocalypse (or, at the very least, a trend) that four actors had or will have two movies opening on the same day in 2012. Like Decker, Tatum is hitting nearly every demographic with his titillating twofer. On June 29, the 32-year-old will suit up as Duke for “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” and strip down as an exotic dancer for “Magic Mike.” Leonardo DiCaprio Leonardo DiCaprio’s Christmas present to America this year is himself. Twice over. The actor stars in two films opening December 25: “The Great Gatsby” and “Django Unchained.” Which one will egg-nog-fueled audiences choose to unwrap? Only Santa knows for sure. Check out everything we’ve got on “Battleship” and “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘Battleship’ MTV First: Battleship Related Photos ‘Battleship’
‘From a hairbrush to a headliner,’ singer tweets of image, which shows her singing into a hairbrush in her bedroom. By Jocelyn Vena Katy Perry in her ‘Part of Me’ concert poster Photo: Katy Perry/Twitter/Capitol Records Katy Perry ‘s “Part of Me” movie poster is super-colorful and a little kitschy. After teasing fans with pieces of the poster , she officially debuted the image on her Twitter. “So happy to share with you the official #KP3D movie poster … from a hairbrush to a headliner,” she tweeted . “Get ready, JULY 5TH!” So happy to share with you the official #KP3D movie poster…from a hairbrush to a headliner…get ready, JULY 5TH! twitter.com/katyperry/stat… — Katy Perry (@katyperry) May 17, 2012 That “love who you are” message is represented on the poster itself, which features Perry in her PJs singing into a hairbrush in her bedroom. In the mirror next to her, she’s dolled up in a sparkling red costume and bright blue hair, singing into a candy-cane microphone. “Be yourself and you can be anything,” the poster reads. The big reveal came with a bit of a contest. The first 20 people who were able to put the full poster together out of the puzzle pieces she’d released and tweet a photo to @KatyPerry using #KP3D will be picked to have a chance to see their Twitter handles featured in the closing credits of the colorful 3-D flick. The July 5 release was directed by Magical Elves’ Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz, who also served as producers on Justin Bieber’s successful “Never Say Never” concert movie. In a trailer released in early April , fans got a taste of what they would see and hear in the flick, including Perry’s candid confessions about her religious childhood and her split from Russell Brand. MTV News spoke to Perry in March about the film, and she explained just what fans will see in it. “It’s closing the chapter on [my album] Teenage Dream, but it’s giving you such an inside perspective,” Perry said. “This film, you’re going to see it from my best friend/buddy perspective, you’re going to see exactly what I mean and feel and think about everything.” The movie was filmed during her California Dreams trek. “That tour was so life-changing to me. I learned so much, I went through so much along the way,” Perry said. “I’m not necessarily trying to prove anything to anyone, but not only will people really hands-down know me after they see this film, but you’ll see me as the Dorothy wearing the red ruby slipper and at the end of it all I’m the [Wizard of] Oz as well.” Related Videos MTV First: Katy Perry’s ‘Part Of Me’ Related Artists Katy Perry
‘From a hairbrush to a headliner,’ singer tweets of image, which shows her singing into a hairbrush in her bedroom. By Jocelyn Vena Katy Perry in her ‘Part of Me’ concert poster Photo: Katy Perry/Twitter/Capitol Records Katy Perry ‘s “Part of Me” movie poster is super-colorful and a little kitschy. After teasing fans with pieces of the poster , she officially debuted the image on her Twitter. “So happy to share with you the official #KP3D movie poster … from a hairbrush to a headliner,” she tweeted . “Get ready, JULY 5TH!” So happy to share with you the official #KP3D movie poster…from a hairbrush to a headliner…get ready, JULY 5TH! twitter.com/katyperry/stat… — Katy Perry (@katyperry) May 17, 2012 That “love who you are” message is represented on the poster itself, which features Perry in her PJs singing into a hairbrush in her bedroom. In the mirror next to her, she’s dolled up in a sparkling red costume and bright blue hair, singing into a candy-cane microphone. “Be yourself and you can be anything,” the poster reads. The big reveal came with a bit of a contest. The first 20 people who were able to put the full poster together out of the puzzle pieces she’d released and tweet a photo to @KatyPerry using #KP3D will be picked to have a chance to see their Twitter handles featured in the closing credits of the colorful 3-D flick. The July 5 release was directed by Magical Elves’ Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz, who also served as producers on Justin Bieber’s successful “Never Say Never” concert movie. In a trailer released in early April , fans got a taste of what they would see and hear in the flick, including Perry’s candid confessions about her religious childhood and her split from Russell Brand. MTV News spoke to Perry in March about the film, and she explained just what fans will see in it. “It’s closing the chapter on [my album] Teenage Dream, but it’s giving you such an inside perspective,” Perry said. “This film, you’re going to see it from my best friend/buddy perspective, you’re going to see exactly what I mean and feel and think about everything.” The movie was filmed during her California Dreams trek. “That tour was so life-changing to me. I learned so much, I went through so much along the way,” Perry said. “I’m not necessarily trying to prove anything to anyone, but not only will people really hands-down know me after they see this film, but you’ll see me as the Dorothy wearing the red ruby slipper and at the end of it all I’m the [Wizard of] Oz as well.” Related Videos MTV First: Katy Perry’s ‘Part Of Me’ Related Artists Katy Perry
