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

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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Paramore Plan To Release New Music This Summer

Paramore just launched their much-discussed run of South American shows (their first gigs since the departure of Josh and Zac Farro in December) and now, it seems they're getting to something else they spent a whole lot of time talking about since the Farros split: making new music.

In a new interview with AOL Music, frontwoman Hayley Williams said she and her remaining Paramore mates were already making studio plans and are "hoping to record a batch of songs to release over the summer."

That announcement echoed sentiments she expressed to MTV News in December, when Williams made it clear that not only were they already writing new tunes, but that they would "definitely" be releasing some of them in 2011.

And the last time we checked, "the summer" was definitely part of 2011. Williams also identified one track, "In the Mourning" — a demo of which she posted on her blog in January — as a song Paramore are focused on finishing and releasing, plus a handful of other new tracks too. Those songs would precede a brand-new album, which the band is also making plans to begin work on.

"We definitely do want to release ['In the Mourning']," she said, "And some other ones before we put out a record."

Paramore wrap their run of shows — which feature guitarist Taylor York's brother Justin and drummer-to-the-stars Josh Freese filling in for the Farros — in early March, but there's no word on where (or when) they plan on to record the new songs, or how they'll release them. A spokesperson for the band's labels, Atlantic/ Fueled By Ramen, could not be reached for comment about Paramore's plans by press time.

Are you excited to hear new music from Paramore this summer? Tell us in the comments!

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David Archuleta Dropped By Record Label

He had the looks, the humility and the vocal talent that made many think a life of superstardom was all but guaranteed. But just three years after David Archuleta charmed audiences as the runner-up on the seventh season of "American Idol," the 20-year-old performer has been dropped by Jive Records, his label since 2008, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Hot on the heels of his appearance on "Idol" and buoyed by the popularity of his single "Crush," Archuleta's self-titled debut album sold more than 750,000 copies in America and nearly a million worldwide, rocketing the crooner to #2 on the Billboard 200.

His second, and newest, album has failed to ignite, however. Released on October 5, 2010, The Other Side of Down has stalled at just over 60,000 units.

It's a certain setback, but if the younger Archuleta has anything to say about it, not a permanent one.

"I hope to always be myself, except more mature and knowing more," Archuleta said in an interview with MTV News in 2008. "Hopefully I'll still be making music five years from now. I don't want to give it up. I want to continue on with it, and if there's a chance to make more albums, I definitely want to do that."

Despite being pegged early as the eventual winner, Archuleta lost in the season-seven finale of "American Idol" to David Cook. He received 44 percent of more than 97 million votes.

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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Jagged Edge's <i>The Remedy</i> 'Trying To Bring Back Black Love'

When Jagged Edge decided to name their new album — their seventh overall as a group — The Remedy, the four-man collective definitely had the idea of repairing relationships in mind.

"We're trying to bring back black love," group member Richard Wingo told MTV News. "That's what sets us apart from a lot of the music: It's not just sex, it's love involved. That's what people need more of today. They need to put down their guns a little more."

Their forthcoming LP, due in March from their new recording home, hip-hop label Slip-N-Slide Records (Trina, Plies), features Jagged Edge (Wingo, Kyle Norman, and Brian and Brandon Casey) returning to their roots. "Lay You Down," a mid-tempo number they've released, proves it's been easy for them to come home musically.

The album's title is derived from a track on their standout third album, 2001's Jagged Little Thrill. That set included the hit "Where the Party At," featuring Nelly, and "Goodbye." "Remedy," although not a single from that album, like "Driving Me to Drink," was a fan favorite and classic Jagged Edge ballad.

"We wanted to go back and touch on it a little bit," Wingo said about the nostalgic title. "It's just fun: We always been big on titles. If you go back throughout our albums, we have songs like 'Head of the Household' and 'Respect,' just a bunch of great titles for songs. We put a lot of thought into the titles, and at the end of the day, it was a perfect title for the album."

What is your favorite Jagged Edge title? Tell us in the comments below!

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Arcade Fire's Album Of The Year Grammy Stuns Publicist

As the week draws to a close, many still can't believe Arcade Fire managed to trump Eminem and Lady Gaga to win Album of the Year at Sunday's Grammy Awards.

And if you're one of those who are still coming to grips with the upset, well, you're not alone. Turns out, even the band's publicist can't believe it. In fact, on Grammy night, she had made peace with the fact that Arcade Fire seemed destined to go home empty-handed.

In a new Billboard.biz story, Merge Records' publicist Christina Rentz writes that, after watching her band go 0-for-2 during the Grammys' pre-telecast awards (they lost both Best Alternative Album and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals to the Black Keys), she was resigned to the belief that the band would lose Album of the Year, too. In fact, she thought Eminem had it sewn up.

"The production value was amazing, and it was incredibly exciting to be in the room. When Eminem came onstage and blew the roof off the place, I thought we were sunk for sure," Rentz wrote. "But Jamie [Beck, Merge's retail director] had been saying all weekend that we were going to win. She gave me very good reasons why, but I still didn't think it was possible. As the night wore on, she persisted in her certainty, but it wasn't until Eminem won Best Rap Album that I felt the familiar sweaty palms again."

When Album of the Year was announced, her feelings of nervousness quickly changed to jubilation — much to the consternation of those seated around her.

"Barbra [Streisand] announced the Album of the Year: 'And the Grammy goes to ... The S-S-S-S-Suburbs? We began screaming and jumping as our section emptied out with people muttering under their breath, 'Who is Arcade Fire?' " she wrote. "The band accepted the award then immediately set up for their second song, with Win [Butler, the band's lead vocalist and songwriter] putting his Grammy on top of an amp so he could pick up his guitar ... my favorite moment of the evening!

"They could not stop smiling and neither could we. Together, we had accomplished something pretty incredible and hopefully inspired musicians everywhere not to compromise when it is important."

And afterwards, having bested Eminem for the night's biggest award, Rentz and Beck did what any newly minted Grammy winner would do: They partied hard. In their own way, of course.

"We then phoned our label manager Stacy 'Spott' Philpott and said, 'Holy crap, what do we do now?' " she wrote. "I still don't fully know the answer, but at the time, it seemed like the best thing we could do was to get in our red Mustang, throw the top down, drive to the after-party to hug our friends in Arcade Fire, high-five their manager Scott Rodger and then get back to work on Tuesday, the release date for two new albums from Telekinesis and East River Pipe."

Were you surprised by Arcade Fire's win? Tell us in the comments!

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The National's 'MTV Live' Set Debuts Monday -- Watch A Sneak Peek Now!

They are, unquestionably, one of the best bands in New York City (if not all of the world), so earlier this month, when the National took their impressive stage show over to NYC's Webster Hall for a surprise gig, MTV had to have its cameras there.

The end result was, much like all National sets, a compelling, cathartic bust of high-collar angst, and on Monday, you can see for yourself, when "MTV Live: The National" premieres on MTV.com.

Shot on five cameras, the set features the band tearing through material from their last two albums, 2007's Boxer and last year's High Violet, and five of those songs — "Bloodbuzz Ohio," "Afraid of Everyone," "Conversation 16," "Fake Empire" and "Terrible Love" — are featured on "MTV Live."

"We're not that concerned with reproducing the record version of a song live. ... Just playing onstage in front of people in a room changes the way a song feels, changes the way we perform it," frontman Matt Berninger said before the taping. "The adrenaline kicks in, so I think live we are more reckless and ramshackle and probably louder and faster."

And he wasn't kidding. The National's set was plenty loud (and plenty fast), and fans can watch the entire thing build to a boil — and subsequently bubble over when Berninger threw himself into the spastic audience during "Terrible Love" — starting Monday, with the premiere of "MTV Live: The National" on MTV.com. Trust us, you won't be disappointed.

