Evanescence: Family Values

With the release of their new album, Evanescence have weathered the storm and emerged as a genuine family, in Bigger Than The Sound.
By James Montgomery


Evanescence
Photo: MTV News

A few months ago, I was sitting in a bar in Nashville watching Amy Lee play Ping-Pong. This was amazing for several reasons, the least of which was the fact that she was actually pretty good.

Because while the image of Lee — frequently corseted dark princess of hard rock — clutching a tiny racquet certainly threw me for a loop, it was the action around her that really struck me. Her bandmates were sitting at a nearby table, cracking jokes with the road crew, cheering whenever she cracked a return volley over the net or caught the corner of the table with an arcing lob shot. Lee was laughing and taunting her opponent, who just so happened to be her husband, who could do nothing but smile and take a drink of beer. Everyone seemed to be happy, having a good time, very much enjoying their particular lots in life.

And that was important, because it basically flew in the face of everything I thought I knew about Evanescence, a band for which drama was about as common as a Drop D tuning.

Fans already know the backstory: the abrupt and acrimonious departure of co-founder Ben Moody and a sundry of other lineup changes (firings, etc.) that followed; Lee's no-apologies kiss off to former boyfriend Shaun Morgan, "Call Me When You're Sober"; and the lengthy hiatus that came at the conclusion of the tour behind 2006's The Open Door. Even the most casual of music fans was probably aware of Lee's reputation as a difficult, oft-domineering taskmaster (or, if they weren't, her former bandmates were more than happy to talk about it).

In short, being in Evanescence didn't seem like a whole lot of fun. And when I first spoke to Lee earlier this year, just as the band was putting the finishing touches on their third album, she admitted that all the Sturm und Drang of fronting the band had taken a toll on her — so much so that she thought about giving up altogether.

"There was drama. ... There's always freaking drama," she said. "So we get towards the end of [the Open Door Tour], and I was like, 'Guys, I don't know about this. I need a break.' I just wanted to be normal; I didn't want to think about the next thing for as long as it took."

But after reuniting her estranged mates for a warm-up in 2009, something changed. Lee told me that she fell back in love with "the Evanescence part" of her personality and, recharged, she and the band holed up in Nashville to record what would, rather tellingly, be their self-titled album. It was released on Monday, ending a five-year drought, and it is very much a band record, with Lee sharing writing credits on 11 of the 12 songs. It is, as she told me back in June: "About the band ... about falling back in love with this thing, with Evanescence, with what I've obsessed over for a decade, longer than that."

Of course, I nodded. But I wasn't sure if I believed her. After all, this was Evanescence. And that doubt only grew each subsequent shoot: In Nashville's Blackbird Studios, where Lee — and producer Nick Raskulinecz (and none of her bandmates) — played me songs from the new album. At a sweltering video shoot in Brooklyn, where, though she was surrounded by the rest of the band, Lee did most of the talking. And, finally, back in Nashville, were Evanescence premiered their comeback single, "What You Want."

But it was on that second trip to Nashville where I began to notice something about 2011 Evanescence. Namely, they genuinely seem to like each other — a whole lot. Sure, in interviews, Lee answers most of the questions, but that's only because the other guys in the band aren't exactly leaping at the chance to do so (except bassist Tim McCord; he's a funny dude). Man-mountain guitarist Terry Balsamo prefers to let his thundering chords do the talking, but behind the scenes, he'll light up if you mention his beloved Florida Gators. Troy McLawhorn, who left the band to join up with Lee's ex in Seether (but was welcomed back with open arms during the recording of Ev's new album), kids around with his mates and talks at length about his wife and son. And drummer Will Hunt is, like all good drummers should be, a bit of a wild man, a guy who enjoys nothing more than playing loud and fast (and living much the same way).

They each play a role, and they do so willingly, gladly even. They laugh and crack inside jokes (like the one about McCord, a fire alarm and a New York hotel — ask him about it sometime), they protect one another, and they keep the machine running, because they genuinely care about each other and their band.

