If you happen to run into Spike Jonze today, be sure to give him a pat on the back for making a truly stunning film adaptation of "Where the Wild Things Are." But you can also wish him a happy birthday, as today he turns 40 years old. The man born Adam Spiegel spent his youth as a BMX and skateboard enthusiast and got involved with filmmaking when he started filming his friends doing tricks and stunts. His warped visual style, wide-eyed innocence and sense of adventure have served him well, as he has become one of the most talked-about American film directors. 1999's "Being John Malkovich" and 2002's "Adaptation" were both formidable stories told with Jonze's slick mix of absurdist humor and childlike melancholy, but it's the recently-released "Where the Wild Things Are" that solidifies Jonze as a true genius.
Of course, the director has had a long history with MTV. He helped create and produce "Jackass" and was also got his first real recognition as a director by crafting music videos for some of the more adventurous artists in rock, dance and hip-hop. There are some absolutely definitive clips on Jonze's resumé, including Weezer's "Buddy Holly," Fatboy Slim's "Praise You," the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" and Björk's "It's Oh So Quiet." His most recent music project was a collaboration with Kanye West on the short film "We Were Once a Fairytale," an 11-minute short that acts as a compendium to West's track "See You in my Nightmares." But one of Jonze's darkest clips was one he shot in 2004 for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (whose singer, Karen O, was Jonze's girlfriend for a while; she also created the soundtrack for "Where the Wild Things Are"). "Y Control" stars the band, a bunch of kids, some animal carcasses and a whole lot of wanton violence.
If you happen to see Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke today, be sure to give him a high-five and a cookie, because today he turns 28 years old. The group is currently on a U.K. tour they have dubbed "Bloctober" in support of their latest albums Intimacy (which was recorded and released online as a surprise last year) and Intimacy Remixed. The group first picked up attention when their debut album Silent Alarm garnered rave reviews and the single "Helicopter" made a huge impact on the U.K. charts. They managed to blend big, hook-filled arena rock with smart dance beats and a willingness to experiment. At the center of their sound is Okereke's voice, which carries a thick London accent and manages to be both sweet and sharp at the same time.
Though Silent Alarm remains their signature album, the follow-up, A Weekend in the City, remains one of the most underrated records of the decade. Full of big riffs and bigger ideas, it's a sorta-concept album about urban living in the 21st century, and along the way Okereke makes insightful observations about relationships, loneliness, political strife, technology and the novels of Bret Easton Ellis. It's got some great tunes ("Song for Clay (Disappear Here)" is up there with "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "London Calling" as one of the greatest opening album tracks of all time), and even had a great video to accompany the first single. "The Prayer" encompasses everything that is great and interesting about Bloc Party. It's spastic and festive, sure, but there are also plenty of ideas to consider in between the fits of noise.
By Steven Roberts
Happy birthday, Jay-Z!
We here at MTV News have watched you grow up over the years. From the guy standing next to Jaz-O with a high-top fade, gold anchor chain and an acid-washed denim shearling, to the guy who's part-owner of the Nets, tours with Coldplay and has the hottest chick in the game wearing your chain ... that's right, Hov!
Sorry, but we really couldn't get you anything. Seriously, you headlined Glastonbury, Dale Earnhardt raced you around against Danica Patrick in Monaco, and you're married to Beyoncé!
Most of us have to wait until we are 65, but you've literally retired after every new album. Luckily you came back — we didn't believe it anyway — to bless us with summer anthem ("Big Pimpin' ") after summer anthem ("Give It to Me") after summer anthem ("Izzo [H.O.V.A.]").
Honestly, half of New York wears a fitted Yankees hat because of you. Everyone wanted to drink Cristal because of you (they wanted to drink Armand de Brignac, too, but then they saw the price tag). Everyone will probably start wearing black-rimmed, clear-lens glasses now that you do. It must be like every day is your birthday!
With that said, MTV News would like to take this time out to make fun of you. We've been searching all day for rare, potentially embarrassing footage of you, and we haven't had much luck. Luckily, we found this 10-year-old clip of the owner of the 40/40 Club talking about another club he wanted to join.
By Andrew Millard
I'm still holding out hope that I'll discover a last-minute invite for Britney's big 27th B-day bash at Tenjune tonight. I mean, I went out and got a new top hat just for the occasion! But just in case my name doesn't show up on the guest list, I've already imagined how the festivities might go down — and if she's really serious about restoring her health and image, she might consider partying like it's 1999 again.
Oh, how we love to remember the 20th-century Britney. She was so young, so fit and, as far as we know, sober. If she intends on maintaining that hot bod she showed off today during her "Good Morning America" performance, she might consider laying off the liquor and sticking to her pre-millennium party mixers of choice: soda and juice.
We remember those crazy carbonated days because she allowed MTV News to shoot a slumber party she staged a few nights before the 1999 Grammys with girl group Innosense — another Lou Perlman pop creation that Brit was briefly a member of before she became famous on her own. In what was probably an attempt to get her former bandmates some extra MTV exposure, the not-yet-legal ladies slipped into their PJ's, tore open a few bags of Cheetos and talked about how hot Paul Walker was. Sadly, Innosense were never heard from again.
Happy 27th, Britney! Here's to you sticking to your new healthy ways. And what a difference a year makes! Read more...
What: Miley's Sweet 16 — Share the Celebration!
Where: Disneyland, a.k.a. the Happiest Place on Earth!
When: October 5!
Details: Oh my God, so, Miley Cyrus is finally going to be old enough to drive and ditch that bicycle, and you're totally invited! Well, 5,000 of you are, anyway. Miley told "Entertainment Tonight" that tickets are only $250! (Your parents will totally pick that up!) And they go on sale August 30!
(Can we stop with the exclamation points yet?)
There will be more than "7 Things" she likes (that Miley, always reminding us of her hit songs), including special fireworks, hanging out with friends and a few songs! Oh, and some recognition for really cool kids from Youth Service America who are volunteering, or something (and giving Miley a chance to hype her song "Wake Up America" again).
Is it too early to start lining up?
