Prince William and Kate Middleton took over Southern California yesterday. After a day at the Santa Barbara polo fields, the newlyweds brought glamour, grace, star power and formal wear to the BAFTA Brits to Watch event. Walking down the red carpet, Kate wore a lilac Alexander McQueen gown and earrings borrowed from the Queen, and William a classic black tux … “In terms of pure star quality, William and Kate are the biggest stars in the world ,” said Piers Morgan, among the guests at the hottest ticket in Hollywood. How impressed were the celebs? In a town where your worth is gauged by how late you get to show up, the biggest names in showbiz were there early. The best seats – at the table with the royal couple – went to Nicole Kidman, Barbra Streisand and James Brolin, along with executives and diplomats. Also attending were Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively , Dana Delany, Elizabeth Moss, Marie Louise Parker, Kristin Chenoweth, Jason Bateman, Elizabeth Banks, Jack Black, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Jonah Hill and Chris Evans. Earlier in the day, Prince William and Kate Middleton brought their American tour to Santa Barbara for lunch and polo, and got a big celebrity welcome. Rob Lowe, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Molly Sims, Joe Jonas, Zoe Saldana, Rosario Dawson and Billy Zane were on hand as the pair arrived by helicopter and walked across the lawn to the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club in Carpinteria. “Catherine and I have had a busy few days so the prospect of being able to let loose this afternoon is wonderful for me,” William said. As for whether he’ll return to Santa Barbara, the 29-year-old said, “That depends on the result out there today – I’m not a good loser.” Good news for Santa Barbara residents. As the lovely Catherine smiled and clapped, William scored four goals as his team won, 5-2. Kate wore a silver and grey silk dress by Jenny Packham. Tickets cost up to $4,000 and celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis did the cooking! [Photos: Fame Pictures]
The next James Bond movie will hit theaters in November 9, 2012. Who will join Daniel Craig in 007’s next adventure? Sources now confirm that Naomie Harris ( 28 Days Later , Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides ) will come on board as the classic character of Moneypenny, M’s assistant at MI6. She’s appeared in over 20 installments of this franchise. Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes have also booked roles in the film. The former will portray Bond’s nemesis, while insiders simply say Fiennes will take on a “darkly complex” character. He’s had some practice with that as Voldemort in the Harry Potter movies. [Photos: WENN.com, Fame Pictures]
The next James Bond movie will hit theaters in November 9, 2012. Who will join Daniel Craig in 007’s next adventure? Sources now confirm that Naomie Harris ( 28 Days Later , Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides ) will come on board as the classic character of Moneypenny, M’s assistant at MI6. She’s appeared in over 20 installments of this franchise. Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes have also booked roles in the film. The former will portray Bond’s nemesis, while insiders simply say Fiennes will take on a “darkly complex” character. He’s had some practice with that as Voldemort in the Harry Potter movies. [Photos: WENN.com, Fame Pictures]
Assuming you couldn’t watch the three hours of live coverage from the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II premiere in London here’s some consolation: 18 bright and shiny photographs of your favorite Hogwarts students, teachers, and even some dastardly Death Eaters. Also, Anna Wintour (not a Death Eater). Click ahead for your first look at the glitz and glamour from the premiere festivities, and say goodbye to your favorite franchise.
Critics praise the ‘stout farewell’ of David Yates’ action-packed franchise finale. By Terri Schwartz Daniel Radcliffe and Ralph Fiennes in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures The final installment of the “Harry Potter” series is primed to make magic at the box office, but it’s already getting raves from critics as well. Early reviews of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2” are positive across the board, earning the flick a whopping 100 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes . And although that number is likely to dip a bit once all of the reviews come flooding in next week when it hits theaters — we’ll be streaming live from the red-carpet premiere on Monday, July 11, at 4:30 p.m. ET on MTV.com — the overwhelming consensus is that “Deathly Hallows, Part 2” delivers on every level. Additionally, it seems that splitting the “Deathly Hallows” into two parts was a good call. While reviews for “Deathly Hallows, Part 1” tended to find that the movie felt too much like a prelude to the climax of the upcoming “Part 2,” the early reviews for the final film make it clear that the last installment doesn’t skimp on the action, emotional core or storytelling that has driven the franchise. The real question is whether “Part 2” is a satisfying conclusion to the “Potter” series, and the consensus seems to be that it definitely is. But don’t take our word for it: Read on and check out what the critics are saying. The Story “The film versions of J.K. Rowling’s stories have enthralled me, and I watched them with child-like wonder. The final film chapter had me literally sitting on the edge of my seat at times, particularly in the scene where Harry, Ron and Hermione (who for reasons too complicated to go into here has to look like Bellatrix Lestrange) break into a bank and escape over the London skyline on the back of a fire-breathing dragon.” — Baz Bamigboye, The Performances “The actors here have to make the most of their fleeting moments, and they consistently do. What the post-‘Potter’ careers of Radcliffe, Watson and Grint will be like is anyone’s guess, but at this point they know how to take these particular characters to the bridge without breaking a sweat. Alan Rickman gets to show us many sides of Snape, and he’s as