Dialect coach Robert Easton dies

Character actor and Hollywood dialect coach Robert Easton, whose achievements include teaching Forest Whitaker to talk like Idi Amin within the 2006 movie "The Final King of Scotland," died of natural causes on Monday, 12 ,. 16, at his home within the San Fernando Valley. He was 81. Whitaker won the Oscar for the best actor for his performance within the film. Easton was created in Milwaukee but resided in Texas for some time and attended the U. of Texas at Austin. Like a youthful actor, Easton frequently performed country bumpkins on television due to his drawl. Fearing he could be typecast, he done different accents and learned he could mimic regional speech designs. He gained a large number of credits on films and television shows like a dialect or dialogue coach, becoming referred to as Henry Higgins of Hollywood and dealing with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Charlton Heston, Laurence Olivier, Liam Neeson, Dennis Hopper, Hathaway As Catwoman, Ben Kingsley and Robert Duvall, amongst others. Easton first started in showbiz within the nineteen forties around the radio show "Quiz Kids" because the among the youthful, high-IQ rivals. Younger crowd made an appearance on other radio programs including "Fibber McGee and Molly" and "The Fred Allen Show." He earned his first film appearance, uncredited, in 1949's "Undertow" by 1951 he gained his first credit like a dialect coach, around the film "Havana Rose." Easton also gained dialect-coach credits on "The Molly Maguires," "Scarface," miniseries "South and northInch and "Good Will Hunting." His movie credits like a thesp include "Fresh paint Your Wagon," "Pete's Dragon," "Working Girl," "Pet Sematary II" and "Primary Colors." On tv, he made an appearance on instances of "Gunsmoke," "Father Knows Best," "The Munsters," "The Beverly Hillbillies" (he later made an appearance within the bigscreen adaptation), "Petticoat Junction," "Lost in Space," "Perry Mason," "Get Wise," "Mod Squad" and "The Bionic Lady," among a number of other programs. He'd a normal stint like a voice-over actor around the animated series "Stingray" in 1964-65. Easton's wife June died in 2005. He's made it with a daughter and daughter. (Connected Press led for this report.) Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean Weds Longtime Girlfriend

First Published: December 18, 2011 1:54 PM EST Credit: WireImage LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption AJ McLean and Rochelle Deanna Karidis hold hands at Perez Hiltons 2011 One Night In Los Angeles Concert Series at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on August 27, 2011 A.J. McLean married longtime girlfriend Rochelle DeAnna Karidis on Saturday, according to multiple reports. The Backstreet Boy, 33, and his bride tied the knot under a tent at the Beverly Hills Hotel, in a ceremony officiated by celebrity photographer Tyler Shields, according to JustJared.com. The couple, who got engaged in January 2010, said their vows under a gazebo embellished with white hydrangeas, according to People, while guests were surrounded by glowing chandeliers. Surrounded by friends and family including fellow BSBers Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough, Nick Carter and Brian Littrell, as well as comedienne Kathy Griffin and New Kids on the Blocks Joey McIntrye the bride wore a gown by Vera Wang and walked down the aisle to Guns N Roses power ballad, November Rain, Us Weekly reports. The singer took to Twitter to express his wedding day jitters on Friday, Tweeting, Wedding is tomorrow, Ro and I could barely sleep last night, I think were a little excited! Im so nervous and excited for tomorrow, he added. As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, A.J. proposed to Rochelle nearly two years ago at his Las Vegas solo concert, where the singer took the stage on the eve of his 32nd birthday, brought out his lucky lady and popped the question to the delight of the audience. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Children Richard Hatch Seeks Show On His Kids From Sperm Donations

