Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts Talk 'Larry Crowne,' Friendship And MTV

'I miss VJs,' stars tell MTV News.
By Kara Warner

Tom Hanks
Photo: MTV News

Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts' new movie, "Larry Crowne," is, in a nutshell, about a middle-aged man who, after constantly being looked over for managerial promotions at work due to his lack of college degree, enrolls himself in his local community college, where he finds himself being taught by and falling in love with the lovely Mercedes Tainot (Roberts).

When MTV News caught up with Hanks and Roberts at the press day for the film, we attempted to discuss Hanks' return to the director's chair after a 15-year hiatus (the last film he helmed was 1996's "That Thing You Do!"), but first the two superstars took a moment to talk about us.

"I miss VJs," Roberts lamented of MTV's onetime team of on-camera personalities.

"I miss VJs, too," Hanks agreed. "I miss, you know, 'The Rock Hour!' " he added, likely meaning "120 Minutes," hosted by Matt Pinfield, which has been resurrected over at MTV2.

"What's on MTV now?" Roberts asked.

"Pregnant teenagers," quipped Hanks.

Hanks and Roberts then briefly discussed MTV's current slate of programs, citing "The Real World," "Jersey Shore" and "16 and Pregnant," but admitted only to hearing stories about them, not to having watched any of those shows themselves.

Once we were able to bring the focus to the topic at hand, we asked Hanks about his return to the director's chair, and what inspired him to take on so many roles for this film — he directed, acted in, co-wrote and produced "Crowne."

"Somewhere I think in 2009 a switch just goes off in my head that goes, 'I really want to direct this,' " he recalled, equating his passion for the project to a fever he had to have cooked out of him. "It takes you out of the marketplace for a long time, which is fine. I have a lot of things going on, but it ends up being like this personal letter that you're writing to your mom where you want it to be right, you want it to be authentic, you want it to actually reflect who you are and where you are at this point, and so that's why you end up directing a movie and being in it."

For Roberts, signing on to the film was mostly about working with her good friend. She and Hanks worked together once before in "Charlie Wilson's War," which, according to Roberts, cemented their friendship for life.

"I knew I had a friend for the rest of my life," she said, recalling one specific day on the "Wilson's War" set that involved Hanks, Roberts and some joke with a little box. "He [makes] me want to live a longer life," she gushed.

"What a great answer!" Hanks said with a big smile.

"It's true, I love Tom. It's kind of retarded for us sitting here trying to be professionals because we're friends," she said. "I love his wife, I love his kids."

"This is what we'd be doing if we were sitting around or having lunch," Hanks added, speaking to the pair's easy rapport. "We'll laugh for three hours together."

Check out everything we've got on "Larry Crowne."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Camilla Belle Kelly Monaco Mila Kunis Zoe Saldana Jodi Lyn OKeefe

Alicia Silverstone Shows Off Her Newborn Baby Boy Bear Blu

Last month, just in time for Mother’s Day, Alicia Silverstone and hubby Christopher Jarecki welcomed the birth of their firstborn child, a baby boy they named Bear Blu. Today, we get our first look at the little dude as US Weekly brings us the first photo of Alicia introducing the world to her newborn son. [...]

Christina Aguilera Aki Ross AnnaLynne McCord Lily Allen Eva Longoria

Q-Tip's Documentary Comments Confuse Michael Rapaport

'It was confusing to me,' director tells 'RapFix Live' in response to the MC encouraging rappers to tell their own stories.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Kara Warner

Michael Rappaport
Photo: MTV News

Despite all of the controversy surrounding "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest," ATCQ's Q-Tip has encouraged fans to see the documentary, which opens July 8 in select cities.

The Queens MC has bucked at how the group was portrayed in the film, and during a visit to "RapFix Live" this past March, Tip encouraged other rap artists to tell their own stories.

The doc's director, Michael Rapaport, who has weathered criticism from Tip in the past, appeared on "RapFix Live" Wednesday (June 29) and admitted that he was confused by the rapper's comments on the live stream.

