Category Archives: Entertainment

Kanye West leads 2012 Grammy nominations

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On December 1 the 2012 Grammy nominations were announced and rapper Kanye West leads the pack with seven nominations. Though this may sound like great news, of the seven nods only one falls in a major category. And that nod is for “All of the Lights”, a cut off West’s 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy which competes against Mumford & Sons’ “The Cave”, Bruno Mars’ “Grenade”, Bon Iver’s “Holocene”, and Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” for Song of the Year. Twisted Fantasy and his latest effort Watch The Throne were snubbed and didn’t find a seat at the Album of the Year category. Instead, West’s albums will be competing against one another for Best Rap Album, along with Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter IV, Lupe Fiasco’s Lasers, and Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday. West also landed nominations in the following categories: Best Rap Performance (with Jay-Z on”Otis”), Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (with Rihanna, Kid Cudi, and Fergie on “All of the Lights”), Best Rap Song (“All of the Lights” & “Otis”), and Best Recording Package (Watch The Throne). Following close behind ‘Ye’s seven nods is Adele, Foo Fighters, and Bruno Mars with six each. Rapper Lil Wayne and newcomer Skrillex landed five a piece.

Click here to view the full 2012 Grammy nominees list. The 54th Grammys airs Sunday, February 12 at 8PM on CBS.

Music video: Lady Gaga – “Marry the Night”

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Every time Gaga releases a music video, you never really know exactly what you’re going to get. Like some other in her collection, the nearly 14-minute clip for “Marry the Night” plays like a short film. In fact, the music doesn’t start until Gaga pushes in an 8-track tape at the 8:47 mark. Before that happens all kinds of erratic scenes fill the screen. In the beginning Gaga is wheeled into a hospital ward that appears to be located inside a hotel, and during this part she narrates her inspirations behind the nurses’ wardrobe, among other things. Once the music kicks in so does the choreography; Gaga and her dancers once again show off their fancy moves and impress. Go on and grab some popcorn then mash play to experience another wild glimpse into the mind of Lady Gaga.

Music video: Dia Frampton – “Don’t Kick The Chair” (Featuring Kid Cudi)

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If you watched the first season of NBC’s music competition series The Voice then the name Dia Frampton should ring a bell; she was the runner-up behind winner Javier Colon. Falling to second place didn’t stop her from achieving fame. Frampton is preparing her debut album Red that’s expected to drop December 6 and for her new single “Don’t Kick The Chair” she managed to get rapper Kid Cudi to croon a verse. She shared the inspiration behind the track to AOL Music. “It started with my lyrical idea, ‘Don’t Kick the Chair,’ since my sisters and I throw that phrase around at home when we’re complaining about something when, on the other hand, it’s a beautiful day outside. In other words, ‘don’t kick the chair’ is another way of saying, ‘don’t give up,’ because you can’t have the highs without the lows, and there’s no use in getting down about something for too long. You got to start pushing forward at some point.” On working with Cudder: “It was a pleasure having Kid Cudi on this song. I’m a fan of his work and also am very happy with the positive lyrics he created. This song has a dark undertone, but overall, I wanted it to be optimistic.”

Watch the lyric video above and bop your head to upbeat track and Frampton’s sweet, crisp voice.

Update: The song, as well as Frampton’s album Red, is now available to purchase on iTunes.

Single: W Z R D – “Brake”

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The former lonely stoner just couldn’t wait any longer. After teasing the album’s January 30, 2012 release date on Saturday, Kid Cudi jumped back on Twitter to share with the world the first official cut off his upcoming third, yet-to-be-titled studio album. The track is called “Brake” and it’s produced by Wizard-in-crime Dot Da Genius and features guitar strings flicked by Cudder himself. Much like his previous release “Perfect Is The Word,” this song doesn’t find Cudi rapping but instead crooning over a punk rock-ish beat. Prior to dropping the single Cudi tweeted, “Tonight, you will all witness the new chapter, the new journey. Music will never be the same…” Listen to “Brake” below, follow along by reading the simple lyrics provided by Cudi, and click the download link for keeps. Are you entranced by Kid Cudi’s new sound? Anticipating his collabo release with Dot? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Download: W Z R D – “Brake”

[audio: Brake.mp3]

New episodes of ‘Arrested Development’ are coming to Netflix in 2013

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The Bluths are coming…to Netflix! After series creator Mitch Hurwitz announced in early October that the cult hit Arrested Development would come back to TV to bridge a gap in time between the unfortunate cancellation and the upcoming feature film, 20th Century Fox TV has been trying to find a suitor to air the new batch of episodes. Apparently the show was in contention at Showtime, but it was the video streaming service Netflix that came out as victor in the end. All new episodes of Arrested Development will premiere exclusively on Netflix in the first half of 2013. Finally, a (somewhat) tangible date we can mark on a calendar regarding the return of this show.

