Saturday, December 31, 2011

Jason Derulo Promises 'High-Energy' MTV New Year's Set

It's almost that time to ring in the new year, and what better way to do so than with MTV? "NYE in NYC 2012" will air live at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday from Times Square, hosted by Demi Lovato and Tyler Posey of "Teen Wolf."

Also on hand to count down will be some of music's biggest stars, including J. Cole, Mac Miller, Selena Gomez and Jason Der�lo, who will be performing in our Times Square studios.

"I cannot think of another way to bring the new year in than with MTV." Der�lo told MTV News. "I'm excited ? new year, new beginnings."

Der�lo plans to excite the crowd with two hit songs from his sophomore album, Future History, which was released earlier this year.

"I'll be doing 'It Girl' and 'Don't Wanna Go Home,' a medley of the two," Der�lo revealed. "[There will] be a lot of high-energy dancing."

Der�lo isn't just gearing up for his own performance, he's excited to see what his fellow performers have in store for the big night.

"It's going to be a crazy show, I hope you guys are tuning in because lots of great performers," Der�lo said. "You have different flavors from all around."

Of course, with a new year comes a new resolution, so what will Der�lo be doing differently in 2012? "Not being late to a lot of places." Der�lo said. "I don't want to say I'm usually late; I'm fashionably late. I think being 20 minutes is a little too much, but if you're in the 15 margin, I think you're golden."

Fans can go to our "NYE in NYC 2012" page to take a look back at past MTV New Year's bashes and this year's biggest highlights.

Don't miss MTV's "NYE in NYC 2012," kicking off at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday, New Year's Eve.

Alessandra Ambrosio Alexis Bledel Ali Campoverdi

Lady Gaga, Madonna, Nicki Minaj Top 2012's Most Anticipated Albums1676533

The past 12 months have seen the release of monster albums from Adele, Lady Gaga, Drake, Taylor Swift, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj.

But the next 12 are promising to bring even more music from several of those artists, plus new albums from Mumford & Sons, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Linkin Park, Paramore, Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Maroon 5 and Green Day.

It's a bumper crop of major albums from some of rock, pop and hip-hop's biggest stars, who are returning from long breaks, hoping to follow up smash debuts or just trying to keep their momentum going.

While release dates are always subject to change, here are some of the most anticipated releases of 2012.

Pop:
Ironically, the status of new albums from the artists whose next moves everyone is most curious about are the ones most in the air. Rihanna tends to deliver a new album every 12 or 13 months, which means that she may have another disc in stores at the end of next year once the just-released Talk That Talk has run its course.

On the other hand, Lady Gaga has already begun talking about her follow-up to this year's Born This Way. Gaga recently told MTV News that she's already started writing songs and "all the concepts are beginning to flourish and take place." She didn't give a potential release date, only promising, "I'll put it out when it's done."

Katy Perry hasn't publicly spoken about what will come after 2010's smash Teenage Dream, but it's possible she could start work on new material in 2012 as well. We know for sure that Justin Bieber is planning to show his more mature side next time around, possibly even incorporating some EDM sounds into the mix.

It's been confirmed that Madonna hooked up with M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj for the single "Gimme All Your Luvin' " from her untitled forthcoming album, which will feature production from Ray of Light producer William Orbit.

Other artists who could release fresh material in 2012: No Doubt, Maroon 5, Avril Lavigne, Miley Cyrus, Christina Aguilera, Ke$ha and Nicole Scherzinger.

Hip-Hop:
Two titans of rap are cueing up fresh tracks for early 2012, with Nicki Minaj likely to get out of the gate first with her sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, due out on Valentine's Day. The disc will include first single "Roman in Moscow," which sees the Best New Artist Grammy nominee getting into the character of her alter ego, Roman Zolanski.

After the delay of God Forgives, I Don't due to a pair of seizures he suffered in October, Rick Ross is expected to come back strong as well. The Bawse has taken his convalescent time to work on a new track with Jay-Z.

Speaking of Jigga, fans may get a new record from him as well, considering he told MTV News he was cooking up fresh tracks way back when he first played us songs from his Kanye West collaborative album, Watch the Throne. In fact, Jay-Z said you might get solo albums from both men as well as the second Throne release.

Other artists that should have albums hitting stores in 2012: Nas, Frank Ocean, Slaughterhouse, Wiz Khalifa, the G.O.O.D. Music compilation, T.I., Big Sean, 50 Cent, Ludacris, Big K.R.I.T., Meek Mill and potentially two discs from Lil Wayne, I Am Not a Human Being II and Rebirth II.

Rock:
Some of rock's biggest guns are reloading for 2012, among them Green Day, who debuted some new tracks at a benefit show in August. The title of the follow-up to 2009's 21st Century Breakdown hasn't been announced yet, but some of the early songs slated for possible inclusion are "Nuclear Family," "Carpe Diem" and "Sweet 16."

U2 have reportedly been cooking up a number of potential new albums, logging sessions with Danger Mouse and working with French producer/DJ David Guetta, RedOne and will.i.am on a disc of dance-oriented tunes.

Prog rock revivalists Muse should also have some new material for us, with bassist Chris Wolstenholme promising in a recent interview that the sound on their sixth album will be "radically different" from 2009's The Resistance.

We may get something from Linkin Park, who are prepping the follow-up to 2010's A Thousand Suns, and Mumford & Sons. It's been two years since the British folk rock revivalists dropped their still strong-selling debut, Sigh No More, and they began giving fans a taste of some new material in the fall when they unveiled the majestic song "Ghosts."

After a rough year, Paramore have finally put the drama behind them and they're super-psyched to record an album free of tension and inter-band awkwardness. So far, they've already unwrapped the bouncy "Renegade" and "Hello Cold World," which bode well for their fourth full-length studio album.

Other rock acts slated to release new albums: the reunited Soundgarden, Foster the People, Neon Trees, Sleigh Bells, Silversun Pickups, Bruce Springsteen and All-American Rejects.

Which 2012 albums are you most excited about? Which ones did we miss? Let us know in comments below.

Gina Gershon Gina Philips Gisele B¸ndchen Giuliana DePandi Giulianna Ramirez Grace Park Gretha Cavazzoni

LMFAO's Redfoo Opens Up About Honduras Concert Fire

LMFAO's Red Foo was forced to cut short a Wednesday night DJ set in Honduras after a fire broke out, filling the venue with smoke and sending fans scrambling for the exits.

According to TMZ, Red Foo was nearing the end of his performance at the Coliseo Nacional de Ingenieros in the capital city of Tegucigalpa when the venue's electrical system reportedly caught fire, filling the venue with smoke. According to reports, no one was seriously injured, though at least 15 fans were treated for smoke inhalation. Local television reports showed fans being escorted from the venue and receiving oxygen. Honduran authorities suggested the fire was intentionally set, though at press time, it was not clear if anyone had been arrested in connection with the blaze.

Immediately following the abrupt end to the show, LMFAO's Redfoo took to his Twitter account, joking, "Epic concert tonight!!!! Everybody in Honduras, we set the place on fire!!!! #sorryforpartyrocking." He then responded to a fan about the fire, writing, "They told us there was a fire when we were on stage. Then we went to the dressing rooms and there was smoke in the halls."

He then changed his tone, writing, "On a serious note, hope everybody is safe from the fire tonight! Love you Honduras!"

Through LMFAO's label, Interscope, Redfoo gave this account to MTV News: "All of a sudden, right in the middle of 'Beatockin,' my manager Ian Fletcher shouted, 'There's a fire under the stage. We have to go!'

"I didn't want to go!" he continued. "I didn't realize how serious it was. The security escorted us out the venue. We were forced to leave a few items behind, nothing irreplaceable.

"I hope everybody is safe," he added. "Honduras fans are true party rockers! This will go down in history as one if craziest Redfoo DJ sets ever."

Less than 24 hours removed from the fire, the hard-partying duo were pressing on, celebrating the ascension of their hit "Sexy and I Know It" to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart (knocking off Rihanna's "We Found Love") and prepping for a New Year's Eve gig at the Haze nightclub in Las Vegas, where, hopefully, nothing will catch fire.

Amanda Swisten Amber Arbucci Amber Brkich Amber Heard Amber Valletta America Ferrera Amerie

'Twilight,' Nicki Minaj On 2012 Pop-Culture Wish List

As the last few hours of this glorious, Adele-ified year disappear, MTV News is turning its attention to the next 12 months, which promise to be full of big-time blockbuster films ("Avengers," "The Dark Knight Rises," "The Hunger Games") and even bigger-time celebrity events (Beyonc� and Jay-Z's baby, Britney's betrothal, Robert Pattinson doing something) ? oh yeah, and there's also going to be a presidential election and the London Olympics and, potentially, the end of the world as we know it. So, basically, 2012 is totally going to smoke 2011.

But with so much to look forward to, what will be the event of the year? Well, we decided to take to the streets of New York's Times Square, where the big shiny ball will drop at the stroke of midnight, to find out what's topping your New Year's wish list.

"I'm most looking forward to hopefully seeing a Nicki Minaj tour," Adya Goswami said.

Alison Grant added, "My favorite is Lil Wayne, so I hope he puts something out again."

Of course, while we got plenty of folks clamoring for new music, we heard from even more who couldn't wait to check out the year's biggest movies ? and from the sound of things, 2012 might very well be the year of the bat. Or the vampire.

"The new Batman movie coming out should be an awesome movie," Nick Stuart said.

Haley Race shared, "I'm really excited for the next 'Twilight' movie. I'm really a big fan. I've read the books like 40 times, each of them!"

And while "The Dark Knight Rises" and "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2" seem like sure bets, there are some New Year's wishes that may not come true in 2012. After all, you can't get everything you want.

" 'How to Make it in America': If that show gets put back on the air, that would be great," Steve Borrebach said.

Don't miss MTV's "NYE in NYC 2012," kicking off at 11 p.m. ET/PT (10 Central) tonight, New Year's Eve.

