Britney Spears' 'Criminal' Director Talks Gun Controversy

'It blew me away that members of [the British] Parliament were speaking about this,' Chris Marrs Piliero tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Vanessa White Wolf


Britney Spears and Jason Trawick on the set of her "Criminal" video shoot
Photo: Eagle Eyes / Splash News

When Britney Spears hit London to shoot her "Criminal" video, she caused quite a stir. The singer immediately was criticized by local officials for her use of a gun in the sexy, crime-fantasy clip. Spears addressed the issue, shrugging off the controversy, and this week, fans finally got to see what all the fuss was about when the steamy clip dropped.

MTV News spoke to the video's director, Chris Marrs Piliero, who said he was surprised the video's gunplay became such a big deal.

"Holding the gun became a controversial thing 'cause we filmed it in London, and they don't have a lot of gun use out there," he explained. "That doesn't mean that there's no gun use, so I did find it really interesting. For me, the thing is, it blew me away that members of [the British] Parliament were speaking about this. One, because it's a music video, and two, because don't you guys have television shows out there that show crime?

"It's really strange to me," he continued, adding just what bothered him most about the controversy: "I don't understand why pop stars are put on such a high pedestal over other celebrities. Why do members of Parliament feel that they need to scrutinize her for having a gun, and 'She's in the public,' and 'She should know better,' and 'She's a role model,' but what about every other celebrity out there? What about every other actor? That's very strange to me. I was really surprised at how much the gun use was scrutinized."

Plus, Piliero said it makes sense that the couple, played by Britney and her real-life boyfriend, Jason Trawick, are using guns. "He's a professional criminal, so it makes sense he has a gun," the director said. "We shouldn't censor ourselves."

Share your opinion on the controversy in the comments below!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1672848/britney-spears-criminal-director-gun.jhtml

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Madonna?s Older Brother Anthony Ciccone Reveals That He Is Homeless

With a new album and tour on the way, Madonna finds herself in the midst of a very bizzy and lucrative work schedule … but today, sadly, we learn that not everyone in her family is doing quite so well. Madonna‘s eldest brother Anthony Ciccone was interviewed by the Michigan Messenger for an article on [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/rHA1TBO4K84/

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Chris Brown, Beyonce Lead Soul Train Award Nods

Kanye West, Kelly Rowland and Adele also nab multiple nominations for November 27 show.
By Jocelyn Vena


Chris Brown
Photo: Steve Granitz / Getty Images

Chris Brown is up for the most nominations at the Soul Train Awards with five nods. Following closely behind are "Party" and "Lift Off" collaborators Beyoncé and Kanye West with five nominations each. Also making a strong showing in the nominations are Kelly Rowland and Adele, who nabbed three nods apiece.

Brown is up for Best Male R&B/Soul Artist against Trey Songz, Cee Lo Green, R. Kelly, Eric Benet and Miguel, as well as Album of the Year and Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year ("Look at Me Now"), where he faces off against West ("All of the Lights"), Nicki Minaj ("Moment for Life"), Lupe Fiasco ("Out of My Head") and Jay-Z and Kanye West ("Otis").

West landed two more nods for Song of the Year ("All of the Lights") as well as Album of the Year for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, alongside Trey Songz ( Passion Pain & Pleasure), Adele (21), Chris Brown (F.A.M.E.), Jill Scott (Light of the Sun), Beyoncé (4) and his joint LP with Jay-Z ( Watch The Throne).

Beyoncé also landed nominations in Record of the Year ("Best Thing I Never Had"), Best Dance Performance ("Run the World (Girls)") and Best Female R&B/Soul Artist. Fellow former Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland is also nominated.

The show tapes November 17 in Atlanta and will premiere on CENTRIC and BET on November 27. Cedric "The Entertainer" has been tapped to host, and Jill Scott, Mindless Behavior, Robin Thicke, Lloyd, Miguel, Melanie Fiona and Keith Sweat will be among the performers taking the stage.

Complete Soul Train Awards nominations:

Best New Artist
» Bruno Mars
» Marsha Ambrosius
» Miguel
» Frank Ocean

Best Male R&B/Soul Artist
» Trey Songz
» Chris Brown
» Cee Lo Green
» R. Kelly
» Eric Benet
» Miguel

Centric Award
» Ledisi
» Raphael Saddiq
» Bilal
» Anthony David
» Aloe Blacc

Best Caribbean Performance
» "Bend Over" - Machel Montano
» "Man Down" - Rihanna
» "Delilah" - Movado
» "Wotless" - Kes The Band
» "Summertime" - Vybz Kartel

