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Taylor Swift Reveals ‘Hunger Games’ Nods In ‘Safe & Sound’ Video

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Just-premiered clip includes plenty of imagery from the best-selling book series to tide fans over until film’s release. By John Mitchell, with reporting by Sway Calloway Taylor Swift Photo: MTV News Talking exclusively to MTV News following the premiere of her new video for “Safe & Sound” from “The Hunger Games,” Taylor Swift revealed that the clip contains several references to the best-selling YA book series that fans should recognize. “I felt like I was really needing to pay tribute to this movie and tell this story,” Swift said. “There’s this moment in the music video where I find this mockingjay pin and hold it up.” For those who have not read the books, the mockingjay pin is one of the most iconic symbols from the series. It was given to the main character, Katniss Everdeen (played in the film by Jennifer Lawrence), as a token to take into the arena to remind her of her home district — District 12. The mockingjay and the pin itself are both symbols of rebellion in the books. The mockingjay is a species of bird inadvertently bred when the Capitol released “jabberjays” throughout the nation of Panem in an attempt to spy on its citizens. After the mission failed and the citizens of Panem learned how to feed lies to Capitol spies through the jabberjays, the Capitol ended the project but the birds bred with mockingbirds in the wild, creating the mockingjay, which the Capitol was never able to eradicate. We won’t spoil the rest, but the third book in the series is titled “Mockingjay,” and that isn’t just a reference to the bird or the pin anymore. “Having a music video with that much symbolism in it is something I’m not used to,” Swift continued. “Everyone who is a ‘Hunger Games’ fans knows what it means when there’s fire in the trees and they know what it means for the house to be burnt and they know what it means for the ‘Hunger Games’ pin to be covered in rust and old. Everybody can take their own meaning away from it, but it all goes back to the symbolism of the book.” To avoid spoiling the books and film, the only bit here that we’ll address are the burning trees, which can be seen throughout Swift’s video and briefly in the film’s second trailer. In the arena, the Gamesmakers use fire to keep the tributes from hiding in trees and to push groups of them into the same area so they can fight to the death for all to see. Swift’s “Safe & Sound” video has us psyched for the release of “The Hunger Games,” due March 23. “I’m now sort of like an infomercial for it,” Swift, a fan of the books, joked to MTV News about the series. Stick with MTV News as we roll out more from our exclusive interview with Taylor Swift about her “Hunger Games” soundtrack song! Related Videos MTV First: Taylor Swift Related Artists Taylor Swift

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Whitney Houston’s Funeral Set For Saturday In Newark

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Pop star will be laid to rest at New Hope Baptist Church in her native Newark, New Jersey, with no planned wake. By Rob Markman Whitney Houston Photo: Ebet Roberts/ Getty Images After much speculation, the plans for Whitney Houston ‘s funeral have been set. The fallen pop diva will be laid to rest in her native Newark, New Jersey, a week after her death in a Los Angeles hotel room. A Houston family rep confirmed to MTV News that Houston’s invitation-only funeral will take place at New Baptist Church at noon on Saturday. Los Angeles County coroner officials completed Houston’s autopsy Sunday, and her body was released to her family the very next day and then flown back east, according to CNN. There have been rumors that there will be a public memorial at Newark’s Prudential Center with a ceremony similar to Michael Jackson’s high-profile farewell, but USA Today is reporting that such a plan was never in place and as of right now, the funeral is the only scheduled sendoff for the 48-year-old star. As a youth in Newark, Houston attended New Hope Baptist Church. In a statement issued to MTV News on Sunday, the Houston family expressed their grief in this trying time. “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Whitney. This is an unimaginable tragedy, and we will miss her terribly,” the statement read. “We appreciate the outpouring of love and support from her fans and friends.” The cause of Houston’s death is still unknown. Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office continues to quell any speculation. “I know there are reports that she maybe was drowned or did she overdose, but we won’t make a final determination until all the tests are in,” he told CNN. Share your condolences with Whitney’s family and friends on our Facebook page. Related Videos Whitney Houston: Life And Music Of An Icon Remembering An Icon: Whitney’s Top MTV Moments Related Photos Whitney Houston: A Life In Photos Related Artists Whitney Houston

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Whitney Houston’s Greatest Videos