Cindy Taylor Cinthia Moura Claudette Ortiz Coco Lee Connie Nielsen Cristina Dumitru Daisy Fuentes

Lady Gaga 'So Happy' About Oscar Recognition1676332

How does Lady Gaga feel about making the short list for the Best Original Song race at the Oscars? Well, she's pretty excited.

"Just heard my duet 'Hello, Hello' with Elton [John] is up for nomination at the Oscars! 'Gnomeo & Juliet' is such a beautiful film," she wrote on Twitter. "I'm so happy!!"

On Monday, it was announced that the Gaga/Elton duet is one of the 39 tracks vying for a nomination. will.i.am's "Rio" track, "Hot Wings," Mary J. Blige's "The Living Proof" from "The Help," and Zooey Deschanel's "Winnie the Pooh" track, "So Long," along with multiple tracks from "The Muppets," are also in the running. The final nominations will be announced January 24, and the awards show is slated to take place February 26 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.

Gaga is celebrating her latest achievement in Japan, where she will spend the holidays. "Well, I'll be in Japan right up until Christmas Day," she recently told MTV News. "So I'll be eating with all my Japanese Little Monsters. I like shabu shabu [a type of Japanese hotpot]."

Since touching down, Mother Monster has been keeping her fans up-to-date on what she's been up to on Twitter. "Sipping tea in Japan with Haus. Feeling so grateful," she wrote. "We sold about 1 million albums a month worldwide since the release of BORN THIS WAY."

The busy holiday season caps off an even busier year for Lady Gaga, who happened to be MTV News' Top Newsmaker of 2011. She tirelessly released singles, videos, personas and a chart-topping album (Born This Way) and scooped up awards at seemingly every show from the Grammys to the VMAs. She was also #5 on our list of Best Artists of 2011, and her disco empowerment track "Born This Way" snagged the #5 spot on the Best Songs of 2011 list as well.

Amanda Bynes Amanda Detmer Amanda Marcum

Lady Gaga To Leak Unreleased Track On Christmas Day1676424

It will certainly be a merry Christmas for all of Lady Gaga's Little Monsters. Mother Monster herself will play Santa to all her fans when she presents them with an unreleased song on Christmas Day.

"Been racking my brain on what to get Little Monsters for Christmas!! I finally figured it out!!" Gaga tweeted on Thursday (December 22). "On Christmas Day I will leak to you an unreleased Song off Born This Way! It was recorded live, in one take, on the tour bus. Uncensored."

Gaga is currently in Japan, where she will be spending the holiday. "Well, I'll be in Japan right up until Christmas Day," Gaga told MTV News earlier this month. "So I'll be eating with all my Japanese Little Monsters. I like shabu shabu [a form of Japanese hot pot]."

On Tuesday, Gaga tweeted, "Sipping tea in Japan with Haus. Feeling so grateful. We sold about 1 million albums a month worldwide since the release of BORN THIS WAY."

That's not the only thing Gaga has to celebrate. She revealed via Twitter that she is "so happy" that "Hello, Hello," her duet with Elton John, is one of 39 tracks on the short list for a possible Oscar nomination in the Best Original Song category.

Lady Gaga, who was MTV News' Top Newsmaker of 2011, will be ringing in the new year in her hometown of New York. The "Marry the Night" singer, along with Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, LMFAO and Florence and the Machine, will watch the ball drop at the 40th annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve." The event will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest, with appearances by Fergie and Jenny McCarthy.

Are you excited for Lady Gaga's new song? Let us know in the comments.

Haylie Duff Heidi Klum Heidi Montag Hilarie Burton Hilary Duff Hilary Swank Isla Fisher

Best Movie Deaths Of 2011

It is traditional at the end of the year to look back on those we have lost in Hollywood. Usually this means a poignant montage of actors, actresses and crew members during the Academy Awards, but it should also be noted that plenty of fictional passings occurred in 2011 as well.

They may have been memorable, sad, thrilling or even funny, but each movie death meant something, and if we were to look back on the characters that passed away this year, these are the five that would get the biggest applause.

It should noted that this article contains nothing but spoilers.

Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon in "X-Men: First Class")
All it took was a coin through the skull to remind us why Kevin Bacon should be in more movies. His character, Sebastian Shaw, lived large and in style, choosing a submarine as his method of world travel and double-breasted suits as his villainous costume. When Magneto finally met up with him to serve up some revenge extra cold, Shaw ate it in one of the most memorable scenes of 2011.

Fred Weasley (James Phelps in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2")
Many characters didn't live to see the end of the Battle of Hogwarts, but none hurt as much as the demise of one-half of the ginger-haired duo. George may have lost an ear in Part 1, but he lost a twin brother during the series finale, and we were there with him. At the very least, we can all remember the fun times we had together and rest assured that there is still one genetically identical person walking Diagon Alley.

Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow in "Contagion")
The look of terror on Paltrow's face from the trailer may rank among some of the year's most horrifying movie images. Beth Emhoff's death early in the film starts the chain reaction that sets the film's wheels in motion, but none of the millions of deaths caused by the virus are shown with as much intimacy. She may have been patient zero, but she'll always be #1 in our hearts.

Shannon (Bryan Cranston in "Drive")
Bryan Cranston's Shannon didn't have much time to accept his fate, and neither did we. Before we knew it, Bernie Rose (played by Albert Brooks) had declared it "over." Even the toughest of moviegoers had to flinch at the sight of the razor blade cutting through the neighborly mechanic's arm. Shannon added both comic relief and charm to a movie that benefitted so greatly because of it.

Planet Earth in "The Tree of Life" and "Melancholia"
The character we're all closest with bit the dust not once but twice this year at the movies. It's never an easy thing, watching the planet you've grown up on destroyed ? just ask Princess Leia. But never has the destruction of our home world been shown with as much stunning cinematography as it was in mouth of these art house hits.

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

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

Ananda Lewis Angela Marcello Angelina Jolie Anna Faris Anna Friel Anna Kournikova Anna Paquin

Lady Gaga Reveals Where She'll Spend Christmas1676320

Little Monsters saw how Lady Gaga celebrates Thanksgiving during her lavish TV special, and now we know where Mother Monster will spend the holiday season.

"Well I'll be in Japan right up until Christmas day," Gaga told MTV News earlier this month. "So I'll be eating with all my Japanese Little Monsters. I like shabu shabu [a form of Japanese hot pot]."

On Tuesday (December 20), the singer tweeted about her trip there. "Just arrived in Tokyo!" she wrote, including a photo of herself sitting in her hotel room. "So happy to see my Kawaii Monsters! #SleepyGaga bedtime. I'm a professional napper today."

She kicked off the gifting season with her holiday-themed pop-up store and window display, Gaga's Workshop, at Barneys New York. She and stylist Nicola Formichetti gave fans an idea of what the pop star would want from Santa with Mother Monster-inspired products like head-shaped candles, leather jackets, her favorite books and chocolates shaped like shoes.

The singer is expected to land Stateside on December 31, just in time for the 40th annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.". She's one of the many acts lined up for the event, including Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, LMFAO and Florence and the Machine. The show will be anchored by "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest, with help from Fergie and Jenny McCarthy.

The busy holiday season caps off an even busier year for Lady Gaga, who happened to be MTV News' Top Newsmaker of 2011. She tirelessly released singles, videos, personas, a chart-topping album (Born This Way) and scooped up awards at seemingly every show from the Grammys to the VMAs. She was also our #5 Best Artist of 2011, and her disco empowerment track, "Born This Way," boasted the #5 spot on the Best Songs of 2011 list as well.

MTV continues our Best of 2011 coverage by looking back at the biggest pop-culture stories of the year. As we count down the newsmakers that mattered to you most, also check out our Best Artists, Best Songs, Best MTV Live Performances and Best EDM Artists of 2011.

Blake Lively Blu Cantrell Bonnie Jill Laflin Bridget Moynahan Britney Spears Brittany Daniel Brittany Lee

U2, Taylor Swift Top List Of 2011's Highest-Grossing Tours1676586

U2 didn't even release an album in 2011, but that didn't stop them from raking in plenty of cash.

The iconic Irish quartet topped Pollstar's list of the year's most profitable tours, as their massive 360 Tour moved an impressive 2.4 million tickets worldwide, grossing more than $230 million globally. Their North American dates ? which were postponed (and subsequently rescheduled) last year as Bono recovered from back surgery ? made $156 million, good enough to give them the highest-grossing tour on this continent, too.

Taylor Swift had 2011's second most-profitable North American tour, as her expansive Speak Now jaunt racked up $97.7 million at the box office. Swift's country contemporary Kenny Chesney came in at #3, bringing in nearly $85 million in ticket sales, followed by Lady Gaga, who, despite wrapping up the North American leg of her Monster Ball Tour in April, still managed to bring in $63.7 million at the box office. Bon Jovi rounds out Pollstar's top five, grossing more than $57 million.

Kanye West and Jay-Z's Throne tour ($48 million), Lil Wayne's "I Am Still Music" trek ($44 million), Britney Spears ($38 million) and Katy Perry ($28 million) also made the Top 25 in North America.

British boy band Take That's reunion tour came in second to U2's 360 trek based on worldwide receipts, making $224 million. Bon Jovi grossed nearly $150 million worldwide, good enough for third, with tours by Swift ($104 million worldwide) and Roger Waters ($103 million) rounding out the top five.

Also making Pollstar's worldwide list were Rihanna, the Foo Fighters, Justin Bieber, Usher and the Kings of Leon.

Did you attend any of the highest-grossing tours in 2011? Let us know in the comments!

Diora Baird Dita Von Teese Dominique Swain

'Hunger Games' Hopes And More: 2012 Movie Wish List

As we while away the last few days and hours of 2011, looking back upon all the great, unforgettable fare that descended upon our cineplexes this year, we can't help but get excited for what the new year will bring us.

We might not get another "Harry Potter," but there's a lot coming down the pike to fill the void: a new "Alien"-esque film in "Prometheus," the gritty and ruthless "Hunger Games," the superhero spectacle "The Avengers," and a brand new Batman, via "The Dark Knight Rises." Here's a brief rundown of what we hope delivers on the hype and makes our "Best of 2012" lists this time next year.

