'Fright Night': The Reviews Are In!

Colin Farrell flick 'blends Eighties cheese with Nineties snark — a combination that works better than it sounds,' critics say.
By Kara Warner


Colin Farrell in "Fright Night"
Photo: DreamWorks

If you've seen the "Fright Night" trailers or are familiar with the '85 cult classic, you know this is not your run-of-the-mill vampire movie — at least by today's "Twilight" standards, anyway. There are no swoony undead to be found in this horror-comedy — just a lot of blood and plenty of laughs.

Here at MTV News, we've been amped about the film from the get-go, and even featured it as part of our exclusive Sneak Peek Week leading up to the Movie Awards. The film stars Colin Farrell as a bloodthirsty vampire who heads to suburbia and terrorizes his next-door neighbor Charley, played by "Star Trek" veteran Anton Yelchin. Christopher Mintz-Plasse plays vampire convert "Evil" Ed Thompson, "Harry Potter" alum and former "Doctor Who" David Tennant is vamp-hunting showman Peter Vincent and "Solitary Man" breakout Imogen Poots portrays love interest Amy, with Toni Collette and Dave Franco also popping up.

Now that the well-received reboot is finally in theaters, it's time to see what the critics think. Grab your garlic and hold onto some holy water as we sift through the "Fright Night" reviews.

The Original Story Vs. The Reboot "You'll need a taste for nostalgia to really appreciate 'Fright Night,' which knowingly blends Eighties cheese with Nineties snark — a combination that works better than it sounds. Authenticity is the key to the movie's success: the remake is actually based on a 1985 horror flick, and was written by Marti Noxon, well-known for her work on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.' One thing's for sure: if you're expecting the self-serious brooding of 'Twilight,' you're gonna be disappointed. But if you have a soft spot for cult horror comedies like 'The Lost Boys,' 'The Monster Squad,' or even the first 'Fright Night,' this ought to be right up your (dark) alley. Noxon and director Craig Gillespie update the attitude for a post-'Buffy' generation, but their remake is generally faithful to the original." — Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

The Performances "Former 'Doctor Who' star David Tennant has a plum role as a Criss Angel-like Vegas cheeseball whose vampire-themed stage show might hide a special connection to vampire lore. It's a big, fun performance overshadowed only by Farrell, who plays his character as a monster who's learned to use an ordinary-dude exterior to blend in with his new surroundings. When he asks Yelchin for a 'sixer,' Farrell delivers his lines with a Matt Dillon-like flatness, but his eyes tell another story: Beneath the surface, he's all coiled hunger and pitiless manipulation, doing what he has to do to get close to victims who, against their better judgment, want to get close to him. He creates almost unbearable tension by doing virtually nothing at all, and though 'Fright Night' eventually reveals him as the vampire equivalent of the f---ing shark from 'Jaws,' it's never better than when it lets him poke his fin just above the surface." — Keith Phipps, the Onion A.V. Club

The Final Word "As in the earlier film, this one dances always at the edge of comedy. It especially has fun with the Rules of Vampire Behavior, which Jerry even teases Charley about. Without spoiling a single thing, I can tell you that one of the inevitable stakes through the heart in this movie is an inspired use of product placement. As vampire movies go, 'Fright Night' is a pretty good one." — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Check out everything we've got on "Fright Night."

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

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1669347/fright-night-reviews.jhtml

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Janet Jackson Thrills Fans With Greatest Hits, Michael Tribute At Radio City

Singer covered songs ranging from classic 'Pleasure Principle' to 2008's 'Feedback' at New York show.
By Vaughn Schoonmaker


Janet Jackson (file)
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images

NEW YORK — Often imitated, never duplicated, Janet Jackson's outbursts of meticulous choreography, sassy exclamations and smoldering gazes into the audience kept them on their feet for the entire two-hour set of her greatest hits at Radio City Music Hall. Monday night marked the last of three sold-out shows at the historic venue on her monumental Number Ones: Up Close and Personal Tour.

Up-and-coming boy band Mindless Behavior opened the show with songs including "#1 Girl," "Future" and their debut single, "My Girl." With their Usher-esque dance moves and shouts like "Where the ladies at?" the boys brought the tween girls out of hiding, judging by the shrill screams escaping various corner of the music hall.

