EJ's Thoughts

ErnDog

Should you hit the road with Nicolas Cage? See what the critics have to say.
By Eric Ditzian

David Morse and Nicolas Cage in "Drive Angry"
Photo: Summit Publicity

"Drive Angry" marks three-straight supernatural films for Nicolas Cage, though each could not be more different. "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" was a Disney-driven tale of magical realism. "Season of the Witch" dove into the intersection of medieval black magic and campy B-movie wackiness. And "Drive Angry" literally begins with Cage driving a muscle car straight outta hell with the devil's henchman fast on his heels and doesn't slow down as it splashes blood and fire across the screen.

All three flicks share something else in common: below-average reviews. "Sorcerer's" and "Season" each went on to conjure up lukewarm box-office receipts. Can "Drive Angry" break the spell? Check out what the critics are saying and decide if the new 3-D film is the right choice for you this weekend.

The Story
"[It] may be a bit too slickly self-aware for its own good, but it's also rivetingly paced, outrageously funny and makes retina-scorching use of the new 3D technology. Nicolas Cage is on teeth-baring, eye-rolling form as John Milton (nice), the deceased felon who busts out of hell to track down the Southern death cult who kidnapped his baby granddaughter. Hooking up with mouthy muscle-car-driving white-trash waitress Piper (Amber Heard), Milton sets off in pursuit, all the while attempting to avoid the attentions of Satan's right-hand man, The Accountant (a majestically arch William Fichtner)." -- Tom Huddleston, Time Out

Crazy Nic Cage
"A little respect, if you please, for His Satanic Majesty Nicolas Cage. Nobody goes off the deep end like Nic. Nobody gives better value in bad movies than the sleepy-eyed Oscar winner with a gift for picking bad movies. 'Drive Angry' is a very entertaining B, C or D-movie, an over-the-top and in-your-face grindhouse gore, guns and 'Gun it' picture that's about epic shootouts, bone-snapping brawls, bare breasts and muscle cars. The gunplay is funny and the sex hilarious in this 'Ghost Rider is Gone in 60 Seconds' mashup." -- Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

The 3-D
" 'Drive Angry' is intensely bloody, violent and carries quite a few payoffs that are well delivered. It's also a movie you'd actually want to see in 3-D, unlike so many frauds in the marketplace these days. In fact, Lussier, who directed 'My Bloody Valentine 3D,' shows his growth as a 3-dimensional director by taking 'Drive Angry' to new heights. Seeing it in Real D, the depth was astounding, and Lussier throws a few CGI tricks right in the viewer's face. Even more impressive was his flashback sequence that could easily become one of the most influential in the 3-D age (the way he layers three 'thoughts' at once is mind-blowing visually). In short, it's worth the extra few bucks." -- Brad Miska, Bloody Disgusting

Going Grindhouse
" 'Drive Angry' is loud and busy, and it's rarely boring. But it's also never really good. 'Drive Angry' comes at the tail end of the grindhouse revival trend, and while it's better made than films like 'Machete' or the scores of indie films that followed in Quentin Tarantino's wake, it succumbs to the same problem so many of those movies do: it's a movie about the things that the filmmakers think are cool, and that's never cool. 'Drive Angry' isn't about anything, it's just a series of ideas that struck Lussier and Farmer as awesome, strung together at feature length. There's a lot of balls in Drive Angry, and even some brains, but no heart." -- Devin Faraci, Badass Digest

The Final Word
" 'Drive Angry' is, in the end, a genre romp. It's not aiming any higher than that. But it is made with real skill and style, and there's such knowledge of genre in the way they have built the script and both embraced and avoided certain conventions that it makes me feel like we're just seeing Farmer and Lussier warm up. Hopefully they'll keep working with collaborators as game as their partners in this particular crime, because 'Drive Angry' is a white-knuckle ride worth taking." -- Drew McWeeny, HitFix

Check out everything we've got on "Drive Angry."

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

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658776/drive-angry-reviews.jhtml

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ErnDog

Bob Arum irked mixed martial arts followers a few years back when he said the majority of fans were "skinhead white guys."

Even with MMA pay-per-view and arena audiences exploding across the U.S. and the world, Arum still believes MMA's scope is limited.

"It's the same audience over and over," Arum told USA Today. "It's white males, and they have never been able to expand their demographic."

For that reason, the UFC and MMA can only reach certain heights according to Arum.

"The Hispanics don't care anything for it. Most African-Americans don't watch it. Hey, this country is becoming more and more Hispanic, and it's growing African-American (in the) audience," Arum said.
"So the future success of UFC is limited. The success of boxing is not, because boxing reaches those groups. The only demographic that boxing has lost is the white, young males, period."