A Successful "Avengers" Assembly
I have a lot of high hopes for movies in 2012. I need "Prometheus" to be as awesome as it appears to be, and Christopher Nolan has to send Batman off in style, but perhaps my biggest concern comes in the form of "The Avengers." Bringing Earth's Mightiest Heroes together under one cinematic roof is a lofty idea, and one that could easily explode in Marvel's face. A successful "Avengers" would mean ambitious, world-building films that extend across multiple franchises can exist. An "Avengers" that fails both critically and commercially is nothing short of a gut shot for comics on the big screen. Too much effort and passion, both from filmmakers and fans, has been put into "The Avengers" over the past few years. Marvel absolutely has to get it right ... and I've got all my fingers, toes and what-have-you's crossed that they will. - Josh Wigler

Taylor Kitsch Solidifies His Movie-Star Status
Fans of the dearly departed drama "Friday Night Lights" know Taylor Kitsch as big Tim Riggins, the football-playing, bad-boy-with-a-big-heart from Dillon, Texas. But if you've never spent four quarters with the state champion Panthers, you may not be well-acquainted with Kitsch's sizeable acting chops (and even bigger biceps). After all, his big-screen turns ("X-Men Origins: Wolverine," "The Bang Bang Club") haven't left such an indelible mark as his TV alter ego. But that could (and should) all change in 2012, as the 30-year-old headlines two big-budget popcorn flicks: Disney's "John Carter" and the boardgame-cum-potential-blockbuster "Battleship." Here's hoping clear eyes and full hearts really can't lose. - Amy Wilkinson

"The Hunger Games" Takes Out "Twilight"
The end of the "Twilight" film franchise is bittersweet. We'll miss our favorite vampires and werewolves, but 2012 marks the arrival of a new franchise that deserves just as much attention and adoration as Stephenie Meyer's fangtastic fantasyland. "The Hunger Games" is not "Twilight" and shouldn't ever be compared as such, but it deserves that blockbuster status. This is a story about survival, self-reliance and discovery, with a female protagonist who is strong, resilient, independent, intelligent and real. In short, Suzanne Collins' creation has everything modern youth-targeted fiction lacks. I pray to the movie powers for Gary Ross' big-screen adaptation to be the biggest success story of the year and that the fan fervor for the "Games" doubles that of "Twilight." - Kara Warner

Luck For "Looper"
Looking ahead to 2012, it's impossible to not stop in awe when considering the sheer number of blockbusters I can't wait to see. This is "stars aligning" material. We're talking Batman, Bilbo and Bond, but if I have my way, people will turn out in droves to see a movie they probably haven't heard of yet: Rian Johnson's "Looper." A sci-fi/crime movie hybrid, "Looper" takes place in the near future where mobsters send their enemies back in time where waiting hitmen finish the job. In the film, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis play the younger and older versions of the same character, and if that and the story don't completely sell it, I'm afraid you're lost, my friend. Test screenings left critics raving, and Johnson has made consistently interesting work since his indie debut "Brick." If there is any justice at the movies, people will see "Looper." - Kevin Sullivan

FSU Cowgirls Gabrielle Union Garcelle Beauvais Genelle Frenoy Georgianna Robertson Georgina Grenville Gina Carano

Friday, December 30, 2011

U2, Taylor Swift Top List Of 2011's Highest-Grossing Tours1676586

U2 didn't even release an album in 2011, but that didn't stop them from raking in plenty of cash.

The iconic Irish quartet topped Pollstar's list of the year's most profitable tours, as their massive 360 Tour moved an impressive 2.4 million tickets worldwide, grossing more than $230 million globally. Their North American dates ? which were postponed (and subsequently rescheduled) last year as Bono recovered from back surgery ? made $156 million, good enough to give them the highest-grossing tour on this continent, too.

Taylor Swift had 2011's second most-profitable North American tour, as her expansive Speak Now jaunt racked up $97.7 million at the box office. Swift's country contemporary Kenny Chesney came in at #3, bringing in nearly $85 million in ticket sales, followed by Lady Gaga, who, despite wrapping up the North American leg of her Monster Ball Tour in April, still managed to bring in $63.7 million at the box office. Bon Jovi rounds out Pollstar's top five, grossing more than $57 million.

Kanye West and Jay-Z's Throne tour ($48 million), Lil Wayne's "I Am Still Music" trek ($44 million), Britney Spears ($38 million) and Katy Perry ($28 million) also made the Top 25 in North America.

British boy band Take That's reunion tour came in second to U2's 360 trek based on worldwide receipts, making $224 million. Bon Jovi grossed nearly $150 million worldwide, good enough for third, with tours by Swift ($104 million worldwide) and Roger Waters ($103 million) rounding out the top five.

Also making Pollstar's worldwide list were Rihanna, the Foo Fighters, Justin Bieber, Usher and the Kings of Leon.

Did you attend any of the highest-grossing tours in 2011? Let us know in the comments!

Bar Refaeli Beyoncƈ Bianca Kajlich Bijou Phillips Blake Lively Blu Cantrell Bonnie Jill Laflin

'W.E' Composer Talks Golden Globes, Making Music With Madonna

In talking about mainstream award shows and the predictability of their annual nominees lists, the Golden Globes are often the hardest to predict in that their nominees always include a few unexpected surprises. This year, no one was perhaps more pleasantly surprised at hearing the 2012 nominations than composer Abel Korzeniowski, who scored a Best Original Score nomination for his work on "W./E.," the Madonna-directed romantic drama that has yet to be released wide in theaters.

"It?s quite difficult when a movie is not really in theaters," Korzeniowski told MTV News recently of his disbelief in being nominated. "So far we?ve had only the qualifying run which was one theater in Los Angeles so almost no one had seen the film. It was even more surprising because we have no ads anywhere, not on the Internet, not in newspapers so I thought it wouldn?t be possible."

In short: "It's a big surprise."

The Polish composer, whose most recent work was the score for "A Single Man," went on to say that becoming involved with "W./E." in the first place was an even bigger surprise.

"One day I got a call that Madonna wanted to contact me and I just couldn?t believe it. 'What do you mean Madonna? The Madonna?' She wanted to send me a script and I got it and in the script itself there were already references to my music," he recalled. "This was really flattering. Most of the time after our initial meetings we had to work on the phone, which is not ideal situation but at least when we spoke on the phone she was able to sing a little to me which was really thrilling, if you think about it. Madonna is singing my music on the phone and hearing this and she doesn?t need auto tune, it was just great."

Korzeniowski explained that this particular scoring experience, for which he employed a 60-piece orchestra and various piano, violin, cello and viola solos, as well as the appropriately anachronistic inclusion of a Sex Pistols song, was unique in that Madonna flew out to Los Angeles to work with him at his studio and he composed music on the spot.

"This was a really great adventure because basically I had to compose having her behind my back. It was a very stressful situation because it?s unusual. A lot of time it?s not such an immediate process, but at the same time it was really thrilling and it worked well. The most surprising thing about working with Madonna? Well, the tempo of work. The four months we worked together felt like the final stage of any other movie, the stage where everything speeds up and you have to work to your fullest ability. I loved it, she?s such a perfectionist and she cares about every little detail, how it affects the story and I think this was the biggest thrill and challenge."

Does Korzeniowski's Globe nomination have you curious to see "W./E." when it hits theaters February 3, 2012? Tell us in the comments or on Twitter!

Tags Abel Korzeniowski, madonna

Drea de Matteo Drew Barrymore Ehrinn Cummings Elena Lyons Elisabeth RĖ†hm Elisha Cuthbert Eliza Dushku

Justin Bieber's Snake To Lady Gaga's Egg: 2011 Red-Carpet Highlights1676575

Anything can happen on the red carpet at any given awards show, and in 2011, it felt like anything that could happen did. As MTV News reflects on some of the biggest moments of the year, we decided to remember some of the most-memorable things A-listers did live right in front of us all.

Lady Gaga's Egg
In February, Gaga had everyone guessing how she would arrive to the Grammys. Given her penchant for crazy looks, no one would have guessed she would have showed up in an egg. Designed by Hussein Chalayan, Gaga later emerged from the structure to proclaim that she was "Born This Way."

What was your favorite red-carpet moment of 2011? Vote in our Newsroom poll!

Snooki
Speaking of the Grammys, the reality star joined MTV News' own Sway Calloway to talk to all the stars at the show. After helping us out on the 2010 red carpet, we learned that anything is possible with Snooki, and 2011 solidified that she's the fieriest "meatball" to grace the "Jersey Shore." We wonder if she and Bruno Mars ever ended up dating.

Paul McDonald and Nikki Reed
"Twilight" star Nikki Reed surprised everyone when she hit up the MTV Movie Awards in June. No, she hadn't borrowed Gaga's egg: She was rocking an engagement rock from her beau and "American Idol" alum Paul McDonald. The couple used the red carpet as the platform to announce their engagement, and married in October.

Beyonc�'s Baby Bump
She might have rubbed that burgeoning baby bump onstage at the Video Music Awards in August, but hours before she took the stage, donning a bright orange gown, Beyonc� let the paparazzi know she was expecting her first child with hubby Jay-Z by flaunting her pregnancy glow.

Justin Bieber's Snake
While Beyonc� shared with the world her baby news, Bieber not only planted a kiss on VMA pre-show host and real-life lady love Selena Gomez, but also introduced her to his pet snake. His name? Johnson. She seemed less interested in the snake than perhaps he would have liked.

What was your favorite red-carpet moment in 2011? Share your pick below!

Grace Park Gretha Cavazzoni Gwen Stefani

Where Will Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga Party On New Year's?1676540

New Year's Eve is the last chance you'll have to party in 2011. And as the days to plan out your big night begin to dwindle, MTV News is rounding up some of the biggest parties on the planet. From Los Angeles to New York, there's something for everyone.

The Kardashians will be hosting several parties all over Las Vegas. Kim will be at Tao (for a fee of reportedly $600,000), Kourtney, along with the Madden Brothers, will party it up at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris while Rob has it on lock at Tryst.