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Patrick Stump Recalls Giving Himself Bad Haircuts On 'When I Was 17'

Patrick Stump may be rocking a head full of spiky hair nowadays, but just a few years before the Fall Out Boy alum made it big, he had a different sort of look. On the latest episode of MTV's "When I Was 17," the singer/songwriter reminiscences about his teenage years when he used to be his own barber.

"When I was 17, I cut my own hair and always did a botched job on it," Stump admits without any hesitation on the upcoming episode, which airs Saturday at 11 a.m. ET on MTV. "It was terrible. It did not look cool at all, but I was so convinced that it was."

And how exactly does one mess up a buzz cut? Patrick said it's all about angles. "I would take the barber clippers and buzz my head, and straight on it would look fine, but you would always miss these hairs around your ears," he explained.

And it wasn't subtle mistakes, either. "So it was just kind of these long strands right over here. It was a weird look," childhood friend Pete said.

Stump explained that his haircut imperfections had the soon-to-be singer donning a rather interesting look. "So every so often they'd flop over and I'd have this weird, like, owl thing going on," he said. "It was horrible. The haircut thing was not the best idea, probably."

In addition to Stump, this week's episode of "When I Was 17" also features "Jersey Shore" newcomer Deena Nicole Cortese, who opened up about her dirty-dancing antics as a teen. "I remember making up this crazy dance move, like sexy moves, you know, like shaking your butt," she admits. "Everybody was sitting there like, 'Oh my God, where did that come from?' "

"When I Was 17" — this week featuring Deena Cortese and Patrick Stump — premieres Saturday at 11 a.m. ET on MTV.

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Britney Spears' <i>Femme Fatale</i> Is Her <i>Ray Of Light,</i> Manager Says

On Thursday, "Jersey Shore" star DJ Pauly D told us that Britney Spears' next album, Femme Fatale, is full of "club bangers." Her manager, Larry Rudolph, gave us even more specifics about the album when we spoke to him.

"In my opinion, this is her strongest album ever. It's somewhat of a departure from what she's done. It's more mature," he told MTV News about the March 29 release. "It's more of a dance record and this really is — and I was talking a lot about [director] Jonas [?kerlund] and coming to Jonas because of 'Ray of Light' — and this really is Britney's Ray of Light album."

?kerlund and Madonna famously reinvented the pop star into an earthly disco queen for her "Ray of Light" video in 1998. The Ray of Light album spawned a number of songs that were dance-floor hits as well as introspective. Madge worked on the album with Patrick Leonard and William Orbit. The album was recorded shortly after her daughter Lourdes was born, and while the lyrics are reflective, the sounds are electronic based.

While he didn't go into specifics, Rudolph did explain that the vibe of this first single and video may be a sign of what's to come on the album. "I feel like Jonas is a really good fit for her. They worked so well together so I gotta believe that they'll work again on this album project," he said. "I'm hoping that that happens and we do see more of that."

For Britney, working with ?kerlund was a passion project that, according to Rudolph, turned out to be an incredibly creative collaboration.

"She's always been a huge fan of his and his name has always come up. And there's always been something that stopped us from doing it, whether it be his availability or her timing, but we were really determined to make it happen this time," he said of hooking up with ?kerlund for the video. "He immediately had 20 different ideas and they got together and they talked about it and it took on a life of its own. We're really excited about it. In my opinion it's one of the top two or three videos of all time. It's a total departure for her. It's more mature. [There are] interesting things going on there that you have to dig deep to see."

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Liam Neeson's 'Unknown': The Reviews Are In!

With apologies to the groundhog, Liam Neeson is quickly becoming February's biggest star. Two years after the action-thriller "Taken" made him perhaps Hollywood's unlikeliest action star, the Oscar-nominated man who played Oskar Schindler is back to kick butt and take names in "Unknown," a neo-Hitchcockian thriller about a man who awakens after a car accident to discover the life he thought he had has been taken away, possibly just an after-effect of amnesia.

Is the movie itself worth forgetting? Here's what the critics are saying:

The Twist
"As much as 'Unknown' tries to be an intelligent thriller for grown-ups, the premise is pretty silly and normally, when that's the case, you know it's going to lead to an equally silly twist. Dark Castle regular Jaume Collet-Serra's previous movie 'Orphan' had one of the funniest twist endings possibly ever, though this doesn't quite achieve that extreme of insanity because the plot is so based in thriller clichés we've seen before, there aren't as many surprises until that third act. We won't give away the big twist, though we'll say that the film's biggest problem is that once it's revealed, much of what happens in the film's third act negates what happened earlier by turning much of it into nonsensical drivel." — Edward Douglas, Coming Soon

Will the Real Mr. Neeson Please Stand Up?
"With Harrison Ford mellowing with the years, Liam Neeson is stepping into the position, near and dear to action fans, of the average, over-civilized American man who, finding himself surrounded by trouble, picks up a tire iron and learns to swing it. It's one thing to convince an audience you're tough when you're covered with muscles. But to do so while wearing a jacket and tie takes concentration and sincerity. Neeson brings his own special quality to this type of role. As we saw in 'Taken,' in which he had to rescue his daughter in Paris, and now in 'Unknown,' playing a scholar whose identity gets stolen in Berlin, Neeson has a way of getting upset — a frantic purposefulness — that fills viewers with both empathy and anticipation: He's so miserable that we care." Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

"Casting is crucial to a movie. The right lead changes every other aspect of the film, impacting the tone and the way scenes play. The wrong lead will suck the energy out of a movie, leaving what could have been a delight leaden and dull. Liam Neeson is the wrong lead for 'Unknown.' What's worse, he doesn't seem to care; bringing one boring level of gruff intensity to every scene, Neeson is unmodulated and uninterested in creating anything subtle. Which sounds weird when talking about a big, ultimately dumb movie like 'Unknown,' but if Jaume Collet-Serra's last film, the incredible 'The Orphan,' proves one thing it's that his special brand of lunacy needs strong, subtle actors to play it." — Devin Faraci, Badass Digest

The Supporting Players
"The venerable German actor Bruno Ganz plays a former Stasi agent whom Martin hires to help him prove his identity, and Frank Langella has a brief and marvelous small part as an American professor whom Martin contacts for help. The one scene that Ganz and Langella have together is worth the price of admission. Both are actors capable of elevating whatever material they're in, and for a few moments this fair-to-middling spy drama feels as emotionally rich and morally ambiguous as a Graham Greene novel." — Dana Stevens, Slate

The Final Word
"This is a studio thriller released in February, people, not the second coming of Hitchcock. Still, keep your expectations reasonable and director Jaume Collet-Serra — undaunted by the presence of the 2005 'House of Wax' remake on his résumé — will exceed them, delivering an exciting and unjaded entertainment with tremendous atmosphere, one that will keep you guessing almost to the final frame." — Andrew O'Hehir, Salon

Check out everything we've got on "Unknown."

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

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Britney Spears' 'Hold It Against Me' Video: A Pop-Culture Cheat Sheet

On Thursday night, after weeks of teasing, Britney Spears finally revealed her video for "Hold It Against Me," a whirling, swirling dance explosion that features plenty of sass, swagger and exactly one flowing white gown.

The Jonas ?kerlund-directed clip also features plenty of nods to pop music's past — not to mention several blink-and-you'd-miss-it odes to film, TV and, of course, Greek mythology. As is the case with all massive videos, there's a whole lot to keep track of, so, much like we did for equally big clips like Lady Gaga's "Telephone" and My Chemical Romance's "Na Na Na," we've put "Hold It Against Me" through the wringer and compiled a pop-culture cheat sheet that's alphabetized and cross-referenced for your convenience. Believe us, this took way longer than you could imagine, but it was worth it. (Oh, and despite our best efforts, we're sure there's something we missed, which is why we need your help: Let us know what you spot in the comments below.)

Photos of the references in Britney's "Hold It Against Me."

