The phrase "all-star cast" gets tossed around a lot, but when it comes to it is more than deserved.

George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett and John Goodman are only a few of the names in an incredibly acclaimed cast.

"The Monuments Men," also directed by Clooney, tells the true story of an American platoon that is sent to rescue great works of art from behind Nazi lines in World World II. Looking to be a blend of "Ocean's Eleven" (which starred Clooney and Damon) and "Saving Private Ryan," (which also starred Damon) "The Monuments Men" was announced with a lot of hype , but fell a bit off the radar when some production troubles delayed the film from late 2013 to early 2014.

With a cast like the one Clooney has assembled also come very high expectations. But is "Monuments" worthy of Van Gogh and Rembrandt, or is it more like watching paint dry? The critics weigh in on the film, which opens Friday (February 7).

Old-Fashioned Entertainment
Even though there's some PG-13 violence and bloodshed, and a few chilling reminders of Hitler's reign of terror and the soul-curdling goals of the Nazis, this is still one of the most old-fashioned and at times almost breezy WWII films in recent memory. This is the kind of movie where a man reacts to a character's death by saying, "That's a hell of a thing," and his brother in arms says, "Yep, a hell of a thing," and a wounded soldier told he can go home says, "If it's all ...

We're ready, Ed. Go ahead and bring it. Ed Sheeran has been teasing out information about his upcoming second album for so long we're starting to wonder if he's messing with us.

But on Thursday morning (February 7), he finally served up some music from the as-yet-untitled effort, posting a short clip of a soulful ballad whose title we, of course, don't know either. And, sorry, but it's not or Limp Bizkit Lite. But it does sound awesome.

Lip synching along with producer Jake Gosling, Sheeran croons over acoustic guitar in the soulful ballad with the chorus, "So honey now."

Fans, frankly, are sick of waiting, with one writing in all caps, "Ed just put the dang album out already dear lord oh my god," and another asking, "Am I the only one that's watched this several millions of times??"

Sheeran has been working on the new disc with producers Rick Rubin and Pharrell, with a release expected sometime in the spring. According to reports, he's commemorating the completion of the recording by getting a full sleeve tattoo.

"He's getting another sleeve done with inspiration from his new album," said celeb tattoo artist Kevin Paul.

"The left arm is done and we are working on the right one. He had a teddy bear a couple of weeks ago, because he was called 'Teddy' at school. He's also had a rose done, and a lizard, which was to do with his new album. There's loads we're working on now."

Paul claimed to have heard the new album and said ...

really isn't about singing in a group at all. It's a personality test, designed to see how well contestants deal with adversity, drama and the unexpected curveballs that come along with being forced to collaborate with their fellow competitors.

On Thursday's "Idol," group round was introduced as "the most grueling challenge on the 'Idol' journey." In a montage of past group rounds, there was one singer who said, "I don't do groups," and the fact that his wasn't a recognizable face sent a clear message: if you don't "do groups," you don't do "Idol." It's a hurdle everyone must jump over.

But if the group round was a killer in previous seasons, Thursday's episode presented a more forgiving exercise. Going into the round, 104 singers were in the mix, and while Jennifer Lopez told contestants half or more would be cut, just 27 were sent to the slaughter. Either the singers were just that good, or this year's judges have a case of premature separation anxiety.

Group round presented the usual mix of backstage drama and dropped lyrics, both of which plagued Jessica Meuse, the 23-year-old from Alabama. Meuse, whose black hair is accented by a shock of pink, was in a group that fell apart and was an 11th hour edition to another group, which already included Nica Nashae, Cara Watson and Stephanie Hanvey. (Hanvey's overbearing stage mother was an unofficial member of the group.)

Meuse took the stage even though she was rusty on the words to Beyonce's "Single Ladies," and was able to work through the song with the ...

Jay Leno's reign over "The Tonight Show" has finally come to an end — again — and he didn't leave without taking some jabs at one of music's biggest headline-makers: Justin Bieber.

The farewell show began by getting straight to business, with straightforward announcements of guests Billy Crystal and Garth Brooks. Leno took the stage, glad-handing folks in the front row, basking in the uproarious applause for several minutes. "Very kind, very kind," he said through the seemingly endless ovation. When the applause died down, Leno began his final monologue, explaining that he doesn't like goodbyes.

"NBC does; I don't care for them," he cracked, referring to his previous "Tonight Show" exit. "I don't need to get fired three times — I got the hint."

