Lady Gaga Continues to Break Twitter Records With 15 Million Followers

Lady Gaga continues her reign as queen of Twitter by breaking yet another record on the micro-blogging site, notching 15 million followers on Oct. 27.our editor recommendsLady Gaga Reveals Love of Books by Indian Philosopher Osho: 'I Am Kind of an Indian Hippie' PHOTOS: Lady Gaga's MTV Evolution The pop star acquired her most recent 1 million followers in just 28 days. According to Media Bistro's All Twitter blog, that's a personal best for Gaga, beating her 31 day record between July and August of 2011. According to their projections, Gaga should reach another milestone -- 16 million followers -- on Nov. 27. Additionally, the singer could hit 20 million between March and April of 2012. PHOTOS: Lady Gaga's Fashion Forward Style Gaga is trailed by teen superstar Justin Bieber, who has 13.8 million Beliebers following his account. Currently in New Delhi to perform at India's Formula 1, Mother Monster acknowledged the milestone with a quick post: "I am finally here + what a dream come true. Performing at Formula 1 in INDIA, and my first day here I reached #15millionmonsters." Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter recently, Gaga revealed a love of Indian philosopher Osho, referring to herself as "an Indian Hippie." Related Topics Lady Gaga Twitter

What to Expect From Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol's Wild IMAX Action Sequences

This December 16, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol premieres in IMAX five days in advance of its general release. Why exactly? Probably to encourage fans of the Tom Cruise franchise to see the picture in the large format director Brad Bird intended when he shot thirty minutes-worth of the fourth Ethan Hunt film in IMAX. To convince journalists that the large format is indeed worth higher ticket prices, an advance release date and a little early buzz, Paramount screened about 20 minutes worth of wild action sequences at the Rave 18 theater in Los Angeles last week. Ahead, the stomach-flipping details (and very mild spoilers). Producer Bryan Burk (Lost, Star Trek) introduced the footage by explaining that “there’s nothing Tom loves more than making these movies. […] He gives 110 percent which is daunting because I really, on my best day, give 5 percent. He loves doing stunts and being a part of it. Literally, every single shot you see is Tom Cruise. There are no stuntmen involved. He did have a stuntman who would go out and test wires and things. [The stuntman] is literally fearless — except for one fear which happens to be heights. Fortunately for the rest of us, Tom didn’t have that.” With that disclaimer, Burk threw to the first sequence which begins in a jeep as Tom Cruise’s IMF agent Ethan Hunt and his team (comprised of Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton and, supplying the comic relief, Simon Pegg) speed towards Dubai. “They are literally on ghost protocol which means the entire agency is shut down — it does not exist,” explained Burk beforehand. The foursome heads to the highest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa to “to stop a meeting between two people who should not be meeting.” Once set up inside — with Patton’s character surveying the appropriate floor in disguise — Renner, Cruise and Pegg’s characters figure out how they will infiltrate an impenetrable suite high above them. The only option they have, it seems, is for Hunt to scale the building with high tech “sticky gloves” that can support his weight and adhere himself to the building. The only problem? They, being such new technology, occasionally malfunction — when the film’s hero is nearly a half mile above ground. The entire sequence is shot in dizzying IMAX with sweeping establishing shots showing a picturesque city — and then the insanely high building that Cruise climbs. One particularly stomach-churning shot pans up the building before flipping over the tower — looking down — and keeps going. Another impressive shot runs down the side of the building, giving viewers the sense that they are riding a roller coaster. Without giving too much away, the tension-filled sequence — during which Ethan Hawke’s life is at risk multiple times — ends with the perfect comedic button from Simon Pegg. The levity was, as Burk explained, something that was not part of the Mission Impossible franchise beforehand but something that director Bird felt passionate about infusing into the fourth installment. The second sequence shown was a high-pace chase scene that occurs during a sandstorm. Audience members cannot see anything except sand granules whipping at them and Tom Cruise, who is forced to chase a baddie using a GPS tracker device only since he cannot see more than six inches in front of him. Oh, and did I mention that part of this chase occurs in vehicles racing at high speeds? The scene ends as the sand storm does — the haze and sand fall away and Cruise is left staring at his target as he speeds away. So yes, if you are going to make a trip to the local IMAX theater this holiday season, maybe consider Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. Tom Cruise only risked his life to give you these death-defying movie thrills. Watch the new trailer, courtesy of Yahoo:

Bettag tapped for 'Brian Williams'

NBC News has tapped CNNer Tom Bettag for the post of segment producer on "Rock Center With Brian Williams," set to debut on Monday, Oct. 31, at 10 p.m., replacing the Peacock's short-lived drama "The Playboy Club." The division has pulled together the show quickly over the last few months, bringing in BBC America's Rome Hartman as exec producer and respected broadcast anchor Ted Koppel as a contributor, among others. Bettag comes from "State of the Union with Candy Crowley" and "Reliable Sources" at the Turner news cabler, and brings with him an impressive trophy wall. The producer has earned six duPont-Columbia University Silver Batons, three Overseas Press Club awards, Quinnipiac U.'s Fred Friendly Award and and 30 Emmys. The hourlong "Rock Center," to be broadcast live from studio 3B in Rockefeller Center, will be available in various digital editions at RockCenterNBC.com and via digital apps. Contact Sam Thielman at sam.thielman@variety.com

