Harrison Ford turns 70 today. Seventy! One of the industry’s best-known and most-respected actors, he rose to fame in the mid-1970s as Hans Solo in the Star Wars trilogy, then as Indiana Jones. The King of Coolness has also starred in Blade Runner, Air Force One, Witness, Patriot Games, The Fugitive and more hit films than we can even list here. Happy birthday, Han, Indy, Deckard, Jack Ryan, and all the rest! So congrats to the Hollywood legend and husband of Calista Flockhart on the big 7-0. We thank him for all the movie memories and wish him a happy birthday! [Photo: Fame/Flynet]
Frank Ocean’s album Channel Orange will not be sold at Target stores, but the retailer says it’s not because of his recent announcement that he is bisexual. The record has received plenty of praise since debuting early in digital form, and hitting No. 1 on iTunes in 10 countries … and Target says that’s the issue. The retailer cited the album’s early iTunes release as the reason behind its controversial decision to yank the rapper’s album, not Frank Ocean coming out . Target denies pulling it due to Ocean’s sexuality, saying: “The claims made about Target’s decision to not carry the Frank Ocean album are absolutely false.” “Target supports inclusivity and diversity in every aspect of our business. Our decisions are based on a wide number of factors, including guest demand.” The Target rep continued: “Target has a longstanding tradition of supporting music and artistry that reflects the diverse landscape of American culture.” Ocean – who has been praised by Beyonce and Russell Simmons, yet criticized by others since coming out – and his camp seemed to accept that reasoning. His manager Christian Clancy backtracked on a now deleted tweet suggesting the retailer had other motivations for pulling the record, tweeting: “I would like to apologize for my comments about Target. They are not carrying Franks album because it went digital first. Not for ANY other reason.” As for Ocean, he offered his own analysis and tweeted “album won’t be available at target. blame it on a generational gap. best buy on deck though.”
Michael Winterbottom, one of the most fascinating and idiosyncratic filmmakers of our age, makes so many movies that some of them creep into festivals very quietly and, just as quietly, creep out, never to be seen again. That wasn’t the case with The Trip , for my money one of the most intriguing pictures of 2011, a woolly exploration of middle-aged angst that featured Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon (as themselves) bickering and trading Sean Connery impersonations as they made their way through the English countryside. But two years before that, in 2008, Winterbottom brought a picture called Genova to the Toronto International Film Festival. The picture, a mildly engaging drama in which Colin Firth plays a father who moves his family to Italy after the death of their mother, never got a U.S. release, fading like the worn face of a stone saint on a medieval church. Fortunately, Winterbottom’s latest, Trishna , a retelling of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles set in contemporary India, hasn’t met the same fate. And though it’s a bit of an oddity, it’s an affecting curio suitable for both Hardy enthusiasts and Winterbottom fans alike. Freida Pinto is Trishna, the Tess character, who comes from an impoverished family living in a small village. Jay (Riz Ahmed), is her Angel/Alec (Hardy purists should be warned that the two characters have been condensed into one, perhaps a bit clumsily), a man who sweeps her away from her life of poverty, only to end up resenting and degrading her. Even if Winterbottom has taken what some might consider unforgivable liberties with the story, Trishna works: Winterbottom has a feel for the story’s landscape, including the hardscrabble beauty of the countryside, all yellow dust and scrubby trees. It’s both a place Trishna needs to escape from and it’s home — there’s no safety or freedom there, but it’s the only place she’s truly herself. Pinto gives a lovely performance here. No other role she’s been given — as the hero’s dream woman in Slumdog Millionaire, or as a Palestinian orphan girl in Julian Schnabel’s deeply disappointing Miral — has asked as much of her, and she greets the challenge boldly. In the barest terms of the plot, Trishna is a victim, a tragic heroine, but Pinto always lets you see the character’s immovable self-assurance shimmering beneath the surface — that’s the very thing that threatens her lover and tormentor, and brings about her downfall. In Winterbottom’s scenario, Jay’s sudden turn against Trishna isn’t believable or readable in movie terms — his love for her appears to be operated by a switch that turns off abruptly without cause or reason — but it makes sense in the grander scheme of the impossibility of love. The dialogue here is mostly improvised — this is a casual, hip-pocket approach to a revered classic — but Winterbottom keeps the story moving deftly. We might appreciate Winterbottom more if he worked less, but he’s unlike any other filmmaker on the landscape, trying something new just about every year. Some of it sticks and some of it doesn’t. But almost always, he gives us something worth looking at. Editor’s note: Portions of this review appeared earlier in Stephanie Zacharek’s Toronto International Film Festival coverage.