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘How Will I Know,’ ‘The Greatest Love of All’ among Houston’s most iconic videos. By Gil Kaufman Whitney Houston in her “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” video Photo: Arista Records Long before Lady Gaga rolled around nearly naked in viscous goo, Rihanna showed off her S&M fetish, Christina squeezed into leather peek-a-boo chaps or Nicki Minaj dressed up like a male fantasy Barbie, Whitney Houston proved you could make a fuss without making a spectacle. The legendary R&B singer, who died Saturday at age 48 after reportedly consuming prescription drugs and alcohol on the eve of the 54th annual Grammy Awards , became one of the most important artists of the early music-video era by taking the road less traveled. While such fellow trailblazers as Michael Jackson and Madonna created video fantasy worlds full of monsters, gangsters, street-fighting men and naughty brides, Houston mostly skipped the drama and stood front and center in her most iconic clips doing the thing that she did best: singing her heart out. With her model-worthy looks and luminous smile, Houston knew exactly how to telegraph her charm through the TV — and later on the big screen in “The Bodyguard” and three other starring roles — which may explain why most of her most notable videos involve just a bit of perfunctory storyline and focus on her performance. Here are some of our favorite Houston video moments: “I Will Always Love You” : Is it even possible to come up with a concept for a clip that could match the grandeur and emotional heft of the breakout single from “The Bodyguard” soundtrack? It is, and smartly, that big idea was to focus on an elegantly suited up, forlorn-looking Houston sitting in an empty theater and staring into the distance as she watched clips from the movie scroll by. Houston blasted into the song’s towering finale via a quick zoom to her face, eyes closed, and then popping open as she hit the money note. How bad was Houston? She perfectly delivered the titanically tear-jerking drama of the song without ever once getting up from her chair. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” : Whitney did ballads like nobody’s business, but she also knew how to throw down, as she did in the “Dance” video, the first single from her second album, Whitney . Dressed in a body-hugging purple dress, towering curly wig and colorful dangly earrings, Houston again focused on singing directly into the camera while a series of dancers showed off their moves in wide-shot cutaways. When it was Houston’s time to shine, though, the camera pulled in close to capture that sparkle in her eye and that 1,000-watt beam as she changed through a series of going-to-the-club outfits and mostly shimmied adorably in place. “How Will I Know” : The third single from Houston’s debut album was the one that changed everything. The clip helped introduce the singer to a wider audience when it became one of the first videos by a black female singer to earn heavy rotation on MTV. The concept was simple: Whitney in another of her trusty big hair bows and sexy minidresses sang right at the lens while dancers high-kicked and sashayed through a rainbow-paint-splashed maze of a set. All Houston had to do was walk, sing and smile and the rest was history. We’re still not sure, though, what was up with that dude in the half-suit, half-wedding dress. “Greatest Love of All” : The final single released from Houston’s debut album helped cement the M.O. for the classic Whitney video. Standing on yet another stage in an empty theater, Houston, wearing one of her beloved leather jackets, belts the big ballad with vigor as stage hands work around her, seemingly oblivious to the fact that the star of the show is crushing it right in front of them. While there appears to be some backstory involving Houston making her stage debut as a child, once Whit changes into that beaded white dress and matching chunky earrings to do her slinky saunter to center stage for the big finale … forget about it. “I’m Your Baby Tonight” : The title track from Houston’s third album, released in 1990, is what passed for a high-concept clip from the singer. Dressed in a white suit, with matching bowler and cane, Houston hip-swayed through a Cotton Club-type nightspot before transporting into a Manhattan penthouse. She walked through another mirror into a third scene where she was all three members of a Supremes-style girl group and finally ended up in a beatnik club, her haired pulled back as she rocked chopped bangs. As always, the focus was on images of Houston lip-synching the song’s lyrics with attitude as the camera lingered on her luminous skin and smile. Share your condolences with Whitney’s family and friends on our Facebook page. Related Videos Whitney Houston: Life And Music Of An Icon Related Photos Whitney Houston: A Life In Photos Related Artists Whitney Houston

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Whitney Houston’s Body Flown East For Funeral

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Public memorial for Houston tentatively slated for Friday in New Jersey. By Gil Kaufman Whitney Houston in her “I Will Always Love You” video Photo: Arista Records We may not know for several more weeks what caused the death 
 of

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Jesus Take The Wheel: Bloody Cycle Of Violence In Philadelphia Leaves The City With The Highest Homicide Rate In The Country

