'I Am Number Four': The Reviews Are In!

Sci-fi flick might not be treading new ground, but it's sure to make a box-office impact.
By Eric Ditzian


Alex Pettyfer and Teresa Palmer in "I Am Number Four"
Photo: DreamWorks

This weekend brings the year's first major sci-fi release to the multiplex, and audiences should be flocking to it after weeks of tepid rom-coms and half-baked horror flicks. "I Am Number Four," though weakly reviewed, stands to win the top spot at the box office over the four-day holiday.

"Unknown" and "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son," alas, don't stand a chance. Which one is right for you? Or, perhaps, is now the time to avoid the new offerings and hit the Oscar faves ahead of next weekend's Academy Awards? Check out what the critics are saying about "I Am Number Four" and decide for yourself.

The Story
"Since space creatures don't arrive with the traditional backstories of vampires and werewolves, the story of extraterrestrial conflict and teenage longing requires a little setup. John Smith (Alex Pettyfer), a new transfer student to the high school in Paradise, Ohio, arrives with more than the usual adolescent baggage. He is one of a handful of children surviving a space war. His ancestors, the people of Lorien, were all but exterminated by the evil Mogadorians. The remaining nine fled to Earth, where their Abercrombie & Fitch looks make them stand out while trying to blend in. The Mogadorians, a black-trench-coat Mafia with bald heads and tribal tattoos, are on their trail, out to finish the genocide. They already have killed Numbers One, Two and Three. Which means John is up next." — Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

The "Twilight" Comparison
" 'I Am Number Four,' the appealing new kid-on-the-teen-angst block, reverberates with much of the same dark combustible mix of action and romance that's been fueling the 'Twilight' vampire mega-franchise for a while now. The issues of the heart have shifted from the undead to the otherworldly, and the battles have been amped up considerably, but its fate still rests on the basic boy-meets-girls story, which frankly could use a bit more bite." — Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times

The Action
"The screenplay by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar — adapting the young adult novel by James Frey and Jobie Hughes — works a few surprises into the familiar high school scenario; an action scene set at a haunted house goes in some unexpected directions, and the more we learn about Number Four's outer space world, the stranger and more entertaining it gets (that pet beagle is not what he seems). But as 'I Am Number Four' ramps up toward the inevitable third-act fireballs and fights, any out-there appeal gets washed out by lots of CGI and pretty girls walking slowly away from explosions (Teresa Palmer, who shows up late as the alien Number Six, makes for a great bad-girl black swan to [Dianna] Agron's buttoned-up Sarah). By the end it's even turned into a kind of 'Spider-Man' knockoff, a young man standing in a graveyard, contemplating the meaning of his newfound great power and responsibility." — Katey Rich, Cinema Blend

The Dissenters
" 'I Am Number Four' is mostly a missed opportunity. The film plugs into some genuine teen angst and identity confusion that might have dovetailed nicely with its sci-fi elements. Instead these two realities, a high school with its many melodramas and aliens chasing each other around the country, operate on parallel tracks. At times it feels like the reels from two very different movies got mixed up in the projection booth. The idea here is nifty; the execution mostly pedestrian." — Kirk Honeycutt, The Hollywood Reporter

The Final Word
" 'I Am Number Four' is a well-made, reasonably diverting night at the multiplex that will seem overly familiar to everyone except teenage girls. It'll be a retread to them, too, but that's why they'll like it — a sci-fi/fantasy drama that's moody and broody to the point of occasional near-coma, 'Number Four' represents an acceptable holding action until the next installment of 'Twilight' rolls around." — Ty Burr, Boston Globe

Check out everything we've got on "I Am Number Four."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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Another Sign Points to Kings' Desire to Leave Sacramento

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With a March 1 deadline to file for relocation looming large in Sacramento and the owners of the Kings continuing discussions with Anaheim Ducks officials regarding a possible move to Southern California, a source close to the situation said Monday that they have yet to deliver documents that were promised to the arena development team in California's Capital City.

It is, without question, yet another sign that the Maloofs (Gavin and Joe above) are strongly considering the possibility of playing elsewhere next season.

 

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/02/21/another-sign-points-to-kings-desire-to-leave-sacramento/

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Kobe Bryant Wins NBA All-Star MVP

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LOS ANGELES -- It was clear early in the 2011 NBA All-Star Game that Kobe Bryant was looking to make sure that no one else would come into his home building and steal the show. Not only was it clear to the fans, but the players noticed, too.

"You could tell he started out from the start -- he wanted the MVP," Amar'e Stoudemire said afterward. "He was not passing the ball, at all."

Bryant opened the game with 11 first-quarter points, and ended up with 37 and 14 rebounds as his Western Conference squad pulled out a 148-143 victory over the East. The performance earned him MVP honors, which marked the fourth time in his career that Bryant has taken home the game's trophy.

Bryant tried to deny that he might have been gunning for the MVP.

"No, not really," Bryant said, when asked if that might have been the case. "I really wanted to come out and play hard, though. I feel like we have a sense of responsibility and we are voted in for what we do during the season, which is play hard ... (The fans) want to see us go at it and see us compete and that's what I try to do and that's what I try to tell my teammates to do."