First Launched: December 13, 2011 6:32 PM EST Credit: NBC NEWPORT, R.I. -- Caption Richard Hatch within the cast shot for your Celebrity Apprentice, 2011Reality star Richard Hatch, who was simply freed now from prison around the tax evasion sentence connected together with his $millions of Survivor winnings, mentioned Tuesday that he's wanting for just about any new reality show about his relationship while using children produced from his sperm donations. Hatch, 50, was released Monday from prison for smashing the regards to his supervised release inside the extended-running situation. Hatch keeps his innocence and states he does not owe money for the Irs. Here' am, uncovered to a thing that is only able to be known to as institutionalized bullying, mentioned Hatch, who spent nine several days in prisons in five states. Hatch won the inaugural season in the show in 2000. He was billed in 2006 of two counts of attempted tax evasion then one count of signing an inaccurate taxes. He was released from prison this past year but bought to return carrying out a federal judge ruled he not successful to file for for amended tax statements for 2000 and 2001. Shortly before returning to prison in March, Hatch, who lives in Rhode Island, mentioned he met a 22-year-old biological boy who's dwelling in Nj. Hatch mentioned he met the man, whom he recognized only as Devin, using the Sister Donor Registry, which supports connect contributor and youngsters. They needed a DNA test to ensure their genetic ties, he mentioned. Hatch mentioned another biological child, whom he recognized just like a 22-year-old Maine lady named Emily, visited him jail time. It absolutely was in addition hard to be wrongfully jailed knowning that these children were coming forward, Hatch mentioned. I told legal court that ahead of time. I referred to this is often a fascinating in time my existence once i is at a location where I desired to understand these individuals who're the children who've come forward and would like to understand me. More youthful crowd sights the show in order to profit the public know the associations between offspring and contributor. The offspring want connections utilizing their biological contributor because of an array of different reasons from health to emotional to anything they're, mentioned Hatch. Hatch mentioned a production company was associated with plans for just about any TV series about his encounters along with his children but that no plans are actually completed. He declined to title the expansion company. Hatch also provides an adopted boy, who attends the school of Rhode Island. Hatchs discovery is amongst the fascinating felt by Wendy Kramer, executive director and co-founding father from the Sister Donor Registry. Kramer mentioned shes known Hatch for any very long time which they have spoken about concentrating on a tv project. Hatch mentioned he's no regrets about getting involved in Survivor and wish to compete inside the Amazing Race, which airs on CBS. Hatch remains on supervised release for an additional couple of years and a pair of several days. Beneath the regards to his release, Hatch have to pay one fourth of his gross earnings for the IRS to pay back his taxes for 2000 and 2001, court public record information show. More youthful crowd cannot leave the country without court permission. Hatch mentioned the travel restriction means he is not absolve to visit his spouse, who lives in Argentina. Hatch, who's gay, mentioned he married eight years in Nova Scotia. He claims any taxes owed on his $millions of Survivor prize aredue for the government in Malaysia, where the series was shot. Hatch also states its around CBS or perhaps the shows production company to cover any tax bills. A CBS speaker did not immediately return a request comment Tuesday. Federal prosecutors mentioned the federal government calculated Hatch owed $1.7 million in taxes, penalties and interest by April 2010, which Hatch disputed. Never features a cent been likely to be due, he mentioned. Nevertheless the court has examined evidence in Hatchs situation numerous occasions and determined he isn't paid out taxes he owes, mentioned Jim Martin, a representative for Rhode Island U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha. The U.S. Tax Court may also be searching at Hatchs situation. Copyright 2011 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

IFC Acquires Privileges To Mary Harrons The Moth Journals

IFC Films introduced today that it's purchasing U.S. privileges to Mary Harron’s sensual medieval film The Moth Journals, which performed this season in the Toronto and Venice film festivals. Harron also authored the script, which is dependant on Rachel Klein’s novel the film comes from Alliance Films and Edward R. Pressman. Lily Cole, Sarah Gadon, Sarah Bolger and Scott Speedman star within the story of Rebecca (Bolger), students in an exclusive female boarding school who's haunted by her father’s suicide and flows her heart in a diary mostly dedicated to her beloved roommate Lucy. Her sanity is examined though when Lucy abandons her for any mysterious new student, and Rebecca’s jealously and accusations rise after she starts to think the new girl is harmful, evil along with a vampire. Karine Martin and David Collins created, with Sandra Cunningham, Pressman, Mark Slone, Jean-Francois Doray, Louis-Simon Menard, Norton Herrick, Zygi Kamasa and Jon Katz executive creating.

Lamar Odom Exchanged to Dallas Mavericks Khloe Kardashian Tweets About Husband's Swap

So that they can maintain competition on rival network talk shows, CBS's Sunday political talk show Face the country is going to be doubling its airtime.our editor recommendsMary Hager Named 'Face the Nation' Executive ProducerBob Schieffer on Jesse Trump's Obama Comments: 'This Is definitely an Ugly Strain of Racism'Musical Chairs: Basic steps Christiane Amanpour Employs Ousted Katie Couric Professional Anchor Bob Schieffer made the announcement today on his show, adding, "This really is happening because increasingly more of you've been tuning to manage the country throughout this campaign season. Therefore we thanks. You managed to get possible." Nation's primary rivals, NBC's Satisfy the Press with David Gregory and ABC's Now with Christiane Amanpour, happen to be an hour or so long. Schieffer assured audiences the added airtime won't alter the content from the show. "We don't intend to change a factor," he stated Sunday. "No features. We'll just keep sitting the important thing newsmakers lower, activating the illuminates there and communicating with them. Only then do we'll generate professionals from in and outdoors CBS News for analysis. We'll simply have additional time to get it done. We'll do good to help keep asking the questions you would like clarified." CBS has not said if the change could be permanent. Based on the Connected Press, CBS News Leader David Rhodes states the extended length can last a minimum of with the political conventions next summer time, after which it the broadcast time is going to be examined. Related Subjects Now

