Television's most famous crime family is grieving together today, as the cast and crew of "The Sopranos" mourned the death of James Gandolfini on Wednesday. A dozen stars who knew and collaborated closely with Gandolfini on the long-running HBO show issued statements expressing their shock and heartbreak, joining a host of other celebrities remembering the actor.

An immediate outpouring of sympathy came from the closest members of Gandolfini's on-screen family, beginning with a statement from Edie Falco, who played Tony Soprano's wife, Carmela.

"I am shocked and devastated by Jim's passing," she said. "He was a man of tremendous depth and sensitivity, with a kindness and generosity beyond words. I consider myself very lucky to have spent 10 years as his close colleague. My heart goes out to his family. As those of us in his pretend one hold on to the memories of our intense and beautiful time together. The love between Tony and Carmela was one of the greatest I've ever known."

Aida Turturro, who played Soprano sister Janice, said, "I've not only lost a great friend, but a true brother, on screen and off. James was the most generous actor to work with, but more so, a man with a heart of gold. I love him and my heart goes out to his family."

Kristen Stewart Remembers James Gandolfini's 'Comforting' Presence On Set.

And Jamie Lynn Sigler, who played Tony's daughter Meadow, issued the following statement: "This news has left me heartbroken. I can only imagine the pain his family feels at this time, and my heart goes out ...

Waka Flocka Flame is currently securing the features for his Flockaveli 2 album, and on Wednesday, the Atlanta rapper paid a visit to to debut the new visuals for the T.I.-assisted "50K (Remix)."

Waka explained that since recording the original track, he's evolved as a rapper. "When I did '50K,' I tried the ultimate 'hood [song], but I graduated; I'm a grown man now," he said. "Now there's not no wildness. I've probably been rapping for three or four years now, so now it's really starting to become fluent, so a lot of people be in trouble who be tryna sleep on me on certain records."

Unlike previous video shoots, where things usually got a bit out of hand, Waka tried to keep it calm for this one. "I shot that in Atlanta and it was a straight green-screen video," he said. "I ain't wanna crash nobody's 'hood 'cause a lot of police don't like me for shutting people's neighborhoods down and starting riots. So I said this album I'ma lean up, man.

"It's just because of the crowd I bring, they can't control it," Waka added. "At my shows, you can't have 10 security guards — you have to have 25."

Waka confirmed that Flockaveli 2 was complete, with the exception of a few guest verses, and it will definitely include some anthems for the ladies. "I gotta put like three extra girl records [on it] just because 70 percent of your crowd be girls," he said. "The guys that come, half of them are haters and the other ...

June 18 was a monstrous day for hip-hop, with Kanye West, J. Cole and Mac Miller all dropping big projects. J. Cole made a calculated decision to have his Born Sinner release date coincide with Kanye's Yeezus, but during his visit to "RapFix Live" on Wednesday, the Roc Nation rapper explained that it was "more about the statement" than the sales.

As host Sway Calloway pointed out during the interview, Cole even addresses his decision to go up against 'Ye on the Born Sinner track "Forbidden Fruit," rapping, "I'ma drop the album the same day as Kanye/ Just to show the boys the man now like Wanyá."

Cole explained that he had no illusions about being able to compete with Kanye's iconic status — he simply wanted to make a point by changing the album's original June 25 release date, which would have put him up against Wale's The Gifted.

"I could've left it right where I was and just gone head-to-head with Wale and seen what happened there. I would've had a much better chance, but it wasn't about the sales," he said. "That would be a nice bonus, but it's more about the statement, [and putting] my name in the conversation. I'ma throw my name in the hat.

"This is art, and I can't compete against the Kanye West celebrity and the status that he's earned just from being a genius," Cole added. "But I can put my name in the hat and tell you that I think my album is great and you be the judge and you ...

All blockbusters these days arrive in theaters with an avalanche of a backstory, but the one for is richer than most. During production, the film's budget ballooned to (reportedly) more than $200 million; it endured massive reshoots and was eventually stitched together to combine the visions of no fewer than four writers. But the important question is, is the film worth watching, or is it destined to be known more by its troubled history than its future at the box office?

Critics thus far have been divided about the film's merits, with some calling it engaging and sharp and others dismissing it as slick and superficial. MTV News assembled a roundup of some of the reactions critics have published on the Web so fans have something in mind when they decide which movies to see in theaters this weekend.

How Does "World War Z" Compare To Other Recent Disaster/ Outbreak Movies?


