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Rihanna And Chris Brown’s Remixes: Critics Weigh In

cfox — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:47:55 +0000

With ‘Birthday Cake’ and ‘Turn Up the Music’ fresh in their minds, MTV News asks music journalists for their takes on the songs.
By James Montgomery

src="http://www.mtv.com/shared/promoimages/bands/r/rihanna/duet_jingleball_1208/281x211.jpg"/>

Rihanna and Chris Brown in 2008

Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

By now, you’ve already heard what fans and a domestic-abuse expert had to say about Rihanna and Chris Brown’s controversial collaborations on new remixes of “Birthday Cake” and “Turn Up the Music.” Chances are, you’ve probably formed your own opinion too.

But as the initial shock of the pair’s reunion subsides, and both remixes begin to diffuse into the collective conscience, we’re left with one rather important question: Beyond all the (very public) handwringing the songs have created, are they actually any good? Early opinions from critics have been lukewarm at best (and downright hostile at worst), mostly because it seems they have a difficult time separating their feelings about Brown — and his 2009 assault of Rihanna — from their feelings about the songs themselves. And really, you can’t blame them. In a lot of ways, it’s impossible not to view the “Cake” and “Music” remixes through the prism of the past three years.

Still, with opinions still being formed (and feelings still fresh), we reached out to some of our favorite music journos to get their take on the songs and Rihanna and Brown’s unlikely collaboration. Here’s what they had to say:

” ‘Birthday Cake’ was pretty much destined to be a smash when Talk That Talk was released with only a snippet of it. … The 78-second bit of The-Dream-produced track inspired hosannas from members of the Rihanna Navy who couldn’t wait for the full thing to be released. … Putting Chris Brown on the [remix] (and having him sing ‘I wanna f— you right now,’ which Rihanna sang on the fade-out of the TTT version, as his opening gambit) seems almost like overplaying her hand. Like, this song was going to be a big deal to her fans no matter what, so why add the controversy to it? Then again, the past three years of her career have, it seems, been about her taking control of her public image in a big way — from enacting revenge fantasies in ‘Man Down’ to singing about sex a lot — and adding Brown to a song about fetishistic sex is a way for her to do just that, to implicitly flip off people who she sees as paternalistic or overbearing while engaging in what she calls ‘chiefin’.’ Every gossip item about the two of them getting back together or hanging out, every angry/sad/exulting blog post, every public tweet they direct to one another when presumably they could just DM back and forth, keeps them — and the songs — in the news. Meanwhile, Brown’s song and Rihanna’s contribution to it are both pretty bland, a ‘Party Rock Anthem’ with no shuffling and even less whimsy. At one point, Rihanna does the phrase ‘I love you,’ which will no doubt get tongues wagging. I am pretty much grossed out by the whole thing, to be honest.” — Maura Johnston, Village Voice

“The remixes aren’t terrible, and that’s as much as I’ll say at risk of saying something positive about Chris Brown. … The most important thing to remember is that if you have a problem with these two teaming up: Don’t blame Rihanna. Blame the ravenous, unscrupulous, money-starved record industry for being complacent through this entire event. The whole machine is falling apart, so everyone — artists like Ludacris and Justin Bieber, their labels and managers, magazines like Vibe who put Chris Brown on the cover, awards shows like the Grammys, TV networks who play Chris Brown videos — they’re all too afraid to potentially put forth an opinion that would prevent them from being where money is. The fact that everyone except Jay-Z and Miranda Lambert is too chickensh– to speak out against woman-beating is pathetic beyond pathetic. Everyone is too scared to compromise their chance to catch the last remaining dollars during the music industry’s death rattle.” — Christopher R. Weingarten, SPIN

“Rihanna’s ‘Birthday Cake’ was a standout track from Talk That Talk, even in its original form (as an interlude) — and more importantly, without Chris Brown. On the remix, all Brown’s aggressive, salacious verses do … is add fuel to rumors circling of their reunion behind closed doors. [And] Rihanna comes back on the song, calling checkmate on Breezy with her suggestive lyrics — “Remember how you did it?/ Remember how you fit it?/ If you still want to kiss it, come, come and get it” — making it hard to not be teased into again reading between the lines. ‘Turn Up the Music’ feels like a collaboration that would have fit both artists’ discography during their days coupled up. Although RiRi’s airy vocals blend well with the Underdogs’ dance soundscapes, adding Rihanna to the track doesn’t leave a lasting impression nor elevate the song to higher grounds. Ultimately, it’s not the content of the songs that matter; it’s the statement both singers are trying to make by simply releasing them. The collaborations appear to be a step toward reconciliation between both — seeing the tracks climb the chart is a bonus. Rihanna wants us to know that she no longer wears the shoes of the victim and Breezy wants to prove that he’s become a better man. This isn’t a personal or professional move; it’s both. Both singers have woven their personal life, a haunting moment in their lives, into a professional move. Though it’s stirred much controversy, I believe it was bound to happen.” — Erika Ramirez, Billboard.com’s “The Juice”

What do you think of the collaborations? Let us know in the comments.