In a lot of ways, through all the trials and tribulations, Evanescence have become more than a band; they have become a family, a collection of individuals as different as can be, yet united by a common love for one another. Their new album — and the lengthy road that led to its creation — is a testament to that fact. And that night in the bar, with Lee whipping forehands and her bandmates cheering her on, was proof. At least for me. It was the kind of camaraderie that cannot be forced; it must be forged. And Evanescence have definitely gone through their share of hardening. Now, finally, they can enjoy not only being a band, but a functioning (albeit nontraditional) familial unit. In the best scenarios, the two are usually one in the same.

What do you think of Evanescence's new album? Share your reviews in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1672356/evanescence-family-values.jhtml

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Hart Of Dixie ?Gumbo & Glory? Episode Review

Hart of Dixie premiered its third episode on the CW with Rachel Bilson and Scott Porter working some serious chemistry. Get our review of ‘Gumbo and Glory’ below. Instead of attempting to be part of the Founder?s Day Parade, Zoe Hart has this time decided to enter the town?s annual Gumbo cook off. Yes, Bilson?s character is still going strong. Trying to fit in and live up to the expectations of being the late Harley Wilkes daughter, Zoe is still attempting to land herself some patients. After she is bit by a copperhead snake while treating disappointed patients, and Burt Reynolds the gator eats her special package from Emeril, George tries to help her make her gumbo the right way. Together they realize they have a lot more in common, and that George isn?t overly excited about his wedding plans with Lemon. Their time together becomes short lived though, when a farmer is in a fatal accident. With only one hand George is forced to call Brick or Zoe. As soon as he sees the two of them together things go sour. Brick also takes credit for saving the man?s life, leaving both George and Zoe stunned. Meanwhile, Lemon doesn?t [...]

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'Ides Of March': The Reviews Are In!

Critics argue that script doesn't match the talent level of the A-list cast in George Clooney's political drama.
By Kevin Sullivan


Ryan Gosling in "Ides of March"
Photo: Sony Pictures

George Clooney returns to the director's chair for the first time since 2008's "Leather Heads" in one of the first big releases of Oscar season with "The Ides of March."

But then again, we might just be interested in Ryan Gosling's third major role this year. Everything about "Ides of March," from the critically lauded cast and director to the political story line seems to scream for awards season attention, but does it live up to high expectations? Critics can't seem to agree, but the general consensus is that the script doesn't meet the talent level of the cast, which is pretty fantastic all around.

We've rounded up some of the reviews to give you a better idea of what to look for this weekend at the movie theater.

The Story
"Mr. Gosling's consultant, Stephen Meyers, would seem to be a true believer. Speaking of his candidate, Gov. Mike Morris (Clooney), he tells a reporter, played by Marisa Tomei, 'He's the only one who's going to make a difference in people's lives.' (At that point it's hard to know if this is true, or if the movie thinks it's true, since some of Morris's positions — i.e. that we don't need Arab oil any more — sound awfully fatuous.) And Steve's boss, Paul Zara, the campaign manager played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, would seem to be cynicism incarnate. The problem is that the news the story brings may be perfectly accurate, but it isn't particularly original, and it's certainly not what we hunger for in these dispiriting, cynical times." — Joe Morgenstern, The Wall Street Journal

The Direction
"Clooney has a keen eye for a good story. With this, his fourth turn as a director, he has chosen wisely. While perhaps not as nuanced as 2005's 'Good Night, and Good Luck,' it's more assured than 2008's 'Leatherheads' and more accessible than 2002's 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.' It grows a little overheated but works particularly well as a morality tale about power and its tendency to corrupt absolutely." — Cynthia Puig, USA Today

The Screenplay
"What is surprising, and disappointing, is that the plot borrows, not once but twice, from the hoariest tropes in the book of smug clichés. The effect is to cheapen all the hard-earned realism. Contemporary American politics does a fine job of cheapening itself — the script doesn't need this melodramatic varnish." — Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