Best Gospel Performance
» "I Smile" - Kirk Franklin
» "Walking" - Mary Mary
» "Heaven Hear My Heart" - Trin-I-Tee 5:7
» "I Believe" - James Fortune feat. Shawn McLemore
» "More" - Cece Winans

Album of the Year
» Passion Pain & Pleasure - Trey Songz
» 21 - Adele
» F.A.M.E. - Chris Brown
» Light of the Sun - Jill Scott
» 4 - Beyoncé » Watch the Throne - Jay Z/Kanye West

Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year
» Moment for Life - Nicki Minaj
» All of the Lights - Kanye West
» Look at Me Now - Chris Brown (featuring Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne)
» Out of My Head - Lupe Fiasco
» Otis - Jay Z/Kanye West

Best Female R&B/Soul Artist
» Kelly Rowland
» Beyoncé
» Marsha Ambrosius
» Jennifer Hudson
» Jill Scott
» Mary J. Blige

Song of the Year
» "So In Love" - Jill Scott (featuring Anthony Hamilton)
» "Motivation" - Kelly Rowland (featuring Lil Wayne)
» "Sure Thing" - Miguel
» "Rolling in the Deep" - Adele
» "She Ain't You" - Chris Brown
» "All of the Lights" - Kanye West

Record of the Year (The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award)
» "Rolling in the Deep" - Adele
» "Far Away" - Marsha Ambrosius
» "Best Thing I Never Had" - Beyoncé
» "Good Man" - Raphael Saddiq
» "Hold My Hand" (duet with Akon) - Michael Jackson

Best Dance Performance
» "Motivation" - Kelly Rowland
» "Only Girl in the World"/"What's My Name" - Rihanna
» "Run the World (Girls)" - Beyoncé
» "She Ain't You" - Chris Brown
» "Walking" - Mary Mary
» "Pretty Girl Rock" - Keri Hilson

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1672938/soul-train-awards-nominations.jhtml

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Sharon Osbourne Doesn't Want to Be Called Grandma

Sharon Osbourne Doesn't Want to Be Called Grandma

Sharon Osbourne is thrilled to become a grandmother for the first time. After her son, Jack Osbourne, announced he and fiancee Lisa Stelly are expecting a baby, grandmum-to-be Sharon gushed her excitement on Wednesday's episode of The Talk.

"Our family is growing, and I love that," the mom of three said on her CBS talk show. "It's just a blessing, it's a joy. They're going to have a baby in April. Yes!"

Although her youngest son admitted he was "a little nervous" during the big reveal on CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight, Sharon is ready to join husband Ozzy Osbourne (who has four grandchildren from his two oldest children from a previous marriage) in grandparenthood. And the couple is ready to give their grandchild "everything."

"That's what comes with being a grandmother," she says. "You can spoil, you can indulge, and then say, 'Okay, now let your parents be the ones to teach you right from wrong. I'm not. What do you want? Have it!'"

But one thing the 59-year-old television personality won't be giving her grandchild is the right to call her grandma: "The baby's going to have to call me Shazza or Misses O," she says. "In London, that's Sharon, the abbreviation is Shazza. They call you, 'Shazza.' 'Hello Shazza!'"

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/sharon-osbourne-doesnt-want-be-called-grandma/1-a-392866

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Do Foo Fighters Know Robert Pattinson From Robert Plant?

During band's rehearsal break for Sunday's Movie Awards, we put Foos to the test.
By Ryan J. Downey, with reporting by Jim Cantiello


The Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl
Photo: MTV News

UNIVERSAL CITY, California — Hard rock, heavy metal, hardcore and punk have long gone hand-in-hand with evil wizards, magic, vampires and werewolves. And with a collective sub-cultural pedigree that includes stints in the Germs, No Use for a Name, Sunny Day Real Estate, Scream and some band called Nirvana, you'd think the Foo Fighters — set to perform at Sunday's Movie Awards — would know their "Potter" from their Zeppelin. Certainly they can recognize a "wand" reference and pinpoint its origin?

Right? Before we put MTV News' magically crafted trivia to the band, it seemed safe to assume the Foos would accurately distinguish between the words of Harry Potter, a "Twilight" character and Led Zeppelin. But was their underground nerd cred blown to shreds? Read on — and click the video! — to see how the Foo Fighters fared when we caught up with them on the Universal Studios lot, shortly after they finished rehearsing their Movie Awards performance.

Our own Jim Cantiello played dungeon master as Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear were given a series of semi-famous lines and asked whether they originated with "Harry Potter," the "Twilight Saga" or the lyrics of hard-rock pioneers Led Zeppelin.

Here's a sampling of a few of those one-liners:

» "The elder wand, the most powerful wand ever made."

» "Why don't you let me be yours ever truly? Can I make your garden grow?"