Related Photos

Rihanna And Chris Brown: A Photo Timeline

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href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rihanna/artist.jhtml">Rihanna
href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/brown__chris__18_/artist.jhtml">Chris Brown

Source Link: MTV News

Dakota’s Style Has Seriously Evolved

cfox — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:28:26 +0000

Although she is only a teenager, Dakota Fanning has transformed into an a-list style star.

We have proof that the current NYU undergrad, who sits front row at Marc Jacobs and Rodarte, started her career hitting the red carpet in everything from frilly princess dresses to an Alice in Wonderland costume. To celebrate Fanning’s 18th birthday on February 23rd, take a look in our gallery below to see how far her fashion sense has come:

Source Link: Celebrity HuffingtonPost.com

Sam Mendes Posts First Skyfall Video Blog

cfox — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:27:26 +0000

While James Bond fans patiently await the release of an official trailer for this year’s 23rd installment in the iconic secret agent franchise (titled Skyfall), they have a new behind-the-scenes video blog to both help pass the time and tease actor Daniel Craig’s third lap around as the new iteration of 007.

Skyfall‘s Oscar-winning helmer Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) is the focus of this clip, which is mostly composed of an interview with the filmmaker expressing his interest in and longtime adoration of the Bond series – along with brief glimpses of scenes from the actual movie – including, the sequence where Bond infiltrates Shanghai, as teased in the first official Skyfall still.

Have a look at what may be the first of several Skyfall video blogs to come:

This Skyfall production clip is somewhat underwhelming when compared to the highly informative production diary videos that Peter Jackson has been posting for The Hobbit. Not that it matters, seeing how anticipation for the new Bond adventure is already sky-high (no pun) thanks in part to the extended delay between installments resulting from MGM’s bankruptcy drama.

If there’s anything especially interesting to note from this video, it’s Mendes’ comment about fashioning Skyfall as “a big fabulous escapist movie” that still reflects thoughtfully about the contemporary world. Mendes’ involvement with the film has long prompted rumors about Skyfall being an “artsy” Bond flick that tones down the action set pieces, but the filmmaker makes it pretty apparent here: that’s not actually the plan.

As for all those Skyfall mysteries about Ralph Fiennes’ character, how Naomie Harrris as Agent Eve fits into the storyline, and just who the villain being played by Oscar-winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) is? Well, it looks like it’s best to not expect much more official insight into those matters until the actual film is released.

Skyfall will hit theaters in the U.S. on November 9th, 2012.

Source: 007.com

Around the web:

Source Link: Rotten Tomatoes: News

Jennifer Aniston Calls Justin Theroux ‘Beautiful’

cfox — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:05:08 +0000

In ‘MTV First,’ the ‘Wanderlust’ star gushes about her beau’s ‘leading man quality.’
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

src="http://www.mtv.com/shared/promoimages/movies/w/wanderlust/theroux/281x211.jpg"/>

Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd, Justin Theroux and Malin Akerman in “Wanderlust”

Photo: Universal

When “Wanderlust” stars Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd sat down with MTV News’ Josh Horowitz for “MTV First,” the stars opened up about the film, which opens this weekend, and of course that much-discussed Aniston nude scene.

They also talked about someone who will likely have everyone buzzing when they leave the theater: Aniston’s co-star and real-life leading man, Justin Theroux.

Aniston said Theroux is a “far cry” from his hippie-dippie character in the film, which revolves around an uptight New York couple who decide to shake up their lives and end up at a commune. Rudd and Aniston play that couple just looking for a change of pace.

“I didn’t recognize him actually, when were at the camera test,” she continued. “We were at the camera test and I did not recognize him because he’s usually in leather and tight black jeans and black boots and he has this very specific look that, since I’ve known him, he’s always had. But that’s sort of what’s so great [about him].”

The actress continued that it’s his ability to change so much from his real-life look (which veers more toward New York hipster chic than Boho-chic) and personality that makes him stand out in the film. “He has a beard; it’s a healthy beard [in the film]. But what I think is so awesome about Justin is that he really just disappears,” she said. ” ‘Your Highness’ was so great, and even like in ‘Zoolander,’ I didn’t know he was that crazy DJ. He sort of morphs into things, into characters and also has a leading-man quality, which I think is beautiful. He’s just great.”