Other big Sin City parties include Chris Brown's shindig at Pure, Mary J. Blige's bash at RPM Nightclub, Bruno Mars at The Bank and B.o.B at LAX (the club, not the airport). Fergie and will.i.am will both be in Vegas to ring in 2012. The Black Eyed Peas' leading lady will be at 1OAK, while will.i.am be DJing at Surrender. Professional party rockers LMFAO will be shufflin' all night long at Haze Nightclub at Aria. Newly engaged John Legend will perform at the Palms with T-Pain and Paul Oakenfold.

As celeb-filled as it may seem, not all the stars will be in Vegas. In Los Angeles, Mario Lopez is hosting a party at Hollywood & Highland that boasts performances by Lupe Fiasco and Cobra Starship. And in Chicago, "American Idol" alum Lee DeWyze will be at the Hard Rock Hotel with DJ Chris Kennedy (Chris Masterson) spinning tunes. Kanye West's plans have yet to be determined, but he recently tweeted he's looking for a place to DJ right into 2012. We're sure someone will find a place for him at their party.

New York is the home of all things New Year's. Lady Gaga has been booked to perform on two NYE specials: the 40th annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" and the Japanese program "Kohaku Uta Gassen."

For those who want to snuggle up on their couch and avoid all the partying madness, MTV has your back. This year Demi Lovato, Mac Miller, Selena Gomez, J. Cole, Jason Derulo and more will be on hand for "NYE in NYC 2012," which will air live at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday (December 31) from Times Square, where the famous ball drops on, you guessed it, MTV.

What are your New Year's Eve plans? Let us know in the comments!

Amanda Peet Amanda Righetti Amanda Swisten Amber Arbucci Amber Brkich Amber Heard Amber Valletta

MTV Movies' Honorable Mentions Of 2011

When compiling your list of the ten best films of the year, inevitably a great film or two just won't fit on your final roster. That's where the honorable mention comes in handy. Perhaps the film was a little dumb, a little odd or something was just off, but for whatever reason it didn't make the cut, you love it nonetheless.

We asked the MTV Movies staff to share their honorable mention for the film year that was 2011.

"Source Code"
Duncan Jones' second feature delivered nearly everything I could ask for in a popcorn sci-fi flick: time travel, parallel universes and nifty plot twists that leave you asking friends afterwards, "Wait, what did it mean when...?" Fans of Jake Gyllenhaal's cult fav "Donnie Darko"?which really truly is an awful movie?would be well served to throw some love toward JG's "Code," because it spins a vastly superior sci-fi yarn. Let's all just pretend we took a source-code trip of our own and managed to alter the film's Hollywood ending so it isn't so blandly, cheesily, plot-defyingly nonsensical. -Eric Ditzian

"The Guard"
Something dark and funny runs in the McDonagh family. Martin McDonagh made a name for himself writing twisted, hilarious Irish plays and burst into film with the nearly perfect "In Bruges," starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in 2008. This year, his brother John Michael McDonagh hit the same notes with his feature film debut "The Guard," which also stars Gleeson as one of the most misbehaved cops you'll ever see. Gleeson earned a Golden Globe nomination for the role and rightfully so. "The Guard" combines dark humor, heart and a good amount of action to keep you entertained throughout, but it ultimately lacks the depth that made "In Bruges" a modern classic. ?Kevin Sullivan

"Insidious"
I'll be honest. I had no interest in seeing "Insidious." When I saw advertisements for it, I immediately dismissed it. But upon seeing images of the snarling, hypnotic creature behind Patrick Wilson, I was beyond intrigued. "Insidious" does a great job setting up a desolate and creepy mood, but unfortunately, it staggers to a flawed and goofy finish. Even so, the visuals are great, and the cast elevates the campiness. If you've got 90 minutes to burn on Netflix, check it out. -Joel Hanek

"Immortals"
From the moment "Immortals" was announced, I was ready to buy a ticket for opening day. A new spin on the Theseus versus the Titans myth? A cast of very attractive actors? All under the direction of the exuberant, visionary ground-breaker Tarsem Singh? Talk about winning combinations. It's not like I expected to have my mind completely blown when I did finally see the film. I just wanted a big, beautiful spectacle, and in that respect "Immortals" delivered in spades. So many bloody battles, so many beautiful bodies, so much fun. Plus, we got our first look at "Man of Steel" Henry Cavill's action hero prowess, which is very promising indeed. -Kara Warner

"Another Earth"
If you could meet another version of yourself, what would you say? What would you want to know? Director Mike Cahill asks these questions and more in his feature film debut that uses a compelling sci-fi concept?the discovery of another Earth filled with alternate versions of ourselves, people who made different choices than us?as a way to dive into human nature, the mistakes that we make, the lengths we go to find forgiveness and the ways we punish ourselves. Featuring touching performances from leads Brit Marling and William Mapother, "Another Earth" is not just my favorite sci-fi film of the year, but one of the very best movies I saw in 2011. Seek it out?you won't regret it. -Josh Wigler

"Jane Eyre"
We all know that 2011 was Michael Fassbender's year: "Shame," "A Dangerous Method," "X-Men: First Class," lots of high-profile stuff. But my favorite of his films this year hit theaters back in March, and I wonder if anyone else remembers it. Fassbender played Rochester in a really good adaptation of "Jane Eyre." His co-stars included Jamie Bell, Judi Dench, Sally Hawkins and Mia Wasikowska as Jane ? a solid cast in one of the best literary adaptations I've seen in recent years. The movie is dark, intense and romantic. I think Charlotte Bront� would have approved. -Tami Katzoff

What were your honorable mentions of 2011? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

Tags another earth, Best of 2011, Immortals, Insidious, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jane Eyre, Michael Fassbender, Source Code, the guard

Emilie de Ravin Emma Heming Emma Stone Emma Watson Emmanuelle Chriqui Emmanuelle Vaugier Emmy Rossum

Mark Wahlberg Explains Why His 'Planet Of The Apes' Reboot Failed

When "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" hit theaters earlier this year, fans and critics were quick to compare it to another "Apes" reboot: the Tim Burton-directed 2001 flick "Planet of the Apes." Both sought to bring new life to the "Apes" franchise, but while "Rise" was met with glowing reviews, Burton's faced a bit more skepticism.

MTV News recently caught up with Mark Wahlberg as he was promoting his new film, "Contraband," and asked if he had seen "Rise" yet. It turned out he hasn't, but the movie is definitely on his radar.

"I haven't seen it yet, but I heard it was pretty damn good. Well, ours wasn't. It is what it is. Ours wasn't," he said.

The two movies took different approaches to the franchise, which could have led to the inconsistent responses. "Rise" presented itself as a prequel of sorts that either could create its own "Apes" series or fit in well as a precursor to the 1968 "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." Burton's, on the other hand, sought to retell the classic story, and it seems that it was that change that caused fans to rebel.

Wahlberg attributes the failure of his "Apes" film to reboot the franchise to the studio's desire to crank out the movie before it was ready.

"They didn't have the script right. They had a release date before he had shot a foot of film. They were pushing him and pushing him in the wrong direction. You have got to let Tim do his thing," Wahlberg explained.

Even though he'll be the first to admit 2001's "Planet of the Apes" wasn't a great movie, Wahlberg does say that it's the best time he ever had on a film set.

"I have no better time on any movie than I had working with Tim," he said. "I had the most amazing time with Tim. I run to be on the set with him. We were doing reshoots, and he came out with me to Paris. We're in the club. Tim was in the club, man. Tim was in the club. Then he'd be drawing people, and all of his caricatures looked the same. He'd be drawing people in the club."

Do you agree with Wahlberg's sentiments on "Planet of the Apes"? Tell us in the comments section below or on Twitter!

Tags mark wahlberg, Planet of the Apes, rise of the planet of the apes, tim burton

Jennifer Gareis Jennifer Garner Jennifer Gimenez Jennifer Love Hewitt Jennifer Morrison Jennifer ODell Jennifer Scholle

Lady Gaga Drops New Track, "Stuck on F***in You"1676461

It's a merry Christmas for all of Lady Gaga's Little Monsters. Mother Monster herself played Santa to all her fans when she presented them with an unreleased song at midnight on Christmas Day.

"Been racking my brain on what to get Little Monsters for Christmas!! I finally figured it out!!" Gaga tweeted on December 22. "On Christmas Day I will leak to you an unreleased Song off Born This Way! It was recorded live, in one take, on the tour bus. Uncensored."

"Stuck on F***in You," which was recorded on the road in Minnesota during her Monster Ball tour, captures the feeling of a late-night jam session, where Gaga's voice soars over just a guitar and drum machine. It's a stripped down, bluesy joint that showcases her humor and flair for improvisation. "We were all wasted on the bus making records," Gaga tweeted Saturday (December 24) night, "It's such a timecapsule of the spirit of our creativity. I wrote, sang and freestyled the last minute + half of the song."

Gaga is spending at least part of her holidays abroad. "Well, I'll be in Japan right up until Christmas Day," Gaga told MTV News earlier this month. "So I'll be eating with all my Japanese Little Monsters. I like shabu shabu [a form of Japanese hot pot]."

Lady Gaga, who was MTV News' Top Newsmaker of 2011, will be ringing in the new year in her hometown of New York. The "Marry the Night" singer, along with Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, LMFAO and Florence and the Machine, will watch the ball drop at the 40th annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve." The event will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest, with appearances by Fergie and Jenny McCarthy.

Jennie Finch Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Gareis

Lady Gaga, Madonna, Nicki Minaj Top 2012's Most Anticipated Albums1676533

The past 12 months have seen the release of monster albums from Adele, Lady Gaga, Drake, Taylor Swift, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj.

But the next 12 are promising to bring even more music from several of those artists, plus new albums from Mumford & Sons, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Linkin Park, Paramore, Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Maroon 5 and Green Day.

It's a bumper crop of major albums from some of rock, pop and hip-hop's biggest stars, who are returning from long breaks, hoping to follow up smash debuts or just trying to keep their momentum going.