‘Acting was a whole different world,’ the singer-turned-actress tells MTV News, comparing ‘Battleship’ to her music videos. By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Rihanna in “Battleship” Photo: Universal Pictures Given Rihanna ‘s illustrious and commanding presence in all her music videos , it seems as though the Caribbean-born superstar’s experience performing in various clips would be the perfect training ground for her eventual transition into full-fledged acting. When MTV News sat down with Rihanna recently to discuss her acting debut in “Battleship,” we asked if her work in music videos helped prepare her for her role in the film. “Training ground? Maybe not, it wasn’t exactly that,” Rihanna said. “For me, acting was a whole different world. We make mini-movies with music videos, but there’s always a song track that’s playing, you don’t have to speak, so [with acting] you have to tell that emotion with the tone of your voice, and I have an accent, so I had to change it to a bit of an American accent for this movie, so that was different,” she explained. So might we see more of Rihanna’s acting skills in future films? We asked the “Where Have U Been” singer if having her first film under her belt has given her the confidence to go out and conquer more movie roles. “It will always be brand-new, because it’s a whole different project every time, it’s a whole new person,” she said. “There’s nothing you can have under your belt with acting, not in my opinion, because I’m not a natural. This isn’t my first [career choice], so I don’t know. I think it’s always going to be a challenge for me, but I like that.” Check out everything we’ve got on “Battleship.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘Battleship’ Related Photos ‘Battleship’
‘Acting was a whole different world,’ the singer-turned-actress tells MTV News, comparing ‘Battleship’ to her music videos. By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Rihanna in “Battleship” Photo: Universal Pictures Given Rihanna ‘s illustrious and commanding presence in all her music videos , it seems as though the Caribbean-born superstar’s experience performing in various clips would be the perfect training ground for her eventual transition into full-fledged acting. When MTV News sat down with Rihanna recently to discuss her acting debut in “Battleship,” we asked if her work in music videos helped prepare her for her role in the film. “Training ground? Maybe not, it wasn’t exactly that,” Rihanna said. “For me, acting was a whole different world. We make mini-movies with music videos, but there’s always a song track that’s playing, you don’t have to speak, so [with acting] you have to tell that emotion with the tone of your voice, and I have an accent, so I had to change it to a bit of an American accent for this movie, so that was different,” she explained. So might we see more of Rihanna’s acting skills in future films? We asked the “Where Have U Been” singer if having her first film under her belt has given her the confidence to go out and conquer more movie roles. “It will always be brand-new, because it’s a whole different project every time, it’s a whole new person,” she said. “There’s nothing you can have under your belt with acting, not in my opinion, because I’m not a natural. This isn’t my first [career choice], so I don’t know. I think it’s always going to be a challenge for me, but I like that.” Check out everything we’ve got on “Battleship.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘Battleship’ Related Photos ‘Battleship’
‘I officially have a lot of experience seducing younger women,’ ‘Vampire Diaries’ star tells MTV News. By Christina Garibaldi Ian Somerhalder Photo: WireImage Now that “The Vampire Diaries” has wrapped its third season, Ian Somerhalder will now have some time to fill, and if fans of “Fifty Shades of Grey” have their way, he’ll step into the role of Christian Grey . For weeks, fans have been voicing their opinions on who should play the billionaire tycoon in the film adaptation of the hit erotic trilogy penned by E L James. Robert Pattinson ‘s name has been in the mix, as well as Ryan Gosling, but it seems that most vans are gravitating toward the “Vampire Diaries” star to take on this dark and dynamic character. MTV News caught up with Somerhalder at the CW Upfronts in New York City on Thursday (May 17) and he revealed that playing the role of Damon in the “Vampire Diaries” has been perfect training to get him ready to portray Christian Grey. “I think it would be an amazing thing,” Somerhalder said of the possibility of getting the role. “One interesting thing is, by the virtue of playing Damon for now a few years, [he’s] 170 plus years old, in love with an 18 year old, I officially have a lot of experience seducing younger women. I’m not saying, I’m just saying.” “Fifty Shades of Grey” revolves around Christian Grey’s relationship with young college graduate Anastasia Steele as the two develop not only a strong emotional relationship, but a much-talked-about sexual relationship. The scenes are so hot that at times it has left readers, and even Somerhalder a little flushed. “A little bit, yeah, there’s blushing,” Somerhalder said of some of the S&M scenes. We are sure fans would agree that Somerhalder could easily pull it off, but his support isn’t just coming from the “Fifty Shades” fans , it is also coming from his “Vampire Diaries” co-stars. “I know he’s campaigning, I love it,” Candice Accola said of Somerhalder expressing his interest for the role. “I mean, the whole thing is like Adonis, sexy and he fits that bill pretty well.” Kat Graham agrees , “Ian’s an amazing actor, he’s extremely dedicated to his craft and he’s also very good to the fans,” Graham told MTV News at the annual Wango Tango concert. “They’d be lucky to have him.” Do you think Ian Somerhalder would make the perfect Christian Grey? Let us know in the comments.
