Oscars Auto-Tune 'Twilight,' 'Harry Potter' And 'Social Network'

'Toy Story 3' also included in hilarious musical segment.
By Gil Kaufman


Taylor Lautner in the "Twilight" clip played during the Oscars' Auto-Tune montage
Photo: Summit/AMPAS/ABC

Sunday night's Oscar hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway joked early and often about how they were brought in to make the 83rd edition of the movie awards program young and hip. And while their enthusiasm was infectious and their timing spot-on, it was a segment they didn't appear in halfway through the show that dragged the sometimes-tired movie/music bits kicking and screaming into the present.

OK, maybe into 2009, but it's a start. "As we all know, this was the year of the movie musical," Franco proudly proclaimed, as Hathaway stood beside him in a glittering silvery gown, looking puzzled.

"I'm sorry, did I miss something? I thought there were hardly any musicals this year," she responded. "Guess again, Anne," Franco smirked, setting up one of the night's funniest moments.

What followed was an unexpectedly silly musical tribute that began with the instant classic "Tiny Ball of Light," credited to Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger from "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1." Taking a pivotal scene in the woods where the longtime pals reunite, Ron and Hermione are drawn into a finger-snapping R&B slow jam with a thumping beat and over-the-top Auto-Tune effects that would make T-Pain proud.

"This ball of light, this tiny ball of light floated through my chest, floated through me right here," Weasley stutter-sings as an incredulous Granger croons, "What exactly did it say, may I ask?" The sure-to-be-viral classic artfully reimagined the dialogue from the film and was right out of the "Saturday Night Live" school of digital-short musical parodies.

That number was followed by another Auto-Tune-ification, this time of Woody and the gang from "Toy Story 3," via the funktastic "We're Still Here." "Through every yard sale, we're still here, through every spring cleaning, we're all still here," Woody sings in his best club-crawling tone.

The capper, though, was courtesy of Mr. SNL Digital Short himself, Justin Timberlake. Taking the pivotal scene in "The Social Network" where Timberlake's Sean Parker lays out his manic vision for Facebook to the site's founders, the dialogue was transformed into a Euro disco banger, opening with his digitally skipped pitch, "Facebook, Facebook, Faa-aaa-aaa-cebook."

The song, "Fishing for Facebook," worked the infamous "14 trout" speech into the kind of slick club come-on that might easily have been a B-side to one of Timberlake's own albums. The piece ended with Timberlake dropping his signature line, "A million dollars isn't cool. You know what's cool?" over a driving beat, then pausing a moment before adding: "a billion dollars."

Just to make sure they snagged the kids, the musical tribute ended with "He Doesn't Own a Shirt" a pretend slow jam from "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," in which a jealous Edward Cullen sneers, "Doesn't he own a shirt?" at romantic (and, yes, shirtless and ripped) rival Jacob Black. In the background, a group of female singers explained, "He's too sexy for a shirt" and "She's so glad he doesn't have a shirt" as Bella Swan embraced her werewolf pal.

What did you think of the Auto-Tune musical number? Let us know in the comments!

Stick with MTV News on Oscar night and beyond for red-carpet fashion coverage, analysis of the winners, plus interviews, photos and more from your favorite Hollywood stars!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658813/oscars-auto-tune-montage.jhtml

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Justin Bieber's Grammy Performance Will Be 'A Crossover,' Usher Says

The 'O.M.G.' singer looks forward to sharing the stage with his protégé on Sunday night.
By James Montgomery


Usher
Photo: Amanda Edwards/ Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD — At Sunday's 53rd Grammy Awards, Usher will be pulling double duty as both a nominee and a performer. Of course, given the massive year he just completed — with the success of his smash single "O.M.G." and as a mentor to rising phenom Justin Bieber — Ush's Grammy plans seem rather fitting.

Especially since he'll be performing with Bieber (and Bieber's pal Jaden Smith), a move that's just as much about celebrating Usher's successes as it is the successes of his young protégé.

"Having been through [the Grammys] so many times, you couldn't want for anything more than for your young protégé to have the opportunity to have one, so, in support of him having his moment, I wanted to be here," Usher told MTV News on Thursday, hours before his performance at the (Belvedere) RED launch party in Hollywood. "And also to be there to perform, to kind of tell the story of how we came together. This music business has definitely been good to both of us, and this year we have a lot to be happy for."

And just how will the dynamic duo tell that story? Well, Usher wasn't about to reveal all the details, but he did say that he's hoping their performance will show another side of Bieber ... a side most tend to overlook.

"The performance will be fun," Usher explained. "We want to get up there and just do what we do. Be comfortable, and have a great time. ... This is kind of a crossover for Justin. Having performed on so many different stages, this is the way that I wanted him to be seen and an opportunity to show the industry — a lot of the industry, that didn't believe [in him] — some of his other talents. He's going to play acoustically, and also, we'll get down a little bit."

And though Ush is up for a pair of Grammy awards on Sunday — Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond — he's most looking forward to sharing the stage with Bieber and giving fans a look at where the young artist will be heading next.

"I'm very proud, man. I definitely saw it from the beginning, but thanks to the team that we have around us, it was made to happen. And that story has only just begun," Usher said. "The story of Justin Bieber doesn't stop with screaming girls; we need screaming fans all around the world ... a cultural experience that's much more than just fanfare. And that's what this is. That's what the Grammys will be; that's what my next phase for Justin is. This is the way I found him: I found him with a guitar in his hand, so I want him to be seen that way."

Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657728/usher-justin-bieber-grammy-performance.jhtml

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Singapore's ArtScience Museum: Lots of museum, not so much artscience

Visiting the brand new ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands initially threw up more questions than answers.

Firstly, what is ArtScience? The broad term can be applied to anything and while it offers the museum endless options, it also poses the risk of ambiguity. For some, this particular classification is as thought-provoking as the museum's architecture.

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Source: http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/visit/new-artscience-museum-opens-its-doors-864297

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Justin Bieber 'Real Hairstyle' Dolls Keep Swoop Alive

We hit a New York toy fair for scoop on the latest dolls, including a first look at an mp3-equipped, purple Bieber tour bus.
By Aly Semigran, with reporting by Brian Jacks


Justin Bieber figure
Photo: MTV News

If you're still mourning the loss of Justin Bieber's luscious locks, there's some news that could very well perk you up (and, no, it hasn't grown back yet). Just days before the "Never Say Never" star chopped off his trademark coif, toy company Bridge Direct debuted Justin Bieber "Real Hairstyle" dolls at the American International Toy Fair in New York.

MTV News caught up with George Vorkas of Bridge Direct, who give us the rundown on everything fans can expect from the doll, whose retail price is set at $17.99 and is slated to hit shelves this August.

After the company received complaints about their first Bieber model, which featured plastic hair, Vorkas and his associates gave the 2011 model "real" hair.

"This year, we have Justin with hair. Every girl at home can now play with his hair and style it the way they want," Vorkas explained.

In addition to styling their toy Biebs — like the original, it "sings," only this time newer hits like "U Smile" and "Never Say Never" have been added — fans can also put him on the road. The company has created a purple (naturally) Bieber tour bus, complete with a functioning mp3 player dock and a stage setup that includes guitar, drums, keyboard and the heart-shaped cage he featured on his most recent tour.

"As Justin does new things with his stage sets, we'll be coming out with matching toys," Vorkas assured us. (The stage sets and tour bus will go for a whopping $79.99.)

And that's not the only way the company plans to evolve with the ever-changing pop phenom. While the 2011 doll features a variety of Bieber-inspired accessories and outfits, collectors and/or purse string-opening parents can also expect ever-changing fashions from the "Baby" singer. As Vorkas told MTV News, "When Justin changes into a new outfit, we'll also be coming out with that outfit."

Will you buy the "real hairstyle" Justin Bieber doll? Tell us in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658621/justin-bieber-dolls.jhtml

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Laos' only railway: 14 km of rust

All images from Richard S. Ehrlich

Skeletal railroad tracks and a grim-looking locomotive are some of the rusted remnants abandoned in southern Laos. They sit decaying after French colonialists built a bridge and train to avoid the Mekong River's biggest waterfalls, and exploit Indochina.

Today, this rugged region is known as Si Phan Don, "the 4,000 Islands," and allows travelers to explore the Mekong River by boat, discover the inhabited isles among Buddhist temples and cross the nearby Lao-Cambodian border.

Visitors can also imagine how Southeast Asia's history would be vastly different if Paris continued to open up the 4,900-kilometer Mekong, which flows from Tibet to Vietnam's South China Sea coast.

World War II ended all that.

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Source: http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/laos-4000-islands-513336

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What Should Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway Wear To The Oscars?

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

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NBA All-Stars LeBron James, Dwight Howard, More Talk Hoops, Hip-Hop

'They say all rappers want to be basketball players, [and] all basketball players want to be rappers,' says wife of Carmelo Anthony, La La Vazquez.
By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Rahman Dukes


LeBron James
Photo: MTV News

Hip-hop and sports are practically kindred spirits, especially when it comes to basketball. At this year's NBA All-Star Weekend, a number of hoop stars, and the wife of one player in particular, wholeheartedly agreed with this observation.

"They always say all rappers want to be basketball players, [and] all basketball players want to be rappers," La La Vazquez, wife of New York Knick Carmelo Anthony and ex-MTV VJ, told MTV News.

Over the years, a number of NBA players have actually become rappers on the side. Besides four championships — three with the Los Angeles Lakers, one with the Miami Heat — Shaquille O'Neal also managed to release four albums. The first, 1993's Shaq Diesel, went platinum and the third, 1996's You Can't Stop the Reign, featured a pair of verses from the Notorious B.I.G. on its title track. More recently, L.A. Laker Ron Artest has embarked on a rap career, while his teammate Kobe Bryant once kicked rhymes on R&B singer Brian McKnight's "Hold Me."

Not every player necessarily has rap dreams to go along with their hoop dreams, though.

"Every player except me wants to be a rapper," said Dwight Howard of the NBA's Orlando Magic. "I don't want to do the rap thing."

Howard did add though about his fellow NBA stars, "We love music. We love hip-hop and we support it."

LeBron James, who is famously and charitably good friends with Jay-Z, mentioned how basketball players are frequently name-checked in song. For example, on Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind," the MC rhymes, "Jesus paying LeBron, I'm paying Dwyane Wade."

This synergy between players and rappers ultimately boils down to mutual respect.

"We all came from nothing," Boston Celtic Kevin Garnett told us. "The appreciation factor for each other, the fact you gotta grind and work hard to get where you at, it's similar. It's a very similar industry."

Garnett's teammate and fellow All-Star Rajon Rondo added, "We respect those guys the way they respect us. It kind of goes hand in hand. Rappers love to come see us play. We love to see them perform."

What do you think of the ongoing love between hip-hop and hoops? Sound off in the comments!

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658786/nba-allstars-talk-hoops-hiphop.jhtml

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