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In a summer packed to the gills with superhero blockbusters, one that landed with less grace than a rampaging man in a rhino suit was The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Critics tore into the flick, deriding it for a muddled story, inconsistent character development and, most pressingly, too many damn villains.

And you know what? All of those complaints are reasonable. The movie isn’t perfect – it definitely isn’t amazing. However, after watching it, I have to say, all the Spidey hate seems a little bit overkill. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 isn’t up there with The Dark Knight as one of the great superhero sequels, but it’s also not trying to be. This installment is all about setting up the Spider-Man universe for future adventures and setting Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) on a path towards becoming the hero he’s destined to be. And in that respect, The Amazing Spider-Man 2...

With The Amazing Spider-Man 2 arriving on Blu-ray and DVD tomorrow (August 19), we have a new featurette and a deleted scene, both of which feature Jamie Foxx as Electro. The featurette showcases the elaborate and extensive make-up process Jamie Foxx had to undergo with makeup effects artist Howard Berger. The actor also explains how Electro's voice has changed after he is turned into a super villain, with his vocal chords burned during an electrical accident.

In addition, we also have a deleted scene which introduces fans to Max Dillon's cranky mother, who isn't exactly supportive of anything Max does.

Blu-ray & DVD Bonus Features Include:

4 All-New Deleted Scenes with Commentary by Marc WebbFilmmaker CommentaryAlicia Keys "It's On Again" music video

Exclusively Available on Blu-ray:

9 Additional Deleted Scenes with Commentary by Marc Webb, including "Peter Meets His Father""The Wages of Heroism: Making The Amazing Spider-Man 2," featuring revealing, in-depth segments...

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is coming to Deluxe Edition Blu-ray and DVD on August 19, and is currently available for streaming on digital. To celebrate, Sony Pictures has released five new behind-the-scenes featurettes, taking us deeper into this Marvel adventure. Find out how the 'skipping rocks' scene with Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) and old friend Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan) came together. Go on-location in New York. Take a look at how the Goblin Glider was built. Learn about the franchise's 'sustainability'. And discover more about The Amazing Spider-Man 2's music and editing process. Then be sure to catch the movie when it hits stores later this month, or order it today!

Blu-ray & DVD Bonus Features Include:

4 All-New Deleted Scenes with Commentary by Marc WebbFilmmaker CommentaryAlicia Keys "It's On Again" music video

Exclusively Available on Blu-ray:

9 Additional Deleted Scenes with Commentary by Marc Webb, including "Peter Meets His Father""The...

Just hours after the first 10 minutes were released from The Amazing Spider-Man 2, ahead of the Digital HD release on August 5, Sony Pictures Entertainment has debuted a featurette that takes fans behind-the-scenes of the sequence known as the "Spidey Sense Scene." Visual effects supervisor Jerome Chen explains that, during Spider-Man's (Andrew Garfield) Times Square battle with Electro (Jamie Foxx), director Marc Webb wanted to show a "frozen moment in time" where Spider-Man figures out how to save 40 people from being electrocuted. Go behind-the-scenes to check out how this elaborate sequence was executed, before The Amazing Spider-Man 2 debuts on Digital HD August 5 and on Blu-ray and DVD August 19.

We've always known that Spider-Man's most important battle has been within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. But in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker finds that a greater conflict lies ahead.

With The Amazing Spider-Man 2 arriving on Digital HD tomorrow, August 5, followed by the Blu-ray and DVD release on August 19, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released the first 10 minutes of director Marc Webb's superhero sequel.

This big-screen adventure opens with Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield) trying to stop a dangerous armored truck heist by Aleksei Sytsevich (Paul Giamatti) through the streets of New York, while also stopping to save pedestrian Max Dillon (Jamie Foxx), before he turns into the villainous Electro. Of course, all of this crime-fighting has made Peter late for his high school graduation. Will he make it on time? Check out the video below, then read on for more details on the Blu-ray and DVD release.