While release dates are always subject to change, here are some of the most anticipated releases of 2012.

Pop:
Ironically, the status of new albums from the artists whose next moves everyone is most curious about are the ones most in the air. Rihanna tends to deliver a new album every 12 or 13 months, which means that she may have another disc in stores at the end of next year once the just-released Talk That Talk has run its course.

On the other hand, Lady Gaga has already begun talking about her follow-up to this year's Born This Way. Gaga recently told MTV News that she's already started writing songs and "all the concepts are beginning to flourish and take place." She didn't give a potential release date, only promising, "I'll put it out when it's done."

Katy Perry hasn't publicly spoken about what will come after 2010's smash Teenage Dream, but it's possible she could start work on new material in 2012 as well. We know for sure that Justin Bieber is planning to show his more mature side next time around, possibly even incorporating some EDM sounds into the mix.

It's been confirmed that Madonna hooked up with M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj for the single "Gimme All Your Luvin' " from her untitled forthcoming album, which will feature production from Ray of Light producer William Orbit.

Other artists who could release fresh material in 2012: No Doubt, Maroon 5, Avril Lavigne, Miley Cyrus, Christina Aguilera, Ke$ha and Nicole Scherzinger.

Hip-Hop:
Two titans of rap are cueing up fresh tracks for early 2012, with Nicki Minaj likely to get out of the gate first with her sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, due out on Valentine's Day. The disc will include first single "Roman in Moscow," which sees the Best New Artist Grammy nominee getting into the character of her alter ego, Roman Zolanski.

After the delay of God Forgives, I Don't due to a pair of seizures he suffered in October, Rick Ross is expected to come back strong as well. The Bawse has taken his convalescent time to work on a new track with Jay-Z.

Speaking of Jigga, fans may get a new record from him as well, considering he told MTV News he was cooking up fresh tracks way back when he first played us songs from his Kanye West collaborative album, Watch the Throne. In fact, Jay-Z said you might get solo albums from both men as well as the second Throne release.

Other artists that should have albums hitting stores in 2012: Nas, Frank Ocean, Slaughterhouse, Wiz Khalifa, the G.O.O.D. Music compilation, T.I., Big Sean, 50 Cent, Ludacris, Big K.R.I.T., Meek Mill and potentially two discs from Lil Wayne, I Am Not a Human Being II and Rebirth II.

Rock:
Some of rock's biggest guns are reloading for 2012, among them Green Day, who debuted some new tracks at a benefit show in August. The title of the follow-up to 2009's 21st Century Breakdown hasn't been announced yet, but some of the early songs slated for possible inclusion are "Nuclear Family," "Carpe Diem" and "Sweet 16."

U2 have reportedly been cooking up a number of potential new albums, logging sessions with Danger Mouse and working with French producer/DJ David Guetta, RedOne and will.i.am on a disc of dance-oriented tunes.

Prog rock revivalists Muse should also have some new material for us, with bassist Chris Wolstenholme promising in a recent interview that the sound on their sixth album will be "radically different" from 2009's The Resistance.

We may get something from Linkin Park, who are prepping the follow-up to 2010's A Thousand Suns, and Mumford & Sons. It's been two years since the British folk rock revivalists dropped their still strong-selling debut, Sigh No More, and they began giving fans a taste of some new material in the fall when they unveiled the majestic song "Ghosts."

After a rough year, Paramore have finally put the drama behind them and they're super-psyched to record an album free of tension and inter-band awkwardness. So far, they've already unwrapped the bouncy "Renegade" and "Hello Cold World," which bode well for their fourth full-length studio album.

Other rock acts slated to release new albums: the reunited Soundgarden, Foster the People, Neon Trees, Sleigh Bells, Silversun Pickups, Bruce Springsteen and All-American Rejects.

Which 2012 albums are you most excited about? Which ones did we miss? Let us know in comments below.

Bijou Phillips Blake Lively Blu Cantrell Bonnie Jill Laflin Bridget Moynahan Britney Spears Brittany Daniel

Lady Gaga To Help Drop New Year's Ball In Times Square1676579

Back in May, ahead of the release of her Born This Way album, Lady Gaga described her hometown of New York City as her "husband," and now, she's been tapped to help her spouse ring in the New Year in the most traditional of ways: by dropping the ball in Times Square.

Yes, according to The New York Post, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has named Gaga as his special guest at the City's annual New Year's Eve celebration, where she'll ceremoniously push a Waterford Crystal button at 11:59 p.m., officially beginning the famed crystal ball's descent over the raucous Times Square crowd.

Shortly after the official announcement was made, Gaga took to her Twitter account to express her excitement, writing "I'm so looking forward to ... dropping the Ball with Mayor Bloomberg! What an honor as a New Yorker!"

Each year, Bloomberg chooses a guest to drop the ball and help usher in the New Year ... though, to date, Gaga is his most, uh, unique pick: previous honorary button-mashers have included Bill and Hillary Clinton, Colin Powell, Muhammad Ali and Rudy Giuliani.

Of course, dropping the Times Square Ball ? which this year is bedazzled with 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles and carries the theme of "Let There Be Friendship" ? isn't Gaga's only New Year's Eve gig. She'll also perform at two NYE celebrations: the 40th annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" and, of course, the Japanese program "Kohaku Uta Gassen."

MTV will also be throwing a New Year's Eve party of its own: "NYE in NYC 2010," a performance-packed special featuring Demi Lovato, Mac Miller, Selena Gomez, J. Cole, Jason Der�lo and more. It all goes down live on MTV at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday (December 31) from Times Square.

Will you be watching the ball drop this New Year's Eve? Let us know in the comments below!

Danica Patrick Daniella Alonso Danneel Harris Deanna Russo Denise Richards Desiree Dymond Diane Kruger

Justin Bieber's Snake To Lady Gaga's Egg: 2011 Red-Carpet Highlights

Anything can happen on the red carpet at any given awards show, and in 2011, it felt like anything that could happen did. As MTV News reflects on some of the biggest moments of the year, we decided to remember some of the most-memorable things A-listers did live right in front of us all.

Lady Gaga's Egg
In February, Gaga had everyone guessing how she would arrive to the Grammys. Given her penchant for crazy looks, no one would have guessed she would have showed up in an egg. Designed by Hussein Chalayan, Gaga later emerged from the structure to proclaim that she was "Born This Way."

What was your favorite red-carpet moment of 2011? Vote in our Newsroom poll!

Snooki
Speaking of the Grammys, the reality star joined MTV News' own Sway Calloway to talk to all the stars at the show. After helping us out on the 2010 red carpet, we learned that anything is possible with Snooki, and 2011 solidified that she's the fieriest "meatball" to grace the "Jersey Shore." We wonder if she and Bruno Mars ever ended up dating.

Paul McDonald and Nikki Reed
"Twilight" star Nikki Reed surprised everyone when she hit up the MTV Movie Awards in June. No, she hadn't borrowed Gaga's egg: She was rocking an engagement rock from her beau and "American Idol" alum Paul McDonald. The couple used the red carpet as the platform to announce their engagement, and married in October.

Beyonc�'s Baby Bump
She might have rubbed that burgeoning baby bump onstage at the Video Music Awards in August, but hours before she took the stage, donning a bright orange gown, Beyonc� let the paparazzi know she was expecting her first child with hubby Jay-Z by flaunting her pregnancy glow.

Justin Bieber's Snake
While Beyonc� shared with the world her baby news, Bieber not only planted a kiss on VMA pre-show host and real-life lady love Selena Gomez, but also introduced her to his pet snake. His name? Johnson. She seemed less interested in the snake than perhaps he would have liked.

What was your favorite red-carpet moment in 2011? Share your pick below!

Jessica Cauffiel Jessica Parƈ Jessica Simpson Zooey Deschanel Aaliyah Abbie Cornish Adriana Lima

Thursday, December 29, 2011

'Forrest Gump,' 'Bambi' Added To National Film Registry

There are a lot of movies in the world, some of them even very good. It's a hard task keeping track of all of them, but that's what big government is for -- specifically, the Library of Congress's National Film Registry, which every year selects a list of films deemed worthy of preservation. For everyone but the most arduous cinephile, it's a mix between films known and films obscure, the stuff we'd like to tell our kids about assuming Western civilization doesn't collapse in the near future.

This year's list stuck to the script, as movies like "Forrest Gump" and "Bambi" were selected alongside lesser-known ones like "The Negro Soldier" and "The Cry of the Children."

There's a lot of art to be found in flicks like John Cassavetes's melodrama, "Faces," as well as action-packed titillation in Robert Rodriguez's "El Mariachi" and Jonathan Demme's "Silence of the Lambs." (Also, the movie where Commander Adama teaches math to inner city kids.)

If you're ever in Washington D.C., you can view most of the films named to the Registry in the Library of Congress's reading room, available by reservation. Eventually, they'll be put online, bringing the Library into the 21st century.

?Maximizing public access is one of the core concerns of the Library of Congress, because it?s the closest thing we have to a national patrimony of the creative arts,? Librarian of Congress James H. Billington told the Washington Post. ?This is a celebration of America, really, of creative America in all its variegated richness.?

That sounds about appropriate for such an esteemed institution. We hope they'll remember "Drive Angry" for next year's list!

Tell us what you think in the comments section and on Twitter!

Tags Bambi, Forrest Gump, Library of Congress, national film registry, Silence of the Lambs

Bonnie Jill Laflin Bridget Moynahan Britney Spears

'Dark Knight Rises' Star Anne Hathaway Talks Catwoman

While it may feel like the trailers and photos from "The Dark Knight Rises" have shown us a lot from Christopher Nolan's third and supposed final trip to Gotham City, we have yet to see that much from Catwoman.

After spy photos from the set forced their hand, Warner Bros. released an early look at Anne Hathaway's take on Gotham's most notorious cat burglar astride the Batpod, but aside from that photo and her brief but enticing appearance in the theatrical trailer, Selina Kyle's role in "Rises" remains a mystery.