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

SMH at news outlets calling it “Kill-adelphia”… It’s not even the end of February and Philly has had more homicides than there have been days in 2012: Out of the nation’s 10 largest cities, Philadelphia’s homicide rate is the worst. Last year ended with 324 homicides, up from 306 in 2010. And just one month into this year, there has been on average more than one homicide each day in Philadelphia, with many of the 34 deaths unfolding like episodes on “Law & Order.” A man ambushed a car packed with teens — killing three of them — for feuding with his stepsons. A pizza delivery man was shot in the back during a robbery. Another man was beaten to death hailing a cab on a busy downtown street. Then there was the retribution killing of Fernandez-Rivera, the store clerk and alleged murder witness. Aside from the murders, there have been ruthless beatings. On January 2, an off-duty police officer and Iraq war veteran was punched and kicked until he was unconscious outside a landmark restaurant after the Winter Classic hockey game. A couple of weeks later, a 64-year-old Vietnam veteran on his way to meet his wife at the bus stop was attacked and robbed by two teens. “I think folks are desperate. I think they’re desperate and come from a culture where they learn the way to handle an argument is with a gun,” said Chuck Williams, director of the Center for the Prevention of School-Aged Violence at Drexel University. Williams, an education professor at Drexel University, works with educators and youth to prevent school fights, shootings and cyberbullying. “Although the streets don’t offer anything positive, to a lot of the young people, a lot of the boys, the young black men, (the streets are) consistent,” he said. “They know where they stand (on the streets).” Philadelphia’s mayor has made it clear the city is waging an all-out war against violent criminals. “If you want to act like an idiot, if you want to be an a-hole, if you want to be a low-life in this town, we will track you down like the dog that you are,” Mayor Michael Nutter told CNN affiliate KYW last month. At the end of January, city officials unveiled new crimefighting measures, including a reward of $20,000 for information solving a homicide and $500 for locating illegal guns, plus funding for the witness assistance program and increasing police presence. The city’s daily violence has news outlets once again branding the city “Kill-adelphia.” Public safety advocate Anthony Murphy said the moniker is unfair. He urged critics to “look beyond the body count.” “We aren’t all going out shooting each other randomly. Things have happened, yes. There’s a challenge, yes. But Kill-adelphia? No. Should you be afraid to be in Philadelphia? No,” said Murphy, executive director for Town Watch Integrated Services, an organization of volunteers who patrol neighborhoods. “Police can’t do everything. We have a responsibility to address the challenges in our community.” That responsibility, Murphy said, starts with establishing a positive foundation for youth, particularly when it comes to conflict resolution. Arguments are the leading motive for murder, and blacks make up nearly 84% of the homicide victims, according to police data. Stopping arguments from escalating to deadly violence is a priority at City Hall. “Prevention (is) a key portion of what we’re doing,” said Everett Gillison, Nutter’s chief of staff and deputy mayor for public safety. “But also just getting the community to act as one and come forward and say ‘enough is enough. This stuff has got to stop.’ “ True, indeed. This violence MUST stop. Via CNN

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‘Game Of Thrones’ Photos Unveil New Characters

