8 Reasons Why the Oscars Bombed This Year

Was it just me, or were the Oscars like the longest episode of "American Idol" ever? First, Ryan Seacrest interviewed all the contestants—oops, make that nominees—on the red carpet. Then, the stage was suspiciously similar to the circular "Idol" platform, and the live show began with a musical number from host Hugh Jackman. The first winner was announced by a panel, though unfortunately Paula Abdul wasn't on it. And at some point in the evening, Jackman appeared with Beyonce, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens to cover a strange assortment of Broadway tunes.
That latter number was awfully schizophrenic, and it only made sense when we learned that it was directed by the king of excess himself, Baz Luhrmann. The flashy, uneven choreography summed up the entire evening. This year was the Academy's biggest push to make the Oscars young and more relevant. Too bad they failed, even worse than when they tapped Jon Stewart as host. Throughout the telecast, my BlackBerry buzzed with messages from friends, all in their 20s, about how un-hip and un-young and unwatchable the Oscars felt.

Source

Celebrity photos: Drew Barrymore, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, ‘The Office’ cast and more

Drew Barrymore (AP Photo/Evan Agostini), Jessica Lange and Jeanne Tripplehorn of “Grey Gardens” attend the premiere of the HBO film in New York on Tuesday. Also on hand were actors Justin Long, Sam Shepard and TV personality Jimmy Fallon.


Zac Efron with cast members Michelle Trachtenberg, Leslie Mann and Matthew Perry for the Los Angeles premiere of “17 Again” on Tuesday. They were joined in the celebration by Vanessa Hudgens, the remaining “American Idol” finalists, the Jonas Brothers and more.


“The Office” celebrates the show’s 100th episode Tuesday at the Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, Calif., with cake all around for actors Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, Brian Baumgartner, Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey, Mindy Kaling, and Kate Flannery.

Source

Album Review: Vanessa Hudgens

There's something on this album for everyone. Vanessa mixes the slow romantic songs and upbeat tunes that you would have heard her sing in the High School Musical films with fast tempo dance tracks.
The single Identified will definitely be a hit! It's very catchy and you'll be dancing around your bedroom to it non-stop.
Don't Ask Why sounds like something Gabriella should be singing to Troy - a must for fans of the film.
The last song on the album Gone With The Wind really shows how good a singer Vanessa Hudgens is.

Source

Vanessa Hudgens Gets 'Weird' In 'Bandslam'

With the release of Zac Efron's "17 Again" on April 17, it's "High School Musical" alumni week. MTV News is going to catch you up on what the future holds for all of your favorite East High Wildcats!

Just when Vanessa Hudgens thought she was leaving the cozy confines of high school musicals behind, she is making her way back into theaters this summer in the teen musical comedy "Bandslam."

Although her new character Sam is nothing like the squeaky-clean Gabriella in the "High School Musical" flicks, Hudgens was surprised to learn that much like "HSM," "Bandslam" would mean that she would once again have to sing for her supper.

"I didn't think it would be this much music when I came here," she told MTV News on the set of "Bandslam" in Austin, Texas, last year. "And they are like, 'We are going to have two weeks of music rehearsals,' and I was like, 'What?' But it was really cool. It's definitely not the kind of music I do normally.

"It's more rock and actually I play guitar in it, and I had to learn and I was really nervous because I didn't want to look stupid," she said about having to learn to play an instrument for the film. "But I think I pulled it off — I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

Luckily for Hudgens, though, she wouldn't have to reprise her role as the nice girl next door. In "Bandslam," she plays a "weird," gritty high school student, an opportunity that Hudgens welcomed.

"Playing Sam was a lot of fun for me because it's so opposite of me," she explained. "And it's just so opposite of the characters that I've been playing. I just kind of get dressed, do my lines and the way I say them and everything — I just kind of get into it. I just get to create a new person and I just kind of get into it."

