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By Horacio Garcia

I must recognize that old Steve has been very busy lately burning through a burst of creativity we hadn’t seen for a decade. His latest films aside from Indiana Jones 4 hasn't been very Spielberg-like, from Schindler’s List to Munich.

Even when he got in his hands a typical Spielberg story with Super 8, he preferred to delegate in J.J. Abrams to direct it. That was last year, but this year Steven Spielberg is back and he is in great shape. He took a major risk using performance caption in The Adventures of Tin Tin, so he decided to play it safe just in case and the result is War Horse; a classic Spielberg melodrama.
War Horse is the kind of movie Spielberg use to make back in the good old days of E.T. and Close Encounters, the only difference is the amount of production money. He didn't take any risks with this one, so everything from the music to the photography is of the highest quality and the crew includes all the familiar names of the Spielberg entourage.

Janus Kaminski is behind the camera, music by John Williams, production under Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshal. To top it all, the story of the movie is based in a bestselling 1983 novel that became a successful theater play in London. The cast is made out of British actors with Jeremy Irving as Albert and Emily Watson as his no nonsense Mum. Young Jeremy became known thanks to the British version of Disney's Life Bites.

War Horse begins in Devon, England, where a horse named Joey and a young man named Albert become friends. The tale of that friendship is perfectly set in the very first scene of the movie in the green prairies of Devon, an ideal rural county, but the war the British still call The Great War shatters Albert and Joey's world.

The Army enlists Joey, who ends up as the mount of a Captain Nichols, but he is killed in the fields of France, and Joey is sent alone into the war. The best part of the movie is to watch this amazingly beautiful animal in multiple adventures serving both sides of the conflict. In the meantime, in England, Albert is worried about his friend, and being too young to enlist, he embarks in a perilous journey to find Joey and bring him home.

This is classic Spielberg; a grandiose melodrama that appeals shamelessly to our softer side and is done in the typical Spielberg shock and awe method, that includes a great visual and sonorous assault to our senses and when we are soft with the beauty of the horse and the magnificence of the landscape, he hit us treacherously with the sad part and we burst into tears. This one is that kind of movie, so be prepared and take your hankie with you.

Tags blogger: Horacio Garcia, Emily Watson, Jeremy Irving, Steven Spielberg, War Horse

By Larry Yepez Jr.

Lady Gaga, Mary J. Blige and Pink are amongst the divas to make Oscar’s Cut for 2012's Best Original Song, but unfortunately the Queen Diva, Madonna, did not get her nod because of rules of the Academy!

The Academy's list of 39 songs that could go on to win the Oscar has a little to please everyone, from indie to pop, to country, and R&B and even classical.

There's Lady Gaga and Elton John's duet with the song Hello Hello, featured in the animated Gnomeo & Juliet, Pink for Happy Feet Two, Sinead O’Connor in a song co-written by Glenn Close for Albert Nobbs and Mary J. Blige for The Help.

There was one notable snub to the Diva of Divas because of the rules of the academy: Masterpiece, Madonna's subtly named ballad from the historical romance she directed, W.E., was not eligible, as the HitFix blog reported. Madge's composition did have words and music, as required by the Academy, but it was not used in the context of the film which is the broken rule; instead it is heard over the closing credits, second after another piece of music. If it’s over the credits, it has to be the first song when the credits roll. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association were a little more forgiving; the song was nominated for a Golden Globe.

The list will be whittled down to five main contenders and the final nominees will be announced on 24 January (12).

Tags Blogger: Larry Yepez Jr, Chris Cornell, Glenn Close, Golden Globe, Happy Feet Two, Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Lady Gaga, Madonna, mary j blige, Masterpiece, Pink, Sinead O’Connor, Soundgarden, W.E.

By Michael Lopez

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes sure make a cute couple for the paparazzi photographers. And they clearly make a cute couple onscreen. The two celebrity lovebirds have now filmed their first short movie together, for the comedy website Funny Or Die.

Entitled Drunk History Christmas, the five-and-a-half minute clip features a whiskey-fueled retelling of the classic "Night Before Christmas" poem. In it, Ryan and Eva are seen cuddling happily in bed. Of course, it all gets interrupted when an inebriated Santa Claus slides down the chimney.

Played sheepishly by Jim Carrey, Old St. Nick makes plenty of colorful faces for the camera. There are also hilarious "doggie reindeer" scenes, slurred holiday speeches, and Christmas clichés skewered lovingly by the FOD staff.

Since its posting this week, Drunk History Christmas has already gotten 1.2 million views. Clearly the fans love seeing Gosling and Mendes hamming it up together. And you can see how well their chemistry works on the big screen when their movie The Place Beyond The Pines arrives in 2012.

Have you seen Ryan and Eva's Funny Or Die clip? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Celebrity Couples, Christmas, Drunk History Christmas, Eva Mendes, Funny Or Die, Holidays, Jim Carrey, Ryan Gosling, The Place Beyond The Pines, Videos

By Astrid Rivera

Lord of the Rings fans rejoice! After what seemed like a never ending telenovela of twists and turns Peter Jackson FINALLY revealed the trailer for The Hobbit. It is everything I expected it to be and more, filled with ominous forests and mystical creatures. The two minute trailer has already been viewed more than one million times and the film itself is expected to surpass the Lord of the Rings trilogy at the box office.