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Stephen Dillane, Carice van Houten and other actors make their ‘Thrones’ debut in a series of new stills from season two. By Josh Wigler Carice van Houten and Stephen Dillane in “Game of Thrones” Photo: Helen Sloan/ HBO Winter is fast approaching Westeros, and if you can see through the downpour of snow, you’ll notice a few new, not-so-friendly faces in the mix. Yes, several of your favorite characters will be back in action when “Game of Thrones” season two premieres April 1, but Jon, Tyrion, Dany and the rest will have their work cut out for them when new friends and foes join the battle for the Iron Throne. To get you acquainted with some of these newcomers, HBO has released a slew of photos from the upcoming second season of the epic fantasy series, based on the “Song of Ice and Fire” novels from visionary writer George R.R. Martin. From men who would be kings to their trusted and true servants, here are five new “Thrones” characters about to enter the game: Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon “The Iron Throne is mine by rights.” Get ready to hear that refrain early and often in season two as Stannis Baratheon enters the scene. Currently lording over the remote island of Dragonstone, Stannis believes himself the one true ruler of Westeros following the death of his brother Robert and the revelation that his nephew Joffrey is the product of Cersei and Jaime Lannister’s incest. Stannis will stop at nothing to claim what he feels he’s rightfully owed, including resorting to the use of forbidden magic. Speaking of which … Carice van Houten as Melisandre The red priestess from the foreign lands of Asshai comes to serve Stannis in his time of need, believing him to be Azhor Azhai Reborn, an old hero of ancient prophecy destined for great and powerful things. Her beliefs are questioned by many, but her power can be denied by none. Melisandre’s magic is a deadly spectacle that must be seen to be believed, and season two will convince some skeptics just how serious her sorcery is — often at a lethal price. Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth The Onion Knight is another of Stannis’ most trusted advisers. Davos is a smuggler-turned-knight after proving his loyalty to the bold Baratheon warrior; the fingers of his left hand were long ago shortened by a joint on Stannis’ command, a final punishment for his smuggling past. The severed remains are held in a pouch around Davos’ neck he describes as his “luck,” though his luck may well be running out. Davos does not take kindly to Melisandre’s newfound influence over Stannis — but like many others, he’ll soon realize that the red priestess has more than enough bite to back up her bark. Patrick Malahide as Balon Greyjoy Stannis Baratheon is not the only one competing for the crown of Westeros: There’s also Balon Greyjoy, lord of the Iron Islands, to consider. The seafaring warrior is no stranger to fighting for the Iron Throne, having been put down in a rebellion many years earlier. But Balon sees new possibilities in another attempt to claim rule over Westeros — possibilities that may be helped or hindered by the return of his estranged son Theon, best friend and closest confidant to King in the North Robb Stark. Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth Serving a different king entirely is Brienne of Tarth, a fierce warrior woman often ridiculed by men for her masculine features and seemingly futile attempt to become a knight. But she’s respected by the man who matters most to her: Renly Baratheon, brother of Stannis and another of the men vying for supremacy in Westeros. As part of Renly’s elite guard, Brienne will stop at nothing to protect her king and further his agenda. But fate might have other plans in store for her … What do you think of the new “Thrones” characters? Tell us in the comments!

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‘American Idol’ Season 11: Where Are The Bad Singers?

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Idol’ has kept the predictably awful singers to a minimum so far, and we’re not sure that’s right. By Gil Kaufman Magic Cyclops auditions for “American Idol” in Aspen Photo: Michael Becker / FOX Like casual sports fans who can’t wait for the Winter Olympics to revel in the schadenfreude of watching world-class ice-skaters bite it, “American Idol” watchers have been conditioned to expect early audition episodes packed with a healthy mix of decent, great and truly awful singers. In fact, some eagle-eyed “Idol” observers will tell you that there is a whole legion of viewers out there who only tune in to the first few weeks to see the next William Hung , General Larry “Pants on the Ground” Platt or Keith “Like a Virgin” Beukelaer. But in keeping with the shiny-happy-people vibe “Idol” initiated last year in its first post-Simon Cowell season, through the four audition episodes so far, season 11 “Idol” has noticeably eased up on the so-bad-it’s-good factor. Instead, it has focused on mediocre or not laughably terrible singers, with a handful of decent ringers thrown in for good measure. Yes, we saw a man with a fake accent named Magic Cyclops crash and burn on Wednesday night not long after seemingly joke-worthy Angie Zeiderman performed “When You’ve Got It, Flaunt It” from “The Producers.” But she quickly turned it around and won over the judges with a good-enough take on Roy Orbison’s “Blue Bayou.” The bait-and-switch appears to be the new look for “Idol,” as evidenced by Ali Shields’ cringe-inducing rap/ghetto dance on Chris Brown’s “Look at Me Now,” followed by a more passable cover of Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Like a Star.” That kind of rope-a-dope may actually be worse than the plain-old “montage of mediocrity” of the past, because, at best, it’s dishonest, and at worst, it makes you wonder how low the talent bar is this season. The season so far seems to have traded chuckle-inducing singing for outright meanness, as evidenced by the mockery of African immigrant Mawuena Kodjo in the first episode, the sexist baiting of Bikini Girl 2.0 Jennifer Diley, the overly long, indulgent segment on not-that-interesting Ryan Seacrest look-alike Shaun Kraisman and the sniggering at twin Tealana Hedgespeth on Wednesday’s show. The latter seemed the most cruel. For a singer whose segment focused on her ego-denting struggle to emerge from the shadow of her multitalented sister, the snide asides from the judges at Hedgespeth’s expense just seemed heartless. At least in the past when Cowell called someone a “bush baby” or the judges fell off their chairs laughing, they mostly did their worst out in the open instead of stringing the singers along just to crush them after the audition. I know we’re barely two weeks into the cycle, but I won’t lie: I love the crash-and-burners. Watching a mind-blowingly horrendous singer (or three) in an audition episode with an equal amount of ear-catching talent is one of the thrills of “Idol.” It puts the variety in an audition cycle that is often a dull parade of same-y R&B takes on Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey and Aretha Franklin. For the past couple of years, “Idol” producers have crowed about focusing on the talent rather than the freaks in the auditions episodes. But isn’t that what the rest of the season is for? What do you think about the lack of outrageously bad singers this year? Let us know in the comments! Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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Eff A Lil Young Thug: 10-Year-Old Charged With Murder For Murking His 12-Year-Old Friend