"At its best, 'World War Z' treads in territory much like Steven Soderbergh's 'Contagion' but when it covers territory that's already been well covered in films like Danny Boyle's '28 Days Later' it feels somewhat redundant."
— Ed Douglas, Comingsoon.net


How Scary Are Those Zombies?
"There are palpable moments of terror, but once we've seen the flesh-eating hordes up close, it's hard not to laugh at their goggly eyes, incessant jerking and hideous gnashing teeth."
— Claudia Puig, USA Today


How Likely Are Those Brain-Eating Monsters To Make Me Gag?


"The dangers maintain a relatively innocuous feel, partly because the movie's so aggressively PG-13: There's little in the way ...

The Jonas Brothers kicked things off, Hanson jammed out, Cuba Gooding, Jr. played cowbell, folks in Times Square twerked and Andrew W.K. continued to bash and crash his way towards a world record ... let's just say the first 12 hours of the O Music Awards have been memorable.

Yes, as we head into the second half of the world's only 24-hour award show, there's probably no better time to bring you up to speed on everything you may have missed overnight, beginning with an acoustic set from the Jonas Brothers, which featured stripped-down, soulful takes on songs both old and new, including upcoming single Soon after, Hanson took over MTV's Times Square studio for a late-night set in front of a live-wire audience, but not before joking around with the JBs.

Hanson then headed downstairs, to the Times Square Oakley store, where Andrew W.K. was already four hours into his 24-hour drum marathon. The brothers jammed out with W.K. and Roots' drummer ?uestlove, much the amazement of Times Square tourists who gathered around the store's windows to watch the action unfold.

Questo served as W.K.'s wingman for the first few hours of the marathon, and was present for what may very well be the O Music Awards' most WTF-moment: a late-night cameo by Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding, Jr., who rambled into the midst of the drum-off and took it upon himself to hammer away on a number of percussive instruments, including a cowbell, before disappearing back into the ...

Friends, fans and contemporaries in the entertainment world mourned the loss of James Gandolfini Wednesday, June 19. The man who will forever be identified with the lead role on "The Sopranos," which revolutionized television during its six-season run, reportedly died of a heart attack in Italy. He was said to be vacationing and planned to visit the 59th Taormina Film Festival.

A wide cross section of entertainers, creators, film legends, TV personalities and even politicians took to Twitter to express their grief just after the news broke. The long list includes senator and former presidential candidate John McCain, Olivia Wilde, Will Arnett, Ewan McGregor, Jermaine Dupri, Rob Lowe, Russell Simmons, Alyssa Milano, Rainn Wilson, Damon Lindelof, Kevin Smith, Mia Farrow, Lance Bass, Jimmy Kimmel, Rose McGowan, Kristin Chenoweth, Nia Vardalos and many more.

Steve Carrell, who co-starred with the late actor in this year's "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone," wrote, "Unbelievably sad news. A fine man."

Jonah Hill tweeted that he was "heartbroken" over the tragic loss, declaring Gandolfini one of his "all time favorite actors."

That such a wide range of people from different backgrounds and careers were affected by his death speaks volumes of Gandolfini's life, his talent and charisma. It certainly says something about the impact of his most famous role. Tony Soprano is a cultural reference point, a ubiquitous character everyone knows, even at a time when options for entertainment have expanded and gone further into deeper niches. The show was about a mob boss who decides to see a therapist, but in large part because of Gandolfini's iconic ...

As the world continues to mourn the loss of new details of his death have begun to emerge.

According to ABC News, Gandolfini, 51, was at the Hotel Exedra in Rome, when he became ill around 10 p.m. local time on Wednesday (June 19). His son, Michael, 13, called the hotel's reception desk for help, and when members of the staff arrived in Gandolfini's room, they discovered him in cardiac arrest and immediately called for an ambulance. Paramedics took the actor to Policlinico Umberto I hospital in central Rome, where doctors attempted to revive him for nearly 40 minutes before pronouncing him dead.

Gandolfini's body has since been transferred from the hospital to the Rome city morgue, where an autopsy will take place Friday, at least 24 hours after death occurred, as required by Italian law. After the autopsy, ABC News reports that the U.S. Embassy will work with the morgue to bring Gandolfini's body back to the U.S.

The actor was expected to attend the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily this weekend, and receive the "Taormina City Prize." Organizers are now planning a tribute to Gandolfini during the Festival.

As news of his death began to spread Wednesday, Gandolfini's friends and fellow actors — including Steve Carell, Ewan McGregor, Russell Crowe and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie — took to Twitter to express their sadness. His "Sopranos" co-stars Steven Van Zandt and Lorraine Bracco released statements remembering the actor's kindness and talent, calling him "a brother and a best friend," and "a giant."

And in a ...