Madonna’s Magnificent MDNA Tour kicks off in Tel Aviv!

The Queen of Pop and Grammy winning Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer Icon Madonna opened her massive and magnificent MDNA tour last night in Tel Aviv and it was majestic as always. Her tour features a great deal of music from her fantastic new album, MDNA, including “Girl Gone Wild, “Turn up the Radio”, “I’m Addicted” and “Masterpiece” (her Golden Globe winning song from her latest directorial feature W.E.) while also mixing in her classic hits like “Vogue”, “Express Yourself” and “Like a Prayer”. The first videos from the show have hit the net and I have two below. Check out her amazing entrance to “Girl Gone Wild” and then her take on “Express Yourself” which playfully uses a bit of Lady Gaga‘s “Born This Way” (which was clearly owes a lot to the former song) and the beautiful “Masterpiece”…. For more on her tour, tour dates and all your Madge news, head here. Get tickets now (if they’re available, not many are)… I’m seeing her in LA in October and I can’t wait! Long live the Queen Madonna!

Madonna MDNA Tour opening

Madonna “Masterpiece” from the MDNA Tour

Madonna “Express Yourself” from the MDNA Tour

 

Madonna’s MDNA Dances on to the Charts

She may be 53, but you wouldn’t know it if you listen to Madonna’s latest, and may I say fantastic new album, MDNA. The record is a dance sensation with amazing songs full of potential singles (hello “Turn Up the Radio”) and a few insanely gorgeous ballads like “Falling Free” and the Golden Globe winning “Masterpiece” from Madge’s film W.E. Clearly her fans like what they hear on this one as MDNA debuts at # 1 with a whopping 359,000 copies sold giving Madonna her best sales week since Music’s debut in 2001. It also becomes her 8th # 1 album, the second most among women just behind Barbra Streisand. As Billboard reports, Madonna has now had chart topping albums in 3 decades:
Madonna has now etched a total of eight No. 1 albums: three in the ’80s (Like a Virgin, True Blue, Like a Prayer), four in the ’00s (Music, American Life, Confessions on a Dance Floor, Hard Candy) and now one in ’10s (MDNA). She missed scoring a No. 1 in the 1990s, remarkably, but she did claim five No. 2 albums in that decade with I’m Breathless, The Immaculate Collection, Erotica, the Evita soundtrack and Ray of Light.
With a massive tour about to start and the recent top ten hit “Give Me All Your Luvin’” (which just became her 41st # 1 dance single), plus her new single “Girl Gone Wild” (which should become her 42nd # 1 dance hit next week), the Material Girl shows no signs of slowing down. Way to go Madge! ….And speaking of veteran performers, sixty-something singer Lionel Richie is back with his big country-duets album, Tuskegee, which debuts at # 2 with a big 199,000 copies sold. Well done as well Lionel… For more on these numbers, head to Billboard here and check out the new top ten below.

Top Ten Albums on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart:
1. MDNA- Madonna (debut)
2. Tuskegee- Lionel Richie (debut)
3. 21- Adele (last week~ 2)
4. Amaryllis- Shinedown (debut)
5. The Hunger Games Soundtrack- Various Artists (lw~ 1)
6. Up All Night- One Direction (lw~ 4)
7. Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection- Katy Perry (lw~ 31) * re-issue of Teenage Dream with added material
8. Vulnerable- The Used (debut)
9. Wrecking Ball- Bruce Springsteen (lw~ 6)
10. Now 41 Compilation- Various Artists (lw~8)

And here’s one of my favorite songs off of MDNA, Madonna’s “Turn Up the Radio”, which is reportedly going to be a single in the future too.

Over on the Hot 100 Singles chart, fun. just barely holds off teen titan Justin Bieber who gets his biggest hit ever with “Boyfriend” as it charges onto the chart at # 2 with massive sales. We’ll see if it can become a real hit in the weeks ahead with increased airplay and longevity or falls quickly like several of his songs have done in the past. (Those tween girls sure do love to buy his records, but not many others and thus his airplay is not so good.)… Two other artists grab their first top ten singles this week as Brit Boy band from The X Factor, One Direction hits # 9 and former Canadian Idol top-three finisher Carly Rae Jespen flies up to # 10. Take a look at the new list below.

