'Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows' Cheat Sheet

We have everything you need to know about the Guy Ritchie sequel.
By Kara Warner


Robert Downey Jr. in "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows"

After the spectacular success of "Sherlock Holmes" — $515 million in worldwide ticket sales and a Best Actor Golden Globe win for Robert Downey Jr., both of which were unpredictable accomplishments given the fact that the film arrived in theaters at the same time as James Cameron's "Avatar" — it was no surprise when Warner Bros. announced plans for a sequel.

To celebrate the arrival of "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," in theaters Friday (December 16), here's our comprehensive cheat sheet of everything you need to know about the action-packed, Guy Ritchie-directed sequel.

A New World of Possibilities
Amazingly enough, talk of a "Sherlock" sequel began three months prior to the original's release, when Brad Pitt was rumored to be joining the cast as Moriarty and there were rumblings that it would be shot in 3-D. Neither of those things panned out, but we did eventually learn that the sequel would be filmed in Paris and London and that instead of "Sherlock Holmes 2," the film's title would be "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows."

Fresh Meat
Early on, we learned that Rachel McAdams' return as Irene Adler was trimmed to a "very small part," which made way for the addition of a new female lead, Noomi Rapace, who originated the role of Lisbeth Salander in Sweden's "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." Ritchie summed up her character thusly: "She's a gypsy princess with balls," he told us when we visited the set. "That's what Noomi brings to the table."

The other new addition was "Mad Men" actor Jared Harris, who won the coveted role of the villainous Professor Moriarty. Harris couldn't give us many details about the role when we caught up with him in early '11, but he did gush about the "great fun" he had on set.

Setting the Shadowy Tone
As we started to inch closer to the film's release, we started to see that the sequel was going to be a bit darker via the first official posters, photos and the first full-length trailer. It's not all dark and stormy, of course, since a lot of the fun of the first film was in the whimsical moments between Downey and Law, and Holmes' various disguises, as revealed in this funny clip featuring more of RDG in drag.

When MTV News caught up with the main players recently, Downey assured us the film is a "superior product" and that everyone had gone to great lengths to make it bigger and better. Perhaps Ritchie summed it up best: "All in all, we tried to basically put this film on 'roids."

Check out everything we've got on "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows."

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

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676169/sherlock-holmes-game-of-shadows.jhtml

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Justin Bieber Graduates To 'Adult Game' On New Album

'We've seen him [with] 'Baby,' now we're watching him grow up,' producer Kuk Harrell tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Vanessa White Wolf


Justin Bieber
Photo: Getty Images

Justin Bieber has said that he wants to pull a Justin Timberlake on his next album. So what exactly does that mean? His longtime vocal producer, Kuk Harrell, spoke to MTV News about the early stages of Bieber's next release.

"The only conversation we've had about Justin's album that we're about to do is it's really important that it's the proper transition because we've seen him [with] 'Baby,' now we're watching him grow up," said Harrell, who has also worked with Rihanna on her Talk That Talk record. "And we can't just throw him into the adult game right away. It has to be the proper transition. There's a record in between."

With further details on this next album being kept under wraps, Bieber is busy celebrating the holidays. He's slated to release his video for "All I Want for Christmas," co-starring Mariah Carey, on Wednesday. Harrell worked with Bieber on his Under the Mistletoe LP and says agreeing to do a Christmas album with the teen phenomenon was an easy yes.

"That's why I think this Christmas album was really important because it gave everybody the opportunity to hear him, see him and get used to his voice changing," he said. "That was a huge thing going into this album. We were able to get a running start on where he's at vocally 'cause it's a natural thing. When his proper album comes out, everybody's going to really be looking at that."

What will be noticeably different on this next album, which was teased on his holiday album, is that Bieber's voice will be much deeper. So does Harrell think it'll be changing a lot more for this next record? "I think he's pretty good right now," he said. "It's just a matter of him settling [into] where he is."