Trishna star Freida Pinto with IFC Films’ Jonathan Sehring. Photo by Nick Hunt/Patrick McMullan Co. After a long festival run beginning at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall and stops ranging from tests in Abu Dhabi, Tokyo, London, Rome, Hong Kong and Provincetown here in the U.S. Michael Winterbottom’s India-set Trishna will open theatrically beginning this Friday. The Cinema Society hosted an event in New York kicking off its run with a screening and party Tuesday night. So a little bit about the event, which was also co-hosted by Circa and fashion maven Rachel Roy. The IFC Films release is based on the tragic romance novel Tess of the d’Urbevilles . Freida Pinto ( Slumdog Millionaire ) makes a splash in the film, playing eldest daughter, Trishna, in a poor family from Rajasthan, India. She meets Jay (played by Riz Ahmed – Four Lions ), the son of a wealthy property developer who takes up managing the resort at his father’s request. He swoons after meeting Trishna and hires her to work at the resort, slowly winning her affections. Eventually he wins her over, but things go awry and let’s just leave it at that… Pinto introduced the film Tuesday at IFC Center in downtown Manhattan, seemingly embarrassed after IFC Entertainment president Jonathan Sehring told a quick story about his sons who called her ‘the most beautiful woman in the world’ when he told them she’d be at the screening. “I realized how embarrassing it is to listen to someone talk about you,” Pinto said laughing as he came on stage. “Everyone knows how hard it is to get an indie film going. I learned from my first director [Danny Boyle] not to say too much about a film so not to raise expectations…” Following the screening, the party carried on at roof-top nightspot Jimmy at the James Hotel, greeted by D’Usse Cognac. Guests included: Meg Ryan, Dana Delany, Zosia Mamet ( Girls ), Alex Karpovsky ( Girls ), Calvin Klein, Billy Connolly, Russell Simmons, Rachel Roy, Jess Weixler, Tom McCarthy, Carlos Leon, Drena DeNiro, Irina Pantaeva, Sante D’Orazio, Fern Mallis, Daniel Benedict, Genevieve Jones, Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Bettina Zilkha, CIRCA co-founder, Chairman & CEO Chris Del Gatto, and Cinema Society founder Andrew Saffir.
Hollywood.TV is your source for celebrity gossip and videos of your favorite stars! bit.ly – Click to Subscribe! Facebook.com – Become a Fan! Twitter.com – Follow Us! Jennifer Connelly, Paul Bettany, Dustin Lance Black, Travis McCoy, Juliette Lewis, Olivia Palermo, Johannes Huebl, Russell Simmons, Paul Haggis, Elizabeth Beare, Jane Lynch, and Jaime Cepero attended The Cinema Society & Shiseido With Grey Goose Host A Screening Of “Virginia” held at Crosby Street Hotel in New York City. The screening was a success as multiple stars came out to supper actress Jennifer Connelly and the director Dustin Lance Black. Hollywood.TV was on the red carpet to interview the stars and capture the red carpet action. Jennifer Connelly opened about her role, while Dustin Lance Black talked about what inspired him to write the film, and Jaime Cepero talked about his hit show “Smash.” Hollywood.TV is the global leader in capturing celebrity breaking news as it happens. Launched in 2008, we capture all the latest news, exclusive celebrity interviews, star videos and hot celebrity gossip from around the world every minute of everyday. HTV is on the streets 24/7, at all the industry events and invited by the stars to cover their every move in Hollywood, New York and Miami. Hollywood.tv is currently the third most viewed reporter channel on “www.youtube.com almost 400 million views, and our footage is seen worldwide! Tune in daily for all the latest Hollywood news on “www.hollywood.tv “www …
Russell Simmons, Q-Tip, Snoop Dogg and more fellow MCs tweet tributes to fallen Beastie Boy. By Rob Markman The Beastie Boys in 1987 Photo: Getty Images It is impossible to sum up the life and career of Adam Yauch in 140 characters, but when the hip-hop community learned of MCA’s death on Friday (May 4), rap figures from all over sent their love via Twitter. Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons was the first to break the news on his GlobalGrind website, and soon after, he sent a message via Twitter with a link to a statement he wrote on his site. “RIP Adam Yauch. My thoughts…,” he wrote linking to a page that read: “Adam was incredibly sweet and the most sensitive artist, who I loved dearly. I was always inspired by his work. He will be missed by all of us.” Simmons’ nephew Diggy also took to Twitter to quote a lyric from the group’s 1986 jam “Paul Revere,” proving that Yauch’s musical influence was strong even on rap’s new generation. “‘Now my name is MCA I got a license to kill, I think you know what time it is it’s time to get ill’ Wooow… RIP,” he wrote . Slaughterhouse member