Hathaway did, however, open up to the L.A. Times' Hero Complex during a visit to the London set of "The Dark Knight Rises." She spoke at length about why she loves her so-far divisive costume and how her Catwoman fits into Nolan's Gotham.

Check out our photo analysis of Hathaway's Catwoman.

When Warner Bros. released the first photo of Hathaway in full Catwoman attire, fan reaction ranged from full-fledged support to outright hatred. Hathaway has always stood by the costume's unusual take on the classic look, and she once again made her case to Hero Complex. "I love the costume because everything has a purpose," she said. "Nothing is in place for fantasy's sake, and that's the case with everything in Christopher Nolan's Gotham City."

Once Hathaway won the highly coveted role, she dove deep into research, taking in Catwoman's classic comic book appearance and the original inspirations Bob Kane and Bill Finger used to create the character. Hathaway said she drew inspiration from actress Hedy Lamarr to help shape her performance. "[Lamarr] takes these long, deep, languid breaths and exhales slowly," Hathaway said. "There's a shot of her in [the 1933 film] 'Ecstasy' exhaling a cigarette and I took probably five breaths during her one exhale. So I started working on my breathing a lot."

From there, a lot of the heavy lifting belonged to Nolan and his brother Jonathan, who co-wrote the script with the director. According to Hathaway, this Catwoman follows the pattern set by Nolan's other Gotham City residents. "You look at Heath's performance as the Joker, there was a lot of madness there but there was also a grace and he had a code there. There's a lot of belief and codes of behavior in Gotham and my character has one, too," she said. "A lot of the way she moves and interacts with people is informed by her worldview. Chris has given us all such complex, defined, sophisticated worldviews that it's just a matter of doing your homework and getting underneath the character's skin."

Do you think Anne Hathaway will kill it as Catwoman? Let us know in the comments below!

Dominique Swain Donna Feldman Drea de Matteo Drew Barrymore Ehrinn Cummings Elena Lyons Elisabeth RĖ†hm

'Hunger Games' Hopes And More: 2012 Movie Wish List

As we while away the last few days and hours of 2011, looking back upon all the great, unforgettable fare that descended upon our cineplexes this year, we can't help but get excited for what the new year will bring us.

We might not get another "Harry Potter," but there's a lot coming down the pike to fill the void: a new "Alien"-esque film in "Prometheus," the gritty and ruthless "Hunger Games," the superhero spectacle "The Avengers," and a brand new Batman, via "The Dark Knight Rises." Here's a brief rundown of what we hope delivers on the hype and makes our "Best of 2012" lists this time next year.

A Successful "Avengers" Assembly
I have a lot of high hopes for movies in 2012. I need "Prometheus" to be as awesome as it appears to be, and Christopher Nolan has to send Batman off in style, but perhaps my biggest concern comes in the form of "The Avengers." Bringing Earth's Mightiest Heroes together under one cinematic roof is a lofty idea, and one that could easily explode in Marvel's face. A successful "Avengers" would mean ambitious, world-building films that extend across multiple franchises can exist. An "Avengers" that fails both critically and commercially is nothing short of a gut shot for comics on the big screen. Too much effort and passion, both from filmmakers and fans, has been put into "The Avengers" over the past few years. Marvel absolutely has to get it right ... and I've got all my fingers, toes and what-have-you's crossed that they will. - Josh Wigler

Taylor Kitsch Solidifies His Movie-Star Status
Fans of the dearly departed drama "Friday Night Lights" know Taylor Kitsch as big Tim Riggins, the football-playing, bad-boy-with-a-big-heart from Dillon, Texas. But if you've never spent four quarters with the state champion Panthers, you may not be well-acquainted with Kitsch's sizeable acting chops (and even bigger biceps). After all, his big-screen turns ("X-Men Origins: Wolverine," "The Bang Bang Club") haven't left such an indelible mark as his TV alter ego. But that could (and should) all change in 2012, as the 30-year-old headlines two big-budget popcorn flicks: Disney's "John Carter" and the boardgame-cum-potential-blockbuster "Battleship." Here's hoping clear eyes and full hearts really can't lose. - Amy Wilkinson

"The Hunger Games" Takes Out "Twilight"
The end of the "Twilight" film franchise is bittersweet. We'll miss our favorite vampires and werewolves, but 2012 marks the arrival of a new franchise that deserves just as much attention and adoration as Stephenie Meyer's fangtastic fantasyland. "The Hunger Games" is not "Twilight" and shouldn't ever be compared as such, but it deserves that blockbuster status. This is a story about survival, self-reliance and discovery, with a female protagonist who is strong, resilient, independent, intelligent and real. In short, Suzanne Collins' creation has everything modern youth-targeted fiction lacks. I pray to the movie powers for Gary Ross' big-screen adaptation to be the biggest success story of the year and that the fan fervor for the "Games" doubles that of "Twilight." - Kara Warner

Luck For "Looper"
Looking ahead to 2012, it's impossible to not stop in awe when considering the sheer number of blockbusters I can't wait to see. This is "stars aligning" material. We're talking Batman, Bilbo and Bond, but if I have my way, people will turn out in droves to see a movie they probably haven't heard of yet: Rian Johnson's "Looper." A sci-fi/crime movie hybrid, "Looper" takes place in the near future where mobsters send their enemies back in time where waiting hitmen finish the job. In the film, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis play the younger and older versions of the same character, and if that and the story don't completely sell it, I'm afraid you're lost, my friend. Test screenings left critics raving, and Johnson has made consistently interesting work since his indie debut "Brick." If there is any justice at the movies, people will see "Looper." - Kevin Sullivan

Autumn Reeser Avril Lavigne Bali Rodriguez Bar Refaeli Beyoncƈ Bianca Kajlich Bijou Phillips

Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga Top Google Zeitgeist Year-End Lists1676060

Let this serve as undeniable proof that, regardless of search engine, Justin Bieber truly dominates the Interwebs.

Having already been named Bing's most-searched person of 2011, on Thursday (December 15) Bieber picked up another e-honor, as Google unveiled its annual Zeitgeist site and, in the process, declared him its Most Popular Person of the year, besting Kim Kardashian and Lady Gaga to take home the title. Nicki Minaj and, uh, Casey Anthony rounded out the top 5.

It's a fitting way to cap off a year that saw Bieber beat Gaga in the race to 2 billion YouTube views, though perhaps the Mother Monster can take solace in the fact that "Born This Way" topped Google's Fastest-Rising Song search list, ahead of "Watch the Throne" (which, you know, isn't actually a song) and Blake Shelton's "Honey Bee."

Of course, not even Bieber could best Rebecca Black on Google's Fastest Rising Searches, as the "Friday" sensation topped the list ? which tallied worldwide searches ? ahead of Google Plus, Ryan Dunn, Casey Anthony and "Battlefield 3." Breakout star Adele also made huge headways this year, landing at #7 on the list and beating out Steve Jobs and the iPad 2.

Not surprisingly, Black also came in atop the Fastest-Rising People list, besting "American Idol" champ Scotty McCreery and teenage bride/ pumpkin-patch enthusiast Courtney Stodden.

But when it came to the year's most-searched images, well, neither Bieber nor Black made the cut. Instead, folks were seeking pics of Charlie Sheen above all else, followed by "Planking," "Kim Kardashian wedding" and a trio of hair-raising (or perhaps razing) queries: "Tom Brady Haircut," "Selena Gomez Haircut" and "Emma Watson Haircut."

Jamie Chung Jamie Gunns Jamie Lynn Sigler Janet Jackson January Jones Jennie Finch Jennifer Aniston

Ben Affleck Looks Shaggy In 'Argo' Still

Ben Affleck's a man of action now, isn't he? A few years ago, his career relegated him to romcom barf fests like "Gigli" and "Surviving Christmas." Not anymore -- he's built up plenty of critical momentum and box office success through gritty dramas like "Gone Baby Gone" and "The Town," enough to allow him to take on more heady roles, like next year's "Argo."

That's the one where he's a CIA operative posing as a member of a film crew in order to rescue diplomats who've been taken hostage, all in 1979 Tehran. The movie they're pretending to work on? Naturally, it's a sci-fi film called "Argo." This first photo shows him looking a little shaggy, a little determined; definitely not the clean-cut wise guy he earned his early career heartthrob status through. He's looking very deliberately at some documents, but we've got no idea what they might be. Maybe it's a Denny's menu. Maybe there's a comic book behind it. (Probably not.)

"Argo" also features other actors who've seen career revivals in recent years, lifers like Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, and Kyle Chandler. With that much pure acting power, it seems like "Argo" will be well worth paying attention to when it comes out next year. Affleck also directs the film, and if you remember his strong eye for layout and action in "Gone Baby Gone" and "The Town," you'll recognize it as a solid choice.

What do you think of this first still from "Argo"? Let us know in the comments section and on Twitter!

Tags Argo, ben affleck, gone baby gone, the town

Amber Arbucci Amber Brkich Amber Heard

Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber Top 'Celebs Gone Good'1676499

Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and George Clooney better have received something nice from Santa this year, because they certainly weren't on his naughty list. Those three toplined DoSomething.org's Top 20 Celebs Gone Good, the organization's annual roundup of the most charity-friendly stars in the business.

This is Gaga's second year in a row at the #1 spot. In 2011 she dedicated much of her time to putting an end to bullying and even started a new charitable organization called Born This Way. The "Marry the Night" singer did plenty more to help out those less fortunate in 2011, including auctioning off a nude sketch for charity and performing at the Bill Clinton Foundation fundraiser.

However, this was really Bieber's year to shine. He rocketed up DoSomething.org's list from #10 last year to #2 this year. It helps that Bieber donated some of his profits from his Christmas album, Under the Mistletoe, and his self-named perfume to various charitable organizations. Bieber also kept up his work with Pencils of Promise, a group that has built 41 schools in Laos, Nicaragua and Guatemala and was founded by his manager's brother.

Rounding out the top five were Will and Jada Pinkett Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio. This was a year for celeb power couples, with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie clocking at #8, Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore at #12 and newlyweds Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert at #14.