The Graeae: In Greek mythology, they were the three sisters who shared a single eye. In Britney's video, they're hoodie-wearing dudes with serious dance moves (and no eyes at all). Same thing, really.

Iamamiwhoami: Icky, sticky viral-video enigma whose early clips featured plenty of lying around in the fetal position (and amniotic fluids). In "HIAM," Britney, covered in similarly sticky liquid, curls up on the floor, striking a pose that would make Iamami proud.

Kanye West, "Runaway": Over-the-top 35-minute mini-movie/allegory starring West as a man who cares for a phoenix who has fallen to Earth. The meteor that crashes to Earth at the beginning of "HIAM" reminds us a lot of the phoenix's fiery entrance in 'Ye's film. And, if you look hard enough, you can also see the song's lyrics printed out in the top left corner of the shot.

Madonna, "Bedtime Stories": Ultra-artistic 1995 video, directed by Mark Romanek, that cost a reported $5 million to make. From the futuristic set and the special effects to Brit's long, flowing gown and whirling dancers, it appears to be a direct influence on pretty much everything in "HIAM." Though we're willing to bet Brit didn't spend nearly as much to make her version.

Madonna, "Die Another Day": Big-budget 2002 Madonna video from the equally big-budget James Bond film of the same name. It featured a memorable fight scene that pitted Madge against her alter ego (Mariah Carey did the same thing in her "Heartbreaker" video, BTW). In "HIAM," Britney battles her alter ego in a (very fashionable) kung fu fight.

"The Matrix": Wachowski brothers franchise that featured plenty of TV screens and a whole lot of marauding machinery, just like "HIAM." Like Keanu said, "Whoa."

"Mortal Kombat": Totally awesome (and violent) fighting game that featured, among its cast of characters, a blue-garbed assassin named Sub-Zero. In "HIAM," Britney's dancers don outfits similar to him, only they don't shoot ice out of their hands. Unless that part's in the director's cut.

Robyn, "Indestructible": Sexy 2010 video from Sweden's sexiest pop export, it featured Robyn writhing on a table while wearing a dress made entirely of clear plastic tubes (courtesy of Australian artist Lucy McRae), sort of like the ones Britney uses to spray colored liquid all over the "HIAM" set.

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show": Cult 1975 film adapted from a British play, its iconic poster featured a pair of bright-red lips, which seem to have also made their way into "HIAM."

Tool, ?nema: Totally excellent 1996 album that featured several covers, one of which was a creepy, double-irised eyeball, courtesy of artist Cam de Leon. If you blink (get it?!?), you might miss a similar eyeball that pops up in "HIAM."

What did we miss? Share the pop-culture inspirations you spotted in the comments below!

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Liam Neeson As Hollywood's Newest Badass: 'Unknown' Co-Stars Explain

He may have broken in with roles in sword-and-sorcery flicks like "Excalibur" and "Krull," but how in the world did the Oscar-nominated man best known for his quiet, dramatic work in films like "Schindler's List," "Nell" and "Kinsey" suddenly become film's most believable, in-demand 60-year-old badass?

It's precisely because of his previous work, "Unknown" co-stars Diane Kruger and January Jones insisted to MTV News.

"I wanted to be in this movie because of Liam really," Kruger said. "Especially this kind of film. ... I think because of his age and because of his body of work and his gravitas as an actor, I think it brings a whole other layer of depth to this kind of film. It feels fresh. It feels like, yes, it's entertaining and it's light, but there's a whole other layer of emotions and character work going on."

Two years after Neeson rocked audiences as a super-talented assassin out to save his daughter in "Taken," the Irish thesp is back to kick butt and take names in "Unknown," a neo-Hitchcockian thriller about a man bereft of an identity after a car accident leaves him unsure of who he really is. While unquestionably dangerous and capable, here Neeson also has to play fragile and flustered.

It's a dichotomy that doesn't just show up in his film roles, January Jones argued, but in the man himself.

"He's such a perfect casting choice for this movie, because you could be intimidated by him physically because he is fit and could cause you harm," the future Emma Frost told MTV News. "But at the same time there's something so vulnerable about him in certain things he says and certain things he does that makes you want to take care of him, there's both sides of that. You could believe that he could be a bad guy, but you could also want him to succeed."

Check out everything we've got on "Unknown."

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

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Jennifer Aniston's Beverly Hills Home Goes on Sale for $42 Million

Jennifer Aniston is ready to "simplify" her life – and is getting started by quietly putting her Beverly Hills home on sale to the tune of $42 million.

The actress, who just celebrated her 42nd birthday, told PEOPLE recently that despite dedicating more than two years of her life to renovating the Zen-influenced retreat, she feels the need to let go of it.

But window shoppers beware: The home will not be listed officially and only an elite group of realtors will have access to the property, real estate sources tell PEOPLE. The sources confirmed the selling price.

The Just Go with It star bought the home she calls "Ohana" – a reference to the Hawaiian idea of extended family – for $13.5 million in 2006. She and her team tore it apart and spent more than two years renovating it, and she moved in just before her 40th birthday in 2009.

Built on a hillside in 1970 with sweeping views of Los Angeles, Aniston told Architectural Digest the single-level home feels "like a hug" and "vibrates with the love that created it."

So why does she want to move? Her epiphany came, she says, in a moment where she woke up in London and thought, "my life felt really cluttered."

"I couldn't sleep and I sort of had one of those moments where I went, I really need to simplify," PEOPLE's recent cover girl said. "My life needs to be simplified and clear out the clutter. And along with that thought came, 'I should sell my house.' ... I had the realization that this is just too much for me. I'm not this person."

Though Aniston has another smaller home in L.A., she may end up living far, far away from Beverly Hills. "I don't know, I'm looking for little spots in New York City to go back home," she said. "There are all sorts of things that are going to be happening in the near future so I'm excited. I don't know what they are, but that's the fun part."

• Reporting by JULIE JORDAN

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Tyra Banks Goes from Bimbo to Goth in Top Model Parody

Judging by the vast array of characters she portrays in an exclusive video, Tyra Banks may have a future as a regular on Saturday Night Live.

In a promo touting cycle 16 of America's Next Top Model, Banks parodies the typical contestants who try out on the show, starting with an airheaded blonde giggling her way through her interview: "I'm 19 years old, and my favorite designer is Hello Kitty," Banks says in her best Valley Girl accent.

Next up is a tattooed, surly contestant with an attitude who says, "I'm not here to make friends," followed an angry model with in goth dress and makeup.

The hit show returns Feb. 23 (8 p.m. ET) to the CW. Guest judges in this cycle include international fashion designer Lana Marks, model and stylist Erin Wasson, Rachel Zoe and model and actress Alek Wek.

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Frankie Muniz and Girlfriend Still Together After Gun Incident

Frankie Muniz and Elycia Turnbow

Michael Buckner/Getty

For a while, it looked like TV's Malcolm was in the middle of one big mess.

Last week, police investigated a disturbance at the Phoenix home of Frankie Muniz and his publicist girlfriend Elycia Turnbow. When it was all over the actor had handed over a gun to officers.

Muniz’s rep Lauren Tobin tells PEOPLE the duo now "are fine" and "as far as they are concerned, their issues are resolved."

The Malcolm in the Middle star, 25, and Turnbow, are "still very much a couple," Tobin says. "Neither one is interested in finger-pointing at the other. It was a situation that escalated beyond a point that it needed to be. If anything, they will look back at this as a learning opportunity."

Tobin also clarified reports that Muniz held a gun to his head during the argument with Turnbow.

"He was not suicidal," Tobin says, noting that Muniz’s gun was "voluntarily handed over" to authorities for safekeeping. Neither person was arrested and no charges were made.

Since Malcom ended in 2006, Muniz took a step back from Hollywood and concentrated his race car driving.