Regardless of what magic does end up making the final cut on this album, which Bieber has said may include work from Drake and Kanye West, Harrell notes that the 17-year-old is "always willing to bring a new fire."

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1675015/justin-bieber-new-album.jhtml

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'Drive' Is MTV's #2 Movie Of 2011

Hard to describe and hard to forget, the film (and Ryan Gosling's Driver) oozed cool.
By Kevin P. Sullivan


Ryan Gosling in "Drive"
Photo: FilmDistrict

In October, a Michigan woman filed a lawsuit against FilmDistrict for misleading her about the film "Drive." She claimed the movie's trailer promised a more action-packed film and "promoted the film 'Drive' as very similar to the 'Fast and Furious,' or similar, series of movies."

But the suit succeeded in only one respect: It perfectly described why we love "Drive" and why it's #2 on MTV's Best Movies of 2011 list.

Everything about "Drive" subverts expectations. The main character, played by Ryan Gosling, doesn't have a name besides "Driver" and rarely speaks. We root for him despite knowing nothing about him or what's going on behind his stares. All the audience has to go off is his affection for his down-the-hall neighbor Irene, played by Carey Mulligan, and his sudden, violent outbursts, which surprise with horror levels of gore.

This is all the more shocking when you consider that for the first 30 minutes of the movie, the story plays out in a slow and quiet way, more like a romantic comedy than a crime thriller. Driver's relationship with Irene puts the audience so off its guard that when the violence finally erupts, it's instantly unforgettable.

Director Nicolas Winding Refn sets up the film's opening chase sequence in a way that looks and feels like a "Fast and Furious" movie, but as soon as it starts, it stops — literally. Driver parks the getaway car to remain out of sight. It's a subtle move that sets the tone for the rest of the movie.

And speaking of tone, what other film captured as much attention for its use of music and atmosphere? The synth-laced soundtrack by Cliff Martinez and a collection of electro-pop songs had everyone talking. Out of context, the choice for the music doesn't make sense, but the second "Nightcall" drops in over the neon-pink title, all the pieces come together.

When describing the movie to others, most people struggle until they stumble upon the word "cool." "Drive" is cool in a way that most action movies with their overly muscular heroes and explosions could only dream of being. Gosling and Refn captured an exact balance of warmth and coldness, emotion and indifference that makes the film's look, sound, story and characters feel like instant classics.

All of these elements would make for a great film, but that would mean ignoring a stellar supporting cast. Albert Brooks oozed menace and dark humor as the villainous pizza parlor owner/low-level mob boss Bernie Rose, and Bryan Cranston continued his streak as the most likable actor working today as Driver's mentor Shannon.

For all its surprises and unexpected turns, "Drive" is our second favorite movie of the year. It took tired movie clichés and flipped them on their heads to make one of the most original and hard-to-forget moviegoing experiences in recent memory.

Stick with MTV as we count down the Best of 2011, including the top Artists, Songs, Live Performances and EDM Artists of the year.

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

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/1676154/drive-best-movies-2011.jhtml

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See the 55 Best Twitter Pictures of the Year!

Celebrities were all about sharing photos of their families, friends, pets, and vacations this year. Some took to the social network to share the first photos of their babies, like Kate Hudson and her Muse fiancé Matthew Bellamy, while others introduced four-legged members of the family like David and Victoria Beckham's other baby girl, Scarlet. Jessica Simpson tweeted a photo kissing a beautiful orange Birkin, and Lauren Conrad couldn't help but share a photo when she ran into YouTube sensations Sophia Grace and her friend, Rosie. Click through to see some of the best snaps of the year and be sure to follow us on Twitter for exciting news, photos, and 2012 award season coverage!

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/popsugar/~3/v7gG9xH6z8M/Best-Celebrity-Twitter-Pictures-2011-20892443

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Pet Tags

Man, I'm so irritated.