Other notable standouts this year were Demi Lovato at #10, Lea Michele making her charitable debut at #16, Daniel Radcliffe at #17, Miley Cyrus at #18 and Taylor Swift rounding out the list at #20.

What do you think of DoSomething.org's list? Leave your comments below!

Bonnie Jill Laflin Bridget Moynahan Britney Spears Brittany Daniel Brittany Lee Brittany Murphy Brittany Snow

'Dark Knight Rises' Trailer Records, New Photos Arrive

We knew the first theatrical trailer for Christopher Nolan's Batman finale would be a huge hit, but not 12.5 million huge! In the week after the trailer's massive debut, anticipation is still high for "The Dark Knight Rises." New high quality stills and renewed interest in an unused clip from "The Dark Knight" only added fuel to the rising fire. Here are the week's biggest Batman's stories so far.

"Dark Knight Rises" Trailer Tops "Avengers"
In the 24 hours that followed the much anticipated release of the first full-length "Dark Knight Rises" trailer, over 12.5 million people watched it either on the iTunes Movie Trailer site or through the iTunes Trailers iOS apps. The release from Warner Bros. made sure to mention that the Batman's preview debuted to stronger numbers than "The Avengers" trailer, beating it by more than two million views.

New "Dark Knight Rises" Stills Arrive in High Quality
We'd seen the snapshots already when Empire featured them in their big "Rises" issue, but now we get to enjoy them at a much clearer, hi-res quality. Details that didn't make it through in the scans, like the specifics of Bane's costume and skin problem, stand out in the new versions. We're also treated to an epic shot of the man behind it all, Christopher Nolan, repping the format he loves so much, IMAX.

Joker Rides the Bus in Unused "Dark Knight" Footage
The alternate take of the Joker from inside the school bus as it drives away from the exploding hospital has been around for years. But this week Kevin Smith tweeted it to his legions of fans, and the clip made the rounds once more. It makes you wonder what other unused footage is out there of the performance people can't seem to get enough of.

Tell us what you thought of the past week's "Dark Knight Rises" news in the comments below and on Twitter!

Tags christopher nolan, the dark knight rises

Ashley Tisdale Asia Argento Aubrey ODay Audrina Patridge Autumn Reeser Avril Lavigne Bali Rodriguez

84th Annual Academy Awards Poster Unveiled!

Hold onto your hats people, this might be the most exciting Oscar-themed story you read this week: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released an image of this year's official poster for the 84th Academy Awards.

Naturally the bright, shiny and exalted Oscar statuette is featured prominently, this year on the right side of the poster flanked by eight small black and white circular images that highlight scenes from seven previous best picture winners. There is Tom Hanks as "Forrest Gump," sitting on that famous bus stop bench, Marlon Brando as "The Godfather," Julie Andrews singing to the hills in "The Sound Of Music," Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh as Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With The Wind," Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman in "Driving Miss Daisy," James Dean in "Giant" (the one film featured that didn't win Best Picture, but was awarded Best Director for George Stevens), Russell Crowe as "Gladiator," Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in "Casablanca."

It's all so regal and polished. Not to mention the weighty tagline "Life. Camera. Action. Celebrate the movies in all of us."

What do you think of the poster? Too much or too little? Tell us in the comments or on Twitter!

Tags Oscars, Posters

Amber Heard Amber Valletta America Ferrera Amerie Amy Cobb Amy Smart Ana Beatriz Barros

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Lady Gaga, Madonna, Nicki Minaj Top 2012's Most Anticipated Albums

The past 12 months have seen the release of monster albums from Adele, Lady Gaga, Drake, Taylor Swift, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj.

But the next 12 are promising to bring even more music from several of those artists, plus new albums from Mumford & Sons, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Linkin Park, Paramore, Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Maroon 5 and Green Day.

It's a bumper crop of major albums from some of rock, pop and hip-hop's biggest stars, who are returning from long breaks, hoping to follow up smash debuts or just trying to keep their momentum going.

While release dates are always subject to change, here are some of the most anticipated releases of 2012.

Pop:
Ironically, the status of new albums from the artists whose next moves everyone is most curious about are the ones most in the air. Rihanna tends to deliver a new album every 12 or 13 months, which means that she may have another disc in stores at the end of next year once the just-released Talk That Talk has run its course.

On the other hand, Lady Gaga has already begun talking about her follow-up to this year's Born This Way. Gaga recently told MTV News that she's already started writing songs and "all the concepts are beginning to flourish and take place." She didn't give a potential release date, only promising, "I'll put it out when it's done."

Katy Perry hasn't publicly spoken about what will come after 2010's smash Teenage Dream, but it's possible she could start work on new material in 2012 as well. We know for sure that Justin Bieber is planning to show his more mature side next time around, possibly even incorporating some EDM sounds into the mix.

It's been confirmed that Madonna hooked up with M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj for the single "Gimme All Your Luvin' " from her untitled forthcoming album, which will feature production from Ray of Light producer William Orbit.

Other artists who could release fresh material in 2012: No Doubt, Maroon 5, Avril Lavigne, Miley Cyrus, Christina Aguilera, Ke$ha and Nicole Scherzinger.

Hip-Hop:
Two titans of rap are cueing up fresh tracks for early 2012, with Nicki Minaj likely to get out of the gate first with her sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, due out on Valentine's Day. The disc will include first single "Roman in Moscow," which sees the Best New Artist Grammy nominee getting into the character of her alter ego, Roman Zolanski.

After the delay of God Forgives, I Don't due to a pair of seizures he suffered in October, Rick Ross is expected to come back strong as well. The Bawse has taken his convalescent time to work on a new track with Jay-Z.

Speaking of Jigga, fans may get a new record from him as well, considering he told MTV News he was cooking up fresh tracks way back when he first played us songs from his Kanye West collaborative album, Watch the Throne. In fact, Jay-Z said you might get solo albums from both men as well as the second Throne release.

Other artists that should have albums hitting stores in 2012: Nas, Frank Ocean, Slaughterhouse, Wiz Khalifa, the G.O.O.D. Music compilation, T.I., Big Sean, 50 Cent, Ludacris, Big K.R.I.T., Meek Mill and potentially two discs from Lil Wayne, I Am Not a Human Being II and Rebirth II.

Rock:
Some of rock's biggest guns are reloading for 2012, among them Green Day, who debuted some new tracks at a benefit show in August. The title of the follow-up to 2009's 21st Century Breakdown hasn't been announced yet, but some of the early songs slated for possible inclusion are "Nuclear Family," "Carpe Diem" and "Sweet 16."

U2 have reportedly been cooking up a number of potential new albums, logging sessions with Danger Mouse and working with French producer/DJ David Guetta, RedOne and will.i.am on a disc of dance-oriented tunes.

Prog rock revivalists Muse should also have some new material for us, with bassist Chris Wolstenholme promising in a recent interview that the sound on their sixth album will be "radically different" from 2009's The Resistance.

We may get something from Linkin Park, who are prepping the follow-up to 2010's A Thousand Suns, and Mumford & Sons. It's been two years since the British folk rock revivalists dropped their still strong-selling debut, Sigh No More, and they began giving fans a taste of some new material in the fall when they unveiled the majestic song "Ghosts."

After a rough year, Paramore have finally put the drama behind them and they're super-psyched to record an album free of tension and inter-band awkwardness. So far, they've already unwrapped the bouncy "Renegade" and "Hello Cold World," which bode well for their fourth full-length studio album.

Other rock acts slated to release new albums: the reunited Soundgarden, Foster the People, Neon Trees, Sleigh Bells, Silversun Pickups, Bruce Springsteen and All-American Rejects.

Which 2012 albums are you most excited about? Which ones did we miss? Let us know in comments below.

Christina Applegate Christina DaRe Christina Milian

New 'Hobbit' Production Diary Takes You To Hobbiton

The first thing you notice during this new production diary for "The Hobbit"? The dwarves.

The dwarves are kayaking through the river in a big raft. They're on location, riding horses and brandishing swords and running against green screens. There's a lot to see; twelve minutes of it, to be exact, taking you through the trailers and the production studios and the computer labs where all of the work gets done.

Check out the "Hobbit" trailer!

There's honestly too much to summarize, so you'll have to check it out for yourself. That said, the Shire shows up, as do Elijah Wood (reprising Frodo) and Ian McKellan (reprising Gandalf). Hobbiton's been recreated for the new film, and Wood gives his thoughts on returning to the Tolkien-verse after 11 years away. Andy Serkis (Gollum) also shows up -- as a 2nd Unit Director, if you didn't know about his expanded role.

December 2012 is a long while away, but rather than withholding detail (ahem, Christopher Nolan), this is a pretty intimate look at the film's production. That isn't very surprising considering Peter Jackson's openness on his previous Tolkien-related films. "The Lord of the Rings" gifted us with hours of behind-the-scenes detail, and "The Hobbit" is no less thoughtfully rendered. New Zealand is so green! Hobbiton is so pleasant-looking! Who wouldn't want to live there, forever and ever? Rich filmgoers can visit New Zealand and tour the set, but for the rest of us, we'll have to wait until next Christmas.

Tell us what you think of the new "Hobbit" production diary in the comments and on Twitter!

Tags elijah wood, ian mckellan, lord of the rings, peter jackson, the-hobbit

Ashley Greene Ashley Olsen Ashley Scott Ashley Tappin Ashley Tisdale Asia Argento Aubrey ODay

Lady Gaga Reveals Where She'll Spend Christmas1676320

Little Monsters saw how Lady Gaga celebrates Thanksgiving during her lavish TV special, and now we know where Mother Monster will spend the holiday season.

"Well I'll be in Japan right up until Christmas day," Gaga told MTV News earlier this month. "So I'll be eating with all my Japanese Little Monsters. I like shabu shabu [a form of Japanese hot pot]."

On Tuesday (December 20), the singer tweeted about her trip there. "Just arrived in Tokyo!" she wrote, including a photo of herself sitting in her hotel room. "So happy to see my Kawaii Monsters! #SleepyGaga bedtime. I'm a professional napper today."