Leno went on to reminisce about the 22 years that have passed since he first took over the "Tonight Show," saying that when he started, Justin Bieber hadn't even been born yet — "the good old days," as he likes to remember it.

Leno wasn't the only one taking cracks at Bieber. The show's final guest, Billy Crystal — who was also Leno's very first guest on "The Tonight Show" — began his appearance with a monologue of his own, thanking Leno for all of the laughs over the years.

"You were America's nightlight. You helped us through good times and bad. The country would stay up for your monologue, to hear the news from your perspective," said Crystal. "When it was announced recently that America's number one domestic terrorist had been captured, who told us it was Justin Bieber? ...

With the help of a crack team of highly trained scientists — and "The LEGO Movie" star Chris Pratt — MTV News has cemented the formula for the ultimate earworm.

It sounds simple in theory, but a gentle touch is needed for perfect execution.

In a recent visit to the MTV News studio to talk about "The LEGO Movie," Pratt conceded that the movie's de facto theme song, "Everything Is Awesome," could totally get stuck in a person's head. Despite its peppy tune, the song, he said, had a darker meaning.

"In the story, when you watch 'The LEGO Movie,' it's this kind of Orwellian fascist dictatorship of Bricksburg in which they live," Pratt said. "Everyone has to follow the rules and pretend to be very happy and they listen on repeat on a loop to this song called 'Everything Is Awesome' over and over and over again."

Dun dun dunnnn

If that doesn't quite get stuck in your head, Pratt claimed to know two simple words that, when sung, will reverberate through your brain, likely ruining your day: "one week."

Yes, that song. Thanks for nothing, Barenaked Ladies and Chris Pratt. But don't worry, you're not the only one who's peeved with the affable actor.

"Every once in a while I'll be in an elevator and I'll just go, 'it's been!'" Pratt said. "And then it'll be quiet and then someone'll just go, 'god. Real cool, dude, cool bro.' "

"The LEGO Movie" hits theaters today.

At this point, I'm resigned to the fact that Justin Bieber's supposed downfall will be the semi-story that carries us through the sleepy first quarter of 2014 (it's either that or the "Sriracha Shortage"), but that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it.

I say that knowing Bieber spent much of the past year making himself a prime target for a takedown. And, yes, he probably deserves a fair amount of the criticism he's receiving — especially given that he's currently under investigation for felony vandalism in California, assault in Canada, and will be going to trial next month in Miami on suspicion of DUI.

But I just can't with this whole thing. I'm no Belieber (he made me work on Christmas,) but I'll be the first to come to his defense in one regard: The dude is a 19-year-old multi-multi-millionaire who has been incredibly famous since he was 15. His every move is photographed and the majority of people around him are financially dependent on him. And no one is going to say "no" to the guy paying the bills. So do you expect him to act any differently? Or, really, do you want him to?

To put it another way, Justin Bieber is the pop-star pariah we, as a society, either need, or deserve. Probably both. We've basically always expected this exact behavior from our stars. They've done time, trashed suites, done unspeakable things with mudsharks in Seattle hotels. They've brawled and boozed and broken bones. Shoot, they've ...

Gird your loins, thirsty young academics: with "Vampire Academy" out Friday (February 7) in theaters everywhere, you're about to walk into the hallowed halls of St. Vladimir's Academy for aspiring bloodsuckers.

It's a prestigious institution where the only thing finer than its education is the student body itself — one made up of various species of vampire and/or vampire hybrid. But if you're not an expert at spotting a Strigoi at up to 100 yards, then you'll want to take a run through this study sheet, designed to ease your transition into this academy of fangs and help you figure out where your favorite vamps fit into the "Vampire Academy" world.

If The Vampire Is Tall, Fair And Thin...

Congratulations! You've just encountered a member of the beautiful (and sometimes royal) Moroi. Blessed with supernatural gifts including the power of compulsion, they can usually be found in the company of a Dhampir protector and BFF. Though the Moroi need blood to survive, they're not, like, y'know, jerks about it — and their bites comes with a certain euphoric high that leave the blood donor feeling just delightful. So if your favorite sylphlike vamp is looking a little peaked, don't hesitate to offer up your own neck for the taking.

If The Vampire Doesn't Drink The Red Stuff...

You're probably looking at a Dhampir, born of a half-human, half-vampire bloodline. Though they're powerful fighters, particularly on behalf of the individual Moroi it's their duty to protect, Dhampirs don't have the otherworldly abilities of a full-blooded vampire.

If The Vampire Has Red Eyes And A Hungry Look...

Run ...