He then moved to Phoenix and joined the independent band You Hang Up early last year. Since the Feb. 11 incident, Muniz has resumed performing with the four-person rock group for which he's the drummer.

"He gets along great with the other guys," the band's manager, Todd Erickson says. "They’re friends in addition to being in a band together. They’re all a really good group of people."

Erickson describes the post-TV Muniz as "hard-working and multitalented" with "opportunities in a lot of different directions. I have nothing but good things to say about him."

• Additional reporting by DAHVI SHIRA

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It's Official: Royal Wedding Invitations in the Mail

By Simon Perry and Stephen M. Silverman

Friday February 18, 2011 12:20 PM EST

Prince William and Catherine Middleton's engagement portrait

Copyright 2010 Mario Testino

Check that post box: The invitations to the April 29 wedding of William and Kate are in the mail.

A palace source confirms to PEOPLE that on Thursday the invitations began leaving the office of the Lord Chamberlain – the man entrusted with seeing the cards get to the right people.

"They're in the process of being sent out," says the source.

As the deliveries started to go into effect, a charity bash in London was drawing a crowd from the wedding party's circle, including best-man-to-be Prince Harry's on-off girlfriend Chelsy Davy.

Also making the scene at royal pal Guy Pelly's new club Public: William and Harry's cousins Beatrice and Eugenie, along with the bride-to-be's sister Pippa (just named maid of honor), newly engaged Holly Branson and some of William's closest friends like Tom van Straubenzee and his brother Charlie.

"They all looked happy and excited at the prospect of the evening and the coming months," a bystander tells PEOPLE.

As the Duchess of York, in her chauffeur-driven Bentley, dropped off daughter Eugenie, 20, she told onlookers that she was happy to leave the revelry to the younger set.

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Vanessa Hudgens Chooses Her Wedding Dress Designer

Henry S. Dziekan III/Getty

Vanessa Hudgens might have recently split with her long-time boyfriend, Zac Efron, but doesn’t mean that the actress can’t fantasize about her big day–and she’s already picked out the designer for her gown. “I want [Marchesa] to dress me for my wedding,” the actress told PEOPLE after taking in the design house’s New York Fashion Week presentation on Wednesday. “[Their] lace work just blows my mind,” she adds of designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig’s signature embellishment. “Anyone would be lucky to have a Marchesa dress in their wedding.” With the gown situation sorted, now Vanessa just has to find the perfect groom. “I don’t know when that is going to be,” said Hudgens of her fantasy wedding date. “But when it happens Georgina’s going to do it. Already got one hassle out of the way!” –Jeffrey Slonim

SEE WHO ELSE IS STEALING THE SPOTLIGHT DURING NEW YORK FASHION WEEEK!

Edited by Melissa Liebling-Goldberg

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Serene Branson Recalls Her Terror at Slurring Words on Live TV

There were signs that something was wrong before CBS 2 TV reporter Serene Branson became suddenly tongue-tied during her live report from the Grammy Awards on Sunday night.

"I didn't feel well before that live shot," Branson tells Julie Chen on Thursday's episode of The Talk. "I had a headache. I was having some blurry vision and when I went to open my mouth, obviously you heard, the words were not coming out."

But Branson, who hopes to return to work soon, says she was fully aware when she slurred her speech during her report.

"Seeing [the footage] – it's obviously very disconcerting [and] scary because I know what was going on in my head at the time," she says. "I was terrified."

Branson also tells Chen what she was trying to say in the report: "I knew I wanted to say that Lady Antebellum had swept the Grammys that night," Branson recalls. "But the words were not there for me."

UCLA Medical Center's chief of neurosurgery Dr. Neil Martin says she suffered from a "complex migraine" – a severe headache which can mimic strokes.

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Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson Have a Sleepover

By Dahvi Shira

Update Friday February 18, 2011 05:50 PM EST Originally posted Friday February 18, 2011 05:50 PM EST

Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson

AP(2)

Are things getting back on track for Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson?

The onetime couple were spotted leaving the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel together early Friday morning in Ronson's black Porsche, ending up at her place.

"Watching grey's anatomy – my fav show," the DJ, 33, wrote around 5 a.m. "@lindsaylohan sleeping next 2 me – should i wake her up to let her know her mom is going on GMA?"

But Lohan wants everyone to know her late night outing did not include clubbing at Teddy's, which is attached to the hotel.

"I was just at roosevelt to meet Samantha and say happy birthday to a friend," the recently rehabbed actress Tweeted Friday afternoon.

"I take my sobriety seriously," Lohan continued. "Please dont believe this (sic) accusations. i know the rules and i wouldnt risk probation. xoxo L."

Just last month, Lohan, 24, and Ronson dined at Joe's in Venice, Calif., where a source says they "shared a friendly dinner."

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5 Things to Know About I Am Number Four's Callan McAuliffe

Callan McAuliffe

Amanda Leddy/Splash News Online

He may play third-wheel to Glee's Dianna Agron and her onscreen-turned-real-life boyfriend Alex Pettyfer in the sci-fi film I Am Number Four, but Australian newcomer Callan McAuliffe is not lacking for pre-box office buzz.

In the movie – which opened in theaters Friday – McAuliffe, 16, plays a geeky, gawky high school kid with an obsession with aliens. But before you catch the film, meet the Sydney native who's already wrapped two major studio films.

1. He never expected to become an actor
Paging Doctor McAuliffe? The rising star says that before he made it onto the big screen, science was his favorite school subject. "I originally envisioned myself doing something with the suffix 'ology' at the end of it, like marine biology or entomology," McAuliffe tells PEOPLE. "But after I started to do some acting gigs, I thought it wasn't a bad thing … I said to myself, 'I might as well keep riding this bus until the wheels fall off.' "

2. He has a musical ear
The talent continues: McAuliffe says that although he can't read music, he can play it by ear. "I can play songs that I hear from a movie and just play it a few times on the keyboard," he says. "I will hit all the notes on the keyboard until I find the right key, and then I will play the rest of the song." Besides the piano, McAuliffe can also play the guitar, banjo and the drums.?

3. But don't expect to see him on Glee
His costar Agron hits all the right notes on the Fox series – and that's the way it should stay, McAuliffe says. "I think I would be more embarrassed than anything if I had to sing on television," he says. "I guess if I was invited onto the show, I could play the banjo and sit in the corner and let Dianna do the singing. She's amazing."

4. Is he the next Karate Kid?
The young actor is learning martial arts to perfect his mind, body and soul – and to learn some kick-butt moves for future action roles. "You leave feeling really powerful, and you want to go find some random person and ask, 'Hey, can you grab my wrist – I want to show you something,' " he says with a laugh. And you wouldn't want to mess with McAuliffe in a back alley: "I can run up a wall and do a back flip – that's the most impressive thing that I can do."

? 5. Chores come first
No maid, no problem – even with a budding Hollywood career. "I do chores around the house, but I don't get an allowance for them," McAuliffe says. "I wash the dishes and sweep the floor … I'm sweeping the floor quite a lot, and my mum always expects me to get a broom and swagger it across the floor all the time."

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The Bachelor's Michelle Money: 'I'm Not a Villain'

Michelle Money

Craig Sjodin/ABC

As long as there have been reality shows, there have been misunderstood villains who blame editing for their bad image.

Michelle Money, 30, a Salt Lake City hairstylist, stuck to the same story during a recent conference call with reporters as she discussed her snarky comments, aggressive behavior and failed attempt to find love with Brad Womack on The Bachelor.

Did you anticipate that you'd become this season's villain?
I never in a million years expected to be the villain. I was actually really surprised and shocked by it in the beginning. I'm an easy target, [because] I'm upfront and honest. It has been hard to see one very small side of me being the only side portrayed. But that's what you get for signing up for a reality TV show.

Do you regret doing the show?
I have no regrets, no hard feelings. My experience was nothing but positive. I just wish those great experiences had been shown. And at the end of the day, I know what my experience was, what really happened and the friendships I made.