Arum believes the fight market includes all males and that MMA doesn't draw the eyes of Hispanics and African-Americans. He also hints at the fact that boxing may experience a resurgence if it can mend fences with network television and deliver more of its product for free.

We posted the latest fan video from Strikeforce. The audience at the Izod Center appeared to be pretty diverse.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Arum-says-MMA-audience-is-still-too-white?urn=mma-322854

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ErnDog

Fashion experts weigh in on some of the trends they expect to see at this year's Academy Awards show, which takes place this Sunday.
By Jocelyn Vena

Natalie Portman
Photo: Michael Loccisano/ Getty Images

For Hollywood stars attending the Academy Awards, the days leading up to the big show this Sunday likely are filled with fittings, meetings with stylists and major decisions about what they will wear. With so many big names up for awards at this year's event, MTV News wanted to know what some of the Oscars fashion trends will be.

We caught up with fashion-industry maven and People's Revolution founder, Kelly Cutrone, and Faran Krentcil, digital director at Nylon magazine, and asked them to weigh in on what they believe will light up the red carpet at this year's ceremony. Krentcil predicts that the big trends will be color and American designers. Cutrone, who says that blue and lavender will be popular, also wants to see lots of American designers' creations on display.

Regarding first-time Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld, the ladies had a very specific idea of what the teen should wear to the show. "She's not a trend yet, but she will be," Krentcil admitted. "Her Golden Globe and SAG Awards looks were incredible, and the girl is only 14! She's one to watch on the fashion front, for sure. I wouldn't be surprised if by next year, she's got a high-fashion campaign like Miu Miu."

Cutrone noted that the "True Grit" star should go for "short, super fun and nothing overpowering. She should be the pixie and we don't need to bury her in too much dress." She added, "I think that Michelle Williams needs to step it up. She needs to dress it up. She needs to hit it. I think she needs to go from pixie to sexy," noting that Williams should pass the pixie throne to Steinfeld.

Faran joked about the Oscars' two young co-hosts, "Anne Hathaway will wear Valentino. James Franco will wear Anne Hathaway."

Meanwhile, Cutrone had more specific advice for the female emcee for the night. "I think she should wear an American designer. I think she should keep it really elegant and have an Audrey Hepburn moment — a great, very clean moment," she said. "[She should wear] red, white or black; really simple. She needs to look really pulled together. She really should step it up."

As for Best Actress Oscar nominee and mom-to-be, Natalie Portman, Cutrone thinks that her look will be the most talked about for years to come. "She will have one of the most memorable maternity outfits ever," she predicted. "It will live on like a Princess Grace of Monaco sort of image."

Will it be a regal evening for "The King's Speech"? Can "The Social Network" dial up Oscar gold? Don't miss MTV News' "2011 Oscars Live" at 6 p.m. Sunday, February 27, when we'll be chatting with your favorite Hollywood stars live from the red carpet on MTVNews.com, and stick with us all Oscar night for winners, interviews, photos and more!

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Join Us Live At The 2011 Oscars!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658650/oscars-natalie-portman-anne-hathaway.jhtml

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ErnDog

Photographer extraordinaire Tracy Lee was cageside for Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva and shared with us her excellent pictures. Click through the slideshow to see Griggs' bloody ear, Del Rosario's armbar and a sad Fedor.

Don't forget to follow Cagewriter on Facebook and Twitter.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Exclusive-pictures-from-Strikeforce-Fedor-vs-S?urn=mma-321241

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ErnDog

'I probably won't get on this album, but hopefully the next one,' singer/songwriter Sia says of song she pitched for Beyonce's new album.
By James Dinh

Beyoncé
Photo: Michael Loccisano/ Getty Images

As Britney Spears and Lady Gaga gear up to release new albums, there's another pop heavyweight who may offer them some friendly competition: Beyoncé. Details surrounding the singer's next album remain scarce, but according to a few of the project's collaborators, Bey is almost finished recording the follow-up to 2008's I Am ... Sasha Fierce and has managed to hit the studio with an extensive list of producers.

After gushing about her high hopes for working with Beyoncé, Australian songstress Sia revealed that she told B's behind-the-scenes team that she wanted to lend a creative hand for the new album. "So I just said to all the producers, writers, everyone, help me make this happen, and then Diplo e-mailed me and said, 'where are you in the world right now? would you be interested in flying to New York? I'm writing with Beyoncé,' and I was like, 'Yesss!' " the singer told MTV Australia.

Despite Diplo's offer, Sia said she was unable to fly out because of schedule conflicts, but is in the process of pitching songs to Beyoncé. When asked if her submissions were for Beyoncé's forthcoming LP, Sia said, "Well, there's only one song left for this album, so I probably won't get on this album, but hopefully the next one. That's my dream, that's my goal."