Sundance Unveils Lineup Of Narrative, Documentary, Animated Shorts

Sundance Institute unveiled Tuesday the short films selected for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. Sixty-four short films were chosen from a record 7,675 submissions a 16% increase over submissions for the 2011 fest. The festival runs January 19-29 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah. The 2012 short film program is presented by Yahoo, which will feature some of the shorts on Yahoo! Screen, Yahoo’s premium video destination, where viewers can vote for their favorite. The winning filmmaker will be presented with the Yahoo! Audience Award at the end of the festival. U.S. SHORT FILMS This year’s 32 U.S. short films were selected from 4,083 submissions. U.S. NARRATIVE SHORT FILMS 92 Skybox Alonzo Mourning Rookie Card (Director: Todd Sklar, Screenwriters: Todd Sklar, Alex Rennie) Jim and Dave are brothers who haven’t spoken in years and don’t like each other very much, but are forced to come together for a week when their dad dies in Kansas City. A limited edition 1992 Skybox Series Alonzo Mourning rookie card is a point of contention. The Arm (Directors and screenwriters: Brie Larson, Sarah Ramos, Jessie Ennis) In an attempt to keep up with social pressure in a technologically advanced world, Chance starts a texting relationship with Genevieve, a girl he meets at a yogurt shop. The Black Balloon (Directors: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie) The Black Balloon strays from the herd and experiences what life as an individual is like. He explores NY City in the deepest way, seeing all of its characters. Dol (First Birthday) (Director and screenwriter: Andrew Ahn) A gay Korean American man yearns for a family life just out of reach. Famous Person Talent Agency: Pearls of Asia (Director: Ivan Hurzeler, Screenwriter: Cami Delavigne) Jackie Diamond is a luckless talent agent who never stops dreaming. He believes in his clients and he believes in show business. Jackie reaches for the stars from a shabby office in Queens the Famous Person Talent Agency. FISHING WITHOUT NETS (Director: Cutter Hodierne, Screenwriters: Cutter Hodierne, John Hibey) A story of pirates in Somalia, told from the perspective of the pirates themselves. The Fort (Director and screenwriter: Andrew Renzi) On a rainy day, a young boy builds a fort in the woods when a man appears and offers to help. FOURPLAY: TAMPA (Director: Kyle Henry, Screenwriter: Carlos Trevino) Louis loops into a local mall to grab lunch in the food court and a quickie in the public restroom. Paranoid about his own small package and clearly nervous about the situation, he scouts for possible partners, letting his imagination take over when reality proves thoroughly unsatisfying. Hellion (Director and screenwriter: Kat Candler) Little seven-year-old Petey falls prey to his older brothers’ hellion ways. Henley (Director: Craig Macneill, Screenwriters: Craig Macneill, Clay McLeod Chapman) Meet nine-year-old Ted Henley, budding motel manager and roadkill entrepreneur. L TRAIN (Director and screenwriter: Anna Musso) Sunny is a self-regarding teenager fighting her way through an inner city blizzard, until she encounters someone who forces her to consider an altruistic, if not absurd, action. Life and Freaky Times of Uncle Luke (Director: Jillian Mayer, Screenwriter: Lucas Leyva) A modern Miami adaptation of the 1962 French short film La Jetee, the film recounts Luke’s (Uncle Luke, legendary rapper from the hip-hop group 2 Live Crew) rise to fame as he changes the face of hip-hop and fights for first amendment rights- and later as he ushers Miami into a golden era of peace and prosperity as Mayor. OK BREATHE AURALEE (Director and screenwriter: Brooke Swaney) Auralee wants a baby and will go to great lengths to get what she wants. Rolling on the Floor Laughing (Director and screenwriter: Russell Harbaugh) Two grown brothers return home for their widowed mother’s birthday, only to find themselves competing with a strange man for her affection. Song of the Spindle (Director and screenwriter: Drew Christie) An animated, humorous and informative conversation between a sperm whale and a man. Each one tries to convince the other that his brain is bigger. spoonful (Director and screenwriter: Jene LaMarque) Three sisters return to their childhood home after the death of their father in order to pack up the family house. To make matters worse, the oldest sister has been separated from her baby for the first time. The Thing (Director: Rhys Ernst, Screenwriters: Rhys Ernst, Avery McTaggart) Zooey has spent weeks planning a road trip to a mysterious roadside attraction known as ‘The Thing’ in the hopes that she and Tristan will reconnect. Both Tristan, an FTM transman, and his fluffy cat Steven struggle to find places to comfortably pee, while Zooey learns the open road isn’t everything she hoped it would be. UNA HORA POR FAVORA (Director and screenwriter: Jill Soloway) A woman hires a day laborer for an hour and gets more than she bargained for. U.S. DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMS AQUADETTES (Directors: Drea Cooper, Zackary Canepari) The Aquadettes are a group of elderly synchronized swimmers from Leisure World, a retirement community nestled in Orange County, California. One of them, Margo Bauer, is fighting multiple sclerosis and using medical marijuana to ease her pain and to keep on swimming. The Debutante Hunters (Director: Maria White) In the Lowcountry of South Carolina a group of true Southern belles reveal their more rugged side, providing a glimpse into what drives them to hunt in the wild. Family Nightmare (Director: Dustin Guy Defa) A dizzy trip through the