What about the caught-on-camera mean remarks?
I have a very sarcastic, dry sense of humor. That can come off as very intense. When you just get a small, chopped-up version of me being sarcastic, it comes across the wrong way.

And what about the aggressive behavior with Brad?
When I left, I felt really great about who I was and the choices I made. I felt Brad got a clear idea of who I am ... I went on the show to find love so I took advantage of every opportunity to have time to see if he was someone I'd want in my future. Because if he wasn't, I wanted to go home to my daughter.

Chantal seemed to be your biggest enemy.
I don't have anything against her. She's a beautiful, smart woman. It's unfortunate everyone only got to see the catty side. Chantal was hard to get to know. She keeps her distance from women. But I left feeling that if I ever saw her again, I'd give her the biggest hug. I still don't think she's right for Brad.

Who is?
Emily. He needs someone soft-spoken and feminine. She's just a Southern belle, ladylike and sweet. Emily will be the one who ends up with him, if that's what she wants. It'll be more about her choosing him.

Did you have a clue that night that you wouldn't get a rose?
Something was off ... After our photo shoot and time to talk at the pool, something felt different. His kisses weren't as passionate or emotional. I could tell his heart was with someone else. In my opinion, that's when he started falling in love with Emily.

Why not talk to him on the way to the limo or once you were inside?
Brad and I did have a personal, positive conversation that gave me closure and helped me feel confident in his decision. They didn't show it. I had a lot to say in the limo as well ... Me laying down was a result of being car sick from talking to the camera while driving down a bumpy road with lights in my face. I was going to throw up.

Are you worried about how you were portrayed and how it will affect your future dating prospects?
Once you meet me face to face and have a conversation, it's very clear that I'm not a villain. I'm not worried about dating. I've just had a hard time finding people to date in Utah. Being a single mom, it's hard to get out and travel and meet men. I'm hopeful. I want to get married and have more kids. I want to be in a committed, healthy relationship with somebody who is confident, can make me laugh and can be a great example to my daughter.

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Stage ambition

15 February 2011 Last updated at 02:30 GMT By Tim Masters Entertainment and arts correspondent, BBC News Mulligan, Knightley and Garfield play the lead roles in Never Let Me Go As Never Let Me Go arrives in UK cinemas, novelist Kazuo Ishiguro is already planning its transition to the stage.

The writer has recently returned from Tokyo where he has been in discussions on a Japanese-language version of his Booker Prize-shortlisted novel. He is also in talks about a British stage production.

"We have to allow three years from the release of the film to the time it can be done on the stage - but whether it will be a musical or not is another matter," Ishiguro told the BBC.

Last year a musical version of Ishiguro's 1989 Booker winner The Remains of the Day ran at London's Union Theatre.

Ishiguro was adamant, however, that he won't be writing the stage version of Never Let Me Go himself.

"That's a very difficult thing to do," he said. "I'm always awestruck by people who can write for the stage. I'm a real theatre lover, but I would no more try to write a stage script than write an opera."

The 56-year-old author said he felt "relieved" now that Never Let Me Go had been released in the UK, three months after it opened the London Film Festival.

"It feels like it's taken forever to get here," he admitted. "We had two earlier release dates. If you write a novel and people make a film of it you really worry that something not quite right will come out. But I'm so proud of this film.

The author was speaking to the BBC at the Evening Standard Film Awards

"It's a great showcase for the new generation of British acting talent. Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield have become such great stars since the shoot."

Mark Romanek's film, however, left many critics lukewarm and has been largely overlooked during awards season. It received no Bafta or Oscar nominations.

In Never Let Me Go, Keira Knightley, Mulligan and Garfield play three characters, who grew up together at a secluded boarding school, whose lives have been predetermined from birth.

Ishiguro and screenwriter Alex Garland began discussing the film version of Never Let Me Go before the novel was published in 2005.

"While I was writing the novel Alex was writing these screenplays that made him this very hot screenwriter - 28 Days Later, Sunshine - so it felt very natural when I came to the end of writing the novel for him to say 'why don't I try and turn it into a movie?'"

Ishiguro is not worried about the spoiler aspect of the story, which has been widely reported in reviews.

"Maybe it adds a slight dimension if you don't know anything when the films kicks off," he said.

"Fairly early on you're going to learn the premise and that's not really what the film is about. The film is about what happens after that - it's a story about love and death. It's not about some sinister secret."

While Ishiguro doesn't see Never Let Me Go as a science fiction film, he doesn't rule out exploring the genre in future novels.

"I don't think about it that consciously, but having got into this terrain, if I need anything from this kind of world I feel free to take it."

The author admits that promoting Never Let Me Go over the last six months as held up work on a new novel.

"I'm very happy to have done it, but now I'm going to get back to work and try to think of a few more stories."

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Gray and Keys in broadcast return

14 February 2011 Last updated at 14:10 GMT Andy Gray and Richard Keys focused on Wayne Rooney's goal during the first hour of their new show Football presenters Andy Gray and Richard Keys have returned to broadcasting after leaving their jobs at Sky Sports over a sexism row.

In their first three-hour Talksport radio show, Keys said: "It's nice to be back talking football."

The pair left Sky after they made controversial off-air remarks about female assistant referee Sian Massey.

In Monday's radio show they did not refer to the controversy which led to Gray's sacking and Keys's resignation.

Neither of the presenters offered an apology.

The former Sky Sports presenters avoided any controversy in the first hour of their radio show, sticking to football and focusing on Wayne Rooney's "wonder goal" for Manchester United on Saturday.

Ahead of their broadcast, in what will be a regular Talksport show, they appeared briefly on Alan Brazil's breakfast show.

Brazil, a former Tottenham Hotspur player, greeted Grays and Keys joking: "I never thought I'd see you here."

Keys remarked that he was looking forward to his new job, saying: "I can have an opinion, rather than just ask questions."

Sian Massey was back in action in the Premiership at the weekend

At the weekend Ms Massey returned to duty in the Premier League.

She was criticised by Gray and Keys in off-camera comments picked up on their microphones ahead of her appearance at the Wolves v Liverpool match last month.

But on Saturday she ran the line during the 1-1 draw between Blackpool and Aston Villa and was praised by Tangerines manager Ian Holloway.

He said: "She took the right decisions. I was confident in her. She is good at what she is doing."

Holloway also criticised some fans who taunted her: "I didn't like some of the shouts. Is that funny? 'There is only one Andy Gray'.

"That's rude, you have got to forget about all of that and get on with things, haven't we? I think we should let things lie in the past."

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Spider-Man film gets full title - and it's Amazing

15 February 2011 Last updated at 12:32 GMT Andrew Garfield will play the web-slinging superhero in the new film The Amazing Spider-Man will be the title of the latest instalment in the comic book-inspired superhero series, to be released on 3 July 2012.

The movie, currently being made in 3D, stars The Social Network actor Andrew Garfield in the title role.

Marc Webb's film explores the formative years of Peter Parker, previously played on screen by Tobey Maguire.

Welsh actor Rhys Ifans will play the villain, while US actress Emma Stone will portray leading lady Gwen Stacey.

Webb, whose background is in music videos, enjoyed box office success in 2009 with the romantic comedy (500) Days of Summer.

Martin Sheen and Sally Field will also appear in the film, one of whose writers - Steve Kloves - worked on the Harry Potter films.

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Tinie Tempah wins two Brit Awards

15 February 2011 Last updated at 23:17 GMT Tinie Tempah won two categories. Footage courtesy The Brit Awards, ITV1

Tinie Tempah walked away with two prizes at this year's Brit awards, claiming best British breakthrough act and best single for Pass Out.

The coveted best British album gong went to Mumford and Sons for Sigh No More and Take That scooped the best British group trophy.

Plan B was named best British male and Laura Marling won the prize in the best female category.

