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Here are a few words on Michael Jackson from Diane Fredel-Weis, a Los Angeles-based writer. Diane worked on the marketing for Jackson's "Captain EO," a 3-D sci-fi short featured as an attraction at Disney theme parks. The film was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, produced by George Lucas and starred Jackson alongside Anjelica Huston and Dick Shawn. Diane, who met the late pop star while working on "EO," was kind enough to detail some of her experiences for MTV readers.

by Diane Fredel-Weis

When I walked onto the Culver City soundstage of "Captain EO" in early 1986, it was a thrill on many levels. The sets were mind-blowing. Dark, complex, coiled metal environments. Actors walking around in alien costumes. Dozens of people busy with the production. And of course, the star of the film, Michael Jackson, was there. Read more...

Tags captain eo, michael jackson

For my money, the best director out there right now is Quentin Tarantino. And for exactly that reason, the number one most-anticipated film for me in 2009 has always been “Inglourious Basterds.” When I caught up with leading man/director/Tarantino bud Eli Roth, he clued me in on some secret “winks” for the fans of “Reservoir Dogs,” “Pulp Fiction” and the rest – and naturally, now I’m just even more stoked.

“We have the ‘40’s version of Red Apple cigarettes,” Roth revealed, making reference to the fictional cancer sticks smoked by characters in Tarantino’s films. “Quentin had all of his products transported back in time.” Read more...

Tags brad pitt, Eli Roth, Magnificent basterds, pulp fiction, quentin tarantino, Reservoir Dogs

FROM SPLASH PAGE: Announced late last month, Boom Studios’ upcoming “Die Hard: Year One” comic book series will take Bruce Willis‘ hard-luck hero John McClane back to his roots in a story that unfolds more than a decade before his 1988 adventure at the Nakatomi Plaza. Veteran writer/artist Howard Chaykin, who will be scripting the prequel, spoke with MTV News about what readers can expect from the series when it hits shelves this August — including some of the familiar movie characters and elements of New York City history that will find their way into story.

“We’re dealing with McClane as a 23-year-old Marine veteran, new to the force from Queens, just loving his job,” Chaykin told MTV News. “The series is going to explain exactly how he got his gold shield.”

Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: ‘Die Hard: Year One’ Writer Talks Prequel Plot, Reveals New Jock & Dave Johnson Covers!

Tags bruce willis, die hard, die hard: year one

Your votes spoke pretty loudly last week, with "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" rolling out to the record-breaking tune $201 million over the five-day span since its Wednesday opening last week. While this didn't quite topple "The Dark Knight"'s $203 million best ever five-day earnings, second place is nothing to cry about. Especially not when it means your movie has picked up more than $200 million in a single week.

I was lucky to catch an early "Transformers" screening last week, which left the weekend clear for other pursuits. "The Hurt Locker" is on my list, but I unfortunately missed out; if I can get it together for a weekend double-feature, "Locker" will definitely be my number two. I did catch "Dead Snow," which was good, particularly in the latter half when it fully embraces the Sam Raimi/"Evil Dead" riffing. Read more...

Tags i love valentine's day, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, public enemies, the girl from monaco

FROM MTV.COM: "The Hurt Locker" is a movie about war, and it's set in Iraq, but it's not another Iraq War Movie. Director Kathryn Bigelow and the screenwriter, combat journalist Mark Boal, are too smart and tough-minded to inflate the story with windy political pieties. It's a film about war as an every-damn-day environment, and about the men who have to live in it — and to accept the fact that they may die in it, too, very suddenly.

The picture is set in Baghdad in 2004, one year after the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. We're on patrol with a three-man bomb squad charged with disarming the deadly Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs, with which terrorists have littered the city and its environs. The team consists of Sergeant J.T. Sanborn (Anthony Mackie), Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty) and Staff Sergeant Matt Thompson (Guy Pearce), the team leader.

Continue reading 'The Hurt Locker': World Of Warfare, By Kurt Loder

Tags kathryn bigelow, the hurt locker

Remember those end credits in “Grumpy Old Men” that had Burgess Meredith reciting a hilarious laundry list of sexual double-entendres? Well, now I have a new favorite perverse phrase – thanks to the biggest movie star in the world.