Sia isn't the only collaborator that has suggested Beyoncé is close to wrapping up studio sessions for the project. Sleigh Bells have confirmed working with the singer, but are weary on whether their work with the songstress will make the final cut. Speaking with NME.com, guitarist Derek Miller admitted, "I actually have no idea if the collaboration will ever be released."

While Miller remained tight-lipped on details regarding the song (or songs?), the Sleigh Bells bandmate confessed that the collabo is just one of her many musical partnerships, saying, "Beyoncé works with whoever she wants to work with, probably 30 or 40 producers. It's a totally different world from what I'm used to. So for me, it's just exciting to hear something that I worked on but I can't really say any more than that."

Sia and the Sleigh Bells join a long list of other collaborators who have been tapped to work on Beyoncé's new album, including Ne-Yo, S1, Jim Jonsin, Sean "The Pen" Garrett, The-Dream and Tricky Stewart.

Who do you want to see Beyoncé collaborate with on her new album? Share your suggestions in the comments.

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Beyoncé

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658108/beyonce-new-album.jhtml

Leighton Meester Leila Arcieri Lena Headey

ErnDog

Photographer extraordinaire Tracy Lee was cageside for Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva and shared with us her excellent pictures. Click through the slideshow to see Griggs' bloody ear, Del Rosario's armbar and a sad Fedor.

Don't forget to follow Cagewriter on Facebook and Twitter.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Exclusive-pictures-from-Strikeforce-Fedor-vs-S?urn=mma-321241

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ErnDog

The period drama seems poised to take the Best Picture crown once promised to 'The Social Network.'
By Eric Ditzian

Colin Firth in "The King's Speech"
Photo: Weinstein Company

If the 83rd Academy Awards had been held a month ago, shortly after the critics groups had doled out their prizes and the final glasses of champagne had been drained at the Golden Globes, "The Social Network" would almost certainly have nabbed Oscar's Best Picture statue. After all, David Fincher's film about the salacious founding of Facebook hardly encountered a critics group it didn't woo and win over, before going on to earn four Globes, including Best Motion Picture - Drama. What could possibly stand between "Social Network" and the Academy's top honor?

As it turns out, another month. And another biopic, this one telling a story that begins some 80 years ago and resembling a far more traditional Oscar film than Fincher's exploration of youth and digital beauty. "The King's Speech" bounced back from its Globe defeats (it nabbed just one of seven nominations, with Colin Firth taking top dramatic actor) and secured important wins from the Producers Guild of America, the Directors Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild.

So much for creating a big tent with the inclusion of 10 Best Picture nominees. Like last year, we find ourselves watching a two-horse race that, at this point, might not be all that close. Kudos to "Toy Story 3," "Winter's Bone" and "Inception," but their nominations are kind of the equivalent of pity invites to a kid's birthday party: Sure, the birthday boy was forced to request the pleasure of your company, but he's not going to pretend you're anything more than a seat-filler. Our man Oscar holds the most exclusive birthday party in Hollywood, and its voters like it that way.

What's interesting this year is the nature of the two-horse race. In 2010, it came down to a decision between a populist fave in "Avatar" that made a gazillion dollars at the box office and a critics' darling in "The Hurt Locker" that maybe six people saw in the theater. Both "Social Network" and "King's Speech," meanwhile, have almost identical box-office grosses and high-90s ratings at the Rotten Tomatoes review aggregator. The difference between the two is that "King's Speech" is the kind of film that could have been an Oscar nominee a decade ago — or a half-century ago — whereas "Social Network," in everything from story line to subtext to soundtrack, is directly plugged into 2011.

That's not to suggest "King's Speech" is some musty relic of yesteryear, nor that contemporary relevancy is a requirement for Oscar glory. The key, rather, is that the best film should win. And if you ask us, the finest film of the year is "Social Network." But as in so many years past — from how "Gladiator" bested "Traffic" to the way "Shakespeare in Love" beat out, well, geez, take your pick! — the best film of the year doesn't always receive that Oscar honor.

We can talk about momentum, we can indentify vital precursor wins, we can cite all manner of historical facts and we can lament fuddy-duddy voters. None of it seems to matter. On Sunday night, it appears, a very good film but hardly the year's best will win Best Picture. Let's offer our early congratulations to "The King's Speech."

Which Oscar contender should take Best Picture? Share your pick in the comments!

Will it be a regal evening for "The King's Speech"? Can "The Social Network" dial up Oscar gold? Don't miss MTV News' "2011 Oscars Live" at 6 p.m. Sunday, February 27, when we'll be chatting with your favorite Hollywood stars live from the red carpet on MTVNews.com, and stick with us all Oscar night for winners, interviews, photos and more!

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

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