The online teaser comes at a time when many LOTR fans were already losing faith in the project. At the very beginning the film experienced problems with delayed production over legal issues between Jackson and New Line, the studio that produces the LOTR franchise. As if that wasn't enough the original director, Guillermo Del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth), backed out of the project because he became frustrated with the unexpected delay.

Del Toro said last May,

"The mounting pressures of conflicting schedules have overwhelmed the time slot originally intended for the project."

Jackson, who was going to supervise the project as an executive producer, decided to step in and direct the film himself (would we have it any other way?). As far as the cast goes, there are many new faces as well as old ones that have come back to reprise their classic roles.

Martin Freeman from the U.K. version of The Office is starring in the role of Bilbo Baggins. Sir Ian McKellen returns as our favorite wizard Gandalf, while Orlando Bloom and Cate Blanchett return as the elves Legolas and Galadriel. Of course no LOTR film could be complete without Andy Serkis reprising his role as Gollum, the creepy backstabbing creature who loses his "precious" ring.

From the trailer it seems that the film, which is based on JRR Tolkien's 1937 classic The Hobbit, will focus on the tale of the dwarves. The book follows the adventures of Bilbo Baggins who suddenly finds himself way in over his head after joining a band of dwarves on a mission to take back their treasure.

The Hobbit is much softer and whimsical compared to its darker sequel the Lord of the Rings. Although Tolkien does include a bit of sinister overtones and sets the stage for what is to come.

The Hobbit was shot in 3D and Jackson plans to release the saga in two parts. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released on December 14, 2012. Part Two, entitled There and Back Again, is expected to be released December 13, 2013. Jen Chaney of the Washington Post wrote,

"That noise you hear? That's the sound of JRR Tolkien nerds and Jackson lovers weeping with joy."

I know I'm one of them!

The question remains, will these films have what it takes to surpass the world-wide phenomenon that was the Lord of the Rings? Shot between 2001 and 2003, the Lord of the Rings generated more than $3 billion at the box office and won a number of Oscars. Many are predicting that The Hobbit will in fact have a similar effect and with millions of LOTR fans waiting, I'm sure it will.

Watch the tailer here.

Will you watch The Hobbit?

Tags Andy Serkis, Astrid Rivera, Cate Blanchett, Guillermo del Toro, Lord of the Rings, Martin Freeman, Orlando Bloom, Peter Jackson, Sir Ian McKellen, The Hobbit

By Michael Lopez

We've been hearing about the Linda Lovelace biopic for quite some time now. The legendary porn star was supposed to be played by Lindsay Lohan. But after that fell apart, many thought the movie wouldn't see the light of day. Not so! In fact, now two flicks are in the works, including one with Bobby Cannavale.

Cannavale has just joined Lovelace, which stars Amanda Seyfried as the 70's sex queen. The part-Cuban hunk will play Butchie Peraino, one of the financial backers of the famous Lovelace film Deep Throat.

The other Linda film will be titled Inferno: A Linda Lovelace Story and star Malin Ackerman. Interestingly, Inferno was the movie that originally had LiLo in the headlining role.

We're actually much more excited about Bobby's project. His movie will apparently delve much deeper into Lovelace's dark past and feature appearances from Hank Azaria, Sharon Stone, and Wes Bentley. Look for both films to arrive by late 2012.

Have you ever seen the original Deep Throat? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Amanda Seyfried, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Bobby Cannavale, Deep Throat, Hot Stuff, Inferno: A Linda Lovelace Story, Linda Lovelace, Lindsay Lohan, Lovelace, Malin Ackerman, Movies & CineMás

By Michael Lopez

It seems Fher Olvera may have a new lady to write love songs about. The Maná frontman was recently spotted hand-in-hand with his ex, Latina TV reporter Monica Noguera.

The two had a very public romance during the 1990's that lasted all the way until 2003. Since then, Fher had a child with Ana Verduzco and Monica married wealthy Dutchman, Laurens Drillich.

Could these two be tearing apart their current relationships to get back together? That's what the Spanish tabloids are reporting. Apparently Olvera is now officially separated from Ana and Noguera has filed her divorce papers. And maybe it's no coincidence that the latest Maná song says "el verdadero amor perdona".

Though neither Fher nor Monica are confirming the romance, cameras caught the two together in Uruguay this week. There are also rumors that Noguera desperately wants to have Olvera's child. Stay tuned for more chisme details!

Have you ever had an ex you couldn't get over? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Celebrities, Celebrity Divorce, Chisme, Fher Olvera, Mana, Monica Noguera, popnews

By Michael Lopez

It looks like we can expect another Cutié cutie in 2012. Padre Alberto Cutié just announced that his wife Ruhama is pregnant with their second child.

