'Rum Diary' A 'Love Letter To Hunter,' Johnny Depp Says

Aaron Eckhart and Giovanni Ribisi also talk about writer Hunter S. Thompson's impact on the film.
By Ahsika Sanders, with reporting by Kara Warner


Johnny Depp in "The Rum Diary"
Photo: FilmDistrict

From the first few moments of the trailer's island music, bright colors and eye-catching castmembers, "The Rum Diary" looks like a whimsical vacation to paradise realized onscreen.

Based on the novel by Hunter S. Thompson during the author's own travels to Puerto Rico in the late '50s, the film casts "Pirates of the Caribbean" leading man Johnny Depp as the writer Paul Kemp, who struggles to find a balance between work, play and the island's increasingly tumultuous politics.

When MTV News caught up with the film's stars, they explained how the film is a fitting tribute to Thompson's final story, as well as to his legacy.

"The whole thing is really a love letter to Hunter," said Depp, whose friendship with Thompson led to the discovery of the late author's unpublished manuscript and eventually the idea to make it into a film. "The film from the very inception, opening that cardboard box and finding the manuscript to 'The Rum Diary' and saying to Hunter, 'What's wrong with you? Why don't you publish this?' and him saying, 'Well we should produce this,' the chain of events that happened over the years and then us trying ignorantly to drum up the money was just a very funny experience," Depp said of the story's journey from page to screen.

"Even though my partner is not right next to me, we're going to still produce this film together, and ultimately we did," Depp said of deciding to move forward with the production after Thompson's death in 2005. "Even if his presence, if he wasn't visible, we still produced the film together."

Aaron Eckhart stars alongside Depp in a second villainous role since his stint as Harvey "Two-Face" Dent in "The Dark Knight." Depp's love and passion for Thompson and his work made the film a more meaningful experience, Eckhart said.

"I think that Johnny has taken up the mantle and has preserved his legacy and is now offering all those people out there who have never heard of Hunter, an opportunity to be familiar with his work," he said. "Hunter was always there. He always had his chair, his empty chair on set with us, and Johnny and [director] Bruce [Robinson] had a ritual that they did every day ... but his spirit was always there."

"Avatar" bad guy Giovanni Ribisi added that, for him, the story was about "having a voice and maintaining your independence and your individuality" and that Thompson's perception of that ideal is universal and timely.

"I think Hunter S. Thompson was such a strong factor in a time in the '60s, he was almost the fulcrum for that [time], where people were waking up," he said. "It was about a rebellion against this capitalist structure and the mise en scene in the story. In the book you know where America is coming and really doing its thing to this beautiful culture Puerto Rico, that setting is just incredible. That for me is what it's about. I think, as much as I hate to say it, I think it's very apropos to today's psychology."

Check out everything we've got on "The Rum Diary."

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/1673375/rum-diary-johnny-depp.jhtml

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Amy Winehouse Remembered By Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, More

'RIP Amy Winehouse. May she finally find peace,' Perry writes. 'I am genuinely heartbroken about this,' Rihanna tweets.
By Jason Kaufman, with reporting by Kara Klenk


Amy Winehouse
Photo: Carlos Alvarez/ Getty Images

As news spread that 27-year-old Amy Winehouse was dead, stars immediately tweeted their shocked reactions and remorse over the lost talent.

Katy Perry, who touches down in Boise, Idaho, this weekend as part of her California Dreams Tour, tweeted her condolences, writing, "RIP Amy Winehouse. May she finally find peace."

Nicki Minaj, who is also on the road as part of Britney Spears' Femme Fatale jaunt, took to Twitter and expressed disbelief at the news of Winehouse's passing. "Please tell me Amy Winehouse didn't die," wrote the Young Money MC, who's set to hit the stage in Florida on Saturday (July 23). "Is this some sick joke?"

"I am genuinely heartbroken about this," wrote Rihanna, who continued to express her shock over multiple tweets. "Dear God have mercy!!! I am SICK about this right now!" In another, she wrote "U made a MAJAH impression on this industry and throughout the world, in such a short space of time...too short!"

Usher reflected on Winehouse, who he had known: "I'm so sad to hear the horrible news of Amy Winehouse's death. I'm so happy I knew you Amy...Rest Well. Gone Too Soon...we'll miss you!!""

Frequent tweeter Kim Kardashian used her 140 characters to send prayers: "I just heard the news that Amy Winehouse passed away. What a true talent. I pray she's in a better place & at peace."

Meanwhile, Ryan Seacrest showed Winehouse's impact on the music industry, singling out both Lady Gaga and Adele as those who had been influenced. "Sad to lose Amy Winehouse - incred talent. Both @LadyGaga & @OfficialAdele say Amy paved way for them."

Dr. Drew focused on the singer's well-documented struggles with addiction. "SO sad, another lost to addiction. A reminder this is often a fatal condition. Recovery is possible, but sadly not for Amy Winehouse."

Winehouse's American record label, Universal Republic, said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened at the sudden loss of such a gifted musician, artist and performer. Our prayers go out to Amy's family, friends and fans at this difficult time."

Many More Stars Are Reacting. Check Back To See Who Else Has Weighed In:

Leann Rimes: "RIP Amy Winehouse. So sad to see such a talent gone and her life end in tragedy. This makes me terribly sad."

Khloe Kardashian: "Wow! I just heard about Amy Winehouse passing away! Wow! So sad :( what an amazing talent"

Ashton Kutcher: "Rip amy winehouse"

Big Boi: "Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix and now Amy Winehouse. All died aged 27. RIP to you all."