mid-1990s with a dysfunctional American family. Reliving a distracted child’s birthday party, an emotionless wedding, a Halloween in a garage and a Christmas marked with alcohol, drugs and perversion, the film is a crumpled letter from a filmmaker to his family: a shattered kaleidoscope of the destructive patterns that have trapped and wounded its members. The Meaning of Robots (Director: Matt Lenski) The benevolent Mike Sullivan, age 65, has been shooting an epic stop-motion robot sex film in his apartment for the last 10 years. Obsessed with constructing the miniature robot porn stars, his apartment now overflows with thousands of them. The Movement: One Man Joins an Uprising (Directors: Greg I. Hamilton, Kurt Miller) In 2004 Rick Finkelstein was paralyzed in a ski accident on Aspen Mountain. With a severed spine and severe internal trauma, he wasn’t expected to live. Six years, nine surgeries, and a lifetime of rehab later, cameras captured his dramatic return to Aspen and skiing. Odysseus Gambit (Director: lex Lora Cercs) A gambit is a chess opening in which a player sacrifices a pawn with the hope of achieving a resulting advantageous position. The protagonist is a Cambodian American guy looking for his place in the game. Pluto Declaration (Director: Travis Wilkerson) Restore the classical definition of planet! Bring back planet Pluto! The solar system is 12! The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom (Director: Lucy Walker) Survivors in the areas hardest hit by Japan’s recent tsunami find the courage to revive and rebuild as cherry blossom season begins. A visual haiku about the ephemeral nature of life and the healing power of Japan’s most beloved flower. U.S. ANIMATED SHORT FILMS 38-39 C (Director and screenwriter: Kangmin Kim) A man with a big birthmark on his back enters an old public bathhouse. He falls into a dream where he confronts his father who has the same birthmark. Avocados (Director and screenwriter: Kataneh Vahdani) A journey with many characters in one day through a city. Dr Breakfast (Director and screenwriter: Stephen Neary) One day at breakfast, a man’s soul bursts out of his eyeball. A surreal meditation on the quirky but rejuvenating nature of friendship. Its Such a Beautiful Day (Director and screenwriter: Don Hertzfeldt) Bill wakes to find himself in a hospital struggling with memory problems, in this third and final chapter to Don Hertzfeldt’s EVERYTHING WILL BE OK. Night Hunter (Director and screenwriter: Stacey Steers) In this handmade film, composed of more than 4,000 collages and shot in 35mm color, the actress Lillian Gish is seamlessly appropriated from silent-era cinema and plunged into a new and haunting role. Once It Started It Could Not End Otherwise (Director and screenwriter: Kelly Sears) Terrifying and strange happenings descend on a 1970s high school. INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILMS This years 27 international short films from 16 countries were selected from a record 3,592 submissions. INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORT FILMS Barbie Blues / Israel (Director and screenwriter: Adi Kutner) When Mika, a suburban teenager finds a disturbing creature in her swimming pool she asks her neighbor Gershon for help. What starts off as a friendly encounter between two neighbors turns into an unexpected lesson on the borders of control. BEAR / Australia (Director: Nash Edgerton, Screenwriters: Nash Edgerton, David Michd) Jack means well, but sometimes good intentions have horrible consequences. Dont Hug Me Im Scared / United Kingdom (Directors: Joseph Pelling, Rebecca Sloan) A short film about teaching creativity by This Is It Collective. Frozen Stories (Opowiesci z chlodni) / Poland (Director and screenwriter: Grzegorz Jaroszuk) Two worst employees of a supermarket have been ordered to find a goal in their lives. Fungus (Svamp) / Sweden (Director and screenwriter: Charlotta Miller) Katrin decides to face her old boyfriend, who is back to collect some of his stuff. Girl / Sweden (Director: Fijona Jonuzi, Screenwriter: Gustaf Boman Brnngrd) Hanna, 32, randomly finds a party consisting of of five 20-year-old boys. At first she feels uncomfortable, but after a little adjusting, she soon feels like shes one of them. The Hidden Smile (El somriure amagat) / Spain (Director: Ventura Durall, Screenwriters: Ventura Durall, Miguel Llans) Following a 10-year-old kid who arrives at the Ethiopian capital after escaping from his home and his misfortunes to integrate into a street children group, The Hidden Smile constructs a realistic tale on the values that flourish in a society formed by children. Juku / Bolivia (Director: Kiro Russo, Screenwriters: Gilmar Gonzales, Kiro Russo) The dark mass between the screen and the room can beat again like once the first darkness did. Deep in it a man moves. He has a lamp, and the light it makes forms the rocks that will end up taking over the screen. About ten thousand people enter daily into Posokoni, the largest tin mine in Bolivia. Killing the Chickens to Scare the Monkeys / Sweden (Director and screenwriter: Jens Assu) Nine scenes unfold in the grey area between black and white, where national politics and strategy have unforeseen consequences on a young teachers life. Las Palmas / Sweden (Director and screenwriter: Johannes Nyholm) A middle-aged lady on a holiday in the sun tries to make new friends and have a good time. LAZAROV / France (Director and screenwriter: Nieto) Refusing to accept the decline of the USSR, a handful of Russian scientists work secretly to resurrect the Soviet power. Here are some new images of the mysterious program Lazarov. Long Distance Information / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Douglas