There were also prizes for Rihanna, Cee Lo Green and Arcade Fire.

The Canadian band's record, The Suburbs, won them the prize for best international album.

They also took home the award for best international group.

Tempah - real name Patrick Okogwu - was the most nominated artist of the night with four nods.

Picking up his first award, the star said: "I want to big up God and my family for sticking by me when times are hard."

Rihanna, who performed on stage, landed the best international female artist trophy and Cee Lo Green picked up the male international award.

Formula One star Lewis Hamilton presented Cee Lo Green with his trophy.

The rapper and singer said told the audience that his "heart is racing".

He added: "I'm so excited. Thank you so much for this honour. Such a pleasant surprise."

'Pleasant surprise'

Justin Bieber took home the gong for best international breakthrough act.

Speaking on stage the 16-year-old, who rose to fame on YouTube, thanked his fans for the honour.

Take That kicked off the show, which was hosted by comedian James Corden, with a performance of their new single Kidz.

All five members of the band took the stage with an army of dancers dressed like riot police.

The group, who reunited with Robbie Williams last year, beat Biffy Clyro, Mumford and Sons and Gorillaz in the best group category.

On stage Mark Owen paid tribute to Williams and said: "Can I say thanks for coming back mate. Appreciate it. It's a real pleasure for the five of us to be up here."

They had also been up for best British album, along with Plan B, Tempah and The xx.

Rihanna was named best international female at the ceremony

The Who's Roger Daltrey presented the best album award to Mumford and Sons.

"It's good to see the British music industry still has enough money for a good booze up", he said before before handing the prize over.

Accepting the trophy, Marcus Mumford said: "This is very bizarre, very strange. Thank you very much indeed. We are very honoured, very humbled."

Ellie Goulding and Mark Ronson handed Jessie J with the critics' choice prize.

The Essex-born singer, currently number one in the singles chart with Price Tag, is the fourth consecutive female to take home the gong.

Speaking backstage, the star said: "Pop stands for popular. I want to be a pop icon and take Britain across the world."

There were performances from Adele, Plan B and Tempah.

Cee Lo Green and Paloma Faith closed the ceremony, which took place at London's O2 arena for the first time.

All performances have been made available for fans to buy on the iTunes website.

Profits from the downloads will be donated to the Brits Trust, the awards' charity partner.

Tinie Tempah won two categories. Footage courtesy The Brit Awards, ITV1

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Chandler remains joined by wife's

15 February 2011 Last updated at 16:06 GMT Humphrey Bogart played Philip Marlowe in the 1940s film version of Chandler's The Big Sleep The ashes of Raymond Chandler's wife have been buried over his casket in a Valentine's Day ceremony in San Diego.

It had been the crime thriller writer's wish to be buried alongside Cissy Chandler, who died in 1954.

But because he left no instruction for what to do with her ashes after his death in 1959, it has taken more than five decades to bring them together.

More than 100 literary fans gathered on Monday to see a grave marker unveiled to commemorate their reunification.

"Everyone was thrilled," said historian Loren Latker, who found references suggesting Chandler wanted to be buried alongside his wife while reseaching the Anglo-American author.

With the help of John Wayne's lawyer daughter Aissa, he persuaded a Los Angeles judge in September to approve a reburial.

Cissy Chandler's ashes - previously stored at a nearby mausoleum - arrived in a caravan of vintage cars as a band played When the Saints Go Marching In.

The reverend who conducted her husband's funeral in 1959 presided over the ceremony at San Diego's Mount Hope Cemetery.

Guests included US actor Powers Boothe, who played Chandler's most famous creation, private eye Philip Marlowe, on television in the 1980s.

The character was memorably brought to life by Humphrey Bogart in the classic 1940s film adaptation of his novel The Big Sleep.

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Reaction 'degrades van Gogh work'

14 February 2011 Last updated at 19:18 GMT The Van Gogh paintings examined include Banks of the Seine Scientists have identified why the bright yellows in some of Vincent van Gogh's paintings have turned brown.

A complex chemical reaction is behind the deterioration of the works.

The finding is a first step to understanding how to stop some of the Dutch master's most famous paintings from fading over time.

The results, published in the journal Analytical Chemistry, suggest shielding the affected paintings as much as possible from UV and sunlight.

Uncovering the secrets of the chemical reaction required the scientists to use an array of analytical tools.

These included the intense X-ray beams produced at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), a world-leading centre for the study of the structure of materials in Grenoble, France.

The intense X-rays produced at the ESRF were used to analyse the samples

Sunlight can penetrate only a few micrometres into the paint, but over this short distance, the researchers found it could trigger a hitherto unknown chemical reaction turning chrome yellow into brown pigments, altering the original composition.

The scientists employed a microscopic X-ray beam to reveal a complex chemical reaction taking place in the incredibly thin layer where the paint meets the varnish.

The vibrancy of new industrial pigments such as chrome yellow allowed van Gogh to achieve the intensity of, for example, his series of Sunflowers paintings.

He started to paint in these bright colours after leaving his native Holland for France where he became friends with artists who shared his new ideas about the use of colours.

Problem mixture

The researchers found that a change in the oxidation state of the element chromium (from chromium 6 to chromium 3) was linked to the darkening of chrome yellow paint.

The X-ray beam research carried out at ESRF also showed that chromium 3 was especially prominent in the presence of chemical compounds which contained barium and sulphur.

Based on this observation, the scientists speculate that van Gogh's technique of blending white and yellow paint might be the cause of the darkening of his yellow paint.

Co-author Koen Janssens commented: "Our next experiments are already in the pipeline.

"Obviously, we want to understand which conditions favour the reduction of chromium, and whether there is any hope to revert pigments to the original state in paintings where it is already taking place."

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Rihanna sued over S&M pop video

15 February 2011 Last updated at 14:28 GMT Rihanna was recognised at the Grammys for her Only Girl (In the World) track Pop star Rihanna is being sued by celebrity photographer David LaChapelle, who said her S&M video was "directly derived" from his pictures.

LaChapelle, who has photographed celebrities for magazines such as Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone, is suing for unspecified damages.

His case states "the music video is directly derived from and substantially similar to the LaChapelle works".

A spokeswoman for Rihanna, 22, was not immediately available for comment.

The video for S&M has been banned in some countries due to its sexual content.

LaChappelle said Rihanna has appropriated eight of his images into the video, including one where she is shown in profile against a blue background with a sweet on her tongue.

The case states that Rihanna's video copied the "composition, total concept, feel, tone, mood, theme, colours, props, settings, decors wardrobe and lighting" of his work.

Rihanna won the best dance recording Grammy award on Sunday for her track, Only Girl (In the World).

Last month she set a new record as the first female solo artist in UK chart history to achieve number one singles in five consecutive years.

LaChappelle is one of the fashion industry's most respected fashion photographers.

His subjects include Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Chris Rock, Madonna and Naomi Campbell.

He has also directed music videos and stage shows.

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Oscar nominee's diary

15 February 2011 Last updated at 14:57 GMT This is Paul Franklin's second Oscar nomination Paul Franklin has been nominated for an Oscar for his work on the mind-bending visual effects of Inception.

Among the film's most memorable sequences are the city of Paris folding in on itself, and the creation and destruction of "Limbo City".

Paul's London-based FX company Double Negative also worked on Christopher Nolan's films Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. The latter film earned Franklin a visual effects Oscar nomination in 2009.

Here Paul tells us about his experiences in the run-up to Hollywood's biggest night of the year.

Finally, after two days, my Bafta hangover has gone. Free champagne all night - quality, mind you, none of your cheap stuff - it would have been rude to refuse!

I have been nominated for a Bafta twice before, but this time felt completely different.

My first two nods had been great honours, but there'd been no real prospect of a win in either case.

With Inception it looked like we were in with a real chance and my nerves had been steadily building all week.

