Lee Daniels-directed film, also starring Zac Efron and Matthew McConaughey, has met with decidedly mixed reception.
By Kara Warner
Nicole Kidman in "The Paperboy"
Photo: Lee Daniels Entertainment
Much ado is made over the glitz and glamour that surrounds the exotic Cannes Film Festival each year. A lot of what brings so many celebrities and so much attention to the international film fest is its location. Who doesn't want to travel to the sandy shores of the French Riviera for "work"? The other big draw, of course, is the opportunity to see movies of all genres, budgets, origin, etc., many of which can get an early jump into awards-season consideration with positive reviews from the notoriously hard-to-please Cannes audiences.
From the outside looking in, "The Paperboy" is one of the films at the festival that has major awards-buzz potential because of its director, Oscar nominee Lee Daniels ("Precious"), and its cast: Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey and John Cusack. Judging from the initial reactions to the small-town, sexed-up murder mystery, however, the reception has been decidedly mixed.
"Daniels wants to show us realities that other movies don't, and I truly think that he's got the talent and drive to do it. But there's a major downside to that impulse," wrote . "If what happens on screen is in any way odd or exaggerated or, even worse, if it defies common sense, the clang of falseness is going to be deafening.
"The line on this movie in Cannes is the same one that a lot of critics, including me, took on Daniels' 'Shadowboxer': that it's so luridly overripe it's nuts — or, at the very least, high camp," Gleiberman continued. "Certainly, you're going to have that feeling during the scene when Kidman, at the beach, saves Efron from a jellyfish sting by urinating on him — which is an anti-jellyfish home remedy, but the way the scene is shot, I think Daniels had something else in mind. The wrong notes, the extremeness, just piles up from there."
Efron and Kidman spoke to the film's extremes during a press conference Thursday (May 24). "I don't think I was supposed to feel comfortable," Efron said. "It's like life. This character is supposed to be learning the ways of the world, and that can be very uncomfortable. But it's also exciting."
"I'd been looking as an actor for something raw and something dangerous," Kidman said. "I may be uncomfortable watching the movie. But that's my job — it's my job to give over to something, not to censor it, not to put my own judgments of how I feel as Nicole playing the character. I am there to portray a truth."
And no matter the discomfort surrounding the onscreen nudity, sex or the pee scene, Efron said he loved the experience of making the movie.
"I've been in love with her for a long time, since 'Moulin Rouge,' "the actor said of Kidman. "It was the loveliest time in the world for me."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1685833/nicole-kidman-paperboy-cannes.jhtml
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'I think it's important ... for people to not think people in my position are perfect,' Perry tells MTV News.
By Christina Garibaldi
Katy Perry
Photo: MTV News
Katy Perry is not looking to hold anything back when she releases her 3-D concert movie, "Part of Me," in July. Shot throughout 2011, the film takes fans backstage on her California Dreams Tour, into the studio with the singer and on set for her videos, giving audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the hard work involved in being a pop star.
Yet, with so many moments captured for this movie, Perry admits it's hard to narrow down the one scene that all fans will be talking about.
"There's lots of moments," Perry told MTV News at the Pepsi Fleet Week Katy Perry "Part of Me" Concert. "I love making music videos and I like them to be jam-packed visually, and I want there to not be a dull moment in this film. There's really high-energy moments. Of course, there's the concert. If some people didn't see the show — which a lot of people haven't seen the show because really I've done 124 shows — but a lot of people couldn't get a ticket or they just couldn't make it out that night, so I cut together the best of the show."
But there is much more to this film than the dazzling onstage performances. The singer is out to show all her Katy Cats the real Katy Perry. The film delves into Perry's struggle with making it as a singer, her strict Christian upbringing and, of course, her much publicized divorce from Russell Brand.
"There's a lot of background of how I got to where I am, but such a huge emotional palette in the movie, and it's going to be really exciting," Perry said. "It's the most intimate I've ever been. I mean that in a non-sexual way ... I mean it in a vulnerable way. And so I'm not scared of it because I think it's important for me, and important these days, for people to not think people in my position are perfect and that if they want to achieve this type of dream or achieve a goal that they have to be flawless, they don't."
And Perry admits she is far from flawless in this film, revealing to her fans that even though she may be one of the biggest pop stars in the world, she is still just a normal girl.
"What you see in the movie is all the mechanics of the operation," Perry said. "And there's a lot of me bloated, with zits, fat, not shaded, not carved, not snatched, just normal."
The "Katy Perry: Part of Me" concert film hits theaters July 5.
Are you excited for Katy Perry's 3-D flick? Let us know in the comments.
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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1685849/katy-perry-part-of-me-movie.jhtml
Oliver talks to MTV News about the important role the youth play in reversing poor eating habits.
By Christina Garibaldi
Jamie Oliver
Photo: MTV News
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has made a name for himself with his hit television show "The Naked Chef" and his best selling cookbooks, but the British restaurateur has also made it his mission to get people on the fast-track to healthy eating.
Just last week, Jamie Oliver launched the first-ever, global Food Revolution Day, which took place in about 60 countries urging people to focus on food education and to fight obesity. When Oliver sat down with MTV as part of our Pioneers Speaker Series, he told us that young people are the ones who have the power to make a positive change toward healthy eating.