Hart) Da always said not to talk to strangers…but you’ve got to phone home sometimes. Moxie / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Stephen Irwin) A pyromaniac bear misses his mother. Playtime (Spielzeit) / Germany (Director and screenwriter: Lucas Mireles) A seamless journey of German youth and innocence on a Sunday afternoon. Random Strangers / United Kingdom (Director: Alexis Dos Santos, Screenwriters: Laurence Coriat, Alexis Dos Santos) Rocky and Lulu live in opposite sides of the planet: they bump into each other in ChatRoulette and decide to stay in touch. Using video diaries, secret confessions, fictional representations of facts of their lives made with toys, dance performances and songs, they create a place where they can truly be themselves. But how real is their world? The Return (Kthimi) / Kosovo (Director: Blerta Zeqiri, Screenwriter: Shefqet Gjocaj) A man comes back from a Serb prison to his wife and son. Much has changed since he was declared missing and continuing where they left off four years ago may not be as easy as it seems. Surveillant / Canada (Director and screenwriter: Yan Giroux) It’s another quiet summer day in Park Dufresne. The neighborhood youth loiter around the park until a new park monitor appears for his first day of work. Two universes clash and a territorial struggle begins. Tootys Wedding / United Kingdom (Director: Frederic Casella, Screenwriters: Laura Solon, Ben Willbond) A young couple’s marriage hilariously hits the rocks during a weekend wedding in the country. Tumult / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Johnny Barrington) A tribe of Norse warriors traipse across a barren land after battle. Bloodied and wounded, their chief is near death. He is about to hand over power to his son when an army of a completely different kind descends upon them. INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMS Into the Middle of Nowhere / United Kingdom (Director: Anna Frances Ewert) The documentary is about the uniqueness of childhood and the exploration of the human mind. In an outdoor nursery based in the woods, children create their own individually constructed worlds and can test out the boundaries of reality. Stick Climbing / Austria, Switzerland (Director: Daniel Zimmerman) A contemplative walk leads to a bizarre climbing tour going from everyday village life to a seemingly impossible ascent. INTERNATIONAL ANIMATED SHORT FILMS 663114 / Japan (Director: Isamu Hirabayashi) I am a 66-year-old cicada. There was a big earthquake. There was a big tsunami. There also was a big accident. Belly / United Kingdom (Director: Julia Pott) Oscar is coming of age, against his better judgment. In doing so he must experience the necessary evil of leaving something behind, but he can still feel it in the pit of his stomach. BOBBY YEAH / United Kingdom (Director: Robert Morgan) Bobby Yeah is a petty thug who lightens his miserable existence by brawling and thieving stuff. One day, he steals the favorite pet of some very dangerous individuals, and finds himself in deep trouble. He really should learn, but he just can’t help it. A Morning Stroll / United Kingdom (Director: Grant Orchard) When a NYer walks past a chicken on his morning stroll, we are left to wonder which one is the real city slicker. Robots of Brixton / United Kingdom (Director: Kibwe Tavares) The trials and tribulations of young robots surviving at the sharp end of inner city life, living the predictable existence of a populous hemmed in by poverty, disillusionment and mass unemployment. Slow Derek / United Kingdom (Director: Dan Ojari) The tale of Derek, an office worker, as he struggles with the true speed of planet earth. NEW FRONTIER SHORT FILMS An electrifying celebration of innovation in filmmaking, these New Frontier shorts, through bold color and thought-provoking messaging, electrify and energize the mind. The Conquerors (Les Conqurants) / Canada, France (Directors and screenwriters: Sarolta Szabo, Tibor Banoczki) What exactly we need to build new civilization? Bravery? Courage? Power? Or the only thing we need is to successfully destroy an already existing one. The Diatom / U.S.A. (Director: Chris Peters) The diatom is the most numerous species on the planet, the basis of the aquatic food chain, produces most of the oxygen on earth, and is a key scientific indicator of the health of a water system. In order to understand our place in the world this mixed-mode ‘science film’ observes renowned Utah-based scientist Sam Rushforth and his team in the wide isolated landscape then in the lab and finally goes through the microscope to the diatom itself. Fragments of Dissolution / U.S.A. (Director: Travis Wilkerson) A poetic, anguished cry from the heart of a rotting empire. Four women describe their own unique hells. Children, brothers, and friends burned alive while simply trying not to freeze. Husbands and sons deployed over and over, who kill themselves rather than fighting again. From Ft. Lewis to Detroit, the empire is devouring its own intestines. Moving Stories / Belgium (Director and screenwriter: Nicolas Provost) Two young passengers adventure towards a mysterious future. SEEKING THE MONKEY KING (Director: Ken Jacobs) The film could have well been called KICKING AND SCREAMING but that only describes me in the process of making it, questioning its taste. Cut through the flashy swastikas and one sees the German Nazis were Christians fulfilling historic obligation (The Final Solution) with relatively few so well-read as to imagine themselves Nietzscheans. SEEKING THE MONKEY KING is a reversion to my mid-20s and that sense of horror that drove the making of STAR SPANGLED TO DEATH.