Former child star Elijah Wood is doing his best to stop people yelling “FRODO” at him at traffic lights with his new movie Maniac , a remake of the 1980 slasher pic widely condemned (and beloved) as one of the most irredeemably sleazy examples of the genre. Elijah might seem like an odd choice to play the archetypal serial killer, complete with mommy issues and a mannequin collection, but remember… Ted Bundy seemed like a nice guy, too. Anyway, the first teaser for the film has hit and not only does the affable Elijah make a surprisingly convincing psychopath, but the uncensored footage includes two sneak peeks of skin at the 0:22 and 1:07 marks. Maniac was adapted by Piranha 3D ‘s Alexandre Aja and premieres this week at Cannes, so if you’ve got a few mil burning a hole in your pocket, gas up your private jet and head on over to France to check it out. The rest of us will have to make do with checking out the creepy, kinky Cannes trailer after the jump!
Former child star Elijah Wood is doing his best to stop people yelling “FRODO” at him at traffic lights with his new movie Maniac , a remake of the 1980 slasher pic widely condemned (and beloved) as one of the most irredeemably sleazy examples of the genre. Elijah might seem like an odd choice to play the archetypal serial killer, complete with mommy issues and a mannequin collection, but remember… Ted Bundy seemed like a nice guy, too. Anyway, the first teaser for the film has hit and not only does the affable Elijah make a surprisingly convincing psychopath, but the uncensored footage includes two sneak peeks of skin at the 0:22 and 1:07 marks. Maniac was adapted by Piranha 3D ‘s Alexandre Aja and premieres this week at Cannes, so if you’ve got a few mil burning a hole in your pocket, gas up your private jet and head on over to France to check it out. The rest of us will have to make do with checking out the creepy, kinky Cannes trailer after the jump!
Anyone who’s ever seen or used a rabbit vibrator can attest to the device’s utter adorableness as a totem. Whoever designed this miraculous pink rubbery thing, with its Peter Cottontail-worthy quivering ears, probably thought, Why does a vibrator have to be ugly? Why not make it cute? Tanya Wexler may have had the same idea when she was making Hysteria , a romantic comedy and highly fictionalized history of the vibrator. The picture is, in places, too adorable for words, and when it’s not adorable, it suffers from an excess of neo-suffragette preachiness. But the picture is at least spirited, a jaunty trifle that’s low on eroticism but high on cartoony coquettishness. Like the little motorized whatsit that is its subject, it does have its charms. The picture is set in Victorian London, a time and place where the women’s ailment known as hysteria — caused, allegedly, by an overactive uterus — was treated by some rather, um, direct and interesting methods. (According to the movie, they involve two kinds of oil and a doctor’s fingers.) Hugh Dancy plays Mortimer Granville, a physician who, unlike his whiskery colleagues, keeps up with all the latest developments in modern medicine — he’s hip to the idea of germs while all the other docs are still hung up on leeches. Because of his radical beliefs in these invisible microscopic destroyers, no hospital will have him, and he feels lucky to land a job in the office of one Dr. Robert Dalrymple (Jonathan Pryce), who specializes in de-overactivating the uteruses of his patients. “It’s the plague of our time!” he tells his young colleague. “Half the women in London are afflicted!” Only half? Anyway, many of the afflicted make their way to the good doctor’s office, including an opera singer who’s too sad to sing (Kim Criswell) and a minxlike sexagenarian (Georgie Glen), all clamoring for treatment. In fact, handsome young Dr. Granville attracts so many new patients that he begins suffering desperately from hand cramps. Luckily, his closest friend, a layabout aristocrat played by a marvelously louche Rupert Everett, has invented an electric feather duster that, with a few tweaks, actually serves as a handy hysteria treatment device. The thing catches on like wildfire, and everybody’s happy. Well, not quite. There’s plenty of trouble in Dr. Granville’s paradise, mostly in the love department: He thinks he’s attracted to Dr. Dalrymple’s brainy but meek daughter Emily (Felicity Jones), but his real match is her sister, headstrong Charlotte (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who works with the poor and has some very progressive ideas about the equality of women, which she spouts freely at every turn. The script, by Stephen and Jonah Lisa Dyer, give Charlotte’s ideas free rein, and enough is enough already. Their grinding insistence only weighs the movie down, preventing it from getting on with the business of getting it on. But Wexler — director of two previous features, Ball in the House and Finding North — strives to keep things buoyant, and her efforts mostly pay off. Gyllenhaal’s presence helps — with that bright, expressive, acorn-shaped face, she carries on valiantly, despite the pedantic nature of the material. The movie’s offhand moments are the most fun, as when the two doctors, plus Everett, try the device on their first patient: They put a drape across her legs and don swimming goggles, peering expectantly into the abyss before — huzzah! — achieving victory. Hysteria is most delightful when it slips into its naughtiest groove and just purrs. Editor’s note: Portions of this review appeared earlier, in a different form, in Stephanie Zacharek’s Toronto Film Festival coverage . Follow Stephanie Zacharek on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