At 9:00 sharp, the lights went down and Janet's fans were on the edge of their seats, watching music videos for "The Best Things in Life Are Free" and "Rhythm Nation" projected on big screens across the venue. A small shadow drifted toward center stage, and when the colorful lights came up, Jackson, wrapped in a shoulder-padded catsuit, complete with slick short hair, blasted into "The Pleasure Principle," dancing as hard and intensely choreographed as she did when the song first came out in the 1980s.

With barely a spare second between songs, Janet dazzled her way through her biggest hits, including "Miss You Much," "All for You" and "Nasty," and more recent hits like 2008's "Feedback."

Videos displayed during Jackson's costume changes included vintage clips from "Diff'rent Strokes," a funny scene from "Poetic Justice" where Jackson slyly rejects the advances of Tupac Shakur's character, and a rather heavy scene, as Jackson's character in "Why Did I Get Married" destroys her husband's house with a golf club, screaming hysterically.

Considering the tough couple of years the Jackson family has faced, the dark moments in the video seemed fitting, and everyone was beside themselves with bittersweet joy when Michael Jackson's face popped up on the big screen and she performed their hit single "Scream."

Janet emerged for her encore in a tight white one-piece disco suit, and performed "Diamonds," "Make Me" and "Together Again," which appeared to be the biggest hit of the evening. As Jackson graciously bowed out, her straight face transitioned into a smirk, suggesting that despite the hard times she has experienced recently, we can expect to see this singing and dancing pop legend shine far into the future.

"Its amazing!" Janet fan Elena Mercantini gleamed afterward. "It's like she's still 20 years old!"

"She's hot, she's amazing and she's still got it after all these years" added Alison Klinger of Long Island. "Best concert I've ever been to!"

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660385/janet-jackson-radio-city-concert.jhtml

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Kendra Wilkinson: I?m Back to Being Me After Battling PPD

"At the time I was doing whatever I could for the baby, but I lost myself and it was really frustrating," she shares. "Being in the spotlight is a lot of pressure about losing the weight, [especially] coming from the Playboy world."

Source: http://feeds.celebritybabies.com/~r/celebrity-babies/~3/mKQR1-bzYEs/

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'Avengers' Star Scarlett Johansson Praises 'Fanboy' Joss Whedon

Actress tells MTV News she thinks director of next year's ensemble flick will 'protect the franchise.'
By Terri Schwartz, with reporting by Kara Warner


Scarlett Johansson at the D23 Expo
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/ Getty Images

While we have yet to see anywhere near enough "Avengers" footage to get a sense of what direction Joss Whedon is taking the ensemble superhero flick, if leading lady Scarlett Johansson is to be believed, it will be unlike any of the previous Marvel films.

The cast of "The Avengers" assembled at Disney's D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, on Saturday to unveil new scenes from the comic book movie, and after a panel presentation, MTV News caught up with Johansson and co-star Jeremy Renner. The actress explained how Whedon has set himself apart from the series' previous directors.

"Joss is a fanboy," Johansson said with a chuckle. "I think that Joss is going to protect the franchise by staying true to the characters' integrity."

The "Iron Man 2" star had only worked with Jon Favreau on that Marvel film, but that experience was enough to underscore for her that Whedon is taking a unique approach to "The Avengers."

"I think Jon Favreau is such a different director from Joss Whedon," Johansson added. "The flavor is different, their fingerprints are different; they just have a different way of storytelling — same with Ken Branagh."

"Avengers" castmembers have remained mostly mum about the movie's story line, talking primarily only about the tease revealed at the end of "Captain America: The First Avenger." But over the weekend at D23, two new scenes were revealed. Still, when asked about her favorite scene to shoot, Johansson said it was the big ensemble sequence seen in that first "Avengers" teaser.

"I do think one of my favorite moments is when we all assembled together. That was kind of amazing, when all of us were there," she said. "It's extremely surreal. It's strange."

"Thor" leading man Chris Hemsworth had the same pick as Johansson when we spoke to him at D23. "One of our first days was the whole assembly. That was pretty crazy," he said. "Not only meeting Robert Downey and Scarlett and whatever, but it was meeting Iron Man and Black Widow and the Hulk. It's exciting."

Check out everything we've got on "The Avengers."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1669458/avengers-scarlett-johansson-joss-whedon.jhtml

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'Our Idiot Brother,' 'Don't Be Afraid of the Dark,' 'Colombiana' Reviews

'Our Idiot Brother,' 'Don't Be Afraid of the Dark,' 'Colombiana' Reviews

Which movies are fun for the whole family and which ones are treats just for you? Find out!

