MTV announced the categories and nominees for the 2018 “MTV Movie & TV Awards,” hosted by Tiffany Haddish, that celebrate the actors, stories and moments that drove pop culture in the last year. The show will once again feature non-gendered categories – a change that marked an industry-first historic shift. Airing on Monday, June 18 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT from the Barker Hangar in Los Angeles, additional categories and honors will be announced at a later date. The press credentials website will open next week.
“Black Panther,” one of the top 10 highest-grossing movies of all time worldwide, leads with seven nominations and marks the first time the film is being recognized at an awards show. It received nods in categories including Best Movie, presented by Toyota, and Best On-Screen Team, while Chadwick Boseman, the title character, was nominated for Best Performance in a Movie and Best Hero. Additionally, Letitia Wright was nominated in the Scene Stealer category for her role as “Shuri” and Michael B. Jordan was nominated in the Best Villain category for his portrayal of “N’Jadaka/Erik Killmonger.”
“Stranger Things” scored a total of six nominations, including Best Show and Best On-Screen Team. Millie Bobby Brown was nominated for Best Performance in a Show for her portrayal of “Eleven” and Dacre Montgomery scored a nomination for his role as “Billy Hargrove” in the Scene Stealer category.
Emmy® Award-winning producer and director Joel Gallen will executive produce and direct the 2018 “Movie & TV Awards,” returning to the show which he helped create at MTV and produced for 14 years. Throughout Gallen’s career, he helmed a vast array of iconic shows in the live event and variety space. Currently, he is the director and executive producer for Comedy Central’s “Roast Battle” and has executive produced and directed 13 Comedy Central “Roasts” including the upcoming Bruce Willis Roast in July. He also directed and produced MTV’s 2010 “Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief” in collaboration with George Clooney and Wyclef Jean. Additionally, he directed and produced 17 “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” induction ceremonies, executive produced blockbuster film “Zoolander” and directed the hit comedy film “Not Another Teen Movie.”
NOMINEES FOR THE 2018 “MTV MOVIE & TV AWARDS”
BEST MOVIE (Presented by Toyota)
Avengers: Infinity War (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Black Panther (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Girls Trip (Universal Pictures)
IT (New Line Cinema)
Wonder Woman (Warner Bros. Pictures)
BEST SHOW
13 Reasons Why (Netflix)
Game of Thrones (HBO)
grown-ish (Freeform)
Riverdale (The CW)
Stranger Things (Netflix)
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A MOVIE
Chadwick Boseman – Black Panther
Timothée Chalamet – Call Me by Your Name
Ansel Elgort – Baby Driver
Daisy Ridley – Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SHOW
Millie Bobby Brown – Stranger Things
Darren Criss – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Katherine Langford – 13 Reasons Why
Issa Rae – Insecure
Maisie Williams – Game of Thrones
BEST HERO
Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa/Black Panther) – Black Panther
Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) – Game of Thrones
Gal Gadot (Diana Prince/Wonder Woman) – Wonder Woman
Grant Gustin (Barry Allen/The Flash) – The Flash
Daisy Ridley (Rey) – Star Wars: The Last Jedi
BEST VILLAIN
Josh Brolin (Thanos) – Avengers: Infinity War
Adam Driver (Kylo Ren) – Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Michael B. Jordan (N’Jadaka/Erik Killmonger) – Black Panther
Aubrey Plaza (Lenny Busker) – Legion
Bill Skarsgard (Pennywise) – IT
BEST KISS
Jane the Virgin – Gina Rodriguez (Jane) and Justin Baldoni (Rafael)
Love, Simon – Nick Robinson (Simon) and Keiynan Lonsdale (Bram)
Ready Player One – Olivia Cooke (Sam) and Tye Sheridan (Wade)
Riverdale – KJ Apa (Archie) and Camila Mendes (Veronica)
Stranger Things – Finn Wolfhard (Mike) and Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven)
MOST FRIGHTENED PERFORMANCE
Talitha Bateman (Janice) – Annabelle: Creation
Emily Blunt (Evelyn Abbott) – A Quiet Place
Sophia Lillis (Beverly Marsh) – IT
Cristin Milioti (Nanette Cole) – Black Mirror
Noah Schnapp (Will Byers) – Stranger Things
BEST ON-SCREEN TEAM
Black Panther – Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa/ Black Panther), Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Letitia Wright (Shuri)
IT – Finn Wolfhard (Richie), Sophia Lillis (Beverly), Jaeden Lieberher (Bill), Jack Dylan Grazer (Eddie), Wyatt Oleff (Stanley), Jeremy Ray Taylor (Ben), Chosen Jacobs (Mike)
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle – Dwayne Johnson (Smolder), Kevin Hart (Mouse), Jack Black (Shelly), Karen Gillan (Ruby), Nick Jonas (Seaplane)
Ready Player One – Tye Sheridan (Wade), Olivia Cooke (Samantha), Philip Zhao (Sho), Win Morisaki (Daito), Lena Waithe (Aech)
Stranger Things – Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), Finn Wolfhard (Mike), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas), Noah Schnapp (Will), Sadie Sink (Max)
BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE
Jack Black – Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Tiffany Haddish – Girls Trip
Dan Levy – Schitt’s Creek
Kate McKinnon – SNL
Amy Schumer – I Feel Pretty
SCENE STEALER
Tiffany Haddish (Dina) – Girls Trip
Dacre Montgomery (Billy Hargrove) – Stranger Things
Madelaine Petsch (Cheryl Blossom) – Riverdale
Taika Waititi (Korg) – Thor: Ragnarok
Letitia Wright (Shuri) – Black Panther
BEST FIGHT
Atomic Blonde – Charlize Theron (Lorraine) vs. Daniel Hargrave (Sniper), Greg Rementer (Spotter)
Avengers: Infinity War – Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch) vs. Carrie Coon (Proxima Midnight)
Black Panther – Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) vs. Winston Duke (M’Baku)
Thor: Ragnarok – Mark Ruffalo (Hulk) vs. Chris Hemsworth (Thor)
Wonder Woman – Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) vs. German Soldiers
BEST MUSIC DOCUMENTARY
Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A Bad Boy Story
Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated
Gaga: Five Foot Two
Jay-Z’s “Footnotes for 4:44”
The Defiant Ones
BEST REALITY SERIES/ FRANCHISE
Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Love & Hip Hop
The Real Housewives
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Vanderpump Rules
Joel Gallen/Tenth Planet Productions will serve as Executive Producer with MTV’s Amy Doyle, Garrett English and Wendy Plaut for the 2018 “MTV Movie & TV Awards.” Rick Austin will also serve as Executive Producer. Vanessa Whitewolf serves as Co-Executive Producer. Melanie Block is Executive in Charge of Production. Amani Duncan is Executive in Charge of Music.