How Controversial Antipiracy Laws Could Be Enacted Even Without Congress (Analysis)

Courtesy of Twentieth Century-Fox"Avatar" is the most pirated movie of all time according to a study by TorrentFreak. On December 15, the House of Representatives is scheduled to take up debate of the controversial "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA). The antipiracy legislation has set off a firestorm in recent months thanks in large part to provisions that would allow the government to cut access to rogue foreign piracy websites and open up legal avenues by which third parties would be blocked from doing business with the offending sites. Critics fear the end of the Internet as we know it, and in reaction to cries of "censorship," the movie industry says it will at least tone down some of the language in the legislation.our editor recommends'Avatar' Is The Most Pirated Movie Of All Time But even if the bill doesn't pass, courts could eventually put the effects of the bill into force anyway with de facto blacklisting of websites deemed to be facilitating infringement. A couple of recent judicial decisions illustrate this potential. PHOTOS: Netflix's 10 Most Rented Movies of All Time Can search engines like Google be ordered to scrub a website deemed to be enabling copyright and trademark infringement? Can payment services like Visa or PayPal or ad-support businesses be enjoined from doing business with a website hosting illicit activities? Could domain registrars like GoDaddy be told to undercut these websites by changing access info? In 2007, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals appeared to foreclose these possibilities in denying an attempt by adult entertainment publisher Perfect 10 to hold Visa liable for infringing photographs found on websites using Visa's credit card services. The justices determined that Perfect 10 hadn't shown that Visa had induced or materially contributed to the infringements. But now, some courts are entertaining motions to grant extraordinary injunctive relief against third parties in ex parte proceedings. For example, in November, one judge in a case involving Chanel luxury products took action against hundreds of websites being used to sell knock-off handbags, wallets, shoes, and other items. Of particular note, the judge's order not only hit the websites themselves, but according to the Technology & Marketing Law Blog, also hit a host of tech companies that weren't parties to the action. GoDaddy was ordered to change registration info. And services like Google, Facebook, Bing, and Twitter were told to "de-index and/or remove [the domain names] from any search results page." PHOTOS: Hollywood's Biggest Blunders In other words, the websites were eradicated from ever having existed. The same blog in a separate post noted another case involving a website, pharmatext.org, which had pointed users to allegedly infringing copies of textbooks published by Elsevier. In January, a judge ordered two advertising networks to stop helping these websites generate ad revenue. The ad networks had to stop serving up advertisements and freeze money. Last week, after one of the ad networks, Chitika, complained, the judge reversed course because Chitikahadn't been shown to have requisite knowledge of the infringement. The judge, however, left open the possibility that Chitika could have liability upon a takedown/cut-off notice from Elsevier. Had Elsevier sent a legal warning and Chikita continued to do business with pharmatext.org, tech legal expert Eric Goldman thinks the judge would have knocked down Chikita's objections to the ex parte injunction. Meaning, pharmatext.orgwould essentially have been blacklisted in much of the same manner as SOPA intends. "Rightsowners like Elsevier probably can get 90%+ of the benefit of SOPA Section 103 simply by sending cutoff notices to ad networks," writes Goldman in summing up the implications of the decision. Even if Hollywood fails to bring lawmakers on board to pass the latest anti-piracy measures, it's likely we'll see alternative attempts by copyright holders to attain injunctive relief against search engines, social media sites, advertising networks, and domain registrars. If the MPAA is successful in its lawsuit against Hotfile, for instance, the next step might be wiping off the company from the face of digital Earth. The MPAA is already collecting data on its many affiliates.The future of copyright cases looks to be a dragnet. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Netflix's 10 Most Rented Movies of All Time

