Fierce Coldplay clip leaked to the Net on Saturday. By Jocelyn Vena Rihanna on the set of the “Princess of China” video Photo: Island/Def Jam Coldplay and Rihanna have been teasing their “Princess of China” video for a while now. On Saturday (June 2), the clip leaked ahead of its scheduled Monday release date. The trippy video is full of surreal images that play on the song’s references to Asia, with Chris Martin and Rihanna donning all sorts of ninja and ninja-goddess couture. A desert, the sky and some ancient-looking Chinese palaces all serve as backgrounds. Martin and Rih Rih also do some sword-wielding and ninja kicks, for good measure. In more emotional parts of the clip, Rihanna and Martin, playing star-crossed lovers, kneel in the desert, forehead to forehead, as they mourn the loss of their love. But the moving image soon turns violent as they float through the air and partake in a ninja battle. Much like the characters in the song, the onscreen characters are torn up about their dying love. And while the love story is at the center of the clip, Rihanna’s look is also a standout as she appears in several forms: multi-armed goddess, heartbroken geisha and fierce warrior princess. The official June 4 release date had been pushed back from May before leaking to the Net on Saturday, the same day Rihanna dropped some behind-the-scenes photos on Facebook . In the images, her hair is done up in a geisha bun and she wears long, fringe earrings. They’re similar to shots she released back in March from the video shoot. “Her bit on our record is my favorite bit,” the Coldplay frontman told MTV News last fall about Rihanna’s feature on Mylo Xyloto . “When the song came out, it sort of asked for her to be on it. And I think at this point, we have nothing to lose, and so we’ve been trying some new things and trying to break down the perceived boundaries between different types of music.” Share your thoughts on the “Princess of China” video in the comments! Related Artists Coldplay Rihanna
In lead up to Sunday’s MTV Movie Awards, ‘Twilight’ producer promises vampire series finale will give fans ‘closure.’ By Kara Warner Kristen Stewart in “Breaking Dawn – Part 2” Photo: Summit Judging by everything we know about the fifth and final installment in the “Twilight” series, “Breaking Dawn – Part 2” is going to be a fitting, action-packed and altogether epic conclusion to the
The Throne don’t appear in their new ‘No Church in the Wild’ video, but deliver a powerful clip all the same. By Rob Markman Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “No Church in the Wild” music video Photo: Vevo/ Def Jam/ Roc-A-Fella “Power concedes nothing without a demand”: If a quote could sum up the Throne’s “No Church in the Wild” music video, Frederick Douglass’ famed call for revolution might do it best. Neither Kanye West nor Jay-Z actually appear in their Romain Gavras-directed clip, which was released online Tuesday (May 29) — and, frankly, an appearance by the megastar duo could’ve very well hindered the powerful message they were trying to send. Moments before the beat builds, we see a young masked revolutionary ignite a Molotov cocktail and walk in slow motion toward a wall of police officers who stand unified, draped in riot gear. The clash begins with a fiery explosion in the middle of a Prague street. Gavras depicts a power struggle familiar to people all across the globe, whether in Los Angeles in 1992 or London in 2011. Set to the buzzing drums of the 88-Keys and Yeezy-produced track, ill-equipped freedom fighters with nothing to lose wage war against an oppressive regime. Of course, there is nothing in the video that directly details a specific storyline or plot: Instead, viewers are expected to rely on their own interpretations of the scenes that look taken straight from CNN. Fearless protestors hurl stones and fight armed officers using only their bare fists. In one scene, a cop who rides atop a horse chases a revolutionary down an alleyway and beats him with a club. Young men are beaten, choked, sprayed with mace and dragged across the concrete as Frank Ocean soulfully croons, “Will he make it out alive?” in time with the staged anarchy. The gritty violence and social commentary are reminiscent of Gavras’ video for M.I.A.’s “Born Free.” Though “No Church” isn’t as graphic (there’s no nudity or massive death scenes), it is moving all the same. By the end of the five-minute video, the freedom fighters seem to have notched a victory of some sort, standing in triumph in the face of their oppressors. But even if a single battle is won, there is no conclusive ending, meaning that the war still rages on. One of the catchiest lines in the song is a party-weary Kanye spitting, “Sunglasses and Advil/ Last night was mad real.” After the track’s war-torn visual, the lyric can (and should) take on new meaning. Share your thoughts on the “No Church in the Wild” video in the comments! Related Videos Welcome To Jay-Z And Kanye West’s ‘Watch The Throne’ Week Related Photos Jay-Z And Kanye West ‘Watch The Throne’ Listening Related Artists Kanye West Jay-Z
Tami defends her drama, are you buying it? Tami Roman has been doing a serious publicity overhaul after an episode that showed her unleash her inner high school bully toward fellow cast member Keisha Nichols. BBW fans loyal to the brand even became disturbed by how a grown woman could simply be so, evil. Forced off Twitter, due to much of the backlash she received for her comments and behavior, Roman has now reactivated her account and is singing a different tune then her mean girl image portrayed. Tami chats up her thoughts on the use of the word “bully,” her relationship with the other ladies and exactly what her man thinks of all the fawkery: Since you started the show, you and Royce have been extremely close, but we barely see her this season with the other girls. What is it that makes you and Royce so cool? TR: Because in all honesty from the minute I met Royce until today she’s been the same person. She was just real with me and I can always respect somebody that just comes 100%. I may not agree with everything you’re saying but if you just give me the real then I can respect that. I could tell her “Okay you know that s**t wasn’t right; I love you but that was some bulls**t.” And she can say the same to me and we can argue and curse each other out and call each other and be like “I love you are you still going to the movies?” (You know what mean?) Its that type of relationship so for me she’s the person that I’m closet too on and off the show. Twitter is a such huge vehicle for celebrities to have a voice, and express how they truly feel about something without PR and other filters getting involved. What’s your take on celebrities using Twitter to air out their issues? TR: Well that’s tricky, if I have a problem with somebody I like to take it directly to the source. Now the problem presents itself when I don’t know how to get to you. So for me if you’re on Twitter and I need to say something to you I might take it to Twitter. I try not to beef like cursing people out and all that type of stuff I try not to do that. I try to keep it professional and then handle it that way. You know I’ve had my conversations on Twitter with people at one time or another yes I have. (Laughs) We wonder where Tami and that “realness” were when her BFF Royce was picking up her face after her dirty dog boo was cheating on her? “Friends”… how many us have them? Check out more of the interview next…
Critics are split on whether the ‘Twilight’ actor was the right casting choice. By Fallon Prinzivalli Robert Pattinson at Cannes Film Fest Photo: AFP After supporting his girlfriend Kristen Stewart as she debuted “On the Road,” Robert Pattinson hit the Cannes Film Festival on Friday (May 25) to premiere his film “Cosmopolis.” Directed by David Cronenberg, the film follows Eric Packer (Pattinson) in the not-too-distant future as he’s chauffeured through Manhattan on his way to get a haircut. His entire world is falling apart — his marriage is failing, his financial status is slipping and even his very life is being threatened. As reviews of the film pour in, it’s apparent that critics agree the film has its odd moments, but they’re split on whether Pattinson is the perfect choice for the lead role. Here’s what the critics had to say about “Cosmopolis.” The Story ” ‘Cosmopolis,’ an adaptation of Don DeLillo’s typically provocative novel of the same name, is the first feature film since 1999’s ‘eXistenZ’ that filmmaker David Cronenberg has directed and scripted. This in part explains why ‘Cosmopolis’ is such a triumph: it’s