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So much goes into predicting and ultimately deciding Oscar nominations that it can be difficult to decide which award shows to pay attention to and which to ignore. This week’s Oscar nominations, however, proved that one award show in particular can be very useful in predicting some of the Academy’s more surprising picks.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards announced their nominations weeks before the Academy’s and showed that their picks should not be overlooked during award season. SAG both honored and turned away many of the same performances that the Academy shocked and snubbed earlier this week.

Here’s our breakdown.

Demián Bichir
The “A Better Life” actor had stayed just outside the award conversation for most of the season, earning some recognition with critics’ circles, but never snagging a big nod. That changed with the SAG awards, which gave Bichir recognition that the Academy echoed weeks later.

Michael Fassbender
One of the most daring roles in film this year didn’t yield award returns to the man who bared it all, Michael Fassbender. He may have earned a Golden Globe nomination for his role as a sex addict in “Shame,” but Fassbender didn’t repeat for the Screen Actors Guild and was ultimately shut out at the Oscars. It just goes to show that nudity doesn’t always mean awards.

Jonah Hill
If the Golden Globes nominate a big star, it’s never a guarantee that an Academy Award nomination will follow. While Hill was a more likely nod than Bichir was before the Oscar nominations, he was far from a lock. The SAG nomination certainly helped bolster his chances, and when the Academy’s nod came weeks later, it was much less of a surprise.

Albert Brooks
Throughout award season, Brooks made no secret of the campaign to get him a nomination for his villainous role in “Drive.” He joked openly and often about his nominations and wins, but when he missed out on a SAG nomination, the laughing stopped, and the conversation changed. The Academy snub this week came as only a mildly surprising disappointment.

Melissa McCarthy
The “Bridesmaids” breakout went through a series of ups and downs during her campaign for a nomination. The buzz around the role and the film’s popularity catapulted McCarthy into the conversation, but a snub at the Golden Globes made some doubt that the Academy would recognize a comedic role. Fortunately for McCarthy, she rode the wave of the SAG nomination and turned it into her ticket to Oscar night.

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

Tags SAG Awards

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/01/27/screen-actors-guild-awards-oscars-predictions/

Angelina Jolie Anna Faris Anna Friel Anna Kournikova Anna Paquin AnnaLynne McCord Anne Marie Kortright

When word got out back in October that charming and likable actors Matt Damon and John Krasinski were writing a movie together, we were instantly intrigued. Especially since the film was supposed to be Damon’s directorial debut. And while the “We Bought A Zoo” actor’s too busy schedule recently changed that plan, the fact that his “Good Will Hunting” director Gus Van Sant is now at the helm of the film only enhances our initial intrigue.

MTV News was lucky enough to catch up with actor/writer Krasinski recently during the press day for “Big Miracle,” at which time we pressed him for a few details about the film, which follows a salesman who reevaluates his life after moving to a small town.

“It?s a really cool film, it?s a really special film,” Krasinski said. “Having Gus Van Sant come on board to direct it is insane on so many levels. I still haven?t processed it quite yet. Matt unfortunately couldn?t direct because timing and he only has 60,000 projects going that he has to shoot tomorrow, so he couldn?t do it and Gus signed on like eight or ten hours later which was insane. It?s a really fun movie and having him at the helm will really make it perfect I think.”

?I want to see it!? chimed in his “Miracle” co-star Drew Barrymore.

So what’s the tone of the film? Comedy? Drama?

“It?s a little bit of both. I don?t think anyone can do the Coen Brothers kind of thing [like they do], but it?s in that world of there?s a little bit of both,” Krasinski explained. “We?re just throwing everything into these characters. My theory is that if you care about the characters then you care about the movie, so that?s where we?re going with it.”

?I can?t wait,” Barrymore added with enthusiasm.

What do you think about this collaborative film? Tell us in the comments or on Twitter!

Tags john krasinski, matt damon, Video

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/01/30/john-krasinskis-movie-with-matt-damon-has-coen-brothers-vibe/

Emma Heming Emma Stone Emma Watson Emmanuelle Chriqui Emmanuelle Vaugier Emmy Rossum Erica Leerhsen

Tuesday’s Florida primary could be make-or-break for the two men battling to secure the Republican presidential nomination. After seemingly taking the first two contests (the Iowa caucus was belatedly handed to former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum) and then losing by double digits in South Carolina last week, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney appears to have gotten his groove back.

The on-and-off leading contender in the hotly contested GOP presidential scrum still has a solid New Hampshire win in his pocket, but his team is looking for a convincing win in the first big state on the primary map, Florida, to help solidify his lead and possibly push him out of reach of his rivals.

Newt Gingrich has a W in his column from South Carolina, but the conservative firebrand has seen his poll position slip over the past week. That drop is mostly due to Romney putting up two solid debate performances last week and splashing out millions from his massive campaign war chest on ads attacking the former House Speaker.

So what should voters be on the lookout for on Tuesday?

Money: Gingrich’s win in South Carolina helped him raise $1 million to spend on ads in Florida ? combined with $2.5 million from the outside group Winning Our Future. But those figures paled next to the estimated $15 million that Romney (and his affiliates) spent to saturate the airwaves in a state where media ubiquity helps seal the deal. Tough ads linking Gingrich to Freddie Mac and the housing crisis and reminding Hispanic voters that he once called Spanish the language of the “ghetto” showed a tougher side of the Romney team.