After getting ready at home (the offers of free hair styling, make-up and jewellery being wasted on a fortysomething bloke who's thinning on top), we wound our way through south London, across the Thames to the Royal Opera House and stepped onto the red carpet.

A huge crowd, undeterred by the inevitable drizzling rain, pressed against the crush barriers, eager for a glimpse of celebrity.

It was a case of third time lucky for Paul at the Baftas

The paparazzi flashed their cameras as the car doors opened - no doubt hoping to grab a knicker shot of someone famous failing to exit gracefully.

Clearly that wasn't us, and within seconds all eyes and cameras had turned to the next limo in the line.

We walked up the red carpet, sandwiched between Danny Boyle and Gemma Arterton, and once inside joined a swish cocktail reception where I relaxed to the point that I almost forgot why I was there.

But soon enough the master of ceremonies in full regalia ordered us to our places and the show began.

Bafta is a celebration of all aspects of filmmaking, but glamour counts.

Whilst all the nominees were seated in the same part of the auditorium, those in the technical categories are put at the edges at the back, safely hidden from the TV cameras.

At least it meant we didn't have to affect rictus grins the whole evening.

Unlike some other awards shows Bafta doesn't hang about, and within moments of Jonathan Ross's arrival on stage the gongs started coming thick and fast.

It was pretty clear that the evening would belong to The King's Speech, but Inception picked up best sound and production design along the way and I dared to believe that we might really have a serious chance.

Suddenly our category was up: clips of the five movies, representing cumulative centuries of staff hours from the various SFX and VFX teams rolled past in seconds. And then Jesse Eisenberg was tearing open the envelope and reading out... Inception.

Instant elation!

After fighting our way out of our row and a quick handshake with director Chris Nolan we bowled down the aisle and stepped up onto the stage.

At the end of my speech, as I thanked my beautiful wife, the camera cut to a shot of her for the teary-eyed reaction. Only they got the wrong wife.

Paul (far right) was honoured alongside (from left) Peter Bebb, Chris Corbould and Andrew Lockley

But at least the wrong wife is married to Pete, my co-winner, who hopefully will see the funny side.

One quick backstage interview later we returned - via a very, very long route - to our seats clutching our surprisingly heavy prizes and we happily watched Tom Hooper's King's Speech clean up the rest of the awards.

At the winners' group photo I got to say hello to JK Rowling. As a veteran of three Harry Potter films that was a real thrill.

Then onto a lavish dinner (and more champagne) at the Grosvenor, with Squeeze blasting out their greatest hits at the after party.

Then it was all over and I was back home, very tired but very, very happy.

Bertie, as the children have christened the gong, will be residing on our mantlepiece. (I know you're supposed to keep them in the loo, but we don't have a shelf.)

The buzz even lasted through the 7am school run a few hours later. But now I really do need a sleep.

Today we had the first major Oscar-related event, the nominees' luncheon. The key thing about the lunch is that there's minimal press and no TV cameras in the event itself - it's about celebrating all of the film-makers rather than just the stars (or "above the line" as they say here in Hollywood).

Everyone is that bit more relaxed than at the actual awards and you have a chance to mingle with the great and the good of Tinsel Town. Two years ago I was lucky enough to be nominated for my work on The Dark Knight, but I couldn't make it to the lunch as I was tied up on another movie.

Paul Franklin was also nominated in 2009 for The Dark Knight

My producer Mike Chambers was my lunch guest and as we entered the grand ballroom of the Beverly Hilton we were greeted with a milling throng of smartly-dressed people. It was so tightly packed that, initially, it was impossible to recognise anyone.

However, after a short while I began to spot familiar faces from the visual effects community (which is quite small and always up for a free drink) and said hello to friends from Pixar and some of the other nominated VFX teams.

Eventually I took my place for lunch to find I was seated next to Mark Ruffalo, nominated as best supporting actor for his tremendous performance in The Kids Are All Right.

I always get star struck, regardless of how many celebrities I meet and generally am at a loss for what to say. Fortunately, I remembered that Mark had just been cast as Bruce Banner/the Hulk in the Avengers movie and we talked about motion capture (used to create the animation for creatures such as the Hulk). We also discussed the perils of the unflattering spandex leotards that the actors have to wear.

It's safe territory for a tech geek like me.

Once the starter was over all the nominees shuffled up onto the podium for a group photograph and I found myself jammed in between Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth. One by one we were called out and given a certificate (as well as a massively outsized nominee's sweatshirt). Everyone got a round of applause but I'm sure that when my name came up most people were saying to themselves, "who he"?

Afterwards we were shown a short film of tips on dos and don'ts for the big night itself presented by Tom Hanks - the basic message was keep it short and don't be boring. You get 45 seconds to thank everyone for 18 months of work and anyone who goes over gets a giant Oscar dropped on top of them.

I could have stayed all afternoon - and I think quite a few did - but my boss, Chris Nolan, was giving us all pointed looks so it was in the car and back to the studio to continue pre-production on our next project. After all, someone's got to keep making movies.

Paul Franklin was Inception's VFX supervisor and is a founding member of FX company Double Negative (DNeg). He is nominated along with SFX supervisor Chris Corbould and DNeg's VFX supervisors Peter Bebb and Andrew Lockley.

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Animated gnomes top UK film chart

15 February 2011 Last updated at 16:38 GMT James McAvoy and Emily Blunt voice the film's titular characters An adaptation of Romeo and Juliet featuring animated gnomes was the top film in UK and Ireland last weekend.

Gnomeo and Juliet - which features songs by Sir Elton John, its executive producer - took £2.94m between Friday and Sunday.

Bafta-winning film The King's Speech remained steady at two for a second week.

Disney fairy-tale Tangled, based on the story of Rapunzel, slipped from one down to three.

True Grit, the Coen brothers' take on a novel previously filmed with John Wayne, made its debut at four with takings of £1.82m.

Yogi Bear - in which Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake voice the title character and his sidekick Boo Boo - was another new entry at five.

Romcom Just Go With It, starring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler, entered the chart at six, while Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan fell three places to seven.

Boxing biopic The Fighter, dystopian drama Never Let Me Go and caving thriller Sanctum rounded out this week's Top 10.

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Motley Crue's Vince Neil Begins Two Week Jail Sentence For DUI

The party's over for Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil, who turned himself into Nevada's Clark County Detention Center earlier today.

The rocker arrived at the correctional facility to begin serving a two-week sentence for DUI, TMZ reports. Neil was arrested while driving his Lamborghini near the Las Vegas strip in June 2010. Despite declaring his sobriety only a week before the incident, tests revealed that Neil's blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit when he was taken into police custody.

Neil pled guilty to misdemeanor driving under the influence in a Las Vegas court in January, admitting in a statement, "I have recognized that you can't drink and drive at all."

Ironically, only months before his 2010 arrest, the singer wrote in his memoir, 'Tattoos & Tequila: To Hell and Back With One of Rock's Most Notorious Frontmen,' "There's just a point in your life where you kind of stop, that's what happened with me ... There's other things in life than just drugs and alcohol."

Following his incarceration, Neil will spend 15 days under house arrest.

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'Greek' Star Spencer Grammer Gets Married

Some good news on the relationship front for the Grammer family! 'Greek' star Spencer Grammer tied the knot with James Hesketh on Friday, PEOPLE reports.

The 27-year-old actress, born to Kelsey Grammer and his first wife, Doreen Alderman, married Hesketh at City Hall in New York City.

Kelsey Grammer, attended the ceremony with his bride-to-be Kayte Walsh, who, at 29, is only two years the actress' senior.

Kelsey's ex-wife, Camille, was not reported to be in attendance. According to Life & Style, "Camille and Spencer had no relationship. ... And Spencer and her father are closer than ever since he split with Camille."