compelling as always, even when the flashbacks use some freaky age-erasing special effects that leave his face looking odd. [Helena] Bonham Carter’s Bellatrix Lestrange is as goth-gorgon as ever, but she has some fun with some early scenes in which she gets to portray the Hermione-on-polyjuice-potion version of the character. And during the film’s big climactic battle, [Maggie] Smith and Julie Walters get some tasty moments that make their relatively small roles over the course of the series worthwhile.” — Alonso Duralde, The Wrap The Split “Fully justifying the decision, once thought purely mercenary, of splitting J.K. Rowling’s final book into two parts, this is an exciting and, to put it mildly, massively eventful finale that will grip and greatly please anyone who has been at all a fan of the series up to now. If ever there was a sure thing commercially, this stout farewell is it.” — Todd McCarthy, The Hollywood Reporter The Action “Perhaps the greatest triumph of this final film is its ability to overcome the deficiencies of J.K. Rowling’s writing. In the last Harry Potter volume, she failed singularly to muster the epic feel needed; as a result, on the page, the concluding battle at Hogwarts was a damp squib. But [director David] Yates here transmutes it into a genuinely terrifying spectacle, as bloodied students fight desperately against a horde of screaming black-robed Death Eaters.” — Philip Womack, The Telegraph The End “And if you think you know how it all ends, you don’t. Yates has wisely tickled the face-off between the rivals to make it even better than the version Rowling wrote in her book. Unlike many other franchises, the quality of the Harry Potter films never dropped. The producers could have broken box-office records with a basic cardboard set thanks to the dedicated fanbase. Yet they have blown a fortune to make a special experience for them.” — Grant Rollings, The Sun We’re streaming live from the red carpet at the New York premiere of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2” on Monday, July 11, at 4:30 p.m. ET. Visit MTV.com to watch interviews with the stars and see the winner of the Harry Potter World Cup announced live. Tweet your questions for the cast @MTVNews using the hashtag #AskPotter. Check out everything we’ve got on “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos Scenes From ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part 2’ Related Photos “Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, Part 2”
As if we weren’t in love with Olivia Wilde already. The Cowboys & Aliens star stepped out of the gym with her bags, water and an orange t-shirt with the phrase “Honey Badger Don’t Care” yesterday. If you’re unaware, that’s a reference to a nature video that went viral earlier this year (see below). Bow down. Honey Badger don’t give a s–t! Do not cross Olivia Wilde or the Badger . While most nature videos don’t become online sensations, this is not your average nature video. Over 11 million people have learned the story of the crazy, nasty ass honey badger in the last couple of months. Enjoy: The Crazy Nasty Ass Honey Badger
Casey Anthony was found not guilty of murder earlier this week, but was sentenced to a year in prison today for making false statements to investigators. Her lies to police during the investigation of the death of her daughter Caylee came early and often following the toddler’s 2008 disappearance. The Casey Anthony jurors believed that, despite her lies about what happened to Caylee, there wasn’t sufficient evidence that she killed her daughter. However, Anthony was convicted of fours separate counts of lying to authorities – fabrications that sparked a massive manhunt for her missing child. Casey Anthony was also hit with $4,000 in fines. The charges each carried a maximum of a year in prison, and Judge Belvin Perry gave her four years . However, she’s already served most of that. In custody since 2008, Casey may be released from jail in late July or early August based on time served and good behavior while incarcerated. The exact date of her release is still TBD. Anthony’s defense argued that the four misdemeanors occurred during one day of questioning and therefore should be counted as a single crime. To punish her on four counts would violate double jeopardy rules, the defense said, but Perry was unmoved and Casey was jailed – for now. “As a result of those four distinct lies, law enforcement expended time, energy and manpower looking for young Caylee Marie Anthony,” he said. Nevertheless, while she’ll be working on her new advice book from a cell for the time being, it won’t be long until the 25-year-old walks free. [Photo: WENN.com]
You’ve read the interviews, you’ve seen the trailers , you’ve counted down the days until the July 15 release. Now, only one question remains: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows actually any good? In a word, according to a handful of movie critics, YES. Check out their sterling reviews below… Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Clip – Harry vs. Voldemort An outstanding capper to the most lucrative film franchise of all time. – The Hollywood Reporter This is monumental cinema, awash with gorgeous tones, and carrying an ultimate message that will resonate with every viewer, young or old: there is darkness in all of us, but we can overcome it. – The Daily Telegraph If you’ve been a devoted follower of the Potter saga in print and at the movies, you’ll come away from this final chapter with a feeling of catharsis and, perhaps, a slightly damp handkerchief . – The Wrap With its accelerated rhythm, relentless flow of incident and wizard-war endgame, Part 2 will strike many viewers as a much more exciting, involving picture than the slower, more atmospheric Part 1. – Variety
You heard it here first (or second, if you heard it in your own head and wished it away already): Daniel Radcliffe might be transforming into a Robert Pattinson doppelganger. In his new photo shoot for the UK version of GQ , Radcliffe cops the Pattinsonian pompadour and points his jaw all the Pattinsonian ways. Are the similarities eerie? You tell us if he’s starting to resemble the the dearly departed Cedric Diggory.