Too-close-to-call: If Romney can’t deliver a decisive win in Florida over Gingrich, the former House leader may be able to make good on his promise this week to hang around until this summer’s RNC convention. A solid victory, though, could cause Gingrich’s donations to shrink and push him back out of contention.

Hispanic vote: Both Romney and Gingrich ? Santorum is polling well behind both men and Rep. Ron Paul has decided to skip campaigning in Florida to focus elsewhere ? heavily courted the state’s 1.5 million Hispanic voters. Gingrich called Romney the GOP field’s most anti-immigration candidate at Thursday’s debate and the men have very different views on how to deal with illegal immigrants who are already in the country.

The debate factor: After Gingrich zoomed back into contention thanks to some strong debate performances before the South Carolina contest, Romney’s team put their candidate on the attack in the two pre-Florida showdowns. The tactic worked, as Romney put the usually unflappable Gingrich on his heels. Exit polls could show how big an impact those debate performances had on voters’ decisions.

Herman Helper?: Momentary field leader Herman Cain dropped out of the race due to a series of sexual harassment and infidelity allegations in December, but he got his name back on voter’s lips this week when he “enthusiastically” endorsed Gingrich. But given the tawdry allegations that undid Cain and Gingrich’s own battle to turn talk away from his three marriages, it will be interesting to see if Cain’s endorsement gave Gingrich a bump or peeled voters away.

Check back for up-to-the-minute coverage on the primary races and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the 2012 presidential election season.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1678108/florida-primary-mitt-romney-newt-gingrich.jhtml

Dania Ramirez Danica Patrick Daniella Alonso Danneel Harris Deanna Russo Denise Richards Desiree Dymond

In addition to her successes as an actress and her respectable reputation, Reese Witherspoon is the envy of millions of Twilighters after working alongside superstar heartthrob Robert Pattinson in not one, but two films ? not to mention the fact that she’s kissed him too.

When MTV News caught up with Witherspoon recently as part of “MTV First: This Means War,” we asked her the first thing that comes to mind when she thinks of her “Water for Elephants” and “Vanity Fair” co-star.

“I would say [he is] the hardest-working person I’ve ever worked with, honestly,” she said. “[He's] professional, hard-working, so appreciative, more grateful than I’ve ever seen anyone for where he is in life.”

Pattinson dished details on how he prepped for his shirtless scene! Kristen Stewart got super embarrassed when looking back at her first MTV interview! Take a look back at the classic “MTV First: Breaking Dawn.”

Given the fact that Witherspoon has been in the business for decades and experienced every facet of being famous, we asked her to weigh in on the current fan frenzy that surrounds Pattinson wherever he goes and how it may or may not affect a person.

“I’ve never experienced what he has ? going to premieres and there’s just millions of people waiting for him to touch them,” she said. “I think it must be strange, but I don’t even know how to process what he deals with and Kristen [Stewart] deals with. I don’t know.”

Justin Bieber revealed the secrets behind his “Mistletoe” music video and why his fans are perfect just the way they are in “MTV First: Justin Bieber.”

The Oscar-winning actress said Pattinson handles his fame very well, despite the sometimes-chaotic circumstances. “[He's]a really cool guy,” she said.

Don’t miss our exclusive sit-down with Witherspoon during Tuesday’s “MTV First: Reese Witherspoon.” Tune in to MTV at 7:56 p.m. ET, when the actress will premiere a previously unseen clip from her upcoming film “This Means War,” followed by an in-depth interview on MTV.com.

Before “MTV First: This Means War” hits MTV on Tuesday at 7:56 p.m. ET, check out Reese’s first-ever, totally adorable MTV interview, when she opened up in 1991 at the age of 14 about what drew her to Hollywood. And make sure to stick with Reese’s chat when it moves to MTV.com after an exclusive “This Means War” clip premieres Tuesday on MTV!

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1678093/reese-witherspoon-robert-pattinson.jhtml

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

Lady Gaga and Beyoncé are besties, and when the Mother Monster sat down with “The Insider,” she gushed about her pal’s skills as a soon-to-be mommy.

“Of course she is [going to be a good mom]. That’s a tremendous understatement,” the singer said. “She’s the nicest female I’ve met in the industry. She’s wonderful!”

The two have quite the history together. Gaga and Beyoncé have appeared on two tracks (and in two videos) together for “Telephone” and “Video Phone.” And while Beyoncé is nearing motherhood, Gaga admits she wants to wait a bit longer before giving birth to anything ? but new music, that is. “Someday. Long, long day from now!” she said. “My next baby will be my new record.”

When MTV News caught up with Gaga last month, she opened up about her plans to release the follow-up to Born This Way. “I’ve started writing it and I have the name for it and all the concepts are beginning to flourish and take place,” she told MTV News.

But much like Beyoncé and her baby, a due date for the Mother Monster’s next album is still to be determined. “I’m excited to put it out, but it’s not done yet. So I’ll put it out when it’s done.”

Meanwhile, one psychic who spoke to MTV News helped us try to nail down just when we should expect Jayoncé’s baby. “I feel that Beyoncé’s 2012 is going to be very, very exciting,” Jesse Bravo told MTV News. “I get the date of January 8 to January 14 of her giving birth to her first son.”

When do you think Jayoncé’s baby will come? Make your predictions in the comments!

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676799/beyonce-baby-lady-gaga.jhtml

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