UBS: Viacom sets $20 bil stock buyback

Viacom Boss Philippe Dauman implied Monday the fluctuation in Nielsen sample houses might be behind a obvious, crisp ratings degeneration at Nickelodeon this fall but he recognized that you will find no clearness round the drop which put Wall Street for just about any loop lately. Still, Dauman impressed traders round the opening day's the three-day UBS Global Media and Communications confab in Gotham with news the organization expects to purchase back an impressive $20 billion cost of stock over the following five years, accelerating a formerly hefty repurchase program. Asked for if tying up a great deal cash could preclude major purchases, Dauman mentioned Viacom's dedicated to growing "organically," beefing up worldwide, film and tv content which is nascent film animation biz. He stressed the combo from the new stream of animated photos plus Nickeleon's legendary TV fare can provide the business significant added muscle in consumer products, where Nickelodeon already features a large footprint. Now, nonetheless the kid's network, which went in to a ratings tailspin just while watching crucial holidays, is clearly resulting in him some grief. "Nielsen might be the only real game around for the moment therefore we must accept it," Dauman mentioned throughout his lunch keynote presentation. "We percieve anomalies formerly. To not this extent." Dauman revealed on November. 10 while speaking about quarterly earnings the generally steady kids' cable network saw a really unusual 15%-20% ratings drop in mid-September. The business mentioned it had been coping with the ratings agency, and analyzing independent set-top box data. The web may also be adding a spate of latest animated and live-action programming. Traders remain baffled. "We don't know what's happening yet. We'll know next quarter" once the organization announces a completely new number of financial results, mentioned one attendee. Earlier inside the conference, a trio of forecasters predicted that global advertising growth this year would prove resilient, although lagging earlier estimations. Zenith Optimedia's mind of worldwide Steve King sees advertising rising 4.7% in 2012 after growing 3.5% this year one of the economical uncertainty convulsing Europe, natural and nuclear issues that hit Japan as well as the Arab spring that has rocked Egypt together with other key areas. The amounts fall shy of Zenith's previous estimations of, correspondingly 5.3% and three.6% for 2012 and 2011. Trading next season, while still considered lower with the Euro-zone crisis, will uncover a play the Olympic games london and, Stateside, within the presidential campaign, King mentioned. MagnaGlobal, the media unit of Interpublic Group, mentioned Latin America released probably the most effective gains this year Up over 13% -- adopted carefully by Central and Eastern Europe. The Eu sales rose a meager 1.6%. The U . s . States elevated 3.1%. Probably the most effective growth rates came from from Argentina -Up 38%. The least expensive from unhappy A vacation in a holiday in greece -- lower 19.3%. Round the digital side, according to GroupM, among WPP, digital media investment could make up 43% in the global ad dollar rise in 2012. Digital ad trading is predicted to attain nearly $85 billion this year, a 16% hop over 2010, and rise to $98 billion in 2012. GroupM sees digital made up of 22% percent of measured ad acquisition of mature western economic climates in 2012, and 12% percent inside the faster-growing world. "The predicted particular digital growth rates in 2012 are 11% and 37%, and so the faster-growing world is creating ground fast," mentioned GroupM Futures director Adam Cruz at UBS. Global ad trading on paid out inventory in social media will most likely be around $5 billion this season, or about 6% of measured online ad investment. Cruz mentioned this really is the greatest single growth component in paid out-for digital today, around the trajectory, that may double to $10 billion within couple of years. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Hot Trailer: The Grey

The Liam Neeson-starring thriller The Grey is due out January 27 from Open Road Films and centers on an expert in survival skills whose plane crashes in the arctic wild. He must lead a group of survivors to safety while fighting off some bad doggies. So is it the winter weather that’s finally upon us or director Joe Carnahan’s action scenes that are responsible for the shivers we get when watching this?