"We crack the mold, we break the rules. We define this culture that we in right now, this Western culture, the sh-- that's moving around the world, whether it be Tribe to Lil Wayne, Drake to Kanye, I don't care," Q-Tip said to Sway back in March. "This hip-hop sh-- is our sh--, and when we start moving in, control your stories, man. Tell your stories — that's what I learned from this."

"I don't understand what [Q-Tip] was talkin' about with 'telling their own stories,' " Rapaport told MTV News. "I don't know if it was like, 'Hip-hop artists should direct movies about hip-hop artists,' or maybe he was saying, 'I should direct a documentary about myself,' which has never been done before."

Rapaport argued that a filmmaker doesn't need to be a hip-hop artist to effectively document the culture on film and used "Goodfellas" and "Casino" director Martin Scorsese to illustrate his point. "Martin Scorsese does movies about gangsters, and if you've ever been around Martin Scorsese, he's the furthest thing from a gangster, so I don't understand the thing about 'tell the stories yourself,' " Rapaport said, sounding perplexed.

"I don't know if he meant, 'We're from hip-hop, it should be a hip-hop director' or — I don't know who would go under the auspices of being a hip-hop director. Or if it was a racial thing like, 'We're black and shouldn't have a white director.' It was confusing to me."

The filmmaker did acknowledge that despite the back and forth between him and the rapper, he did appreciate Q-Tip asking fans to support the movie. Whether the two can reconcile is up in the air. According to Rapaport, the last time he heard from Tip was through email and it seems that the message was less than encouraging. "I haven't talked to Q-Tip," he said. "Last time I heard from Q-Tip he sent me an email and he said, 'All you gotta do is stay white and be privileged.' "

What do you think of Michael Rapaport's response to Q-Tip on "RapFix Live"? Sound off in the comments.

Related Videos

• 'RapFix Live' With CyHi The Prynce

Related Artists

• A Tribe Called Quest
• Q-Tip

Mýa Kristin Kreuk Erica Leerhsen Ciara Tara Reid

Tom Hanks' 'Larry Crowne': The Reviews Are In

Critics have mixed feelings about Hanks' first directing effort in 15 years.
By Eric Ditzian

Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks in 'Larry Crowne'
Photo: Universal Pictures

Perhaps only the boom-boom-pow theatrics of "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," which will be making most of the noise (and the box-office bucks) at the multiplex this weekend, could overshadow a new offering from Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.

Or possibly the mixed reviews for their comedy, "Larry Crowne," are helping create a lower profile for the heavily marketed film. Hanks has taken on directing duties for only the second time in his career (his debut was the 1996 nostalgia trip "That Thing You Do!") and recruited Roberts to join in the action. But the results have been met with outright disdain in some corners, with critics scoffing at a lack of laughs and a bland story line. Yet where others see a milquetoast comedy, many reviewers see a skilled director delivering a warm-hearted summer diversion. Read on for those "Larry Crowne" critiques and more.

The Story
"In 'Larry Crowne,' Hanks plays a nice guy who gets fired from his retail job because he lacks the education to qualify him for a management position. This happens despite his countless awards for Employee of the Month. Larry cashes in his possessions, trades his car for a scooter and decides to enroll in a local community college. As his economics teacher, he draws Dr. Matsutani (George Takei), the only character in the film interesting enough to have a movie made about him. As his public speaking teacher, he gets Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts), a character who seems to have drifted over from the auditions for 'Bad Teacher.' ... I watched the movie with all the pleasure I bring to watching bread rise. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy watching bread rise, but it lacks a certain degree of interest. You look forward to it being finished." — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Performances
"The real reason to watch this modestly charming, featherweight bauble is the chemistry between Hanks and Roberts, beloved superstars who make a beautiful pair. 'Larry Crowne' is only their second movie together (after 'Charlie Wilson's War'), but Hanks' noble everyman is an inspired match for Roberts, who plays her character's bitter disappointment with a believable acidity." — Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald

The Direction
" 'Larry Crowne' marks Tom Hanks' first work as a director since his delightful 'That Thing You Do!' 15 years ago. And now, as then, the star demonstrates a generous instinct for calm, steady pacing and cleanly framed scenes that acknowledge every character's place in the whole, whether in the classroom, on the streets, or in the working world: When, for example, Larry draws on his Navy skills to take a job as a short-order cook, Hanks the director observes the work of every diner employee with genuine interest. ... It's easy enough to accept the romantic-comedy luck of the two finding each another. It's much tougher, and ultimately useless, to buy everything else about this fairy tale of self-reinvention in a stalled economy." — Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

The Laughs
"The script by Mr. Hanks and Nia Vardalos ('My Big Fat Greek Wedding') is one of those wonders of the cinema: You wonder who thought any of this was funny. The fractious scenes between Mercedes and her stay-at-home husband (Bryan Cranston) are painful, although they do give Larry the opportunity to provide a romantic palliative. Larry's adoption by a group of younger students — all of whom ride eco-friendly motor scooters — is cloyingly, comically clueless." — John Anderson, The Wall Street Journal

The Final Word
"I don't know how 'Larry Crowne' is going to do this summer, but I am surprised at the venom some people seem to have mustered towards it. I found it engaging, constantly warm and funny, and very direct in its ambitions. If you want a break from the barrage of spectacle that crams out theater screens every year at this time, 'Larry Crowne" represents a lovely alternative, and I hope people give it a chance. I'd hate to see Hanks wait another fifteen years to direct again." — Drew McWeeny, HitFix

Check out everything we've got on "Larry Crowne."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Victoria Beckham Christina Milian Foxy Brown Catherine Bell Vogue

Out & About

On June 19, Fashion Police co-host Kelly Osbourne joined actress and Season One Dancing With the Stars winner, Kelly Monaco, for her birthday celebration along with best gal pal, former beauty queen and Playboy playmate, Shanna Moakler at The Bank Nightclub at Bellagio following the pairs lavish dinner with friends at Fix Restaurant & Bar right next door. The trio, who all attended the 2011 Daytime Emmy Awards earlier, excited the crowd at The Bank, dancing on top of the nightclub's banquette's along to the beat's provided by DJ Karma, while laughing and posing for photos with one another.

Gossip Girl matriarch Kelly Rutherford hailed a cab as she left Century 21 department store in NYC. The always-stylish mother of two was spotted checking out the spring sales at the discount department store.

The Real Housewives of Orange County's Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley relaxed at Casa Dorada Los Cabos, Resort & Spa. The couple flew to Cabo for some fun and relaxation, enjoying the resort's private beach area and taking in a fashion show while at the resort.

Musician Jack White bowled several strikes during Questlove?s DJ set at Brooklyn Bowl last week.

Even though Kat Von D recently postponed her wedding to Jesse James, she was still all smiles in between filming the new season of her show LA Ink with pal/co-star Jeffree Star. Kat tweeted a photo of her wearing her favorite Sober is Sexy T-shirt "The only coke I do is diet" (soberisexy.com), letting her fans know she is staying strong through all the marriage drama with Jesse. Kat has been sober for years and wanted to convey her positive message to all of her fans.

Would you like to rub elbows with your favorite celebrities at In Touch?s Fourth Annual Icons + Idols party? Last year guests included the cast of Jersey Shore, Sofia Vergara, Penn Badgley and more! Enter here for your chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to attend this star-studded event with a friend!

Gina Otto, author of Cassandra?s Angel, shares a heart-melting story with an empowering message. People of all ages will appreciate and learn to recognize their own creative gifts that they bring to share with the world. Cassandra?s Angel the musical hits theaters soon.