It seems that love for Theroux doesn’t begin and end with Aniston. Rudd, who has worked with him in the past in “The Baxter,” is equally charmed by his ability to portray guys who are not as smart as they think they are. “He’s such a smart guy and he’s so talented and good at playing [those] guys. What I love about him is his subtlety. He’s kind of a master of subtlety,” he said. “I’ve been a fan of his for years.”

Check out everything we’ve got on “Wanderlust.”

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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MTV First: Paul Rudd & Jennifer Aniston

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‘Wanderlust’

Source Link: MTV News

Irina Shayk Topless in FHM

cfox — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:44:37 +0000

« Canned Tuna

Irina Shayk Topless in FHM

February 22nd, 2012

I’m speechless…. Honestly, I mean we all know that Irina Shayk is one of the hottest women on the planet right now, she’s just so damn exotic, but I’m not sure I can handle these shots of her from FHM. Topless with her breasts squeezed together… Are you kidding me? I think I’m going to pass out, it’s a good think I work from my couch and I’ve got this delicious gin and tonic to settle my nerves. Well done lady.

Actor William Fichtner has joined the cast of Walt Disney Pictures’ The Lone Ranger for director Gore Verbinski.

William Fichtner will portray the villain Butch Cavendish, a role which Dwight Yoakam previously signed on for. Dwight Yoakam dropped out last week due to scheduling conflicts, which opened the door for William Fichtner. Christopher Lloyd played this same villain in 1981′s The Legend of the Lone Ranger.

We reported back in October that The Lone Ranger was slated to begin shooting on February 6, although it doesn’t seem that production has started yet. The Lone Ranger is still set for release on May 31, 2013.

William Fichtner recently wrapped production on Elysium, and was last seen Drive Angry and the final season of HBO’s Entourage.

The Lone Ranger comes to theaters May 31st, 2013 and stars Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Ruth Wilson, Helena Bonham Carter, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale, Tom Wilkinson, James Frain. The film is directed by Gore Verbinski.

Source Link: Movie News – MovieWeb

HAND OV DOOM #2 – Bark at the Doom: A Wolfing Metal Howlgasm

cfox — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:24:26 +0000

Hand Ov Doom

HAND OV DOOM #2 – Bark at the Doom: A Wolfing Metal Howlgasm

Posted by RobInjection on February 22, 2012

Metal Injection presents: The Hand ov Doom, two hours of militant metal ritual radio and filth! Infernal Proclamators Ben Danger and Robben the Grave bring you the best of the modern underground and true oldschool classics! Death, Doom, Black, Thrash, and Traditional metal from around the world shall be hailed in the truest form! Each week a new theme is summoned from the void to entertain your puny souls! Tune in live on Friday 4-6pm EST at WECB.fm or tune in dead only on Metal Injection! Here is this week’s playlist:

Deströyer 666 – Lone Wolf Winter
Wolf Pack – Lycanthro Punk
Beherit – Werewolf
Old Wainds – Wolves in White
Syphilitic Vaginas – The Lycan Horror
Satanic Warmaster – A Wolf Cries in Anger
Diocletian – Werewolf Directive
Behemoth – Wolves Guard My Coffin
Enochian Crescent – A Wolf Among Sheep
Ulver – Hymne II – Wolf and the Devil
Ozzy Osbourne – Bark at the Moon
Gehennah – I am the Wolf
Motörhead – The Wolf
Winterwolf – Lycanthropic Aeons
Pentagram – Sign of the Wolf
Death Breath – Lycanthropy (G.B.H. Cover)
The Misfits – Wolf’s Blood
Toxic Holocaust – Wild Dogs
Warfare – Hungry Dogs
Children of Technology – Nuclear Armed Dogs
Dishammer – Werewolves on Wheels
G.A.T.E.S. – Dogs of Lust
Disfear – Misanthropic Generation

Podcast: Download

Source Link: Metal Injection

The Secret Lover Of Whitney Houston Spoke About The Relationship With The Singer

cfox — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:02:02 +0000

After the singer’s death, in the focus of public attention came her assistant Robin Crawford, with whom she allegedly maintained a love affair for years. Although Whitney has never failed to ratify it, many have testified to their great love, that they could not show it publicly so as not to disrupt the image of pop diva. In a letter published in the magazine “Esquire” Robin has with lots of emotion and admiration talked about a dear friend whom she met more than three decades ago.

This is the first time to talk about Whitney. She knew that I would never say anything that would hurt her. It was a very loyal friend, and that is why I would never have betrayed her. I try not to think that’s it, that I will never hug and hear her laugh, which I loved. Her laughter I will miss most.