As we all remember, Johnny Depp was announced not too long ago as the star of a “Lone Ranger” movie – but instead of playing the man in the mask, he was set to play the Ranger's Kemo Sabe. So naturally, when I spoke to Depp recently at the premiere of his new film “Public Enemies,” I had to get a status report. My question came out thusly: “So, are you workin’ on your Tonto?” Read more...

Tags Dead Man, johnny depp, pirates of the caribbean, the lone ranger

FROM HOLLYWOOD CRUSH: What happens when a super nerdy high school valedictorian professes his love for the most popular girl in class? That’s the question at the heart of the upcoming romantic teen comedy, “I Love You, Beth Cooper.” The flick, starring “Heroes” hottie Hayden Panettiere as Beth Cooper and Paul Rust as the wannabe lover, doesn’t hit theaters until July 10, but we’ve got a first look with five exclusive clips.

One other thing worth noting: The film is directed by Chris Columbus, who’s directed such prior fare as two “Harry Potter” movies, both “Home Alone” flicks and seminal ’80s teen film “Adventures in Babysitting.” Take a gander at one of the clips below and then click here to watch the rest. And if you’re interested in submitting your own real-life confessions, you can do so over here.

Continue reading Head To Class With Five EXCLUSIVE Clips From Hayden Panettiere’s ‘I Love You, Beth Cooper’ and check out the rest of our exclusive "Beth Cooper" clips at MTV.com.

Tags hayden panettiere, i love you beth cooper

Director Zack Snyder, the eye-popping filmmaker behind “300” and “Watchmen,” has hired none other than Vanessa Hudgens to star in his next action flick, “Sucker Punch.” But without any real action-hero experience, was it just a matter of assuming the singing/dancing “High School Musical” star can do anything that’s physically demanding if she’s already twirled around a dance floor with Troy Bolton?

“No, I didn’t even look at it that way at first,” Snyder explained, echoing Hudgens' own excitement for the film about a group of institutionalized young girls using fantasy to escape. “She rehearsed, she did the audition for the scene. I wasn’t sure at first – [the casting people] were like ‘Oh, Vanessa’s coming’ and I was ‘Oh, okay - that sounds cool’ but I didn’t know what to think.” Read more...

Tags high school musical, sucker punch, vanessa hudgens, Zack Snyder

Just as everyone has an opinion, a favorite meal and a nose — albeit a fake one at times — so too does everyone have a birthday. Even celebrities. Here at Birthday Bash, it’s my mission to salute the fine actors, filmmakers and other Hollywood heroes that are celebrating their special day this week. After all, it’s cheaper than mailing a cake.

This week is jam-packed with birthday celebrations -- so many, in fact, that I just couldn't include them all. Still, there are some personalities who I found impossible to ignore... Read more...

Tags Birthday Bash, Gary Busey, Mel Brooks, mike tyson, tom cruise

FROM MTV.COM: It's a beloved moment in the "New Moon" novel, a rare moment of comic relief as Bella Swan attempts to get over her Edward Cullen-induced heartbreak by going on what becomes a three-way date with the love-struck Jacob Black and Mike Newton. Recently, actor Michael Welch made big news by assuring Twilighters that the scene would be in November's "Twilight" sequel — and now, we've got the scoop on the key tweak masterminded by director Chris Weitz.

"I really should've checked with someone if this is information I can give away or not," grinned Welch, the fan favorite who plays puppy dog-like Mike Newton in the blockbuster series. "But, whatever — here we are."

Welch stopped by the MTV studios to discuss such far-ranging topics as his concern for Robert Pattinson's safety and the "three-way date," a scene that has Bella, Mike and Jacob at a movie theater, watching a horror film. But, in the grand tradition of such films as "The Player," "Bowfinger" and "The Purple Rose of Cairo," director Weitz is inserting his own mini "movie within a movie" into the mix.

Continue reading 'Twilight' Actor Michael Welch Talks 'New Moon' Mini-Movie Details

Tags michael welch, New Moon, Twilight