The Ryan Gosling Factor
"The movie's strength is in the acting, with Gosling once again playing a character with an insistent presence. In roles as different as this one and 'Drive,' he has a focus that sees through others and focuses on his character's goals. That intense conviction works in many ways; remember him in 'Lars and the Real Girl,' where he played a secretive loner who fell in love with a love doll and found this companion a help in re-entering society." — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Supporting Cast
"Philip Seymour Hoffman tears it up as the governor's gruff, no-nonsense campaign manager, a veteran who's seen it all and still continues to come back for more. Paul Giamatti is reliably smarmy as Hoffman's counterpart for the rival Democratic candidate, and watching these two acting heavyweights eyeball each other backstage at a debate provides an early, juicy thrill." — Christy Lemire, The Associated Press

The Final Word
"Perhaps Clooney never quite realized that he had an old-fashioned story on his hands. 'The Ides of March' has a statement that is modern, but its dramatic structure is that of an old chestnut, and it needed to be directed accordingly, with the emotions jacked up. As it stands, the movie works in a 'Yeah, that was good' sort of way. There was more in that script to be had." — Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Check out everything we've got on "The Ides of March."

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/1672181/ides-of-march-reviews-movie.jhtml

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Taylor Kitsch Talks Prepping For 'John Carter'

'It's such a grand movie, and John is in every shot of this film,' actor says.
By Kevin Sullivan, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Taylor Kitsch in "John Carter"
Photo: Disney

Not just anyone can be John Carter. Taylor Kitsch found that out the hard way while auditioning for the role, his first big movie as the lead. And even though he had been unfamiliar with the John Carter books before, the role was, according to Kitsch, something he was "willing to do anything for."

In the upcoming adaption of Edgar Rice Burroughs' beloved "A Princess of Mars," Kitsch plays a Civil War veteran who finds himself transported to another planet. The Martians task Carter with saving the planet and rescuing the captive princess, played by Lynn Collins. The production finally came together recently after lingering in development for years and losing Jon Favreau, who was once attached to direct.

The journey began by meeting with the director Andrew Stanton, best known for his work on Pixar films. "I knew of Stanton, of course, and I was a huge fan," Kitsch says. "He was a big fan of Riggins, my 'Friday Night Lights' character, so right away we kind of pushed each other because we were so excited about just meeting one another."

After their initial meeting, Stanton took Kitsch through some of the preproduction work that the director and his team had already finished. "It's literally floor-to-ceiling in prep and pictures, storyboards, arc of John Carter, arc of the Tharks, Dejah," Kitsch said. "It's not overwhelming, but it's like, OK, this guy's not screwing around."

That first meeting was just the beginning for Kitsch. The producers put him through "a lot," but he understood that it all needed to happen. "It's such a grand movie, and John is in every shot of this film, so of course it's a big gap. You go on film, and you read for him a couple times and then you get to the screen test and you're starting to battle through this," Kitsch said.

But Stanton was there for his eventual star every step of the way, especially during the two-day screen test. "This really says a lot about who he is. He takes you the day before and does a walkthrough," Kitsch said. "He just puts everything level when you get there on the day. That just helped me settle in a lot."

Check out everything we've got on "John Carter."

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/1672088/john-carter-taylor-kitsch.jhtml

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Usher Gets 'Emotional' On David Guetta's 'Without You'

DJ/producer calls their collabo the 'biggest record' on his just-released Nothing but the Beat.
By Akshay Bhansali


Usher
Photo: Todd Williamson/ WireImage

David Guetta recently told MTV News that the Usher collabo "Without You" is the "biggest record" on his just-released Nothing but the Beat.

It's a rather bold statement, considering his latest album also features Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, will.i.am, Akon, Timbaland, Nicki Minaj and Jennifer Hudson, just to name a few. But Guetta has a soft spot for the cinematic team-up with Ush, which he says is equal parts sentimental and hands-in-the-air euphoric.

"It's just totally emotional," Guetta said. "Some of the record is a proper ballad, and then it goes to that crazy dance beat. It's perfect for him, because he's famous for his ballads. And he's also now famous for those big club records that he comes with. He's an amazing dancer, so I felt like he was the artist that I needed."