both an exceptional adaptation and a remarkable work unto itself. Cronenberg makes slight but salient changes to DeLillo’s source narrative. These changes, which are best described by one character as ‘slight variation[s],’ prove that Cronenberg’s given serious consideration to what should and shouldn’t be represented in his adaptation of the author’s ruminative, conversation-driven narrative. For example, in Cronenberg’s film, Eric Packer (a surprisingly adequate Robert Pattinson), an ambivalent and self-destructive power broker, does not get to have sex with his wife like he’s wanted to do throughout DeLillo’s book. Other changes, like the fact that Packer is investing and studying the steady rise in the Chinese yuan in the film and not the Japanese yen, as in the book, are equally striking. These differences noticeably enrich DeLillo’s original story, making Cronenberg’s ‘Cosmopolis’ that much more rewarding in its own dizzying way.” — Simon Abrams, Indiewire Robert Pattinson “On the page and on film, Eric is a controlled and controlling figure, a man impervious to society’s norms who one must feel has a mind operating well beyond the capacities of mere mortals. He’s utterly humorless and without detectable compassion or accessible humanity, which makes him less than companionable as a character. Pattinson doesn’t help matters by revealing nothing behind the eyes and delivering nearly all his lines with the same rhythm and intonations, plus repetitive head nods in the bargain. It’s a tough character that perhaps a young Jeremy Irons could have made riveting, but Pattinson is too bland and monotonous to hold the interest.” — Todd McCarthy, The Hollywood Reporter “After ‘Water for Elephants’ it remains to be seen whether Pattinson’s teen following really is willing to follow him anywhere. But ‘Cosmopolis’ does prove that he has the chops, and he parlays his cult persona beautifully into the spoiled, demanding Packer, a man so controlling and ruthless that only he has the power to ruin himself. Lean and spiky — with his clean white shirt he resembles a groomed Sid Vicious — Pattinson nails a difficult part almost perfectly.” — Damon Wise, Empire Online The Details “There are other cast members who do an excellent idea of wrapping their heads around DeLillo’s big ideas and Cronenberg’s indirect dialogue — Juliette Binoche and Samantha Morton, Mathieu Almaric and Paul Giamatti — and the music, by Metric, supplies the right kind of spiky, sensuous unease for a man driven across town and driven to self-destruction. The film’s cynicism is both majestic and well-earned; at one point, Eric notes ‘… nobody hates the rich … everybody thinks they’re ten seconds away from being rich.’ A chilly, crisp and crystal-shard sharp satire of our money-crazed world, ‘Cosmopolis’ takes us on a limo ride through the collapse of modern society: We’re not behind the wheel for this ride, but rest assured, in the end, we’re going to have to get out and pay for it.” — James Rocchi, MSN.com The Final Word “[R]ather than a thriller, ‘Cosmopolis’ plays more like a wispy film of ideas, with conversations in the limo about society, wealth and humanity dominating most of the screen time. Almost all of these feel detached and meticulously unfocused. Characters toss around ideas or questions, which their conversation partner then promptly ignores or responds to with a non-sequitur. It’s often reminiscent of work by playwright/screenwriter Harold Pinter, but never quite as fun, nor nearly as humorous as it should be. … Cronenberg has still made an odd, uncompromising and occasionally brilliant film of his own, one which is well worth seeing if only for the deft way Cronenberg finds an emotional arc in such an inhuman world. Or else to see how perfectly Pattinson’s performance suits the director.” — Brian Clark, Twitch Check out everything we’ve got on “Cosmopolis.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Photos Cosmopolis Teaser: 5 Key Scenes 2012 Cannes Film Festival