I just received four pets tags that I ordered for Bev and Mary Margaret (two for Brooklyn and two for LA) and they're all messed up. Not only did they leave off the "Margaret" on Mary Margaret's tags, but the text isn't centered correctly and runs off the right side on all four of them. (The last letter of the address is cut in half.) The tags themselves are also ugly. The edges aren't smoothed out... they look like someone just cut them from a piece of sheet metal and called it a day.

So anyway, I got them this morning on my way to Starbucks (yesterday's mail), so while I was there, I started drafting a strongly-worded letter in my head, like what I was going to say to these people when I sent them back.

And then I saw it.

In tiny print on the bottom of the invoice it said, "Our handicapped employees appreciate your order."

So now I can't send them back. If I did I'd be a total asshole.

I'm just going to order new ones from someplace else. Any recommendations?

Source: http://www.prettyinthecity.com/blog/2011/5/8/pet-tags.html

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Steal Blake Lively?s Style

Blake Lively recently wore a gorgeous purple Marchesa number. Here’s how to get her look for less: 1. Dalia MacPhee Dress  #3545 ? $280 (www.daliamacphee.com) 2. Guy & Eva Earrings Louise Earrings ? $15 (www.guyandeva.com/shop) 3. AMI Clubwear Shoes – … Continue reading

Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/09/28/steal-blake-lively%e2%80%99s-style/

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Afternoon Links With Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse and boyfriend Reg Traviss are pictured leaving the Hawley Arms in Camden, London, UK. (INF)Elizabeth Hurley's breakfast of champions. (FitCeleb) Are you surprised that the man behind Ed Hardy clothing dresses like this? (Trendmill) Charisma Carpenter goes green for 'The Last Exorcism'. (Celebslam) Chad Ochocinco fined $25,000 for Tweeting. (Bossip) Cheryl Cole turns down big offer from Playboy. (Celebitchy) Coco shows off her flexibility. (Cityrag) Can you guess who this speedo belongs to? (Popbytes) Sandra Bullock signs on to do 9/11 movie. Is it too soon? (ICYDK) Charlize Theron shows off her summer glow. (Popoholic) Shauna Sand takes a walk on the wild side. (Derek Hail) Continue reading

Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2010/08/25/afternoon-links-with-amy-winehouse-2/

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Lady Gaga Says Next Album Is 'Beginning To Flourish'

'I have the name for it,' Gaga reveals to MTV News, while producer Fernando Garibay says they're hoping to 'outdo' Born This Way.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Matt Elias and Vanessa WhiteWolf


Lady Gaga
Photo: MTV News

Lady Gaga is perhaps the busiest monster of them all. Just six months after dropping her chart-topping Born This Way, the Mother Monster is already hard at work on its follow-up.

"I've started writing it and I have the name for it and all the concepts are beginning to flourish and take place," she told MTV News at Jingle Ball in Los Angeles, where she also talked about her Grammy nods and "Marry the Night" video. "I'm excited to put it out, but it's not done yet. So I'll put it out when it's done."

BTW contributor Fernando Garibay recently stopped by the MTV News offices in Santa Monica, California, and shared the vision he has in mind for Gaga's next release.

"I get a little bit of anxiety thinking about that right now," the producer said of plans for the album. "I wanna just always try to outdo ourselves, our songs.

"They're already incredible songs. But I feel like she's so young," he said, adding that the record is in its early stages and that "there's a lot of room to grow."

While Gaga will hit the road on the Born This Way Tour next year, Garibay said that won't halt the recording process. "The last record we made in bus stops and hotel rooms," he said. "Wherever she's at, we'll make it."

However the recording schedule pans out, Garibay knows he and Gaga will continue experimenting with new sounds. "She's the perfect platform for me to express myself," he said. "You can do stuff with her that you can't do with anybody else. It's amazing."

What are you expecting from Gaga's next album? Share your ideas in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1675458/lady-gaga-next-album.jhtml

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Spotted: Ali Larter and Teddy ? Baby Love