Heidi Montag Michelle Rodriguez Jamie Chung Kim Kardashian Cat Power

Comic-Con 2011: What We And The Movie Blogosphere Are Looking Forward To

It's happening. It's really happening. Even though it feels like it was only yesterday, it's here again ? Comic-Con 2011 is just around the bend!
One of my absolute favorite weeks of the year is almost upon us, where the MTV News gang will be magically transported to the wonderful world of Slave Leia cosplay and [...]

Heidi Montag Michelle Rodriguez Jamie Chung Kim Kardashian Cat Power

Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester Recall 'Monte Carlo' Perks

'We rented out the Eiffel Tower, no big deal,' Gomez jokes.
By Christina Garibaldi

Selena Gomez in "Monte Carlo"
Photo: 20th Century Fox

The cast of "Monte Carlo" really lucked out: Not only does the movie, opening Friday (July 1), star some of the biggest young actors in the business — Selena Gomez, "Gossip Girl" Leighton Meester and Cory Monteith of "Glee" fame — but the crew also got a chance to spend two months overseas shooting in some of the most spectacular places in the world.

The film stars Gomez as a young teenager mistaken for a British heiress while vacationing in Paris. The flick follows Gomez, Meester and Katie Cassidy as they encounter adventures on their European tour. Yet, it seems as if the fun continued well after the cameras stopped rolling.

"It was fun both on- and off[screen]," Meester said. "A lot of what was happening offscreen was just an extension of the fun we were having outside."

The cast filmed in several locations, including France, Monaco and Hungary, which was a first for Gomez. "It was really cool to experience all those places for the first time," Gomez said.

Out of all those places, the girls point to Paris as their favorite destination. "We got up in the Eiffel Tower," Meester recalled. "But it wasn't just go up for a trip, we got there all alone. It was just us at 5 a.m. when the sun was just rising. It was really beautiful."

Gomez joked: "We rented out the Eiffel Tower, no big deal."

Yet, Gomez and Meester weren't the only ones to take some offscreen adventures: Monteith made sure to take full advantage of his downtime. "I worked probably one out of five days in the shooting schedule," Monteith said. "I have four days a week off, and I was able to roam around Europe, so I saw 10 countries a month. It was incredible."

Check out everything we've got on "Monte Carlo."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

Minka Kelly Jennifer Morrison Maggie Gyllenhaal Brittany Snow Maggie Grace

America Chooses Javier Colon As The First-Ever ?Voice?

Dad-of-two Javier Colon has been named the first-ever winner of NBC?s hit show, The Voice, narrowly beating out runner-up Dia Frampton by a two-percent margin. Of his win ? which includes a prize of a recording contract and $100,000 in cash ? Javier says, "I'm a firm believer in what's meant to be is meant to be."

The soulful pop singer was an immediate favorite of coach Adam Levine, who was joined on the judging panel by Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton and Cee Lo Green. And good news for Voice fans: NBC has confirmed that all four judges are returning for season two, which is scheduled to air midseason on Mondays (8-10 p.m. ET). "Our fantastic coaches were integral to the tremendous success of The Voice this year and we are thrilled that they are all returning," says Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Studios. "We look forward to building season two and making The Voice an even greater experience for fans."

Sarah Polley Chloë Sevigny Lake Bell Rose McGowan Tessie Santiago

High Art

Yesterday was a pretty bizzy day for me … after seeing an early afternoon showing of Transformers: Dark of the Moon (review forthcoming), David and I made our way to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art for a members only party in honor of the Tim Burton Exhibit currently on display. Afterward, we made [...]

Denise Richards China Chow Whitney Port Noureen DeWulf Joanna Krupa

Les News, 062911

Shakespeare Cats. Selena Gomez crushes on Shia LaBeouf. Transformers 3 is LIGHT YEARS better than Transformers 2. Kids these days do the darndest things. Courtney Love is a car thief now? The Voice does duets. Coldplay releases a video for their new single Every Teardrop is a Waterfall. Eva Mendes is an Angel for Theirry [...]

Blake Lively Marisa Miller Heidi Montag Michelle Rodriguez Jamie Chung