Stars feed EA's 'Need'

Ea put a person discuss 'Need for Speed' with motion-capture tech and thesps Christina Hendricks and Sean Faris. Hendricks Faris After 17 games, Apple Something Ea "Requirement of Speed" isn't showing signs and signs and symptoms of slowing down lower lower. But to resume its racing series and gamers interested, the business went Hollywood, developing a plot and employing stars.In the first for your franchise, Sean Faris ("Never Lower Again") and Christina Hendricks ("Mad Males") play in the lead roles in "Requirement of Speed: The Run," which concentrates on a hard race from San Francisco Bay Area to NY City. The sport hits store shelves November. 15. Where previous obligations revolved around realistic renderings of sports cars and races, EA added figures to "The Run," created by Black Box Studio, to supply players a "reason they're racing the automobile,Inch mentioned Jason DeLong, professional producer in the title. "It's a different direction. The first time inside the franchise, you actually see and control the motive pressure.InchClearly, the initial priority is by using an incredible driving experience, only one factor our fans have told us is always that motivation isalso vital,Inch he mentioned. "We desired to utilize Hollywood talent and tell a great story that may serve as the punctuation mark to obtain the player active in the growth of the knowledge.In . In the sport, Faris plays a cocky wheelman services who'll enter danger while using mob and really should win the dangerous mix-country race to live. Hendricks can be a manager of street racers and ponies within the money for Faris' driver to compete for your $25 million prize and may serve as his eyes and ears in route.Every thesps had never carried out employment in the vidgame before "The Run.""It's been fantastic fun to behave so various and also to exhibit another side of myself too,Inch Hendricks mentioned.EA offers a great deal riding on "The Run." Since 1994, the "Requirement of Speed" games have created greater than $100 million for that organization, with consoles boasting greater-finish graphics, EA happen to be trying to find new techniques and also hardwearing . series running.Furthermore to adding a tale and stars, it's also beginning a completely new merchandise line including 50 pairs of exclusive edition Adidas-high quality "Requirement of Speed: The Run" running shoes."Our goal with 'Need for Speed' is going to be not just a videogame franchise, after we view ourselves just like a leader in youth and automotive culture too,Inch mentioned EA senior marketing director Kevin Maher. For "The Run," EA switched to support of Moves, the motion capture house whose credits include "Tron: Legacy," "Super 8" and blockbuster games "Cod: Black Procedures" and "Gears of War 3."The business produced a brand new motion-capture technology referred to as "electrooculagraphy," initially created for that healthcare industry, that tracks the electronic impulses concerning the eyes to supply digital figures really a soul by re-creating realistic facial and eye actions.For example, 90 sensors were situated around the actors' faces, where 60 are often used."Our innovative, all-new performance capture technology pushes the restrictions of character animation, enabling us to perfectly capture Christina and Sean's likeness resulting in an engaging narrative experience coupled with top-notch racing," DeLong mentioned. It's the first time the technology was used for just about any videogame, but because House of Moves also works well with film productions, it's only determined by time just before the tech is needed for just about any tentpole. Compared to many Tv shows, which take eight 16-hour days to film, the story mode of "The Run" needed four days for Faris and Hendricks to shoot. The sequences participate in like small-movies between your racing action."You must do three takes and you're simply to another factor, Faris told Variety. "You will discover lots of cameras throughout taking every possible position everything can get shot concurrently.Inch Nevertheless the finish result "is me," he added. "It's my figure, my actions, the means by which I did so it. It's just a glossed-over me in animated form. My cousins is going to be playing me. I'm a videogame character. That's awesome.."Faris, who recently wrapped Dark Castle's thriller "Stash House," in contrast the understanding to "like a 5-year-old playing in the sandbox or perhaps the playground getting a sword or possibly a gun." "You're in the room ornamented by cameras those. People say, 'There's a wall the following or possibly an automobile over there' and you're simply just searching within an apple box. It's all about utilizing your imagination." Not used to undertaking stunts on sets like "Never Lower Again" and "Freerunner," Faris found developing a videogame much like physical. "Wherever the truth is the level of smoothness jumping and running across building gaps, that was me accumulating some boxes stacked five to six foot high," mentioned Faris, who had no time before done a videogame. "There's plenty of running, jumping, falling, twisting, turning, fighting -- all must be shot in some manner. I used to be worn-in the conclusion of each and every day."Faris already is attempting to return for an additional "Requirement of Speed" follow-up and continue racing, should EA invite him back."As soon as I obtained the phone call, I mentioned, 'Yes," Faris mentioned. "I'm an actress to ensure that as extended after i get moving and feel happier about the project, I'll take action. It was not anyone to settle the financial obligations. It had been one I used to be excited to accomplish.In . Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Watercooler: Who Hartz Megan Mullally on Happy Endings? We Do!