» "You're lying, Dolores! You mustn't tell lies!"

Can you guess whether the lines above came from the "Potter" flicks, "Twilight" or Robert Plant?

Watch as the Foos try their best to do exactly that. Then tune in to the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday to catch the Foo Fighters rock the stage with their new single, "Walk."

Will wizards, vampires or dream thieves steal the 2011 MTV Movie Awards? Find out June 5, when the 20th annual show airs live at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Tune in at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT that night for the "America's Best Dance Crew" finale and Movie Awards pre-show, loaded with live action from the red carpet, exclusive movie clips and a special edition of "After Hours."

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1665146/do-foo-fighters-know-robert-pattinson-from-robert-plant.jhtml

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FROM MTV MOVIES: We all know Angelina Jolie, Academy Award-winning actress, sex symbol, mother and philanthropist, but today for the first time, the new trailer for "In the Land of Blood and Honey" introduces all of us to Angelina Jolie, writer and director. There's been talk about the project, a love story set during the Bosnian [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/10/21/angelina-jolie-trailer/

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Britney Spears To Premiere 'Criminal' Video Next Week

'Just saw the final cut of the Criminal video... It's so hot,' Britney tweets.
By Jocelyn Vena


Britney Spears' <i>Criminal</i>
Photo: Jive/Sony

Britney Spears is ready to release her cheeky clip for "Criminal" next week, Spears and director Chris Marrs Piliero confirmed Thursday (October 13) on Twitter.

"Just saw the final cut of the Criminal video... It's so hot. Can't wait for you guys to see it next week," the pop songstress tweeted.

So when exactly will the video drop? A rep for the singer had no further details about the premiere when contacted by MTV News.

Earlier this month, Piliero stayed pretty quiet about what fans should expect from the video, but he did gush about Spears' performance on Twitter. "Not a whole lot i'm allowed to say about the @britneyspears criminal vid other than that i love this video and can't wait for it to come out," he wrote. "Oh and that she looks gorgeous in it... pretty sure it's cool for me to say that..."

Spears shot the video last month in London, right before kicking off the European leg of her Femme Fatale Tour. The video features Spears and real-life beau Jason Trawick. Little is known about what will happen in the video, but when Spears was photographed carrying a prop gun on set, politicians in the U.K. accused the star of glorifying violence after the London riots. The video was shot in Hackney, which was hit hard by the August riots, and local politicians were upset by what they saw as an insensitive gesture by Spears.

"It is only a music video, but it's images like this, with pop stars glamorizing gangs, which means that some young people ... get drawn in," Hackney's Member of Parliament, Diane Abbott, told the ITV news program "London Tonight." "Britney should really know better."

However, Spears shrugged off any criticisms in a statement to MTV News. "The video is a fantasy story featuring Britney's boyfriend, Jason Trawick, which literally plays out the lyrics of a song written three years before the riots ever happened," the statement read.

What are you expecting from the "Criminal" video? Let us know in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1672465/britney-spears-criminal-video-next-week.jhtml

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'Paranormal Activity 3' Terrifies Fans At New York Screening

Co-director Ariel Schulman warned audience that nobody would be able to sleep after seeing film.
By Kevin P. Sullivan


Lauren Bittner in Paranormal Activity 3
Photo: Paramount Pictures

It's not often that you see people standing for hours in a line that wraps around the block just for the chance to get scared out of their minds, but that's exactly what happened Tuesday night in New York at an advance fan screening of "Paranormal Activity 3."

Fans tweeted for a chance to check out the third entry in the found-footage horror series and to learn how the haunting started. Some of the hopeful audience members showed up as early as the morning before the 10 p.m. screening.

Once inside the theater, the lucky crowd competed for prizes like iPods, only heightening the excitement in the room. When it was finally time to screen the movie, directors Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost showed up, appropriately decked out for Halloween with fake knives and syringes lodged in each of their heads.

Schulman warned people that they weren't ready for the scares in "Paranormal Activity 3," promising that nobody in the theater was going to sleep that night. Among chants of "P-A-3," the lights dimmed and the screams started, and they didn't stop for 84 minutes.

As soon as the screening ended, the fan reaction was clear. "I thought 'Paranormal Activity' was tuck-your-feet-under-the-blanket horrifying," said Jeffrey Caban, who claimed his heart was still racing. Nelson Rosa said he understood "the saying 'my heart skipped a beat' [for the] first time ever."

"It was intense. It had me screaming, jumping up and down, covering my eyes, everything," Maria Huighes said.

Are you excited for "Paranormal Activity 3"? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

Check out everything we've got on "Paranormal Activity 3."

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/1672781/paranormal-activitiy-3-reactions.jhtml

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