Executive producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer said this in a press release: “Of all the projects we’ve been involved with over the years, we probably get more questions about Mitch Hurtwitz’s brilliant ‘Arrested Development’ than any other– everyone, ourselves included, seems to feel like the Bluths left the party a bit too soon. Bringing a series back from cancellation almost never happens, but then, ‘Arrested’ always was about as unconventional as they get, so it seems totally appropriate that this show that broke the mold is smashing it to pieces once again.” And Howard had to add, “After a long hiatus, I’m dying to finally get back to the narrator’s microphone…’It’s Arrested…Development.'”

The Arrested Development pickup adds to Netflix’s list of original programming which also includes upcoming series House of Cards from David Fincher and Kevin Spacey. Price hikes, the Qwikster debacle… these are yesterday’s news. Being a major player in bringing the Bluths back into our lives, Netflix has fully redeemed itself.

[Via Netflix] Continue reading New episodes of ‘Arrested Development’ are coming to Netflix in 2013 →

ABC announces 2012 midseason schedule

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Shortly after NBC announced its 2012 midseason schedule, ABC followed and did the same. The alphabet network’s schedule, however, isn’t entirely complete. First let’s start with what’s there. Crossing-dressing comedy Work It will replace Man Up! in the Tuesday 8:30PM slot to be paired with Tim Allen’s new sitcom Last Man Standing. A game of musical chairs will be played in the Tuesday 9PM-10PM slot. In January Celebrity Wife Swap returns and will occupy that hour until Oren Peli’s thriller The River premieres in February. That will have a limited 8-episode run and end in late March. That same month Dancing with the Stars comes back and the results show will take over the hour. With Charlie’s Angels dead and gone, Winter Wipeout will have no trouble fitting in on Thursdays at 8PM and another reality show Shark Tank will move Fridays at 8PM. Wipeout‘s spell won’t last long; in March Missing, a new drama starring Ashley Judd, will take over. And finally there’s GCB, formally known as Good Christian Bitches and Good Christian Belles. The soap will air in Pam Am‘s current position at Sundays at 10PM. What this means for Pan Am‘s future is still unknown. And now we can discuss what’s missing: the buzzy Don’t Trust The  B**** In Apt. 23, Shonda Rhimes’ Scandal, and Cougar Town (it’s being reported that the Courtney Cox comedy is being reduced from 22 to 15 episodes this season). ABC likely won’t wait long to schedule this shows with spring premiere dates, so make sure check back here soon.

Jump after the break to see the premiere dates, and click here to preview all the new shows. Continue reading ABC announces 2012 midseason schedule →

Kid Cudi announces W Z R D album release date

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This week rapper Kid Cudi took to Twitter to make a major announcement: his next album is coming out January 30, 2012 to coincide with his 28th birthday. He also made a change to his group’s name. He and producer Dot da Genius are now collectively known as W Z R D (short for WIZARD) and 2 Be Continuum is no more. Cudi was not ready to spill the beans on the album’s title yet. However he did go on to say that the album “does not contain any profanity or the usage of the word “nigga”.” The former lonely stoner calls it “a universal album for everyone.” Also, he says “WZRD is bringin Punk Rock back with a whole new energy and sound.” Not really sure what he means by that? We’ll have a taste of what’s in store soon as Cudi promises that a snippet of the first single is on its way. “Ladies, your gonna have something to shake those booties to,” he teases.

Preview ‘The Muppets’ soundtrack right here!

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The new Muppets movie is almost here! To elevate your sheer excitement click play above and take in seven minutes of the original soundtrack. You’ll hear vocals from all of your favorite Henson characters as well as stars Jason Segal, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, and more. Preorder the soundtrack at iTunes today. It releases tomorrow, November 20. And the movie comes out this Wednesday, November 23.

Trailer: Pixar’s ‘Brave’

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Princess Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald) stars in this first full-length trailer for Pixar’s upcoming thirteenth animated film, Brave. Though this longer introduction isn’t as breathtaking as the teaser trailer that came before it, the sheer beauty of the animation style still holds up and my anticipation for the June 22, 2012 3D release doesn’t waver. What do you think of this grander look at Pixar’s latest?

3D re-release trailers: ‘Titanic’ & ‘Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace’ [Update: ‘Beauty and the Beast’]

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Two classic movies are being re-released in 3D. First up is James Cameron’s 1997 emotional roller coaster Titanic. The director who imagined Avatar is re-releasing the tragic love story in 3D on April 6, 2012. This date falls right around the 100 year anniversary of the sailing of the ship. Titanic is considered one of the greatest movies of all time, but do you feel comfortable watching all those people lose their lives in eye-popping 3D? Tough call.

Next up is the re-release of The Phantom Menace, the first prequel movie from George Lucas’ famed Star Wars franchise. Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic special FX company is converting all six Star Wars films to play in 3D. Episode 1 comes back to theatres on February 10, 2012, and the remaining five films will follow suit over the course of consecutive years. Watch the new trailer after the break.

Update: Disney has released a trailer promoting their next foray into 3D. After re-releasing The Lion King in 3D into the wild, Disney is reaching its hand into the vault again and this time they’re sharing Beauty and the Beast with the world again. Skip after the break to watch new trailer. The Disney classic returns January 13, 2012. Continue reading 3D re-release trailers: ‘Titanic’ & ‘Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace’ [Update: ‘Beauty and the Beast’] →