I try to protect myself from media reports in which so many insist that the drug killed her. Today many are addicted to drugs, and are still among us, right? I do not know what happened that night, but if Whitney was not able to take the phone and call someone for help, I’m afraid that she came to the point of despair and went to great suffering.

I think about how odd is that she just left us in February. It was her favorite month of the year. The first album was released on Valentine’s Day, just before the Grammy Awards, which she was awaiting with joy each year. She always looking forward and going to a famous party of the music producer Clive Davis. This year’s February events have gone without it in the shadow of her tragic death.

I met Whitney when she was 16, in the city center in New Jersey where we both worked through the summer. She gave me her hand and introduced herself: Whitney Elizabeth Houston and I immediately knew it was special. I haven’t met many people who represent themselves with the full name. She looked irresistible with a peach color tan, never anyone similar to her I have not met in our city.

She was not like that Whitney Houston, which became later, but at the same time, it was different, destined to be among the celebrities. She was aware of that, and before she signed the first contract for the recording of album. At that time she worked as a model and she performed with her mother Sissy Houston in Manhattan in New York. I remember how in the car she got dressed and wore make-up before going on stage. It looked like an angel. My mother when first time met her, said: You look like the angel, but I know that you did not.” There is a lot of truth in it.

Read Also

Source Link: ScoopCelebrity

Edgar Wright Directing Johnny Depp in The Night Stalker

cfox — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:00:00 +0000

We’re only a few months away from the latest whimsical supernatural flick to feature Johnny Depp (the Dark Shadows movie) and there’s already an important update on the quirky A-lister’s next cinematic foray with creatures that prefer the cover of darkness: The Night Stalker, a reboot of the franchise concerning the antics of tabloid reporter Carl Kolchak.

Depp is co-producing the Night Stalker project (via his Infinitum Nihil banner) with Walt Disney Pictures. The Mouse House has gone ahead and attached a noteworthy director to the project, even though a screenwriter has yet to be hired on. It’s a situation identical to that of the Thin Man remake, where Warner Bros. brought Rob Marshall and Depp onboard to direct and star in the flick without a complete early script draft on hand.

Edgar Wright is the man Disney has selected for the Night Stalker job. It makes sense that the Mouse House would recruit the writer/director of such cult hits as Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, given that Wright is already co-writing an Ant-Man movie for the Disney-owned Marvel Studios. Whether or not he’s still on course to direct that comic book film before calling the shots on the new Depp vehicle, is not clear right now.

Deadline (in its scoop) also mentions that The Night Stalker remains “a potential star vehicle” for Depp, whereas the actor is officially signed on to headline The Thin Man. Depp’s about to commence work on Disney’s Lone Ranger adaptation – and is virtually guaranteed to add Pirates of the Caribbean 5 to his acting plate in the future – so there’s little reason to doubt that he will also end up playing the new version of Carl Kolchak.

For those not familiar with The Night Stalker, the franchise began with a 1972 TV movie about the peculiar Mr. Kolchak and his dangerous encounter with a vampire in the city of Las Vegas. Eventually the character landed his own TV series called Kolchak: The Night Stalker, which ran from 1974-75; both the TV show and original film starred Darren McGavin (of A Christmas Story fame) as the titular journalist who tended to encounter a variety of spooky monsters while on the job.

Darren McGavin as Carl Kolchak

Going off those basic ingredients (supernatural creatures and an oddball protagonist) you can already see why Disney would recruit Depp for the part of Mr. Kolchak. Nobody plays outsiders quite like Johnny, though many people are already starting to tire of seeing the actor essentially repeat his eccentric mannerisms over and over again – and that’s before many of the aforementioned Deep projects have even started production.

On the other hand, Wright is a very talented filmmaker and his off-beat storytelling style seems like both a nice fit for Depp’s screen persona and the Night Stalker series in general. Perhaps Depp will manage to find a clever new spin on his overused “quirky” acting style by collaborating on this flick with someone like Wright, whose energetic style and wit have (with good reason) earned him a solid cult following and reputation as someone who can mix wild violence and comedy with hilarious results.

We will continue to keep you up-to-date on the status of The Night Stalker as the story develops.

Source: Deadline

Around the web:

Source Link: Rotten Tomatoes: News

Listen To 8-Bit Remixes Of Daft Punk

cfox — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:39:47 +0000

Just a few days after Lana Del Rey’s “Video Games” received the Gameboy treatment, Daft Punk get further roboticized by Da Chip, a chiptune site that created 8-bit remixes of songs from the electro duo’s three studio albums, as well as their Tron: Legacy soundtrack. Let these Nintendo-ready tunes get you in the mood as we shake with anticipation for DP’s next musical offering, which is currently in the works.

Download both volumes at Da Chip’s official site.

[Via 109]

Source Link: Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com