Talkback: What Is the Greatest Penis Moment in Movie History?

Since our friends at Next Movie totally went there, why not bat this one around Movieline HQ? It’s Friday! Live a little. In honor of Michael Fassbender’s infamous display of total nakedness in this week’s Shame — emotional and physical, to be fair — Next Movie ran down the nine greatest “penis moments” in the movies. Yes, Ewan McGregor. You made the list. Also receiving honors were The Crying Game (of course) and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, although I’d argue Dirk Diggler’s Dirk Diggler deserves higher placement in the rankings. And though this is quite thorough work, I have just one word: Antichrist. (That said, the “greatness” of its penis moments is debatable. Awesome high five sexytime great? Not so much.) But again, it’s Friday, Friday, gotta get down on some cinematic schlong talk. I open the flood gates to you, Movieliners! Discuss: Are there any glaring omissions to the list? What’s with Ewan McGregor’s exhibitionist streak? If you were on the fence before despite the glowing reviews and critical acclaim for Fassbender’s performance, is all this talk of a Fassboner enough to get you to see Shame this weekend? [Next Movie]

P. Diddy Buys Two Works of art, Helps Open Art Basel Miami Beach

Under per month determination plea for traders to keep his movie-review show going, Roger Ebert introduced that Ebert Presents: In the Movies goes on hiatus in the finish of the season.our editor recommendsRoger Ebert around the 'Golden Chronilogical age of Film Criticism' (Q&A)The Conclusion LINE: Melissa McCarthy's 'SNL' review, Roger Ebert on '50/50,' The Actual Billy BeaneRyan Dunn's Dying: Roger Ebert Not Finished Tweeting YetRoger Ebert's Facebook Page Suspended After Questionable Ryan Dunn TweetsBam Margera Breaks Silence on Ryan Dunn's Dying, Jams Roger EbertFilm Critic Roger Ebert Enrages Fans with 'Insensitive' Ryan Dunn Tweet "This move is essential to permit the general public television stations that carry our show to organize their programs for the start of the brand new year," the film critic authored on his Chicago Sun-Occasions blog. "We held off as lengthy as you possibly can but we needed to give notice today." PHOTOS: 18 Stars Who've Dropped It All Ebert stated he and the wife, Chaz, who produces alongside her husband, continue to be exploring different ways to boost the funds to find the show back around the air. The 2 happen to be footing the balance -- alongside a $25,000 contribution in the Kanbar Charitable Trust -- for that show because it first showed Jan. 21. He authored that they're still talking with "the very best professionals of countless channels and film marketers, charitable fundamentals, Web delivery services, potential corporate sponsors and crowd-funding sources," the second which could incorporate a Kickstarter campaign, that was recommended by Ebert's fans. Ebert remains hopeful the show will return, saying he hopes the hiatus is going to be "brief." VIDEO:Roger Ebert: I Didn't Know I'd Never Have the ability to Speak Again "We actually have confidence in this show and it is pursuit to offer an intelligent spot for the discussion of movies inside a forum available to the general public as well as in a fashion that's easily understood yet that feeds the thirst for entertainment and understanding," he authored. In the Movies, located by Christy Lemire and Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, features exactly the same format that made Ebert a family group title when he examined movies alongside the lateGene Siskel: two film experts giving their thumbs-up or thumbs-lower opinions on approaching releases. Ebert, who had been left not able to talk after losing his lower jaw to thyroid and salivary gland cancer. also offers made an appearance on multiple episodes. VIDEO: Roger Ebert Regains Capability to 'Speak' Because of His Computer Early recently, he required to his blog to request for donations to help keep the show going. "Unless of course we discover an angel, our television program goes from the air in the finish of their current season," he authored. "There. I've stated it. Usually in television, people use evasive language. Not me. We'll go away. I wish to be truthful about why this really is. We are able to't manage to finance it any more.Inch He and Chaz taken care of the screen test, pilot, game titles, set, lighting, work place, design and upkeep of the web site and salaries of individuals who work on the program, though he and the wife don't take an income. He stated he wasn't quite obvious that will be when he first offered the show. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Hollywood's Riches to Rags: 18 Stars Who've Dropped It All Related Subjects Roger Ebert