For the movie — about a group of teens who find love and friendship while preparing for their school's battle of the bands — Hudgens got a chance to cover a bunch of songs, her favorite being "Everything I Own" by Bread. "We kind of make it our own," she said about the song. "It's very ska-esque, so it's all about the up-strum ... it's a lot of fun."

Source

Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens out of High School Musical 4

A FOURTH instalment of the teenage hit High School Musical will hit TV screens next year but it won't feature its two stars Zac Efron and his real-life girlfriend, Vanessa Hudgens.

A Disney studio statement last night said High School Musical 4 will feature a love triangle "set against the cross-town rivalry between the East High Wildcats and West High Knights."

Source

Judge orders 'High School Musical' star Vanessa Hudgens to pay producer $1,500 in lawsuit

"High School Musical" star Vanessa Hudgens must answer questions about her endorsement deals from lawyers for a man suing her, claiming she owes him $5 million, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Malcolm Mackey also ordered the 20-year-old singer/actress to pay Johnny Vieira's attorneys $1,500 in attorneys' fees for having to go to court and get the order.

Mackey's directive means Hudgens must answer written questions about endorsement deals she had with Neutrogena beauty products, Ecko clothing and accessories and Revolution Clothing and other companies.

Hudgens' lawyers maintained the questions were not relevant to the current lawsuit.

Vieira is suing the 20-year-old singer/actress for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty, and is also asking that a private settlement they agreed on when they parted be rescinded.

The music producer says that after he filed the lawsuit Aug. 11, he found out that Hudgens allegedly withheld hundreds of thousands of dollars she owes him from contracts to promote companies such as Ecko, Neutrogena and Revolution Clothing.

Vieira is also suing the starlet's father, Greg Hudgens, for defamation, saying he wrote in e-mails that Vieira was a "predator" who preyed upon young artists.

Hudgens and her father maintain Vieira received all the money he is entitled to under the private settlement agreement. They also say Hudgens has instructed a recording company to give him executive producer credit on her albums, so they want Mackey to dismiss the case. He is scheduled to hear their motion April 1.

Hudgens' attorney Melissa B. Bonfiglio has characterized the lawsuit as a contract dispute with no evidence that Hudgens did not live up to her obligations. She also says Vieira was the only one who received Greg Hudgens' e- mails.

But Vieira says in a sworn declaration that he was the one who saw something special in Hudgens when he heard her sing at age 16 with a girl group.

"I did my best to help Vanessa secure a record contract," Vieira states in a declaration opposing dismissal of his case. "I worked with her on her vocals, wrote songs and music for her, scheduled meetings with some of the biggest record labels in town and fulfilled all my obligations."

He says their agreement called for Vieira to equally share in advances, royalties and merchandising from Hudgens' career before she obtained her role in "High School Musical," but that she later turned her back on him.

"As soon as Vanessa landed a lead role in Disney's 'High School Musical,' she attempted to get rid of me," Vieira says. "Although Vanessa had no basis to terminate our agreement, I was pressured into a settlement agreement with her ... with the promise of remaining a member of her team."

Vieira further says that although his financial interest was reduced significantly after the settlement, he wanted to continue assisting Hudgens in her career.

"The main goal of each agreement was to help Vanessa become a pop star, which required both of us to work hard and contribute our creativity and talents to that goal," Vieira states.

Source

Back to Junior Varsity for Disney’s “High School Musical” Franchise

The Walt Disney Company has cut the “High School Musical” franchise from its varsity line-up, announcing that a fourth installment – with all new lead actors - will premiere on television instead of the big screen. “High School Musical 4,” set for a 2010 premiere, will feature a storyline built around a rivalry with a cross-town school, said Gary Marsh, president of entertainment for Disney Channels Worldwide.
Unclear at this early stage is whether Kenny Ortega, the director of the first three movies, will return. What is clear is that Zak Efron and Vanessa Hudgens will not reprise their starring roles, although some of the franchise’s more minor characters may pop up to add continuity. The writer of the last three movies, Peter Barsocchini, will also pen the new screenplay.