Usher and Guetta first previewed the song in Ibiza, Spain, earlier this summer, with the crowd demanding an encore performance of the sure-to-be-hit song.

"It was amazing," Guetta gushed. "We were not supposed to do this. I always do these kinds of stupid things, playing records when I'm not supposed to play them. And Usher was so excited for this time to be in Ibiza performing in front of those people. He called me onstage and said, 'Come on. Let's do it.' So we did it, and, yeah, they loved it. We had to do it again! They asked for one more."

For some, the combination of Usher and Guetta might seem out of left field. While the DJ/producer works with a variety of artists, he has a pretty tight-knit musical family — but it may come as a surprise that Guetta has known Usher the longest.

"I actually speak very often about how thankful I am to will.i.am because he called me to produce 'I Gotta Feeling'; Akon, when we started to work together, because I wasn't famous in America; Kelly Rowland and all those guys that came to me when I was not known yet," Guetta said. "But I have to say that the very first time when someone big from America asked me if I want to work with him, it was Usher. Like, a really long time ago, but we never had the time to do it. So I was so happy to be finally in the studio with him, because he spotted me when I was really not famous yet."

Usher and Guetta already shot the video for "Without You" in Ibiza. The song will follow up Guetta's current single, "Little Bad Girl," which features Ludacris and Taio Cruz.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1670301/usher-david-guetta-without-you.jhtml

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Steve Jobs: Casting The Apple Founder's Biopic

Less than a week after Steve Jobs' death, word is out that Sony Pictures has completed a deal to bring to the big screen the upcoming authorized Jobs biography by Walter Issacson. Book-to-movie biopics tend to make bank and have the potential to score critical prestige, as Sony knows well ? after all, the studio [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/10/11/steve-jobs-movie-casting/

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Justin Bieber's Grammy Performance Will Be 'A Crossover,' Usher Says

The 'O.M.G.' singer looks forward to sharing the stage with his protégé on Sunday night.
By James Montgomery


Usher
Photo: Amanda Edwards/ Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD — At Sunday's 53rd Grammy Awards, Usher will be pulling double duty as both a nominee and a performer. Of course, given the massive year he just completed — with the success of his smash single "O.M.G." and as a mentor to rising phenom Justin Bieber — Ush's Grammy plans seem rather fitting.

Especially since he'll be performing with Bieber (and Bieber's pal Jaden Smith), a move that's just as much about celebrating Usher's successes as it is the successes of his young protégé.

"Having been through [the Grammys] so many times, you couldn't want for anything more than for your young protégé to have the opportunity to have one, so, in support of him having his moment, I wanted to be here," Usher told MTV News on Thursday, hours before his performance at the (Belvedere) RED launch party in Hollywood. "And also to be there to perform, to kind of tell the story of how we came together. This music business has definitely been good to both of us, and this year we have a lot to be happy for."

And just how will the dynamic duo tell that story? Well, Usher wasn't about to reveal all the details, but he did say that he's hoping their performance will show another side of Bieber ... a side most tend to overlook.

"The performance will be fun," Usher explained. "We want to get up there and just do what we do. Be comfortable, and have a great time. ... This is kind of a crossover for Justin. Having performed on so many different stages, this is the way that I wanted him to be seen and an opportunity to show the industry — a lot of the industry, that didn't believe [in him] — some of his other talents. He's going to play acoustically, and also, we'll get down a little bit."

And though Ush is up for a pair of Grammy awards on Sunday — Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond — he's most looking forward to sharing the stage with Bieber and giving fans a look at where the young artist will be heading next.

"I'm very proud, man. I definitely saw it from the beginning, but thanks to the team that we have around us, it was made to happen. And that story has only just begun," Usher said. "The story of Justin Bieber doesn't stop with screaming girls; we need screaming fans all around the world ... a cultural experience that's much more than just fanfare. And that's what this is. That's what the Grammys will be; that's what my next phase for Justin is. This is the way I found him: I found him with a guitar in his hand, so I want him to be seen that way."

Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657728/usher-justin-bieber-grammy-performance.jhtml

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Future Declares His Debut Album 'Timeless'

'Pluto is like I'm bridging the gap from my first mixtape to my last mixtape so all the fans can just buy into me,' ATL rapper tells Mixtape Daily.
By Rob Markman


Future
Photo: MTV News

The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive
Future is hot at the moment, but the Atlanta rap newcomer is looking beyond the present as he prepares his debut, Pluto, on Epic Label Group.

"The album is timeless. They might not get it the first time they listen to it. That's why it's called Pluto — it's so far out of here, it's out the box," he told Mixtape Daily on the black carpet for the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards, which air Tuesday. "So the first time you listen to it, the second time you might not get it, a year later you might have to go back and listen to it and be like, 'Damn.' You'll finally get it."

The Zone 6 representative has been on a tear with his string of street-bred mixtapes. The Astronaut Kid established his sound on 1000, Dirty Sprite and True Story. His recently released Streetz Calling tape is filled with bangers like "Made Myself a Boss," the codeine-inspired "Easter Pink" and the chest-pounding "Name Hold Weight," but right now, his Drake-assisted remix of "Tony Montana" is one of rap's hottest tracks.

"Pluto is like I'm bridging the gap from my first mixtape to my last mixtape so all the fans can just buy into me, the whole movement," he said. "They'll see the growth, they'll understand it when they listen to it."

"Magic" is another banger from the True Story tape that has the hip-hop world in a frenzy. Upon his release from prison, T.I. quickly hopped on a remix of "Magic," giving Future a major co-sign. "It's always a good thing when people stamp you and say, 'Hey, I salute you on your hard work, 'cause all the hard work payin' off,' " Future said. "So when that happens, it's always a plus, make you wanna go back in."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1672295/future-declares-his-debut-album-timeless.jhtml

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Taylor Kitsch Talks Prepping For 'John Carter'

'It's such a grand movie, and John is in every shot of this film,' actor says.
By Kevin Sullivan, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Taylor Kitsch in "John Carter"
Photo: Disney

Not just anyone can be John Carter. Taylor Kitsch found that out the hard way while auditioning for the role, his first big movie as the lead. And even though he had been unfamiliar with the John Carter books before, the role was, according to Kitsch, something he was "willing to do anything for."

In the upcoming adaption of Edgar Rice Burroughs' beloved "A Princess of Mars," Kitsch plays a Civil War veteran who finds himself transported to another planet. The Martians task Carter with saving the planet and rescuing the captive princess, played by Lynn Collins. The production finally came together recently after lingering in development for years and losing Jon Favreau, who was once attached to direct.

The journey began by meeting with the director Andrew Stanton, best known for his work on Pixar films. "I knew of Stanton, of course, and I was a huge fan," Kitsch says. "He was a big fan of Riggins, my 'Friday Night Lights' character, so right away we kind of pushed each other because we were so excited about just meeting one another."

After their initial meeting, Stanton took Kitsch through some of the preproduction work that the director and his team had already finished. "It's literally floor-to-ceiling in prep and pictures, storyboards, arc of John Carter, arc of the Tharks, Dejah," Kitsch said. "It's not overwhelming, but it's like, OK, this guy's not screwing around."

That first meeting was just the beginning for Kitsch. The producers put him through "a lot," but he understood that it all needed to happen. "It's such a grand movie, and John is in every shot of this film, so of course it's a big gap. You go on film, and you read for him a couple times and then you get to the screen test and you're starting to battle through this," Kitsch said.

But Stanton was there for his eventual star every step of the way, especially during the two-day screen test. "This really says a lot about who he is. He takes you the day before and does a walkthrough," Kitsch said. "He just puts everything level when you get there on the day. That just helped me settle in a lot."

Check out everything we've got on "John Carter."

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/1672088/john-carter-taylor-kitsch.jhtml

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