We've always known that Spider-Man's most important battle has been within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. But in The Amazing Spider-Man 2,...

Digital Release Date: Aug. 5, 2014, Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: Aug. 19, 2014

Price: DVD $30.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo $40.99, Blu-ray 3D Combo $45.99

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Jamie Foxx (White House Down) and Dane DeHaan (Chronicle) join the movie franchise in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

Foxx and DaHaan play villains Max Dillon/Electro and Harry Osborn/Green Goblin, respectively, a pair who make Spider-Man’s (Andrew Garfield, The Social Network) life very difficult as he tries to balance protecting his fellow New Yorkers and spending time with girlfriend Gwen (Emma Stone).

Campbell Scott (Handsome Harry) and Sally Field (Lincoln) return as Peter Parker’s father and Aunt May, respectively, but the cast also welcomes Paul Giamatti (Barney’s Version) and Felicity Jones (The Invisible Woman).

Directed by Marc Webb ((500) Days of Summer), who also helmed the first Spider-Man reboot, the PG-13 science-fiction film wasn’t quite received as warmly as the first by critics and moviegoers.

While The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was available for presale as early as late April, a few days before the film's release in theaters, we are just now getting word on all the exciting special features that this release has to offer. Sony is bringing the sequel home on digital HD starting August 5 followed by the Blu-ray and DVD release on August 19. Check out the cover art and everything that the release contains, then pre-order your own copy: clickHere

While the release does not include the Marc Webb director's cut that fans petitioned long and hard for, there are a number of deleted scenes that will allow viewers more insight into what was cut from the film. There will be 13 deleted scenes in all, with one titled 'Peter Meets his Father'. Does this mean Parker's father is still alive? Or is this another flashback or dream sequence? We'll have to wait...

Blu-ray & DVD Bonus Features Include: 4 All-New Deleted Scenes with Commentary by Marc Webb Filmmaker Commentary Alicia Keys “It’s On Again” music video Exclusively Available on Blu-ray: 9 Additional Deleted Scenes with Commentary by Marc Webb, including “Peter Meets His Father” “The Wages of Heroism: Making The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” featuring revealing, in-depth segments including: “Lessons Learned: Development and Direction” — Filmmakers and cast discuss their approach to the sequel and their efforts to make it the best Spider-Man yet. “Heart of the City: Shooting in New York” — A behind-the-scenes look at the film’s unprecedented access to New York City during production. “Triple Threat: Attack of the Villains” — An inside look at the development of Spider-Man’s fearsome foes, Electro, the Green Goblin and Rhino. “A More Dangerous World: Transforming Electro and the Green Goblin” — From make-up to costuming, see what it took to transform Jamie Foxx and Dane DeHaan into their fearsome alter-egos.

It probably had little impact on whether you liked The Amazing Spider-Man 2, but some fans were disappointed when the film’s end credits were not punctuated by the teaser that’s become expected from all the Marvel superhero franchises. At the end of director Marc Webb’s first Spider-Man movie, a mysterious figure confronts the imprisoned Dr. Curt Connors and asks, “Did you tell the boy the truth about his father?” But for the sequel, fans were left with a somewhat random promotional clip for Fox’s most recent X-Men movie.

Since then, the internet has speculated that Webb...

Kanye West. Just say the name in a group of people and you will get a bevy of responses: an idiot, a genius, a narcissist, or (according to President Obama) a jackass. Arguably the most controversial pop artist making music today, Yeezy is certainly a lightning rod. He’s said that George Bush doesn’t like black people, Single Ladies is one of the greatest videos of all-time, and that he is a god (so hurry up with his damn croissants).

With a persona that often overshadows his music, Kanye has expertly spun his publicity into his music; courting controversy and marrying his excessive lifestyle with musical grandiosity. Whatever direction Kanye goes, popular music seems to follow him. So even if you don’t like him, there is no arguing that he is influential. And with near unanimous critical acclaim for his musical output (particularly his most recent solo albums...

As Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, remains at large, having led police on a manhunt through Watertown, Mass., Thursday evening into Friday morning, what appears to be his Twitter account is providing a small look inside his mind. On the day of the Boston Marathon, during which Tsarnaev and his 26-year-old brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, allegedly planted two bombs that killed three people and injured more than 170, the teen quoted a lyric from Jay-z's 2001 single "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)." "Ain't no love in the heart of the city, stay safe people,

read more...

Is Kanye’s friendship with Jay-z over? The controversial rapper dissed his (former?) Bff on Feb. 23, poking fun at Jay-z’s recent collaboration with Justin Timberlake. Watch the video!

Kanye West fired off at his good friend Jay-z and Hov’s new Bff Justin Timberlake at a London concert on Feb. 23.

“I got love for Hov, but I ain’t f**kin’ with that ‘Suit & Tie,’” Kanye rapped in an extended freestyle after performing “Clique,” referencing Justin’s comeback single. Jay-z is featured on the track.

Kanye and Jay-z are known to be really close, so this diss comes as a complete shock. Is Kim Kardashian’s baby daddy jealous of Jay and Justin’s new friendship? Or is it the fact that Beyonce, who is married to Jay-z, allegedly dislikes Kim?

If there is, in fact, a rift between the two rappers, their fans may lose the most. Kanye...

Another show, another Kanye West therapy session. At a Saturday concert in London, the rapper fired off at some old favorites (the Grammys, business folk) and added two surprising new targets: Jay-z and Justin Timberlake.

"I got love for Hov, but I ain't f--kin' with that 'Suit & Tie,'" West sung/rapped in an extended freestyle that followed "Clique," referencing Justin Timberlake's comeback single. Jay-z is featured on the track.

West and Jay-z are known to be extremely close -- the duo released an album ("Watch the Throne") and toured together. If there has been a falling out, hip-hop fans are probably the ones who stand to lose the most, as West also provided production on some of Jay-z's most famous hits, including "Heart of the City," "H to the Izzo" and "Lucifer."

Since "Suit & Tie" was released, Jay-z and Timberlake have been remarkably close. They performed the...

There Brooklyn was, in the house that Hova built. Hit after hit poured through the speakers, too loud -- distorted, really -- for the folks down low and too muffled for the crowd up top. And there was Shawn Carter, rocking a Brooklyn Nets jersey (No. 4, for his birthday and for Beyonce's, and for Blue Ivy, or IV) and putting in the effort.

And though he was trying, it was uncomfortable that Jay-z -- in this venue -- had to try. Maybe it was just this reviewer's section, but Monday night's show at the brand spankin' new Barclay's Center wasn't Jay's best.

Not that it was the rapper's fault. Jay ripped through his setlist, finely tuned for years now (though some newer guest verses were added), with typical aplomb. It was a show filled with many highlights, like when Jay repeated his takedown of critics who mocked the fact...

Jay-z music and F. Scott Fitzgerald prose: two great tastes that taste great together? Apparently so! At least for director Baz Luhrmann. The Australian director used Jay-z's tunes to break the ice on the set of his highly anticipated adaptation of "The Great Gatsby."

"On my first day he had Jay-z pumped up full, and we did the entire scene with, you know, Jay-z in our ear on full blast while acting, and it was just so liberating," Isla Fischer told MTV's Josh Horowitz on the set of her next movie, "Now You See Me."

Fisher, who plays Myrtle in the film, said Luhrmann "understands actors" and how "exposed" they feel. That's great and all, but she doesn't say what Jay-z song was playing. Come on, Isla! (Fingers crossed it was "Heart of the City," just because.)

Unfortunately, Hova and Fitz-y (we're tight) won't get juxtaposed in finished "Great...