She kicked off the gifting season with her holiday-themed pop-up store and window display, Gaga's Workshop, at Barneys New York. She and stylist Nicola Formichetti gave fans an idea of what the pop star would want from Santa with Mother Monster-inspired products like head-shaped candles, leather jackets, her favorite books and chocolates shaped like shoes.

The singer is expected to land Stateside on December 31, just in time for the 40th annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.". She's one of the many acts lined up for the event, including Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, LMFAO and Florence and the Machine. The show will be anchored by "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest, with help from Fergie and Jenny McCarthy.

The busy holiday season caps off an even busier year for Lady Gaga, who happened to be MTV News' Top Newsmaker of 2011. She tirelessly released singles, videos, personas, a chart-topping album (Born This Way) and scooped up awards at seemingly every show from the Grammys to the VMAs. She was also our #5 Best Artist of 2011, and her disco empowerment track, "Born This Way," boasted the #5 spot on the Best Songs of 2011 list as well.

MTV continues our Best of 2011 coverage by looking back at the biggest pop-culture stories of the year. As we count down the newsmakers that mattered to you most, also check out our Best Artists, Best Songs, Best MTV Live Performances and Best EDM Artists of 2011.

FSU Cowgirls Gabrielle Union Garcelle Beauvais Genelle Frenoy Georgianna Robertson Georgina Grenville Gina Carano

Lady Gaga Is Our Top Newsmaker Of 2011!1676271

As 2011 draws to a close, it's difficult to look back over the past 12 months and not remember all the headlines made by one Lady Gaga.

Unlike some of her pop contemporaries, Gaga never seemed to take a day off. Hers was an unending, 365-day news cycle, a constant stream of tabloid speculation, Twitter missives, high-gloss fashion shoots, globe-spanning promotional appearances, red-carpet escapades, super-secret video projects, television specials and political stunts. On top of all that, she somehow also found time to release Born This Way, not only the year's most anticipated album, but one of its most thought-provoking and forward-thinking too. At the end of the third year of her reign, it's no longer a question of when she sleeps, but if she does at all.

So it's little wonder that, as MTV News counts down our Top Newsmakers of 2011, Lady Gaga sits at #1. Bringing you every aspect of her every whim was practically a full-time job, one requiring its own team of tireless reporters, editors and producers ("MTV News: Special Gaga Unit"). And they were in overdrive from the very beginning of the year, when Gaga premiered the first Born This Way track at a Thierry Mugler fashion show in January, then followed that up by debuting the album's title track and arriving at the Grammys encased in a space-age egg (of course).

By the time the calendar read May, she had unveiled a pair of big-budget music videos (for "Born This Way" and "Judas"), both of which were prologue to the release of the BTW album itself, a massive, multi-pronged promotional masterstroke that saw her appear everywhere from "Oprah" to "Ellen" and partner with everyone from Amazon to Zynga. She also guest-edited several publications, premiered an in-depth documentary, "Inside the Outside," live on MTV and greeted fans on the eve of BTW's debut in New York City.

In short, she was everywhere, and her hard work (and 99-cent Amazon pricing plan) paid off, as Born This Way sold 1.1 million copies in its first week, the most of any album since 50 Cent's The Massacre in 2005. The album held on to #1 on the Billboard albums chart in its second week, too, making it one of the only releases this year to (temporarily) displace Adele's 21 from the top spot.

Once her album was out, if anything, Gaga only ramped up her schedule, premiering even more music videos, announcing a photo book and opening the 2011 Video Music Awards as her alter ego, Jo Calderone. As 2011 entered the home stretch, she met with President Obama to discuss the bullying epidemic, announced she was already working on the follow-up to Born This Way and basked in the glow of her three Grammy nominations, including a nod for Album of the Year, and plotted a massive 2012 world tour.

And, with that last bit of news, she basically assured that she very well be next year's Top Newsmaker too. Don't worry, we're already clearing our schedules.

Over the past 12 months, Gaga not only continued her rule as the most-famous person on the planet, she expanded her empire. Her fame was hard-earned, and she doesn't show any signs of relinquishing it anytime soon. Because above all else, Gaga is our most tireless superstar.

MTV continues our Best of 2011 coverage by looking back at the biggest pop-culture stories of the year. As we count down the newsmakers that mattered to you most, also check out our Best Artists, Best Songs, Best MTV Live Performances and Best EDM Artists of 2011.

Ashley Tappin Ashley Tisdale Asia Argento Aubrey ODay Audrina Patridge Autumn Reeser Avril Lavigne

Lady Gaga Reveals Where She'll Spend Christmas1676320

Little Monsters saw how Lady Gaga celebrates Thanksgiving during her lavish TV special, and now we know where Mother Monster will spend the holiday season.

"Well I'll be in Japan right up until Christmas day," Gaga told MTV News earlier this month. "So I'll be eating with all my Japanese Little Monsters. I like shabu shabu [a form of Japanese hot pot]."

On Tuesday (December 20), the singer tweeted about her trip there. "Just arrived in Tokyo!" she wrote, including a photo of herself sitting in her hotel room. "So happy to see my Kawaii Monsters! #SleepyGaga bedtime. I'm a professional napper today."

She kicked off the gifting season with her holiday-themed pop-up store and window display, Gaga's Workshop, at Barneys New York. She and stylist Nicola Formichetti gave fans an idea of what the pop star would want from Santa with Mother Monster-inspired products like head-shaped candles, leather jackets, her favorite books and chocolates shaped like shoes.

The singer is expected to land Stateside on December 31, just in time for the 40th annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.". She's one of the many acts lined up for the event, including Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, LMFAO and Florence and the Machine. The show will be anchored by "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest, with help from Fergie and Jenny McCarthy.

The busy holiday season caps off an even busier year for Lady Gaga, who happened to be MTV News' Top Newsmaker of 2011. She tirelessly released singles, videos, personas, a chart-topping album (Born This Way) and scooped up awards at seemingly every show from the Grammys to the VMAs. She was also our #5 Best Artist of 2011, and her disco empowerment track, "Born This Way," boasted the #5 spot on the Best Songs of 2011 list as well.

MTV continues our Best of 2011 coverage by looking back at the biggest pop-culture stories of the year. As we count down the newsmakers that mattered to you most, also check out our Best Artists, Best Songs, Best MTV Live Performances and Best EDM Artists of 2011.

Evangeline Lilly Eve Fergie

Mac Miller Counts BSP Fan Support As 2011 Highlight

Mac Miller has had a hell of a year, and the rising rap star from Pittsburgh will cap it all off in Times Square when he rings in 2012 performing on MTV's "NYE in NYC 2012," airing live at 11 p.m. ET/10 p.m. CT on December 31.

There are only a few more days left in 2011, and yes, anything can happen, but when reflecting back on the year in which he became a star, Mac has one event in particular that he considers a highlight: his November 8 debut album release and the fan reaction that landed him atop the Billboard albums chart a week later, after selling more than 144,000 copies.

"The whole album coming out was probably the #1 highlight," Mac told MTV News of his independently released Blue Slide Park. "I remember putting out the album and being really curious about what critics had to say about it because I felt like I made this album from the heart and it was by far my best work."

Unfortunately for Mac, the album reviews did not satisfy his expectations. To him, it seemed that the critics just didn't get it, and he began doubting whether or not he put out the right album. That was until his fans reassured him that he made the right move.

"All people of all different ages everywhere coming up to me and genuinely telling me how much they like the album," Mac recalled. "That's definitely the highlight, seeing this music that I've created and just seeing how much more powerful people are than publications. That's who I make music for."

Watch MTV's "NYE in NYC 2012," featuring Mac Miller, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and more, live on December 31 at 11 p.m. ET/10 p.m. CT on MTV! Head over to NYE.MTV.com for more info.

China Chow ChloƎ Sevigny Christina Aguilera Christina Applegate Christina DaRe Christina Milian Christina Ricci

Where Will Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga Party On New Year's?

New Year's Eve is the last chance you'll have to party in 2011. And as the days to plan out your big night begin to dwindle, MTV News is rounding up some of the biggest parties on the planet. From Los Angeles to New York, there's something for everyone.

The Kardashians will be hosting several parties all over Las Vegas. Kim will be at Tao (for a feeof reportedly $600,000), Kourtney, along with the Madden Brothers, will party it up at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris while Rob has it on lock at Tryst.

Other big Sin City parties include Chris Brown's shindig at Pure, Mary J. Blige's bash at RPM Nightclub, Bruno Mars at The Bank and B.o.B at LAX (the club, not the airport). Professional party rockers LMFAO will be shufflin' all night long at Haze Nightclub at Aria. Newly engaged John Legend will perform at the Palms with T-Pain and Paul Oakenfold.

As celeb-filled as it may seem, not all the stars will be in Vegas. In Los Angeles, Mario Lopez is hosting a party at Hollywood & Highland that boasts performances by Lupe Fiasco and Cobra Starship. And in Chicago, "American Idol" alum Lee Dwyze will be at the Hard Rock Hotel with DJ Chris Kennedy (Chris Masterson) spinning tunes. Kanye West's plans have yet to be determined, but he recently tweeted he's looking for a place to DJ right into 2012. We're sure someone will find a place for him at their party.

New York is the home of all things New Year's. Fergie and will.i.am will both be in the Big Apple to ring in 2012. The Black Eyed Peas' leading lady will be at 1Oak, while will.i.am be DJing at Surrender. Lady Gaga has been booked to perform on two NYE specials: the 40th annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" and the Japanese program "Kohaku Uta Gassen."

For those who want to snuggle up on their couch and avoid all the partying madness, MTV has your back. This year Demi Lovato, Mac Miller, Selena Gomez, J. Cole, Jason Derulo and more will be on hand for "NYE in NYC 2012," which will air live at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday (December 31) from Times Square, where the famous ball drops on, you guessed it, MTV.

What are your New Year's Eve plans? Let us know in the comments!

Jennifer Morrison Jennifer ODell Jennifer Scholle Jennifer Sky Jenny McCarthy Jessica Alba Jessica Biel