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Liam Neeson Opens Up For the First Time About Natasha Richardson's Death

Feb 15th 2011 04:41PMEmail ThisNearly two years after his wife, Tony-winning actress Natasha Richardson, passed away following a skiing accident, Liam Neeson is opening up for the first time about that terrible night in March 2009.

"I walked into the emergency [room] -- it's like seventy, eighty people, broken arms, black eyes, all that -- and for the first time in years, nobody recognizes me," the 'Taken' star told Esquire. "Not the nurses. The patients. No one. And I've come all this way, and they won't let me see her. And I'm looking past them, starting to push -- I'm like, 'F**k, I know my wife's back there someplace.'"

Neeson rarely speaks about his private life, and was initially hesitant to talk about Richardson with Esquire writer Tom Chiarella. However, while recounting a motorcycle accident that put him in the hospital in 2000, the Oscar-nominated star of 'Schindler's List' began to discuss the tragic parallels between the accident he survived and the one that took the life of his wife.
After striking a deer, Neeson lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a ditch, breaking his pelvis in two places. He was transferred to New York City's Lenox Hill Hospital, and Richardson, who was filming in Canada, rushed to be by his side. "I found out later they'd told her I wouldn't last the night," Neeson said. "Well, they never f**king told me that."

The scene would be repeated nine years later, only in reverse, with Neeson rushing from the Canadian set of the film 'Chloe' to be with Richardson, who had hit her head in a skiing accident.

After the fall, Richardson was initially lucid and simply asked to be taken back to her room, dismissing the ambulances that reported to the scene. Three hours later, however, the actress was taken to a small Canadian hospital after complaining of a headache. Within a few hours she was transferred to a larger hospital in Montreal. Neeson rushed from the set of 'Chloe' to be with Richardson, who had fallen into a coma as a result of a brain hemorrhage sustained during the fall.

The day after Richardson's accident, she was flown to Lenox Hill Hospital, where she died on March 18, 2009. On March 19, theater lights on Broadway and in London's West End were dimmed in honor of the respected actress and dedicated AIDS research activist.

"What am I gonna do? How am I going to get past the security?" Neeson told Chiarella, recounting what was going through his mind when he arrived at the hospital. "And I see two nurses, ladies, having a cigarette. I walk up, and luckily one of them recognizes me. And I'll tell you, I was so f**king grateful -- for the first time in I don't know how long -- to be recognized. And this one, she says, 'Go in that back door there.' She points me to it. 'Make a left. She's in a room there.' So I get there, just in time. And all these young doctors, who look all of eighteen years of age, they tell me the worst."

According to Chiarella, Neeson stopped the interview briefly while discussing Richardson, blinking back tears while gazing across the eatery at members of the late actress's extended family, who were coincidentally at the restaurant -- a favorite of Neeson and Richardson's -- the day of his interview with Esquire.

The actor returned to the set of 'Chloe' immediately after Richardson's funeral. "I just think I was still in a bit of shock," he said. "But it's kind of a no-brainer to go back to that work. It's a wee bit of a blur, but I know the tragedy hadn't just really smacked me yet."

Neeson and Richardson have two teenage sons, Michael and Daniel.

"I think I survived by running away some. Running away to work. Listen, I know how old I am and that I'm just a shoulder injury from losing roles like the one in 'Taken,'" the actor told Esquire. "So I stay with the training, I stay with the work. It's easy enough to plan jobs, to plan a lot of work. That's effective. But that's the weird thing about grief. You can't prepare for it. You think you're gonna cry and get it over with. You make those plans, but they never work."

Neeson's full interview is featured in Esquire's latest issue, on newsstands Feb. 22.

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Cee Lo Green 'Would Love' to Be on 'Glee'

Fresh off his psychedelic Grammy performance with Gwyneth Paltrow, Cee Lo Green is open to guest starring on the hit show that first brought them together: 'Glee.'

"I would love to do 'Glee,'" he told PopEater in Los Angeles following the 53rd Annual Grammys. "I met the cast in London, and they seemed really cool. It would be a great experience."

Cee Lo and Paltrow's first meeting came after the actress garnered a very positive response for her performance of his hit 'Forget You' on 'Glee.' The duo then performed a duet on 'Saturday Night Live.'

"I'd be open to doing all types of songs," he said, adding that it is "so hard to just pick one."

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'Community' Star Donald Glover Releases Track From New EP

Donald Glover may be best known for his comedy skills as doofy jock Troy on NBC's hit 'Community,' but his latest song proves his tongue is as sharp as his wit.

Glover, who raps under the pseudonym Childish Gambino, has released a new song entitled 'Freaks and Geeks' off his upcoming EP, 'Be Alone.'

The song is far from Glover's first foray into the music biz. The actor also spins records as "mcDJ" and has released three previous rap albums.

Check out Glover's latest track inside. (Warning: explicit lyrics)

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Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Returns to WWE

After a seven-year hiatus from body slams and bikini briefs, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has returned to the ring.

The WWE star-turned-actor made his return to wrestling on last night's 'Raw,' where he was introduced as the host of the upcoming Wrestlemania XXVII. The match, scheduled for April 3 in Atlanta, will be Johnson's first Wrestlemania since 2004.

He told the audience of his decision to come back to the sport that made him a star, "You helped me accomplish my goals, helped me accomplish my dreams because you never lost my side ... Thank you, I love you, and it is because of you that I'm back in this ring and it's because of you, and I give you my word, that I am never, ever, going away."

All wrestling rage aside, Johnson graciously thanked his fans for supporting him while he pursued a film career, telling them, "After seven long years ... finally The Rock has come back home."

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Doctors Look for Explanation to Serene Branson's Speech Problems

CBS Los Angeles reporter Serene Branson says that she is doing well and that her garbled speech during a live post-Grammys report was not the result of a medical problem, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Emmy-nominated reporter, whom viewers thought may have suffered a stroke or seizure when she became completely incoherent on the air, was immediately examined by paramedics but not hospitalized after the incident.

"The Episode Should Be Taken Seriously"

"This is what we call a class neurological event," Dr. Keith Black, director of the Neurosurgical Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told NBC's 'Today' show. "She was obviously aware that she was having difficulty."

According to Black, Branson's episode was likely the result of a transient ischemic attack, essentially a "blockage in blood flow going to the brain," or a "mini-seizure located in the language area."

The New York Post also spoke to doctors who viewed the tape, and they said that Branson's garbled speech could have resulted from "aphasia, which affects the ability to articulate, and that it could have been brought on by a mini-stroke, a tumor or a circulatory issue."

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Grammy Fashions Elicit Oohs, Aahs, Ughs [Video]

Feb 15th 2011 01:48PMEmail ThisEvery awards show gets people talking about the outfits, but the Grammys this year were especially watercooler-worthy.

Rihanna wore something like a layer cake, Nicki Minaj solidified herself as the heir to Lady Gaga's style with an off-the-wall leopard get-up and Gaga herself ... well, who'll ever forget the giant egg?

PopEater hit the streets of New York to gauge people's reactions to the best, worst and weirdest Grammy fashions. (Spoiler alert: Gaga's egg was actually a bigger hit than you'd think!)

See it here:

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Grammys Red Carpet 2011

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi arrives at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, in Los Angeles.

Grammys Red Carpet 2011

Kelly Osbourne arrives at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, in Los Angeles.

Grammys Red Carpet 2011

Actress Selma Blair arrives at The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.

Grammys Red Carpet 2011

Margaret Cho arrives at The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.

Grammys Red Carpet 2011

TV personality Michael 'The Situation' Sorrentino arrives at The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.

Grammys Red Carpet 2011

Barry Manilow arrives at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, in Los Angeles.

Grammys Red Carpet 2011

Musician D.L. Menard arrives at The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.

Grammys Red Carpet 2011

Musicians Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys arrive at The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.

Grammys Red Carpet 2011

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 13: Singer Justin Guarini arrives at The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Grammys Red Carpet 2011

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