AudioPlayer.setup("http://www.nerve.com/files/players/audio/player.swf", { width: 350 }); What Are You Listening To? Three New Yorkers take off their headphones and chat. by Rachel Krantz and Moze Halperin Matt, 23 So what were you just listening to? “Heart of the City” by Jay-z. Listen: “Heart of the City” AudioPlayer.embed("audioplayer_1", {soundFile: "/files/media/features/ListeningTo_3_1_12/1.MP3"}); Are you a big hip-hop fan? I am. More and more recently. What do you think of Jay-z and Kanye’s collaboration? Watch the Throne? I absolutely love it. I think it’s a great album. That surprises me. A lot of people thought it was a disappointment. Including me. I might be biased because I love Kanye. It could’ve been better, I guess, but I was pleased. I enjoyed it. What’s your favorite song on Watch the Throne? “Niggas in [...]...

Getty Images Jay-z attends the after party following Jay-z’s concert at Carnegie Hall on February 6, 2012 in New York City.

Jay-z is not the first hip-hop artist to perform at Carnegie Hall. Wyclef Jean performed there in 2004, Mos Def in 2008. But Jay-z still gave his moment on stage a sense of history.

Jay-z performed Monday night at Carnegie Hall for the first of two benefit shows (the second one is tonight and proceeds from both go towards the United Way...

Continuing a great and long-standing tradition, about 90 of our top newspaper comic strips will be commemorating the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on and in Boston Ma, New York City NY, Newark NJ, Shanksville Pa and Washington DC by producing special strips, with each cartoonist making his or her individual comment on the event.

Strips that will be participating include Agnes, Apt. 3-g, Archie, Arctic Circle, Ask Shagg, B.C., Baby Blues, Barney & Clyde, Beakman And Jax, Beetle Bailey, Between Friends, Big Nate, Bleeker The Rechargeable Dog, Blondie, Brewster Rockit: Spaceguy!, Buckets, Buckles, Candorville, Chuckle Bros, Crankshaft, Curtis, Daddy’s Home, Deflocked, Dennis The Menace, Dick Tracy, Dog Eat Doug, Dogs Of C-Kennel, Doonesbury, Dustin, Edge City, Elderberries, Fastrack, Fort Knox, Freshly Squeezed, Funky Winkerbean, Gasoline Alley, Grand Avenue, Hagar The Horrible, Heart Of The City, Heathcliff, Heaven’s Love Thrift Shop, Herb And Jamaal, Hi And Lois, Home And Away,...

Comic-Con International has released the full schedule for Sunday July 24th for San Diego Comic-Con 2011. This is the final day of the convention. Sunday is known as Kids day and is usually the slowest of all the days, there are a few surprises though. In all my years of going to Comic-Con I've never been to a panel in Hal H. Usually nothing is happening in Hall H on Sunday, this year there are a few TV programs going on in Hall H such a as Glee, Supernatural, Doctor Who, The Cleveland Show, Sons of Anarchy, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and this year Buffy the Musical will be in the great Hall as well. I've never been to the Buffy Musical event, and I think I finally want to go this year. A couple of other things worth noting are a one on one panel with Nathan Fillion, and Max Brooks talks about zombies.

The Lincoln Lawyer

Directed by Brad Furman

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe, William H. Macy, John Leguizamo, Frances Fisher, Michael Pena, Josh Lucas

Release date: March 18, 2011

Los Angeles is an incomparable environment when we are talking about the innocent and the sinful; the beautiful and the damned; the honorable and the deceitful. The California hotspot has been glorified by films’ exposing of corruption that is at the city’s core. The steamy nights, palm trees lining the most dangerous sidewalks, and homes of all sizes overlooking the inestimable amount of glittering lights. These are touchstone characteristics of modern day film noirs (Mulholland Dr.) and classic noirs (Mildred Pierce). It is such a city that is ripe for extravagance, tragedy, merciless characters, beauty, and horrific doings. And people are still attracted to it. But maybe the most honored characteristic of noirs and L.A. is a hero who signifies...