‘I’m glad that Lupe did it,’ Questlove tells MTV News of Lupe Fiasco’s ‘T.R.O.Y’ sample on his new single ‘Around My Way.’ By Rob Markman Questlove Photo: MTV News Lupe Fiasco took on a ton of criticism this week when he sampled Pete Rock and CL Smooth ‘s “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” on his new single, “Around My Way,” but Questlove is in full support of the Chicago MC. “I would hope that Pete would reconsider his position because it’s clearly an homage to his legacy,” the Roots drummer told MTV News on Wednesday. After Fiasco dropped his new single on Tuesday, Pete Rock took to Twitter to chastise Lu and the song’s producers for remaking the song, which he and CL Smooth released back in 1992 as a dedication to their fallen friend and Heavy D & the Boyz group member Troy “Trouble T” Dixon. “I’m not flattered @ all. Dat sh– is wack, and the producer should be ashamed of his f—in self. Smh,” he wrote. On Thursday, a livid Lu phoned into MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway’s “Sway in the Morning” radio show and revealed that he didn’t actually sample Pete Rock’s 1992 “Reminisce,” but instead crafted his track from Tom Scott’s 1967 jazz record “Today.” But he was, in fact, attempting to honor the famed hip-hop producer and Questlove believes that’s a good thing. “I’m certain that people will know that’s ‘T.R.O.Y.’ by Pete Rock and CL Smooth and it will seem familiar to them, and that will give Pete the 20-year resurgence and boost that naturally comes with this type of music,” the Roots maestro reasoned. “I’m glad that Lupe did it because as a DJ, sometimes it’s hard to convince people that are younger than the music that you’re spinning that this is worth dancing to. “I think it’s a good thing. He’ll get over it,” Questlove said. What are your thoughts on Lupe Fiasco’s “Around My Way”? Let us know in the comments. Related Videos Lupe Fiasco Addresses Pete Rock Related Artists Questlove Pete Rock Lupe Fiasco
With ‘Battleship’ sinking at the box office, the role of Finnick Odair could serve as the actor’s life raft. By Amy Wilkinson Taylor Kitsch Photo: Getty Images Forget those Robert Pattinson rumors . I have a winning first-round draft pick for Adonis-like District 4 tribute Finnick Odair: former “Friday Night Lights” star Taylor Kitsch . To be sure, Kitsch’s name isn’t a new one in the frenzied speculation over who should play the ” Catching Fire ” hunk. For months, he’s been mentioned in the same breath as fan favorites like Armie Hammer and Garrett Hedlund, but with the less-than-stellar performance of “Battleship,” Kitsch needs one in the win column, and ” The Hunger Games ” sequel could be it. When the MTV Movies staff sat down at the end of the year to compile our 2012 wish list , my deepest desire was to see the erstwhile Tim Riggins make good on the big screen. He’s had a couple opportunities so far, starting with Disney’s sci-fi adventure “John Carter.” The adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novel reportedly cost the studio $350 million to produce, but opened to a disappointing $30.6 million domestically . Likewise, last weekend’s board-game-inspired actioner fell $15 million short of box-office experts’ modest $40 million projections. Kitsch has one more 2012 film yet to bow — the Oliver Stone-directed “Savages” — but he needs a high-profile role in a box-office barnburner to really introduce him to the masses and secure a spot as a go-to leading man. Hence, Finnick Odair. I’ll be the first to admit Kitsch doesn’t perfectly fit my mental image of the trident-wielding tribute; he isn’t blond, nor is he very tall (though have you seen him without a shirt on?). Abs aside, what matters more is that he’s able to effectively capture the essence of this surprisingly multifaceted character. Which, if you watched the dearly departed “Friday Night Lights,” you know Kitsch can do. After all, Finnick is really just the Tim Riggins of Panem. He’s clearly damaged yet still has the capacity to nurture and love — in other words, just two bad boys with big hearts. After the first film’s boffo box office (returns are currently around the $400 million mark), the sequel’s success is basically a foregone conclusion. So, Taylor, as you ponder your next career step, why not take a look at the “Catching Fire” script (if you haven’t already) and see if you’re up for the arena? This could be the blazing hot role you’ve been looking for. Do you think Taylor Kitsch would make a good Finnick? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @amymwilk with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns! Earlier “Hunger Games” columns:
