How Justin Bieber Became the Public Face of Copyright Reform (Analysis)

Charles Eshelman/Getty Images A few days ago, we wrote about Fight for the Future, a not-for-profit that started a campaign and website called"Free Bieber," warning that pop star Justin Bieber could face five years in prison if copyright laws were amended. A lot has happened since, so it's time to update.our editor recommends Justin Bieber Is the 'Real Deal' and Will Have a Long Career Says Reality TV Producer'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' Producer Emphasizes Importance of Social MediaCould Justin Biebers Never Say Never Get a Best Doc Oscar Nomination? Fight for the Future expresses concern about S. 978,which would make unauthorized web streaming of copyrighted work a felony, and says Bieber's freedom is at stake. STORY: Justin Bieber Picks the 5 Songs That Inspire Him The group points out that Bieberbecame famous as a result ofposting covers of popular R&B songs to YouTube, which might be true, but hardly constitutes illegal streaming under the proposed legislation. Here's whyBieber is safe from jail even if the law passes. After the website got attention, the singer's reps became upset over how the singer was being used as a prop.So Bieber's lawyers sent a cease-and-desist letterto shut down "Free Bieber," arguing that the website itself was violating his trademark, privacy and publicity rights, doing things like promising the arrival of "Free Bieber" t-shirts with the teen star shown behind jail bars. Several music artist guilds also have opposed the "Free Bieber" movement, arguing that the proposed bill actually helps artists like Bieber. STORY: Justin Bieber's 'Under the Mistletoe' Headed for Platinum? Sells 164,000 in Pre-orders Fight for the Future retained the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the nonprofit legal advocacy group, which returned fire witha replythatmakes the case that no laws have been broken in the operation of "Free Bieber." The EFF dismisses trademark allegationsbecause it's a political website that makes fair use of the term "Justin Bieber," rejects a privacy claim because "we cannot fathom how this political campaign in any way intrudes on any privacy right your extremely public client might assert," and says there's no publicity rights violation because of free speech. In other words, groups should be allowed to hold up celebrities to make political points. EXCLUSIVE: Justin Bieber: 'With Time Off, I'm Able to Think, Pray and Grow Up' Then, Bieber got on the radio and made statements that make us question whether his reps are really consulting with him on these issues. A radio host introduced Bieber to the proposed legislation -- not really doing a great job, in our opinion -- and Bieber responded that the lawmaker who crafted the bill "needs to be locked up." The law was proposed by Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar. Bieber made the comment as if this was the first time he's heard about these issues. Is he being used as a prop by both sides of the issue? Here's the audio. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner Justin Bieber Justin Bieber: Never Say Never

Marie Osmond Hospitalized for Bronchitis

Marie Osmond Marie Osmond was taken to the hospital after her Las Vegas show on Wednesday, CBS News reports. Marie's brother Donny accompanied the singer to the hospital where she was treated for bronchitis. Marie, 52, had some problems with her voice during the performance and later tweeted, "So the allergies went into a bronchitis. Didn't realize it until I went to hit the high notes last night on stage." Marie was cleared to resume performing on Thursday. The duo is currently performing at the Flamingo hotel through Nov. 26. Although no dates have been canceled, some of the numbers from the show may be shortened or cut to allow Marie's voice to rest.

New Movie Reviews: 'In Time,' 'The Rum Diary,' 'Puss in Boots' Striking Theaters

Moviegoers certainly possess a slew of options a few days ago.our editor recommends'In Time' Director Discusses Casting Justin Timberlake (Video)Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek Bring 'Puss in Boots' to France (Cannes)'The Rum Diary' Trailer: The Actor-brad Pitt Drinks His Way Through Puerto Rico (Video)'The Rum Diary': The Actor-brad Pitt, Amber Heard Bring Hunter S. Thompson's Figures to Existence (Photos)'The Double' Trailer Discloses a Large Twist (Video)'Like Crazy': Sundance Grand Jury Prize Champion Trailer PremieresTribeca Film Acquires Privileges to David Rosenthal's 'Janie Jones''Anonymous' Director Roland Emmerich: 'I Tend not to Shoot Action Scenes' Friday sees DreamWorks' animated film Puss in Boots offer much more of Antonio Banderas' dashing cat, that has steered clear of in the Shrek-dom for any film of their own. PHOTOS: 'Puss in Boots' Premiere Red-colored Carpet Arrivals The Actor-brad Pitt plays Hunter S. Thompson's alter ego inside a film adaptation of his The Rum Diary, a magazine the actor themself advised Thompson to write when he thought it was within the writer's Colorado home. Roland Emmerich requires a break from action and sci-fi to search in to the debate within the scholarship of Shakespeare's oeuvre within the historic epic Anonymous. Perhaps the favourite actor on the planet outdoors from the Americas, Bollywood celebrity Shah Rukh Khan presents his greatest film yet, a sci-fi action piece, RA.ONE, in regards to a father and boy fighting a supervillain inside a world converted into a videogame. The film opened up Wednesday. PHOTOS: 'The Rum Diary' Photo Stills: The Actor-brad Pitt, Aaron Eckhart and Amber Heard See exactly what the Hollywood Reporter's experts have to say of individuals films -- yet others opening a few days ago -- and discover how good they're likely to perform in the box office. Puss in Boots Antonia Banderas' swashbuckling feline takes center stage within this Shrek spinoff. Click the link to see Todd McCarthy's review. The Rum Diary Aaron Eckhart, Michael Rispoli and Amy Heard star in author-director Bruce Robinson's screen adaptation of the Hunter S. Thompson's coming-of-age novel. Click the link to see Todd McCarthy's review. Over Time Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried star in Andrew Niccol's dystopian film, giving new currency to Benjamin Franklin's infamous quote, "Time is Money." Click the link to see Todd McCarthy's review. PHOTOS: 'In Time' Premiere Red-colored Carpet Arrivals: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried Anonymous Roland Emmerich brings Shakespeare's London to vivid existence within this early 17th century conspiracy-theory movie having a large and superb British cast Click the link to see Kirk Honeycutt's review. RA.ONE Bollywood celebrity Shah Rukh Khan stars inside a sci-fi family adventure which boasts the biggest budget in Indian film history. Click the link to see Kirk Honeycutt's review. 13 Tbilisi-born French filmmaker Géla Babluani remakes his 2005 claustrophobic surprise 13 Tzameti by having an British-speaking cast including Jason Statham and Mickey Rourke. Click the link to see John DeFore's review. VIDEO: 'Anonymous' Trailer Hits The Double The film, which stars Topher Sophistication, Stana Katic, Stephen Moyer, Martin Sheen and Odette Yustman, marks the pointing debut of "Wanted" co-author Michael Brandt. Click the link to see David Rooney's review. Janie Johnson Alessandro Nivola and Abigail Breslin play a recently introduced father and daughter in David M. Rosenthal's tale of being a parent and rock 'n roll. Click the link to see Ray Bennett's review. VIDEO: 'In Time' Official Trailer Starring Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried Debuts Constantly Bruisingly bittersweet making using the type of tenderness that indicates an in-depth personal significance, Constantly stories a youthful love so deep it doesn't die even if, possibly, it will. Click the link to see John DeFore's review. Related Subjects Amanda Seyfried Amber Heard Antonio Banderas The Actor-brad Pitt Justin Timberlake Aaron Eckhart The Rum Diary Constantly Martin Sheen Puss in Boots Over Time Anonymous

Depp Channels Pal Thompson Again for 'Rum Diary'

LOS ANGELES (AP) Johnny Depp vividly recalls the first time he met Hunter S. Thompson, sparks flying as the author parted a bar crowd with a cattle prod and a Taser.Seventeen years later, Depp is making good on one of his close friend's last wishes, producing and starring in a film adaptation of Thompson's "The Rum Diary," written in the early 1960s but not published until Depp stumbled on the manuscript a quarter-century after.Depp and Thompson, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 2005, bonded instantly at that first meeting in 1994, when the actor was spending Christmas in Aspen, Colo., near the author's home. A fan of Thompson's since reading the gonzo journalist's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" in his late teens, Depp jumped at the chance when a mutual friend asked if he wanted to meet him.Depp was told to turn up at the tavern at midnight. Soon after, Thompson entered brandishing his cattle prod and Taser."People were hurling their bodies, leaping out of the way to try and save themselves from this maniac," Depp said in an interview. "Then he made his way to me. The sparks had died down, he just walked right up to me and put his hand out and said, 'How do you do? My name is Hunter.'"Thompson and Depp quickly discovered they both were born in Kentucky and shared many literary heroes, among them Ernest Hemingway and Nathaniel West. Around 2:30 that morning, they were at Thompson's house, where Depp admired a nickel-plated shotgun on the wall."'Would you like to fire it?'" Depp recalled Thompson saying. "I said, 'Yeah. Great, man.' He says, 'All right, great. We must build bombs.' So we built bombs in his sink out of propane tanks and nitroglycerin. Then we took them out back and he said, 'All right, you get first crack.' So I leveled that 12-gauge and I blew it up 80-foot fireball."I think that was my kind of rite of passage with Hunter. I think that was my test that I was OK."Depp went on to play Thompson's alter ego in the 1998 movie adaptation of "Fear and Loathing." While preparing for that role, Depp spent time in the basement of Thompson's home, sorting through boxes of "Fear and Loathing" artifacts "cherry stems and cocktail napkins and all these weird notations, and photographs of monkeys. Who knew what was in there?" Depp recalled.Then he opened another box and found a manuscript titled "The Rum Diary" in red letters. He figured Thompson had not looked at it since writing it decades earlier, the story based on the author's experiences as a young reporter in Puerto Rico.Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Depp and Thompson passed pages back and forth. Within about half an hour, Depp had persuaded Thompson to publish the novel. In return, Thompson insisted they should do a film version.They developed the project together for years, and Depp became even more committed to bringing the story to the screen after Thompson killed himself amid assorted maladies and declining health."There's nothing more delightful than to see an actor play a role that he puts everything into," said Graham King, a producer on "The Rum Diary.""I'm not saying he doesn't put everything into every movie, but this was different. This was something that was so close to his heart. It wasn't a gig. It wasn't a job for him.""Johnny is Hunter in many ways. Hunter set out to do something that no one else had done before, and I feel like Johnny does that in many things," said co-star Amber Heard. "He's doing exactly what he wants to do, and I think it's wonderful and important to fight to make projects that he feels have artistic integrity."A box-office risk early in his career for oddball films that rarely made money, Depp has been able to call his own shots in the years since he became a Hollywood breadwinner with hits such as the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."Still, it was a challenge to find backers for "The Rum Diary," which stars Depp as Paul Kemp, a Thompson alter ego in his formative years, arriving in San Juan as an aimless tenderfoot who encounters corrupt developers despoiling an island paradise and discovers his purpose to take on "the bastards" wherever he finds them.Aaron Eckhart co-stars as a slimy public relations man whose girlfriend (Heard) becomes Kemp's object of lust. The cast also includes Giovanni Ribisi, Richard Jenkins and Michael Rispoli.To write the screenplay and direct, Depp and Thompson enlisted Bruce Robinson ("Withnail & I"), a filmmaker who recognized himself and Thompson as kindred spirits."We were writing in the same vernacular, a voice of comedic rage," Robinson said. "What are you going to have, a hand grenade or a word? Hunter chose the word."Though Thompson was gone, Depp made him a spectral producer from beyond, insisting there be a chair with Thompson's name on the set, beside it an ashtray, a packet of Dunhill cigarettes, a bottle of Chivas Regal and a highball glass.Each morning, Depp and Robinson would pour a drink for Thompson."Everybody was there for Johnny, and Johnny was there for the love of the man," Eckhart said. "That was palpable on the set, between Hunter's chair and their sacrament to him each day."If Thompson were around to review his performance, Depp figures he would "come up with some unbelievably witty, clever remark that would just sort of chop me off at the ankles. ... And then seconds later, he would have praised it, I believe."When I called him for 'Fear and Loathing,' I was scared that was the end of our friendship, because I had played him, I think, pretty close to the bone," Depp said. "I told him early on, 'If I do this right, you might hate me forever.' He said, 'Well it's a chance you've got to take, isn't it?' So I did it, but after 'Fear and Loathing,' I called him and I said, 'All right, you saw it? Do you hate me?'"And I think by me saying, 'Do you hate me?' he knew I was in pain. He couldn't stand the idea of (messing) with me, and he said, 'No, no, man. It was like an eerie trumpet call over a lost battlefield.' I mean, that just came out of his mouth on the telephone. ... It doesn't get better."Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Beck's music in the own words

'Elekra''Cheaper through the Dozen''The Hangover''Percy Jackson & The Olympians'Daily Variety chose 10 of Christophe Beck's most widely used, notable or challenging films and requested him to mirror around the experience:"Underneath the Tuscan Sun" (2003)"A film produced by Audrey Wells, among my personal favorite filmmakers. I loved having the ability to mix Italian tastes, Nino Rota-esque, inside a more minimalist, colorful, modern context.""Cheaper Through the Dozen" (2003)"Probably the first film where I needed to rewrite a signal again and again again. It had been the critical, large signal in the finish. It was version 12 or 14 when we finished. A genuine sense of accomplishment and triumph.""Elektra" (2005)"Among the first movies where I could conceive and perform high concept that I am still very happy with. Used to do each day of periods using the orchestra, then place them into my software and altered that. Should you pay attention to that score, you are able to really hear the initial recording sliced and diced and coupled with a genuine orchestra on the top from it.InchInchThe Pink Panther" (2006)"I recall just how much fun it had been dealing with Henry Mancini's theme. Mancini's 'Pink Panther' scores were more episodic he did not work the theme into the extent which i did. It had been excellent having the ability to run with this theme and perform a couple of versions onto it.InchInchWe're Marshall" (2006)"More often than not, nowadays, there's not a lot of surprises after i arrive at the scoring stage. It can be how a mock-ups were, however when I heard that first large sports-action signal, it had been like, 'Whoa! I never imagined it might seem as glorious because this.AInchInchThe Hangover" (2009)"I needed the score to seem just like a record, when it comes to production -- like instrumental versions from the tunes which were within the soundtrack. Therefore we recorded the drums and guitar just a little in a different way. There's hardly any score in 'The Hangover.' Should you attempted to complete an excessive amount of, you'd put on lower the ear with this type of (rock) seem.""Percy Jackson & The Olympians" (2010)The Lightning Crook" (2010): "Amazing fun, having the ability to write a great, epic orchestral adventure score, the kind of which I used to be hearing and taking pleasure in since i have would be a kid.""Awaiting Superman" (2010)"My first experience focusing on a documentary, and my first sometimes feeling like I desired to have a shower after writing a signal -- due to the main difference between adjusting feelings over something that's real, and doing the work inside a purely imaginary context.""Red-colored" (2010)"The craziest production situation I have have you been in. I'd four days to show around 80 minutes of score which was not simple. Every signal had orchestra, drums, guitars, bass, synth. I love finding yourself in a predicament where you are a part of a team and you are trying to behave crazy.""Crazy Stupid Love" (2011)"I labored with filmmakers who challenged me to visit outdoors of my safe place. I normally will mock up my ideas and enable filmmakers in the future over and listen to it on their behalf. Through the second meeting, the company directors were saying, 'Where would be the music artists?' Therefore we introduced in 7 or 8 men, once per week for four days, plus they really appreciated it."BILLION-DOLLAR COMPOSER: CHRISTOPHE BECK Beck's eco-friendly phase Resurrecting 'Muppets' in Disney tradition Beginning from the undead Beck's music in the own words Beck, private school grad, gives back Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Rob Zombie adds one of The Brady Bunch to Lords Of Salem

Rob Zombie's upcomingThe Lords of Salem has a growing all-star cast, which already includes the likes of Barbara Crampton, Jeff Daniel Phillips, Bruce Davidson, Sheri Moon Zombie, Billy Drago and Meg Foster.But it seems that Mr Zombie is gratifying his nostalgic side by adding yet another familiar face to the bill."Pork chops and applesauce head to Salem! What the fuck does that mean? Of course it means Christopher Knight has joined our group.""Chris plays Keith Williams aka Lobster Joe the host of Lobster Joe's Fishy Fun Show a staple of local Salem television."Christopher Knight'smost recognisable role is Peter Brady from the infamous The Brady Bunch. Yep, that Brady Bunch.Now, we know that Zombie is a pop-culture fiend, but we kind of assumed his tastes were a little more, well, fiendish.Having said that, the thought of a young Zombie singing along to the Brady Bunch theme tune every Friday night fills us with quite a lot of giddy joy.The Lords of Salem is about a DJ who accidentally unleashes an evil curse onto the titular town, which was famously the site of several witchcraft trials in the 17th Century.The Lords of Salemwill be released in 2012. And we're sure it'll be as relentlessly bleak as Zombie's previous flicks, even if it does now involve a Brady.

Mattel Buys A $680M Ticket For Thomas

U.S. toy manufacturer Mattel has bought HIT Entertainment, your financial troubles-laden Uk kids toy certification company behind Thomas the Tank Engine, for $680 million in cash. Thats around $20 million under owner Apax Partners had wanted with this, I recognize, and around $200 million missing the $890 million which Apax taken proper care of the business in 2005. The sale gives Mattel a foothold inside the television business since the Thomas & Pals Tv program airs in than 20 languages worldwide. Rival toy maker Hasbro already possesses its own production/distribution arm, Hasbro Art galleries, and has partnership kids network The Hub with Discovery Communications. Due to the tight rules controlling toy producers making Tv shows in Europe, it remains to look how Mattel will fare whether or not this pitches new programmes featuring its toys to public tv producers. The sale sees Thomas the Tank Engine joining other Mattel brands including Barbie dolls dolls and Hot Wheels. I recognize that Mattel initially desired to strip out Thomas within the relaxation of HITs characteristics — Thomas comprises about 80% of HITs revenues but ultimately needed the entire HIT Entertainment range, including Barney the Dinosaur, Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina and Pingu. Saban Brands, Disney and Mattel rival Tomy all vied to buy HIT Entertainment, but Mattel won out eventually. The $680 million deal continues to be funded through a mix of cash and debt and chances are it will close to the coast the initial quarter of 2012. The price means some multiple of nearly 10 occasions earnings. Today announcement does not include HIT Entertainments 30% stake in U.S. kids cable/satellite funnel Sprout. Im told that NBC Universal is making noises about buying out co-entrepreneurs Sesame Workshop and PBS, which explains why Apax Partners desires to hold onto it. Many other Uk kids TV certification companies though are presently searching in the naughty step. Coolabi, which distributes classic Brit TV cartoons including Ivor the Engine and Bagpuss, has lost money every year in the last decade. Chorion, which a year ago wanted to purchase HIT Entertainment itself, continues to be separate after it breached its lending covenants in March and was unable to satisfy interest obligations on its $112 million bank debt. Experts have blamed vc's for instance Apax Partners themselves for your mess these kids TV companies will be in. Private equity finance finance traders are very focused on short-term cash generation, states one kids TV producer, they do not purchase new programming to keep these kids brands fresh: That was the issue with Apax after they bought HIT Entertainment in 2005. They preferred to double their funds in 3 years, nonetheless its taken them 6 years to escape the organization. Throughout that time they didnt desire to develop new shows. Private equity finance traders do not have time horizon the children TV small company. Mattel, making many Thomas toys under license from HIT, had been developing a Thomas the Tank Engine live action theatrical film, directed by Shane Acker (9). The Mattel entertainment characteristics design team remains concentrating on the film with HIT and Peter Jacksons Nz-based Weta Workshop. Cinetic Media as well as the UTA Independent Film Group are handling financing and distribution.