As the classic soul song “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City” plays over the opening credits of The Lincoln Lawyer, the perfect tone is set for the movie. At its core, it’s a classical lawyer procedural thriller, but is smoothly played by its star and large cast so much so that you can’t help but be entertained for two hours. It’s a movie where the title explains it all. Mickey Haller (Matthew McConaughey, looking little older, but still with some breezy cool swagger) is a high profiled La defense lawyer who works out of his Lincoln Town Car. As he wheels and deals throughout the day with his driver Earl (Laurence Mason), we meet the various lawyers, bail bonds men, private investigators, celebrity drug addicts, and gang members that he works with. Some of them love him, but most have some sort of card to play with him. The...

Here’s your chance to see Usher up close and personal in New Zealand while benefiting victims of the devastating Christchurch earthquake.

The whole country has banded together to help the stricken city, where the death toll is expected to reach 240. Auckland Cbd business association Heart of the City and local inner-city businesses have joined forces to help those affected by the Canterbury Earthquake.

From Monday 28 February until Monday 7 March 2011, Trade Me’s Big little store will see a myriad of goods and services donated by central Auckland businesses auctioned off in aid of the Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake Fund.

Read more...

It's Halloween week which will make some of you roll your eyes and some of you bounce up and down and clap your hands with glee. I'm in the second group. I love Halloween. Candy is delicious and costumes are super fun, I actually wish we had more opportunities to wear costumes in everyday life. (Apparently, so did Lady Gaga, which is one of the many reasons I adore and envy her in equal measure. She is literally living a large chunk of my dream life.) I'm sure some of you are still trying to decide on a costume, no judgements I only picked mine last week, so this week I'll attempt to helpfully point out potential costumes from the night's television offerings. Super fun, right? I actually don't care. Here's tonight's TV:

7:00pm: "60 Minutes" on CBS

"America's Funniest Home Videos" on ABC

"Football Night in America" on NBC...

It's Friday! Here's what we've got brewing this morning: Jennifer Lopez and her twins will appear in Gucci's new kids ad, and she looks fierce! Halle Berry and Nahla were spotted at a pumpkin patch in Hollywood. Also, this Sunday Gabrielle Union will host Bet's "Heart of the City: Chicago's Cancer Divide." The show will discuss Chicago's alarming breast cancer rates. What do you have planned for the weekend?Make it a great day!

Nicki Minaj and Beyonce Knowles were some of the surprise guests Jay-z brought to his co-headlining concert with Eminem. The two performers took the stage on Monday night, September 13 and drew screams from the crowd gathering for the first of two sold-out shows at the Yankee Stadium in New York City.

25-year-old Nicki made her surprise appearance after Jay performed "Run This Town" and a remix version of "Power" with Kanye West. Sporting a pink-colored hair, the "Your Love" hitmaker popped out on stage as she joined the two rappers about few minutes after they spit the verses of "Monster".

Meanwhile, Jay's wife Beyonce invited more screams from the audience when she got on the stage to sing a duet of "Forever Young". After working up the crowd by delivering "Miss Me" and "Light Up" with Drake, Jay announced, "One word, Beyonce, make some noise. That girl baaad! That girl tough!

Detroit went wild when two Hip-Hop big forces Eminem and Jay-z rocked Comerica Park on September 2. B.o.B was the first to take the stage, giving a brief opening set and closing it with Bruno Mars-assisted single "Nothin' on You".

Jay-z was the next performer. He kicked off with "Run This Town" and continued with such tracks as "Dirt Off Your Shoulder's", "Heart of the City", "Encore" and despite being in Detroit, he rapped "Empire State of Mind" and assured fans with smiles, "I know where I'm at."

When Jay-z exited the stage, the crowd chanted his name, asking for more performances, but it was Eminem's time. From craving for more Jay-z, people quickly got pumped up when the Slim Shady took his mic. He catered fans with old materials like 2002 track "Cleaning Out My Closet" and spat verses of his latest chart topper "Love the Way You...

Jay gets some help from Young Jeezy, Trey Songz, Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj and other special guests.