Top Ten Singles on the Hot 100:
1. “We Are Young”- fun. w./Janelle Monae (last week~ 1) * 5 weeks at # 1
2. “Boyfriend”- Justin Bieber (debut)
3. “Somebody that I Used to Know”- Gotye w/Kimbra (lw~ 4)
4. “Glad You Came”- The Wanted (lw~ 3)
5. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”- Kelly Clarkson (lw~ 2)
6. “Starships”- Nicki Minaj (lw~ 5)
7. “Wild Ones”- Flo Rida w/Sia (lw~ 7)
8. “Part of Me”- Katy Perry (lw~8)
9. “What Makes You Beautiful”- One Direction (lw~ 11)
10. “Call Me Maybe”- Carly Rae Jespen (lw~ 18)

And with her first top ten, here’s “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jespen

First Look~ Madonna’s new Video for “Give Me All Your Luvin’”

Earlier this week, I wrote about the onslaught of Madonna projects headed your way, and today, they are upon us. Not only does her film, W.E., hits theaters in select theaters but her brand new single, “Give Me All Your Luvin’” featuring M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj is out at iTunes today. The song is available now along with a pre-order for an exclusive 18 track version of her MDNA album. Here’s the track listing for the exclusive iTunes bonus edition of MDNA.

MDNA tracklisting~
- Girls Gone Wild
- Gang Bang
- I’m Addicted
- Some Girls
- I Don’t Give A
- Turn Up the Radio
- Give Me All Your Luvin’
- B-day Song
- Superstar
- I’m a Sinner
- Masterpiece
- Falling Free
- Love Spent
- I Fucked Up
- Beautiful Killer
- plus 3 Bonus Tracks

The new video for this awesome dance pop track also jus hit the web too. It’s a fun, hip video that simultaneously makes Madge current and respects her position as one of the biggest icons of our time. Plus it gives a nod to football which Madonna will be embracing when she performs the track (and 3 other classics) this Sunday the 5th at the Super Bowl. Take a look below and get her new song now.

Madonna feat. Nicki Minaj & M.I.A. “Give Me All Your Luvin’”

The Madonna Onslaught is Coming…

Grammy winning pop icon Madonna is about to be everywhere. She has a new film, her second directorial effort, W.E. opening on Friday (and it was just nominated for an Oscar for Best Costume Design), plus her new single “Give Me All Your Luvin” featuring MIA and Nicki Minaj drops on Friday at radio and iTunes, and as ya’ll know she’s performing at the Super Bowl on Sunday the 5th. It’s gonna be an amazing show and both MIA and Minaj will help her out with that super performance along with LMFAO. Her new album, MDNA, hits stores and digital outlets in March and will feature production by Martin Solvieg (the dance smash “Hello”) and her Grammy winning Ray of Light cohort William Orbit. On top of all that, the video for “Give Me All Your Lovin’” will premiere on this Thursday’s episode of American Idol. Hello, the woman knows how to cross promote! I, for one, can’t wait… So, for more on all of Madonna’s efforts including her Golden Globe winning song “Masterpiece” from W.E., head here and check out some previews for her new projects below.
MDNA sneak peak

“Give Me All Your Lovin’” teaser

W.E. trailer (in theatres Friday Feb 3rd)

A Few Thoughts on today’s Oscar Nominations…

This morning Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone) announced this year’s contenders and as always we saw the front runners like The Artist and Hugo grab headlines. However, we also saw some shocking snubs and some interesting inclusions. I already posted the full nominee list, so let’s take a look at a few thoughts I have on those who will be contending for this year’s Oscar.

Favorite Nomination: Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids)… I was so happy to see her included in this hilarious film. She gave a wonderfully hysterical performance that had way more layers than you might expect. Comedy needs more representation at the Oscars, so this is a nice start. (Also kudos to Kristin Wiig and her Oscar nominated script for the film).

Best Surprise: Rooney Mara and all the love for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. This fantastic film nabbed 5 nods in total. I just wish it was up for Best Pic and Director (David Fincher).
Biggest Snub: Michael Fassbender (Shame)… apparently his great performance may have been overlooked by his hot nekkid body? Or he cancelled himself out with other great turns in A Dangerous Method and Jane Eyre.

Other Big Snubs:
Leonardo DiCaprio (J. Edgar)… looks like academy members really didn’t like this film, which is a shame because Leo was great
Armie Hammer (J. Edgar)
Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk About Kevin)… another film that may have been too dark and unlikable to get it’s great star a nod.
Albert Brooks (Drive)
Drive in all other categories (except sound)
Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt and Young Adult… apparently this acerbic dark comedy just didn’t resonate with Oscar voters. I’m sad, cuz it was a good flick.
Steven Spielberg (War Horse) for Director
Andy Serkis (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) and Alan Rickman (Harry Potter) both proved its hard to get nominated for big popcorn action films… oh and motion capture performances may never get nominated.
Elizabeth Olsen and Martha Marcy May Marlene… this great indie introduced us to a major acting star in Olsen and still got bupkiss
50/50 and Joseph Gordon Levitt… another great indie that should’ve gotten some love
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 in all big categories…. why oh why couldn’t this amazing franchise ever pull out a Best Pic nom? Especially when the final installment was clearly one of the best films of the year.