Alberto and Ruhama currently have a 1-year-old daughter and interestingly, it was their union that drove Padre from the Catholic church. Choosing family life over the priesthood, Cutié married Ruhama in 2009 and is now a devoted husband and father.

Alberto also happens to be a successful media mogul. His syndicated talk show, Father Albert, airs daily in several markets and he's got a new paperback book that will be arriving on shelves in early January.

But clearly fatherhood is the accomplishment Cutié is most proud of. Speaking out about becoming a dad for the second time, Alberto said,

"We consider it a gift from God that we are having another child at this special time. This is the best Christmas gift we could ever receive."

Are you a fan of Padre Alberto? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Baby Chisme, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Chisme, Father Albert, Padre Alberto, Padre Alberto Cutié, popnews, Religion, Ruhama Cutié

By Larry Yepez Jr.

After several months of hiatus, Colombian rock star Juanes has described his "rebirth" following a short break in his career where he had time to focus on himself, his family and his music.

The musician, who's sold more than 15 million albums and won 17 Latin Grammys, said that after this time out spent with his family he felt like a new man.

In an interview with Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, he said,

"Now I am myself and that is a rebirth. I don't know if it's because of my age, my life, my children...but at this moment I feel a strong connection with God, with myself and with my music."

Juanes decided last May to terminate his professional relationship with his longtime manager and friend Fernan Martinez, amidst rumors of disappointing  sales of his record P.A.R.C.E..

The singer said,

"I took the decision because I didn't feel comfortable. I needed to be at home with my children, I needed to stop. I was a long way from the center of who I am. It was a moment of important reflection for strengthening my inner world, [to] return with the desire and love that I always had for music."

Juanes said his hiatus was like a detox where everything came out, the good and the bad alike. It was the closing of one era and the beginning of another.

Juanes recently signed for new management with Rebeca Leon, VP of Latin Talent for AEG/Golden Voice. Juanes will now be handled by Leon jointly with Randy Phillips as part of AEG's management arm.

He's currently rehearsing for an MTV Unplugged album to be recorded in Miami Beach, Florida, in February.

Would you like to sing with Juanes? Enter the Tr3s "Unplug with Juanes" Competition for a chance to sing with Juanes himself in front of a live audience.

Tags AEG/Golden Voice, By Larry Yepez Jr., El Tiempo, Fernán Martínez, Juanes, Latin Grammys, MTV, Randy Phillips, Rebeca Leon

By Michael Lopez

It seems Adam Lambert got himself entangled in some overseas mayhem yesterday. Apparently the American Idol star was arrested in Finland after engaging in a public brawl with his boyfriend outside of a gay club.

Sauli Koskinen and Adam were all smiles while posing together at this year's American Music Awards. But it seems the good feelings didn’t last, with witnesses saying the two came out of the Finnish club swinging!

Both Koskinen and Lambert were held in jail overnight and ultimately released on Thursday morning. It is still unclear exactly how stiff the charges will be, or if there will be any at all.

And interestingly, it seems the two seemed to have already buried the hatchet. Sauli posted a telling blog after the incident, confirming that the he and Adam are still very much a couple.

"Publicity is not easy, but also celebrities are just human," he wrote. "Love is not easy either, but it lasts forever!"

Do you think the cops overreacted to Adam and Sauli's fight? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Adam Lambert, American Idol, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Celebrity Couples, Chisme, popnews, Sauli Koskinen

By Michael Lopez

Expect a lot of t-shirts, stickers, and doomsday merchandise to pop up across Latin America in the next several months. According to the ancient Mayan civilization, life as we know it will cease to exist in exactly one year from this week. And that gives eager "end-of-the-world" profiteers 365 days to cash in.

The 1,300-year-old Mayan calendar predicted December 21 2012 as the actual doomsday date. Discovered in Latin America during the 1960's, its markings were clearly spelled out and interpreted as such from a variety of noted archeologists.

And keep in mind, the calendar was quite accurate on many other levels. Despite having none of the major technology we possess today, the ancient Mayans used it to properly document planets in the solar system and account for lunar cycles. So could their 2012 prediction be correct too?

Most scientists highly doubt it. Especially since other Mayan markings clearly show the planet existing way beyond next year. Nevertheless, the 2012 hysteria has created a booming marketplace for the Español tourism industry (and for several doomsday entrepreneurs).

Honduras holds some of the most extravagant artifacts and their travel officials expect quite a lot of visitors within the next 11 months. The tourism board will even be planning live events in the region that houses the Mayan's famous Copan Ruinas.

"What we're expecting here in 2012 are thousands of Honduran and foreign tourists on hand to witness the countdown to the end of the Mayan calendar," Tourism Secretariat spokeswoman Nora Schauer explained.

Schauer went on to say that the country will be holding live TV broadcasts from the ruins site on December 21, presumably so international "end-of-the-world" fans can celebrate in style.

Do you believe the world will end in 2012? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags 2012, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cultura, Doomsday, End of the World, Honduras, Maya Civilization, Mayans