Joell Ortiz simply tweeted , “NO SLEEP TO BROOKLYN” in all caps, referencing the Beasties’ ode to BK. Rapper Q-Tip shared a more personal message, sending his condolences out to the trio’s surviving members. “RIP yauch and thank u mike and adam n adam 4 all of your help, the tours, the bball games, n great times. a humanitarian a tru friend,” he sent from his QtipTheAbstract handle. Snoop Dogg, Big Daddy Kane, EPMD’s DJ Scratch and Brooklyn underground lyricist Skyzoo all tweeted as well, labeling Yauch either a legend, icon, pioneer or a combination of the three. “RIP MCA U are a Legend and a pioneer. #BeastieBoys4life,” Snoop lamented . Former Maybach Music affiliate Pill credited Yauch, the Beasties and their track “The New Style” with inspiring his breakout underground track “Trap Goin’ Ham.” “The main reason I chose the ‘Trap Goin Ham’ beat was because of the Beastie Boys sample. True hip hop pioneers,” he respectfully wrote . “A VERY SPECIAL R.I.P. TO ADAM YAUCH FROM THE BEASTIE BOYS MY BROTHER YOU ARE GONNA BE TRULY MISSED MY HEART IS HEAVY…..,” rap luminary Biz Markie said on his Twitter. As the hip-hop community continues to send a steady stream of R.I.P. messages and well-wishes, it is clear Adam Yauch was loved, respected and one of a kind. Share your condolences for MCA’s family, friends and fans in the comments below. Tune in to MTV tonight at 8 p.m. for “Adam Yauch: Remembering a Beastie Boy,” an hour-long special hosted by Sway celebrating the life and career of Adam “MCA” Yauch, including his biggest moments and remembrances from his friends and peers. Check out mtvU now for classic Beastie Boys music videos. Related Videos Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch: 1964-2012 Related Photos The Beastie Boys’ Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch: A Life In Photos Related Artists Beastie Boys
Facebook.com – Become a Fan! Twitter.com – Follow Us! Will Arnett, Morgan Spurlock, Russell Simmons, Leila Lopes, Coco Rocha, and Doutzen Kroes attended the premiere of “Mansome” at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York this weekend.
‘What’s draggin’ on the floor is Kanye’s reputation as a man with no empathy for animals,’ PETA tells MTV News in response to Yeezy’s ‘Theraflu.’ By Rob Markman Photo: Theraflu/ Getty Images/ MTV News Not everyone is in love with Kanye West ‘s “Theraflu.” While Yeezy’s fans are fawning over his new track, PETA (or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) took exception to the song’s hook. “Someone tell PETA my mink is draggin’ on the floor,” Kanye spits in the song’s opening bars and then again on the chorus. Well, the animal-rights organization heard the Louis Vuitton Don loud and clear and fired back with a message of their own on Thursday (April 5). “What’s draggin’ on the floor is Kanye’s reputation as a man with no empathy for animals or human beings,” PETA’s senior vice president Dan Mathews said to MTV News in a statement. “He’s a great musician but doesn’t seem to have the fashion sense to design anything more than caveman costumes.” Seems like PETA also caught wind of ‘Ye’s fashion outing in early March when he presented his fall/winter collection during Paris Fashion Week ; the rapper used quite a bit of fur in his women’s line. PETA hasn’t closed the door completely on Kanye, however. They’re still hopeful that he will eventually have a change of heart. “We keep hoping that one day he’ll find his heart and join evolved style icons — including Russell Simmons, Pink and Natalie Portman — who have dropped animal skins,” Mathews said. The MC’s fashion taste isn’t the only topic addressed on “Theraflu.” Kanye touches on his ex-girl Amber Rose, Wiz Khalifa (Rose’s new man), and his feelings for Kim Kardashian. “The whole industry wanna f— ya old chick/ Only n—a I got respect for is Wiz/ And I’ll admit I fell in love with Kim/ Around the same time she had fell in love with him,” Kanye spits over the Hit-Boy-produced beat. He even threw a perceived shot a Kim’s ex-husband and New Jersey Nets star, Kris Humphries: “Lucky I ain’t have Jay drop him from the team.” What do you think of Kanye’s “Theraflu” track? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Kanye West
It’s not just the friends and family of Jay-Z and Beyonce who are excited about the arrival of their daughter Blue Ivy Carter. Several celebrities congratulated the happy couple on Twitter. Rihanna , Gwyneth Paltrow , Tyrese , Russell Simmons , Holly Robinson Peete , Funkmaster Flex and Kris Jenner are just a few of the famous people who tweeted messages — take a look at them below! RELATED POSTS: What Beyonce & Jay-Z’s Daughter Blue Ivy Carter Looks Like The Meaning Behind The Name Of Beyonce & Jay-Z’s Baby [ORIGINAL] Beyonce Gives Birth To A Baby Girl Beyonce In Labor, Checks Into Hospital Still Pregnant Beyonce Spotted In NYC