Source

Films - HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR

Seniors Troy and Gabriella face the prospect of being separated from one another as they head off in different directions to college. Joined by the rest of the Wildcats, they stage an elaborate spring musical reflecting their experiences, hopes and fears about their future. With incredible new music and exciting dance numbers designed to take maximum advantage of the big screen, this motion picture extravaganza delivers plenty of high-energy entertainment from East High's talented ensemble.

HSM3 is 'tween dream on the big screen, topping them all with one dazzling sequence after another. The boys -- and the girls -- are back in style.

Story

What story? Does it really matter? Basically, the Wildcats have graduated to the big screen for their senior year with the daunting task of -- guess what? -- putting on a big show. In addition to performance anxiety, the singing and dancing kids must also figure out what to wear and who to bring to the prom. Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens), in particular, have to figure out what is to become of their romance when Gaby goes to Stanford, while Troy stays in Arizona. Adding to the drama is the fact representatives from Julliard will be in attendance at the show and their approval could be just the showbiz break these young talents are looking for. All of this interstitial storytelling is just an excuse to launch into one of the 10 big musical numbers written for this theatrical continuation of the enormously successful Emmy-winning Disney Channel TV films, and although the songs seem to have come out of the same cookie cutter mold, the production values make this HSM an eye-popping celebration of song and dance that's pure entertainment from start to finish.

Acting

This attractive and energetic young cast have used the two previous films to grow into their roles and win instant audience recognition. It's in the expanded and more demanding musical numbers that everyone really gets their turn in the sun, and no one disappoints. Zac Efron channels Justin Timberlake with his athletic and singular "Scream," a breakdance against the walls of the school's hallway that's pretty damn thrilling to watch. It's the hip-hop equivalent of Fred Astaire's classic dance on the ceiling in 1950's Royal Wedding. Equally effective is his intense auto junkyard number with Corbin Bleu (returning as Chad), "The Boys Are Back," is a lively paean to Michael Jackson's '80s videos like Beat It. Hudgens does nicely with the largely forgettable ballads "Walk Away" and "Right Here Right Now" (with Efron). Lucas Grabeel, back as Ryan, goes all top hat and tails on us in the Broadway inspired "I Want It All" -- opposite diva-like Sharpay, played with conniving authority once again by Ashley Tisdale. Monique Coleman as Taylor is right at home here as well along with the other veteran of the earlier films Olesya Rulin as Kelsi. Assuming the series goes on after graduation, a new generation of HSM performers will be required and that is the apparent reason for the generous screen time given to younger, newer cast members: Matt Prokop, Justin Martin and young British import Jemma McKenzie–Brown.

Direction

With director/choreographer Kenny Ortega at the helm, the HSM concept has been opened up to fill the expanse of the big screen. At its core, the musical numbers are much, MUCH larger and grandiose than they ever were in the TV films. Ortega and his team have used bright vivid Technicolor images reminiscent of the heyday of '50s Hollywood musicals and married it to a contemporary approach. Still, he seems to be channeling in some ways the elaborate Busby Berkeley movie musicals of the '30s, particularly in Grabeel's set pieces. Clearly, Ortega 'gets it' and knows what style and verve a musical like this needs -- no matter how young the intended audience. Having the luxury of directing most of his primary cast in the two previous HSM TV outings, he takes that small-screen energy and lets it explode in all its widescreen glory.

Bottom Line

Hollywood.com rated this film 3 1/2 stars.

* Cast:Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Olesya Rulin, Chris Warren Jr., Ryne Sanborn, Kaycee Stroh, Bart Johnson
* Director:Kenny Ortega
* Producer:Bill Borden
* Writer:Peter Barsocchini
* Duration:100
* Official Site:http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/highschoolmusical3/
* Release:In Cinemas Now
* Genre:Musical
* Distributor:Walt Disney Pictures

Source