Kelly Osbourne: "i cant even breath right my now im crying so hard i just lost 1 of my best friends. i love you forever Amy & will never forget the real you!"

Rick Ross: "Wanted to collab w/ Amy Winehouse...r.i.p...smoking 1 in your memoryyy!!"

Janelle Monae: "heart is heavy. My heart goes out 2 Amy Winehouse's family, loved ones. Praying for their strength during this time."

Ricky Martin: "I just found out. I feel pain. I feel anger. Rest beautiful girl rest. You are free!"

Cee Lo: "Is it true about amy?"

Victoria Justice: "I'm so sad about the #amywinehouse news I heard this morning. She was 1 of my favorite artists. What a sad story, she was such a talent..."

Randy Jackson: "Wow what a tragic loss today in the music world, Amy Winehouse such a talent. She will be missed"

Kreayshawn: "I said she was a TIMELESS artist and a real artist because of her struggle. I'm so upset I love her! RIP Amy Winehouse"

What Was Your Favorite Winehouse Song? Pay Tribute To Her Talents On Facebook

Share your memories of Amy Winehouse in the comments below.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667804/amy-winehouse-remembered-katy-perry-nicki-minaj.jhtml

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Afternoon Links With Hilary Duff And Mike Comrie

Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie dress up as bank robbers for a Halloween party.  (Flynet) Melissa Rycroft goes back to the stone age. (Celebrity Babies – People) Heather Locklear admires her daughter. (Babyrazzi) PETA is angry with Reese Witherspoon. (Celebitchy) … Continue reading

Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/11/01/afternoon-links-with-hilary-duff-and-mike-comrie/

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Kim Kardashian And Kris Humphries: By The Numbers

Soon-to-be-divorced couple spent and earned a lot of cash during their brief marriage.
By Gil Kaufman


Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/ Getty Images

Like shooting stars, the Broadway run of "High Fidelity" (Google it) and Beastie Boys punk songs, some things just aren't meant to last that long.

As of Monday (October 31), you can add Kim Kardashian's second marriage to that list. A mere 72 days after exchanging pricey vows with New Jersey Nets forward Kris Humphries in one of the most lavishly televised nuptials since the royal wedding, Kardashian threw in the towel on Halloween, filing divorce papers and citing "irreconcilable differences."

Photos: Kim and Kris' whirlwind romance.

The filing put an end to weeks of rumors that all was not well in the Kardashian/Humphries household and, despite the NBA lockout, got us thinking about some of the gaudy numbers the pair put up together in their brief union.

20.5 carats: The reported size of the dog-choking $2 million engagement ring Humphries presented to his lady love, but which they allegedly got at a steep discount. By comparison, her wedding band cost a modest $200,000.

5 million: Estimated number of people who watched "Kim's Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event" on the E! network, which also aired the wedding of Kim's sister, Khloé, to basketballer Lamar Odom, in 2009.

$10 million: Reported cost of the borrowed high-end jewelry Kardashian wore on her wedding day.

$2 million: Cost of flower arrangements for the wedding, which included African white roses. The couple also registered for a $7,500 Baccarat vase.

$50,000: Cost of Kardashian's bachelorette party, which, like most of the wedding expenses, was picked up by someone else, in this case the Tao nightclub in Las Vegas.

72 days: The length of Kardashian's marriage to Humphries.

Tick Tock: See Hollywood's Shortest Marriages.

Six months/ three months: Length of time the couple dated before getting engaged and the amount of time they were engaged before their wedding.

$50,000: Rumored cost of the facelift Kardashian's mom, Kris Jenner, underwent just before the ceremony.

Four years: The length of Kim's first marriage, to music producer Damon Thomas.

6.8 years: The median duration for women in second marriages that end in divorce in the U.S.

37 minutes/ 30 minutes: The first number is how fashionably late the ceremony started, the second the total length of the blessed event.

1,728: Total number of hours the couple was married.

$17.9 million: Amount Kardashian and Humphries reportedly earned from the wedding, including a $2.5 million photo deal with People magazine and the $12 million to $15 million the four-hour, two-part wedding special pulled in for the Kardashian clan.

$1 million: Amount billionaire Donald Trump spent on his 2005 wedding to Melania Trump.

$16 million: How much Humphries has made in his seven-year NBA career. (He made $2.9 million in the 2009 season.)

$0: How much Humphries has made so far this season thanks to the NBA lockout.

$6 million: Estimated amount Kardashian earned in 2010 thanks to multiple endorsement deals and a $75,000 appearance fee.

10/10/1: Humphries' points, rebounds and blocked shots per-game percentages for the 2010-11 season.

0/0/0: His stats so far this year thanks to the lockout.

$60,000: The cost of the three $20,000 Vera Wang gowns Kardashian received for free to wear for the ceremony and later that night.

1,851 miles: Distance between Los Angeles and Humphries' hometown of Chaska, Minnesota. The baller reportedly wanted Kardashian to move to Minnesota to raise a family with him, far from the bright lights of her native L.A.

$35 million/ $8 million: The couple's relative net worths. Hint: Kim's is the bigger number.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1673495/kim-kardashian-kris-humphries-money.jhtml

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Calista Flockhart & Family: Rockin' Out On Halloween

Calista Flockhart, Harrison Ford and 10-year-old Liam went to a Halloween party in Brentwood, Calif. on Monday (October 31).

The couple both had on big hair wigs, zebra-print pants and overall looked fantastic as 80's rockers. Calista even wore a t-shirt that read 'love At first bite'.

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Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/11/01/calista-flockhart-harrison-ford

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