In theaters now:

Our Idiot Brother
Short Story:
After being dumped by his girlfriend, idealistic hippie Ned (Paul Rudd) crashes with -- and hilariously disrupts the lives of -- each of his three sisters: Miranda (Elizabeth Banks), a career-driven journalist on the verge of her big break; Liz (Emily Mortimer), a devoted family woman so caught up in being the perfect mom that she doesn't notice that her marraige is falling apart; and Natalie (Zooey Deschanel), a bisexual hipster whose cheating ways are threatening to ruin her relationship with her girlfriend Cindy (Rashida Jones).

What They're Saying:
"While too overtly modest to be a comedy game-changer, it is almost sufficiently feisty and entertaining to render the term 'a Sundance movie' something less than dread-inspiring." -- MSN Movies

"It's refreshing, this late in the summer, to find a hot weather comedy that doesn't hate its characters and embed them in scatology and sexual impossibilities." -- Chicago Sun-Times

Good for Kids?
This comedy is rated R for sexual content and language, but adults should take time to enjoy one last laugh before the back-to-school mayhem begins.

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Short Story:
Co-written by horror maestro Guillermo del Toro and based on the 1973 TV movie of the same name, the film follows architect Alex Hurst (Guy Pearce) his new girlfriend Kim (Katie Holmes) and Alex's daughter Sally (Bailee Madison), who set out to restore a Gothic mansion in the hopes of selling it. But when Sally gives in to voices asking her to free them from the sealed fireplace in the basement, she unleashes a herd of goblin-like monsters intent on destroying her family.

What They're Saying:
"If the grand finale isn't as resonantly scary as the original's, maybe that's just because, try though we might, we're no longer impressionable kids." -- Village Voice

"It's a plodding, derivative gothic potboiler: The Shining meets Coraline, with a touch of Gremlins played (boringly) straight." -- Entertainment Weekly

Good for Kids?
With an R rating, Common Sense Media recommends this horror film for teens ages 16 and above. Although there is far more suspense than actual gore, there are a few sequences of intense violence and death. Click to read the full Common Sense review!

Colombiana
Short Story:
After witnessing the murder of her parents, Catelya (Zoe Saldana) grows up to be an assasin. Working for her uncle as a trained professional killer, she spends her free time on a mission to find -- and kill -- those responsible for her parent's death.

What They're Saying:
"For the most part, it's all big and silly, but at least it's enjoyably staged and crafted." -- Associated Press

"Colombiana may not be the brainiest of actioners, but one of the merits of producer Luc Besson's latest brainchild is that fanboys worldwide will come away with a scrap of horticultural knowledge as well as a pretty good time." -- Variety

Good for Kids?
This revenge-driven action thriller promises to be a bit too violent for little ones. Rated PG-13, Common Sense Media tells parents to expect "plenty of edgy violence, with heavy gun use, physical fighting, and death." Click to read the full Common Sense review!

In case you missed:

One Day
Short Story:
On July 15, 1988, polar opposites Dexter Mayhew (Jim Sturgess) and Emma Morley (Anne Hathaway) meet and begin a friendship that lasts a lifetime. Em is a working-class girl looking to improve the world and Dex is a wealthy charmer living the bachelor lifestyle. The film checks in with the pair every July 15 for 20 years, showing how their friendship grows and evolves into the love of a lifetime.

What They're Saying:
"It's a frustrating film, never light enough on its feet to be cute, never heartfelt enough to achieve 'You had me at Hello.'" -- Orlando Sentinel

"In a season of movies dumb and dumber, One Day has style, freshness and witty bantering dialogue." -- Chicago Sun-Times

Good For Kids?
Rated PG-13 for sexual content and partial nudity, this is a flick for mature teenagers and adults. Hire a babysitter if you are in the mood for a romantic drama featuring two hot young actors.

Watch the preview!

Spy Kids: All the Time in the World
Short Story:
Marissa Cortez Wilson (Jessica Alba) seems to have the perfect life: a new baby, two step kids (Rowan Chanchard and Mason Cook) and a famous TV reporter husband (Joel McHale). But Marissa is a retired secret agent -- and, when the evil TimeKeeper (Jeremy Piven) threatens to take over the world, she has to leap back into action. With a new Spy Kid division open, Marissa's stepchildren Rebecca and Cecil get help from some familar spies Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara) as they try to save the planet. As an added bonus, it's in 4-D -- which means it uses "Aromascope" so you can smell what's going on in the movie.