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

This is sad: Prosecutors filed murder charges Wednesday against a 10-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing his 12-year-old friend in an East County neighborhood. A detention hearing for the boy is planned for Thursday morning in Juvenile Court. Ryan Carter, 12, was stabbed in the chest about 1:15 p.m. Monday in the driveway of the younger boy’s home in the 12500 block of Royal Road in the unincorporated Winter Gardens area, near El Cajon, according to sheriff’s officials. Paramedics took Carter to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, where he died about 2:30 p.m., Lt. Larry Nesbit said. The alleged killer’s name was withheld due to being a juvenile. Glen Carter said his family is coping with their son’s death and has mixed feelings about the murder charge. “It’s just sad for both families. This is going to be tough to get through,” Carter said. “It’s up to the courts now.” The suspect’s age will play a factor in the trial. The judge could require the 10-year-old to undergo mental evaluation which could take up to eight months before the trial could move forward, a criminal attorney told Fox 5. The attorney said the suspect’s parents are not at fault, but could face civil action. The suspect, who was reportedly being medicated for aggressive behavior problems, was being held in Juvenile Hall while prosecutors reviewed the case. Do you think this child should be tried as an adult? Source More On Bossip! Twit Pics Of The Day: Rihanna Toots That Thang Up In A White Bikini And Invites Khloe Kardashian To Come “Tap That” [Photos] Reading Is Fun-damental: 10 Of Hottest “Hood Classic” Books And Their Authors Must Be The Shoes: The Hottest Women In The World Wearing Killer Heels…And Not Much Else Black And Missing: Lost People And Faces That Mainstream Media Have Not Been Looking For [Photos/Info]

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Sarah Burke, Pioneering Freestyle Skier, Dies At 29

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Olympic hopeful had been in a coma since a skiing accident in Park City, Utah, last week. By Kara Warner Sarah Burke Photo: Richard Bord/ Getty Images Professional skier and Olympic hopeful Sarah Burke died Thursday (January 19) following an accident during a training run on the superpipe in Park City, Utah, on January 11; Burke had been in a coma since the crash. Burke’s publicist confirmed the news of her death to People magazine. The freestyle skier’s death comes just one week after she underwent successful surgery to repair a torn vertebral artery that caused bleeding between her brain and skull. Despite the success of the procedure, Burke remained in a coma. Hospital officials told the magazine that Burke suffered a ruptured artery, which caused her to go into cardiac arrest. She sustained irreversible damage to her brain due to lack of oxygen and blood and never regained consciousness. According to a statement from her parents, sister and husband Rory Bushfield obtained by People, Burke died “peacefully surrounded by those she loved” and her organs and tissues were donated, per the skier’s wishes. The family also expressed their “heartfelt gratitude” in the statement, for the “international outpouring of support they have received from all the people Sarah touched.” The 29-year-old Canadian was considered a pioneer in women’s free skiing, “The Godmother” of the sport according to the Ski Channel . She was an eight-time X-Games medalist and an Olympic hopeful for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. Burke’s family has reportedly received a substantial number of inquiries from people asking how they can offer support and make a donation on behalf of Burke. For more information, please go to GiveForward.com . Share your condolences for Burke’s family and friends in the comments below.

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Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony Back Together? Spotted Holding Hands

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

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Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were spotted holding hands at the Univision portion of the 2012 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa! The couple seemed very amicable especially being that J.Lo has been rumored to be dealing with her back-up dancer and Anthony told her she needs “a shrink!” Could the couple be working it out of just handling business together? Marc Anthony To J.Lo: “You Need A Shrink” Marc Anthony Moves On With Younger Lover Too, Caught Kissing [PHOTO]

Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony Back Together? Spotted Holding Hands

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