The fact that Bryant chose to take the scoring into his own hands wasn't surprising -- that is, after all, how he plays the game. But his aggressiveness in attacking the rim was certainly something different, and his multiple slam dunks -- including one where he narrowly avoided a chase-down block from LeBron James -- were certainly a pleasant surprise.

 

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/02/21/kobe-bryant-wins-2011-nba-all-star-game-mvp/

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Tiger Woods Falls Short With 3-Over Final Round in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Tiger Woods stumbled in a bid for his first victory in 15 months Sunday, leaving Alvaro Quiros to win the Dubai Desert Classic with a wild round that included a hole-in-one and triple bogey.

The 70th-ranked Quiros shot a 68 to finish at 11-under 277, one stroke ahead of Anders Hansen of Denmark (70) and James Kingston of South Africa (67).

Woods had a 75 to end tied for 20th at 4-under 284.

"There were quite a few positives this week but a couple of glaring examples of what I need to work on," Woods said.

 

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Source: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2011/02/13/tiger-woods-falls-short-with-3-over-final-round-in-dubai/

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'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' Director's Cut Could Hit Theaters Soon

Jon M. Chu said to be working on version with new footage that may be released in theaters this month.
By Eric Ditzian


Justin Bieber in "Never Say Never"
Photo: Paramount

With a running time of one hour and 45 minutes, Justin Bieber's "Never Say Never" packs in 3-D concert footage, home videos, behind-the-scenes looks, interviews with everyone from Snoop Dogg to the pop star's vocal coach and extended, slow-motion shots of the 16-year-old shaking out his famous locks.

Perhaps, however, you didn't get your fill of the kid — perhaps your Bieber Fever rages on. In which case, you might be in luck. New York magazine's Vulture blog reports that Paramount Pictures is making plans for a director's cut of the film, following its $29.5 million opening this past weekend.

Director Jon M. Chu is said to be working on an updated version of the movie, including new live performances, footage of Bieber at the "Never Say Never" premiere and various advance screenings, and potentially scenes shot at the Grammy Awards on Sunday. The studio is reportedly waiting for delivery of the re-cut film before deciding if it will be released in theaters late in February or as part of a special DVD.

MTV News' request for comment to Paramount (which, like MTV News, is owned by Viacom) was not returned as of press time.

Box-office grosses for the concert film are likely to decline in the coming weeks, following Bieber fans' initial pilgrimage to multiplexes during opening weekend, and the re-cut film could dramatically boost its B.O. bottom line. If the new version does hit theaters, it will likely be as a 3-D-only release, as the cost of releasing digital prints is significantly less than printing and shipping film prints. A final decision on a release will be made once Chu finishes the cut after returning from international premieres in London and Paris.

Check out everything we've got on "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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FanHouse 15: No. 7 Josh Hamilton

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It may seem like just weeks ago that the baseball season ended, but, believe it or not, Spring Training is here.

If you're like the rest of us at FanHouse, you can't wait for the season to begin, but we've got you covered until opening day arrives.

It's the FanHouse 15, a countdown of the 15 most talked about, blogged about, tweeted about, sensational stars of America's pastime.

Who will be number one?

The list continues with No. 7: American League MVP Josh Hamilton.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/02/21/fanhouse-15-no-7-josh-hamilton/

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Justin Bieber Won't Have Sex Without Love

The 16-year-old also says he isn't tempted to do drugs in the new issue of Rolling Stone.
By Nuzhat Naoreen


Justin Bieber on the March 2011 cover of <i>Rolling Stone</i>
Photo: Terry Richardson/ Wenner Media

Sex, drugs, and rock and roll. As one of the biggest pop stars in the world, Justin Bieber's right in the thick of it. In the upcoming issue of Rolling Stone magazine — which is already causing a buzz due to comments Bieber made about abortion in the interview — the pop star opens up about where he stands on premarital sex and the temptation to take drugs, while also inadvertently providing some insight into the speculation surrounding his relationship with actress Selena Gomez.

At 16 years old, Bieber, who has no shortage of female admirers, says he's aware that many people have sex without love, but that it's not for him.

"I don't think you should have sex with anyone unless you love them," Bieber said. When asked about premarital sex, however, he was a little vaguer. "I think you should just wait for the person you're ... in love with."

Bieber also opened up about what kind of girls he's interested in.

"I like a girl with a nice smile and who's funny," he said. "As far as looks, my taste is dark hair. But I don't limit myself. I like girls with blond hair too. I like everything."

While Bieber has yet to confirm whether or not he's dating Gomez, Rolling Stone reporter Vanessa Grigoriadis notes in her profile that she caught a peek of his computer background, which was a picture of him and Gomez against an orange sunset. His manager Scooter Braun told the magazine that the young star is "absolutely girl-crazy."

"Not that he goes after tons of girls, but if there's a girl he wants to see and he feels that we're not respecting that, he will make our lives hell to see her," Braun said.

As for other temptations that he might face during his career, Bieber, who is a huge Michael Jackson fan, said he wants to avoid falling into the same pitfalls as his idol. Namely, when it comes to drugs, which he said he has no interest in trying.

"Are you curious about cutting off your finger? Do you want to know what that feels like?" Bieber reasoned. "To me, taking drugs is the same type of thing. In the end, all that happens is you get hurt by it."

The full interview with Bieber hits newsstands on Friday.

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