What They're Saying:
This movie has yet to be reviewed.

Good for Kids?
The fourth installment in the Spy Kids franchise is perfect for kids looking for adventure with their favorite family of spies. Common Sense Media says: "Kids who were fans of the first films may have aged out of the target audience by now, but even tweens and kids who aren't familiar with the earlier movies will want to check out a flick that stars kids as action heroes." Click to read the full Common Sense review!

Conan the Barbarian
Short Story:
Jason Momoa of Game of Thrones fame steps into the role of the sword-weilding barbarian that made Arnold Schwarzenegger a star, though filmmakers promise a new take on the saga. When his father is murdered and his village destroyed, Conan sets out on a quest for vengeance -- and ends up defending the great nations of Hyboria from witches and monsters who mean to conquer them.

What They're Saying:
"Here's a movie that's simultaneously lavishly violent and numbing, visually ornate and undistinguished, epic and shallow, relentlessly noisy and tone-deaf, workmanlike and unfilling." -- Entertainment Weekly

"Both truer to the vision of its character's creator, Robert E. Howard, and more satisfyingly pulpy than the 1982 movie incarnation." -- Village Voice

Good For Kids?
Common Sense Media reminds parents that this is a take on the Conan story inspired by the 1982 Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. Rated R for strong, bloody violence and some nudity, this one isn't kid-friendly in the slightest. Click to read the full Common Sense review!

Watch the preview!

Fright Night
Short Story:
Charlie Brewster (Anton Yelchin) has it all: He's popular and dating one of the hottest girls in school, but trouble arrives when a mysterious man named Jerry (Colin Farrell) moves in next door. Everyone seems to think Jerry is a great guy, including Charlie's mom (Toni Collette) -- but, as the trailer reveals, Jerry is actually a bloodthirsty vampire who's been killing kids in the area.

What They're Saying:
"This decent remake of the '80s vampire favorite should satiate horror fans." -- Hollywood Reporter

"At least this new version stays true to its origins by having a bit of cheeky fun, and the way it contemporizes the story is really rather clever." -- Associated Press

Good for Kids?
Rated R for bloody horror violence, it's best to hire a babysitter if you plan to see this reimagining of the 1985 cult favorite. Perfect for scary-movie fans, the film has recieved stellar reviews from the critics and should not be missed!

Watch the preview!

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/our-idiot-brother-dont-be-afraid-dark-colombiana-reviews/1-a-376323

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Britney Spears Professes Her Adele Fandom At VMAs

Spears praised the British singer while talking with special MTV News correspondent Selena Gomez during the VMA pre-show.
By Ryan J. Downey


Britney Spears arives at the 2011 VMAs
Photo: Steve Granitz/ WireImage

LOS ANGELESSelena Gomez loves Britney Spears and Britney Spears loves Adele. These are two facts that were confirmed during MTV News' 2011 VMA pre-show as two of those three ladies chatted on the black carpet in downtown Los Angeles shortly before the big show got started.

Spears was on hand for the mammoth tribute segment MTV put together for this year's Video Music Awards at the Nokia Theater and MTV News guest correspondent Gomez was able to catch up with her beforehand on the space-age-looking black carpet inside the lobby of the JW Marriott hotel.

Gomez introduced Spears as "pop superstar" and "VMA icon," offering her own adulation face to face as they began chatting despite some microphone issues. "You look beautiful," Gomez began.

"You're a big inspiration to me and to a lot of other people," she continued. "[The] VMAs are giving you a huge tribute. How does that feel?"

"It feels amazing," Spears answered with a broad smile. "It feels really, really amazing."

And while Gomez showered praise on Spears, the multiplatinum performer in turn showed some love for one of her fellow VMA nominees. "I'm really interested in seeing Adele," she told Gomez.

"I love her. I'm the biggest fan. I'm really excited about seeing [her]."

The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards are live now! Stick with MTV News for winners, photos, video and behind-the-scenes stories about everything going down. Visit VMA.MTV.com for the latest.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1669840/britney-spears-adele-selena-gomez-vma-pre-show.jhtml

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