"I think the youth are really important customers, really important. If the youth could come up with something for the youth, I think that would be incredible," Oliver said. "I've worked with so many kids in school and I think they are frustrated whether it's with their own school food or whether it's stuff they get out. I think they are all waiting for something brilliant and when it happens, I think they will buy into it."
With Americans losing the war against obesity and children growing up overweight, Oliver is determined to implement a healthy lifestyle by getting people back into their kitchens, having nutritious meals at school and encouraging communities to plan health-conscious events. But Oliver admits that in order to do this, people have to do their own homework and educate themselves.
"For me, it's about being street wise about food, it's about not getting mugged, and mugged means not getting ripped off it you know about food," Oliver said. "You know where to shop, you know what to avoid, you know what you can do."
And once you have that knowledge, not only can you make a delicious meal, but according to Oliver, you'll probably reap some other benefits, too.
"If you got two good-looking fellas and one can cook and one cant, it's the one that can cook that's getting the look and vice versa for the girls," Oliver admitted. "So all I'm trying to say is cooking is really fun, you're saving money and it will be with you for the rest of your life."
And Oliver says the perfect ingredient when putting together a healthy meal is of course, music. Oliver listens to a different array of songs while preparing his dish.
"I'm split between sort of like ... [the Red Hot] Chili Peppers, Killers, Strokes, sort of mix it up that sort of way and then old, brilliant, miserable British indie music," Oliver said. "But I'm quite eclectic, I like a bit of everything."
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1685834/chef-jamie-oliver-cooking-health-eating-habits.jhtml
Veronika Vaekovб Paulina Rubio Shanna Moakler Audrina Patridge
Leonardo DiCaprio revisits his matinee-idol days and Baz Luhrmann recalls his previous work in sizzling new sneak peek.
By Kara Warner
Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Great Gatsby"
Photo: Warner Bros.
Anyone who doubted the cinematic treat director Baz Luhrmann will deliver this Christmas in the form of his "Great Gatsby" need only watch the first teaser trailer to have their curiosity decidedly piqued. The visually stunning two-and-a-half-minute trailer features stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan in all their glamorous, early 20th-century-styled glory.
Here are five key elements to look out for:
Leonardo DiCaprio Reclaims Matinee-Idol Status
There's no doubt Leonardo DiCaprio is a gifted, serious actor; just look to his impressive and Oscar-nominated body of work for proof. And while his careful and calculated decisions with regard to his gritty and more art-house-oriented film roles over the years are indeed admirable, there's part of his fanbase dying for him to get back to his matinee-idol roots, ß la Jack Dawson in "Titanic" and Romeo in Luhrmann's 1996 adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet." Judging by what we've just seen in the trailer, his performance as Jay Gatsby will more than do the trick. DiCaprio's acting skills are perfect for the tortured-yet-revered hero, not to mention the fabulous suits he's wearing to fit the time period.
The Roaring '20s
Speaking of the time period, there's just something magical about the 1920s, the decade in which the film and F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel take place. The glitz, the glamour and the nostalgia all make for a very alluring package, particularly when put in Luhrmann's very capable hands. It is clear from the trailer that the Australian director's take on Fitzgerald's classic will involve a faithful telling of the story that capitalizes upon the most visually stunning elements of that time period. And don't forget that the film was shot in 3-D.
Gatsby At The Moulin Rouge
Luhrmann fans should appreciate the highly stylized, fast-paced theatrical style we've come to know and love from the director. There are several shots of party scenes in the trailer that would have worked just as well in or doubled for scenes from Luhrmann's Oscar-nominated love story "Moulin Rouge." And thanks to the colorful madness on display in the scenes of revelry, it makes the more quiet, emotionally charged interactions between Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) that much more powerful.
Mulligan And Maguire's Moments to Shine
Speaking of Mulligan, it's obvious from Luhrmann's carefully intercut Gatsby and Daisy scenes that the Oscar-nominated actress will be pulling on our heartstrings with her performance. Not to mention Tobey Maguire as narrator/reluctant hero Nick Carraway. His voice-over is reminiscent of Ewan McGregor's in "Moulin Rouge" and reminds us of his underrated performance as "Pleasantville" idealist David. Similar to DiCaprio's return to matinee-idol form, we're excited to see Maguire as a wide-eyed optimist — at least at first.
Right Music, Wrong Time
We've already mentioned the fact that the film is set in the 1920s, so how is it that Luhrmann opens his trailer with the 2011 club bumper "No Church in the Wild," by Kanye West and Jay-Z featuring Frank Ocean? Because Luhrmann's anachronistic musical selections have a successful track record, that's why. Would we have picked the song to open this trailer? No. But the bass-heavy, Auto-Tuned beat is perfect for setting up the scenes to come. For the second half of the teaser, Luhrmann deftly foreshadows the story's elements of heartbreak and loss with Jack White's powerful cover of U2's "Love Is Blindness."
Check out everything we've got on "The Great Gatsby."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1685628/great-gatsby-trailer.jhtml
Samantha Mumba Izabella Miko Melissa Sagemiller Mary Elizabeth Winstead