More Snubs: Shailene Woodley (The Descendants), Vanessa Redgrave (Coriolanus), Ryan Gosling (Drive, The Ides of March), The Adventures of Tin Tin (in Animated film), Carey Mulligan (Shame), the casts of The Ides of March and Midnight in Paris, Beginners for Screenplay and Director (Mike Mills)

~ And a Big Boo to the voters for dissing The Help for Screenplay, Score, Song, Costume Design and Director… That wonderful film should’ve had 9 noms, not just 4.

~While I’m complaining, I just have to say yuck to all the nods for The Tree of Life. Oy vey!

Other nice inclusions:
~Demian Bichir (A Better Life)… this wonderful performance in this small indie broke through with a SAG nod and he made the list today. I’m thrilled.
~Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)… can you believe this is his first nomination? I just wish it was for a better film.
~Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close and Max Von Sydow... I’m so happy one of my fave films of the year finally got some love. And I was kinda shocked to see it among the 9 nominees for Best Picture.
~Moneyball grabbed more noms that The Descendants, hehe….
~W.E. got into costume design. Yes, a film by Madonna got an Oscar nod. (I just wish her Golden Globe winning song “Masterpiece” had been eligible)

Speaking of Best Song….
What the heck is wrong with that category? By having a ridiculously difficult rule of the songs needing to rate 8.5 or higher by the music branch (out of 10), only 2 songs made the cut… And the one from The Muppets wasn’t even the best song from that film…
Look at all the snubbed songs that should’ve gotten mentioned:
“Life’s a Happy Song” (The Muppets)
“Pictures in My Head” (The Muppets)
“Bridge of Light” (Happy Feet 2) by P!nk
“Hello Hello” (Gnomeo & Juliet) by Elton John
“The Living Proof” (The Help) by Mary J. Blige
“Lay Down Your Head” (Albert Nobbs) by Glenn Close, etc

So, there are just a few thoughts for you… Now, let’s see who is gonna win… I’d say The Artist is still out in front despite Hugo landing the most noms…. I still have hope for The Help too.. and Meryl better win… With that said, what are your favorite noms? And who is the worst snub? Sound off below and watch for more on the Oscars in the weeks ahead.

The Artist, The Descendants, Meryl and Madonna win Big at the Golden Globes

Well, Madonna sure did piss off Elton John at tonight’s Golden Globe Awards… No, not because of anything she said, but because she won the award for Best Original song for her gorgeous track from W.E.,”Masterpiece”. It beat Elton’s track from Gnomeo and Juliet and boy, did he have a disgruntled face if I’ve ever seen one. That was just one fun highlight from a night that saw few surprises, but was rather entertaining as a whole. Ricky Gervais returned as host and was quite funny but not as controversial as last year and was only bleeped once I think. Heck, Meryl Streep was bleeped too! Speaking of Streep, she won her 8th Globe for Lead Actress in a Drama for The Iron Lady while Michelle Williams won for Lead Actress in a Musical or Comedy. These wins, along with Viola Davis’s win at the Critics Choice Awards on Thursday, are making it a real horse race for the Best Actress race… Best Actor could be tight between tonight’s two winners as well, George Clooney for Drama and Jean Dujardin for Musical or Comedy. Both of their films won as well with The Descendants taking Drama and The Artist nabbing the trophy for Musical or Comedy. The latter film won the most awards with a third for Best Score…. Christopher Plummer and Octavia Spencer continued their winning runs in the supporting category while Martin Scorsese pulled out a surprise win for Director for Hugo.

On the TV front, Modern Family and Homeland won the series awards while Downton Abbey won TV Movie/Miniseries. There were several acting surprises though, both good (Matt LeBlanc) and bad (Kelsey Grammar~ no offense to his work, but how on Earth did he beat Bryan Cranston and Damian Lewis, argh!!!) Also, Laura Dern pulled out a little bit of a shocker for Lead actress in a Comedy over front runners Zooey Deschanel, Amy Poehler and last year’s winner Laura Linney. For more on the show, head to the Globes site here and take a look at all the winners below.