directed by Prashanth Neel, brings a bold and gritty spectacle to the big screen, marking a triumphant return for Prabhas in an action-heavy role. Known for his high-energy, raw style (seen in KGF), Neel continues his signature approach here, blending intense action scenes with grandiose settings reminiscent of epic sagas like Game of Thrones. The film revolves around Deva (Prabhas), a powerful yet calm figure with a complex past, and his involvement in a politically charged power struggle with Prithviraj Sukumaran’s character Varadha. This layered storyline introduces us to the fictitious city of Khansar, where betrayals and power dynamics keep viewers on edge.
Critics generally appreciate Prabhas’s magnetic performance, noting that he captures the larger-than-life heroism he’s celebrated for since Baahubali. His portrayal, paired with intense fight choreography, keeps the audience engaged, particularly during standout sequences that elevate the film’s dramatic intensity. Prithviraj’s character as Deva’s friend adds an intriguing dynamic, though Shruti Haasan’s role feels underused. While fans of action-packed cinema and Prabhas’s iconic style will enjoy the exhilarating visuals and powerful cinematography, some critics feel the plot loses momentum in the second half, with multiple subplots that dilute its emotional depth. The story is intentionally left open-ended, setting the stage for Salaar: Part 2.
Overall, Salaar is an ambitious action film that will satisfy fans of Prabhas and high-octane spectacles. However, those seeking a tight narrative or deep emotional connections might find it lacking. I’d rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars—a solid experience for action enthusiasts, with room for a more focused storyline in its sequel.
Review of Kalki 2898 AD on Netflix
Rating: (4/5)
Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, is a visually ambitious sci-fi film featuring an ensemble of Indian cinema legends, including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Deepika Padukone. The film is set in a dystopian future with a storyline that weaves mythology and science fiction, creating a unique cinematic experience for viewers.
The film’s narrative unfolds in a futuristic society where technology and ancient themes intersect. It begins with an immersive setup that introduces us to Prabhas’ character, Bhairava, who grapples with complex moral and existential questions in a world marked by political and ethical turmoil. Although the pacing can feel slow in parts, especially as it establishes the mythological underpinnings, the intensity and scope build significantly as the story progresses.
One of the most captivating aspects is the stunning visual effects. The production team, with a budget reportedly over 400 crore INR, utilized advanced CGI to craft expansive landscapes, dramatic space battles, and futuristic cityscapes that resemble scenes from Hollywood sci-fi giants. The action sequences, particularly those featuring Bachchan, stand out with their thrilling choreography and careful dramatic build-up. These sequences balance between traditional Indian cinema stylings and Hollywood’s polished sci-fi tropes.
While Kalki 2898 AD relies heavily on genre conventions, it manages to bring a fresh twist by blending mythological symbolism with modern sci-fi elements. However, some may find the film’s narrative occasionally predictable, and the focus on visual spectacle occasionally overshadows character development. Yet, the powerhouse performances from the lead cast, particularly Bachchan and Padukone, provide the emotional depth needed to keep audiences engaged.
In summary, Kalki 2898 AD is an impressive venture into the sci-fi genre for Indian cinema, successfully balancing myth with high-tech fantasy. While not without flaws, it’s an enjoyable and bold cinematic experience that’s worth a watch for fans of both Indian mythology and science fiction.
Gladiator 2 builds on the legacy of its predecessor, delivering a captivating story that honors the original while forging a compelling new path. The cast shines in their roles, with Paul Mescal delivering a powerhouse performance as Lucius, the now-grown son of Maximus. Mescal captures a blend of vulnerability and strength, embodying a character driven by both honor and revenge. Alongside him, Denzel Washington commands the screen, adding gravitas and depth to a key supporting role
The screenplay is a triumph, keeping the audience engaged at every turn. While the overarching story gives you a sense of where it’s headed, the journey remains unpredictable, and packed with twists. The film balances themes of legacy, vengeance, and redemption, weaving them seamlessly into the narrative.
Action sequences, particularly the gladiatorial combat, are visually pleasing. The fights are brutal and visceral, with just enough gore to feel authentic without veering into excess. Visually, Gladiator 2 is stunning. The production design, cinematography, and score come together to create a visceral and immersive experience.
As a follow-up to a beloved classic, Gladiator 2 meets expectations, proving to be both a thrilling spectacle and a worthy successor. It’s a 9/10—a tale of honor and legacy.
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