Megan Mullally Wouldn't the world be so much better if we all sang our arguments? God knows, TV would be better if we had more Megan Mullally on it.Last night, the scene stealer we worshipped as Anastasia Beaverhausen, (or, ya know, Will & Grace's Karen Walker) put a song in our hearts with her Happy Endings guest spot as Dana Hartz, Penny's cabaret-circuit mother. A pitch-perfect blend of chronic optimism, theatricality and borderline craziness, Mullally scenes with the underrated Casey Wilson were a scream from start to BIG finish, and Dana's "I'm singin' at a boat show" breakdown - complete with attacks on the whole gang - was yet another reminder that there's no such thing as too much Mullally. Here's hoping that the folks at Happy, or even Parks and Recreation, where she is equally awesome as Tammy Two, find more for the multiple Emmy winner to do this season.So, did Mullally's appearance have you saying "yeah, buoy"?Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Zynga Unveils New Games, Own Social Gaming Platform Dubbed Project Z

NY - Social gaming giant Zynga, which earlier this year filed for an initial public offering, on Tuesday unveiled a slew of new games and the addition of new platforms with the goal of attracting new casual players and busy, on-the-go gamers, as well as making itself less dependent on social network Facebook. CEO Mark Pincus unveiled 10 new products during an event, entitled "Unleashed," at the company's headquarters in San Francisco, saying that Zynga wants to be the biggest bet on the social gaming space. "Games for everyone, everywhere" was one of the taglines used in Zynga tweets and a blog post about the event. The firm at the event touted Project Z, a Facebook Connect-enabled platform providing an environment for games designed to reduce its dependence on Facebook, while allowing users to connect with their Facebook friends. Zynga called the planned service, which will launch later, "a new "playground"to leverage your friend network on Facebook in an entirely new way" and focused on games. "What we've found from talking to our players is that they want to play online with friends who love the same games, and they want to connect with others who are playing at that very moment," Zynga explained in a blog post. "We call that the promise of instant socýial, and today we're taking a bigyúg step towards it with the announcement of Project Z, a new social games service from Zynga, enabled by Facebook Connect." Zynga executives Tuesday also unveiled new games, including CastleVille, Zynga Bingo, which will be packaged with Zynga Poker under the moniker Zynga Casino, and Dream Zoo. Zynga also touted its previously announced first-ever sequel, Mafia Wars 2, and unveiled Hidden Chronicles, a game in a new genre for Zynga that combines memory and skill challenges. "This hidden object game is a combination of memory and skill; essentially a social scavenger hunt including hidden object play, engaging puzzles and some friendly competition," Zynga said about Hidden Chronicles. It also introduced HTML5 mobile versions of three of its existing games that will soon launch on Facebook's mobile apps sites - Zynga Poker, Words With Friends and FarmVille Express. Zynga, also known for such Facebook games as CityVille, has been striking integration deals with films, TV shows and music stars, such as Lady Gaga and Enrique Iglesias. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics Zynga

Human Centipede 2 Can get Certificates

32 cuts plus it bakes an 18-rating.They mentioned it couldn't be accomplished. They mentioned the HumanCentipede II:FullSequence had "a effective focus throughout round the link between full sexual confidence and sexual violence together with a apparent association between discomfort, perversity and sexual satisfaction,Inch to ensure that there's an authentic risk that it may be classified as obscene and could Not passed mere cuts. Now, however, the film's received an 18-rating within the BBFC following, er, mere cuts.IanSadler, Eureka's sales director, mentioned, "We are really pleased any time over 3 several days of detailed discussion and debate, we have been capable of acquire a contract while using BBFC and to create a very viable cut in the film which will both excite and challenge its fans. Naturally there exists a slight disappointment that individuals have required to make cuts, but we are feeling the storylinehas not been compromised and the quantity of horror remains sustained."Apparently the 32 cuts equal to a few momemts, 37 seconds in general, but clearly an agreement remains showed up at as well as the BBFC forget about thinks the film risks falling beneath the Obscene Guides Act. Nonetheless - are you currently queuing to find out it?

Amanda Knox Addresses Viewers From Seattle Airport Press Conference (Video)

After serving four years in an Italian prison, Amanda Knox is now back in her hometown of Seattle, Washington.our editor recommendsAmanda Knox Lifetime Movie to Be Updated After Verdict PHOTOS: 10 TV Trials That Shook the World The 24-year-old and her family held a press conference from the city's airport shortly after her arrival in the United States. Knox was freed from Italian custody on Monday, Oct. 3 when a jury overturned her 2009 conviction of sexually assaulting and murdering Meredith Kercher. Knox had already served four years of her 26-year sentence. VIDEO: Amanda Knox Leaves Italy for U.S. After Guilty Verdict Overturned "They're reminding me to speak in English, cause I'm having problems with that," Knox said. "I'm really overwhelmed right now. I was looking down from the airplane, and it seemed like everything wasn't real," she continued, while choking back tears. "Thank you to everyone who's believed in me, who's defended me, who's supported my family." Story: Amanda Knox Verdict: Conviction Overturned "My family's the most important thing to me right now, and I just want to go be with them. So thank you for being there for me," she concluded, receiving cheers from the airport audience. Related Topics Amanda Knox

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