By Shaheem Reid

Jay-z performs at Madison Square Garden Tuesday

Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images

New York — There is always palpable exhilaration whenever Jay-z plays Madison Square Garden. Tuesday night (March 2) was another sold-out show at Msg as Hov's Blueprint 3 Tour arrived in town.

After Trey Songz played up to the ladies with his set, there was a short intermission. Like lightning -- boom! The Beastie Boys' "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" video began playing on two big screens that hung over the stage, and a 10-minute countdown began perfectly in sync with the classic hip-hop track. Hova chants started several minutes prior to that.

Finally, with no time left on the clock, Jay's music began. He was greeted with a deafening roar of approval. "Feel it coming in the air," Rihanna's...

Question: What do Bugs Bunny, Drew Brees and Tony Hawk have in common?

Answer: They'll each be seen on TV advising kids to not get fat.

Michelle Obama on Tuesday unveiled her expansive "Let's Move" campaign that seeks to "combat the epidemic of childhood obesity," and media plays big role.

Joining the first lady in the effort are Walt Disney, NBC Universal, Viacom, Warner Bros. and Scholastic Media.

Public Service Announcements from Scholastic's "Maya & Miguel" are in the works, as are ones starring WB's Looney Tunes characters alongside famous athletes.

Disney said it will also create PSAs featuring its Disney Channel stars with the First Lady and will distribute them on Disney Channel, Disney Xd, Radio Disney and Disney.com.

Viacom said its Bet "is committed to producing on-air programming focused on this issue," specifically naming "The Mo'Nique Show," "Heart of the City: Dying to Eat in Jackson" and "106 & Park.

How do you recover from a bad audition or performance?Yvonne AriasLos Angeles; 'Scrubs,' 'Karmen Rider: Knight Dragon'It's such a horrible feeling! I'm really passionate about my work, and when a performance isn't a screaming success, I want to crawl under a rock and die. Actually, I'm not that dramatic, but I definitely get into a zone. I'll relive the audition and figure out what I did wrong and how I'm going to fix it. If that doesn't help, I usually get a pep talk from a teacher or someone who cares, and they remind me that every actor experiences this. The key is moving forward as quickly as possible.Elaine del ValleNew York; 'Brownsville Bred,' 'Dora the Explorer'On recovering from bad auditions: What is a bad audition anyway? For me, the only bad audition is the one you don't have a chance at. The one...

Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, John Mayer, Pharrell, Kid Cudi and Santigold also join Hov onstage at Madison Square Garden.

By Shaheem Reid

Kanye West, Jay-z and Rihanna perform in NYC Friday night

Photo: Kevin Mazur/ Getty Images

New York — Jay-z returned to Madison Square Garden on Friday night (September 11) and left no question about who is running the Big Apple.

Diddy, Pharrell, John Mayer, Mary J. Blige, Kid Cudi, Santigold and Beyoncé were among those who joined him onstage at the "Answer the Call" benefit concert. The proceeds from the show will benefit families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 tragedy. The overwhelming guest spot of the night was, hands down, the first live performance of "Run This Town" with Rihanna and Kanye West.

Before performing the song, Jay addressed the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"They believed that it would weaken us; they were sadly mistaken," he said. "I saw the...

Swizz Beatz says Sunday's 'Empire State of Mind' duet will put 'two greats on the stage, and you know what happens.'

By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Sway Calloway and Tim Kash

Mary J. Blige

Photo: MTV News

The list of famous New Yorkers could go on longer than Mayor Michael Bloomberg's term in office, but undoubtedly two of the most beloved natives are Jay-z and Alicia Keys.

The pair will take the stage on Sunday at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards to perform Jay-z's "Empire State of Mind," a Frank Sinatra-like number that name-checks some of Gotham's notable neighborhoods and captures the city's essence, from attending Knicks games (courtside, if you're Jay-z) to its famous residents.

Keys is featured on the track where she croons on the chorus, "Count on New York, these streets will make you feel brand new/ Big lights will inspire you."

The...