 

2012 Golden Globe Winners:
Best Picture (Drama): The Descendants
Best Actor in a Movie (Drama): George Clooney, The Descendants
Best Picture (Comedy or Musical): The Artist
Best Actress in a Movie (Drama): Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Best Actor in a Movie (Comedy or Musical): Jean Dujardin, The Artist
 Best TV Series (Comedy or Musical): Modern Family
Best Director: Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Best Supporting Actress in a Movie: Octavia Spencer, The Help
Best Actor in a TV Series (Comedy or Musical): Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Best Actress in a TV Series (Drama): Claire Danes, Homeland
Best Foreign Language Movie: A Separation (Iran)
Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series, Miniseries, or TV Movie: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Best Screenplay: Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen
Best Animated Movie: The Adventures of Tintin
Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series, Miniseries, or TV Movie: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Best Actress in a Movie (Comedy or Musical): Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn
Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie: Idris Elba, Luther
Best Original Song: “Masterpiece,” W.E.
Best Original Score: Ludovic Bource, The Artist
Best TV Series (Drama): Homeland
Best Actor in a TV Series (Drama): Kelsey Grammer, Boss
Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Best Miniseries or TV Movie: Downton Abbey
Best Actress in a TV Series (Comedy or Musical): Laura Dern, Enlightened
Best Supporting Actor in a Movie: Christopher Plummer, Beginners

And here’s the song that made Elton so mad. (Mary J. Blige didn’t look too happy either when she lost the category as well by the way)… Madonna’s “Masterpiece” from W.E.

Madonna’s new Song is a “Masterpiece”

Hot on the heels of the news that she will be playing the Super Bowl half time show on February 5th, a new song from Grammy winning icon Madonna hit the web. The gorgeous ballad entitled “Masterpiece” is reminiscent of her best ballads from the early 90′s like “Take a Bow” (her longest running # 1 with 7 weeks on top), “You’ll See”, “Rain” and “I’ll Remember”. However, it updates the feel of those tracks with some new elements and could fit well on her albums from the last decade. However, the song is actually going to be included on her new record due in March and on the soundtrack to Madonna’s latest directorial feature W./E. The song was written for the film and has to be an immediate contender for the Best Original Song Oscar and Golden Globe Award. I love it and I think you will too. Check it out below.

Madonna “Masterpiece” (from W./E.)

And for more on the film, W./E., head to the movie’s website here. It’s a gorgeously shot romance that chronicles the legendary and scandalous love story of Britain’s King Edward VIII and American Wallis Simpson in the 30′s juxtaposed with modern-day New Yorker’s relationship troubles. Andrea Riseborough is getting raves as Simpson and the costumes and cinematography are strong Oscar contenders as well. Co-starring in the film are Abbie Cornish (Limitless, Bright Star), Oscar Isaac (Robin Hood, Drive) and James D’Arcy (Secret Diary of a Call Girl). The film opens in LA and New York for an awards qualifying run on Dec. 9th and opens nationwide on February 3rd, two days before Madge rocks the Super Bowl. Check out the trailer below.

W./E.

First Listen~ Madonna “Give Me All of Your Love”

I hate to feature an unfinished track by my favorite artist of all time, Grammy winner Madonna. However, I love the new track so much that I just had to. Check out her brand new single “Give Me All of Your Love” which leaked on the interwebs yesterday. Now, take note~ Madge and her manager are both claiming it’s a demo and the official version will be out soon. Most likely near the end of the year/beginning of 2012 to coincide with her upcoming Super Bowl performance. Her new album is also tentatively due near March of next year. So, while we wait, enjoy this fabulous new dance pop confection co-written and produced with wunderkind French DJ Martin Solvieg below and watch for her latest directorial effort, the drama W.E. to hit theatres in December.

Madonna “Give Me All of Your Love”

Holiday~ Celebrate~ It’s Madonna’s Birthday!!!

Holy crap, how good does 53 look on Madonna? The Grammy and Golden Globe winning music icon looks fantastic and is busier than ever as she celebrates her birthday and preps several new projects. Along with her fashion line, gyms, and working on a new album (due in early 2012), Madge has her second directorial feature due to hit theatres in December, W.E. The film follows a young woman (Abbie Cornish) who sees her life reflected in the drama of England’s King Edward VII (James D’Arcy) and his American lover Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough) from decades earlier. The drama is already set to play the prestigious Venice and Toronto Film Festivals and could be a big awards contender later this year. Congrats to Madonna. I can’t wait to see it and hear new music from my favorite pop singer of all time. So, let’s take a minute to wish Madonna a big Happy 53rd Birthday!!! And enjoy a little Madonna “Holiday” from her Blonde Ambition tour documentary Truth or Dare below.

Madonna “Holiday” (live from the Blonde Ambition Tour in Truth or Dare)