Twenty-five years ago, Liz Garbus pulled out her Cover Girl compact at the Oscars just before the winner of best documentary was announced. The Manhattan-raised filmmaker didn’t think her 1998 doc, The Farm: Angola, USA, which she co-directed with Jonathan Stack, would win, but wanted to be prepared. The caked powder spilled all over her gown. “As soon as they did not call us, I thought, ‘Phew, I don’t need to go up there with powder all over my dress,'” she says of the fleeting moment when losing felt like a blessing. “And then being like, ‘Wait, no,'” she recalls of the disappointment settling in.
Netflix vp original documentary features and series Adam Del Deo — then just an aspiring doc producer — kept close track of Garbus’ prolific career after seeing The Farm at the Sundance Film Festival. He was blown away by her deep curiosity and ability...
Netflix vp original documentary features and series Adam Del Deo — then just an aspiring doc producer — kept close track of Garbus’ prolific career after seeing The Farm at the Sundance Film Festival. He was blown away by her deep curiosity and ability...
- 3/17/2023
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
He was the chess genius who electrified the planet – until his life unravelled spectacularly. Can a new film explain Bobby Fischer
Bobby Fischer was the blessing and the curse of chess in the 20th century. The American electrified the game when he rose to prominence in the 1950s and 60s, and won the world championship in a thrilling match against Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union in 1972. But then, increasingly unhinged, he refused to defend his title in 1975, wandered the world for the next 30 years, and in 2008 died in Iceland – the scene of his 1972 triumph and, by the end, more or less the only country that would give him sanctuary. His absence from the chess stage was more interesting than anyone else's presence could possibly be, and his shadow still looms over the game. (A prize if you can name the current world champion.)
That current champion, a very sane and pleasant fellow,...
Bobby Fischer was the blessing and the curse of chess in the 20th century. The American electrified the game when he rose to prominence in the 1950s and 60s, and won the world championship in a thrilling match against Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union in 1972. But then, increasingly unhinged, he refused to defend his title in 1975, wandered the world for the next 30 years, and in 2008 died in Iceland – the scene of his 1972 triumph and, by the end, more or less the only country that would give him sanctuary. His absence from the chess stage was more interesting than anyone else's presence could possibly be, and his shadow still looms over the game. (A prize if you can name the current world champion.)
That current champion, a very sane and pleasant fellow,...
- 7/4/2011
- by Stephen Moss
- The Guardian - Film News
Mel Gibson has escaped prison. After being officially charged with misdemeanor battery in his domestic violence case against ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, the "Edge of Darkness" actor has pled no contest when appearing before a judge in a Superior Court of California in Los Angeles County on Friday, March 11.
During the afternoon hearing which was not attended by Oksana, the 55-year-old actor entered what is called a "West Plea". This plea means he is allowed to maintain his innocence. It is not an admission of guilt, but only a consent to be punished as if guilty. His lawyer Blair Berk told told Judge Stephanie Sautner, "He's entering this plea because it was in the best interest of his children."
Accepting Mel's plea, the judge sentenced the "Braveheart" actor to 36 months of informal probation, 52 weeks of counseling in a domestic violence program, 16 hours of community service. He was also told to pay...
During the afternoon hearing which was not attended by Oksana, the 55-year-old actor entered what is called a "West Plea". This plea means he is allowed to maintain his innocence. It is not an admission of guilt, but only a consent to be punished as if guilty. His lawyer Blair Berk told told Judge Stephanie Sautner, "He's entering this plea because it was in the best interest of his children."
Accepting Mel's plea, the judge sentenced the "Braveheart" actor to 36 months of informal probation, 52 weeks of counseling in a domestic violence program, 16 hours of community service. He was also told to pay...
- 3/12/2011
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
The attorney for Mel Gibson's ex Oksana Grigorieva fears sealed documents containing personal and private information about his client have been stolen and leaked to the media in a bid to discredit the Russian as she battles the actor for custody of their baby.
Appearing with her for an interview on news show Larry King Live, Martin Garbus explained personal information about Grigorieva is being picked up by the press - and it should be off-limits.
He says, "In the family court, court files are sealed - they're confidential, so the files that were leaked to an Internet station were all stolen... It's medical documents, declarations, court opinions, transcripts."
The attorney revealed court officials have ordered an investigation, claiming 2,000 pages of information has been leaked.
Grigorieva admits she's terrified of what might be leaked to the media: "It could be quite terrible because this whole case could turn into a gossip story."...
Appearing with her for an interview on news show Larry King Live, Martin Garbus explained personal information about Grigorieva is being picked up by the press - and it should be off-limits.
He says, "In the family court, court files are sealed - they're confidential, so the files that were leaked to an Internet station were all stolen... It's medical documents, declarations, court opinions, transcripts."
The attorney revealed court officials have ordered an investigation, claiming 2,000 pages of information has been leaked.
Grigorieva admits she's terrified of what might be leaked to the media: "It could be quite terrible because this whole case could turn into a gossip story."...
- 11/18/2010
- WENN
Mel Gibson's ex-lover Oksana Grigorieva kept taking the movie star's alleged rage-filled phonecalls on the night she split up with him - because they reassured her he was at home in Malibu, California, and not on his way to kill her.
The Russian singer claims the furious Braveheart star called every "five to 10 minutes non-stop from 8pm to 3am" on the 18 and 19 February after she had told the actor their romance was over because of his temper.
She eventually started taping the calls on her iPhone voice memo application because she feared for her life - and wanted documentation of her ex-boyfriend's state of mind.
Some of the taped phone conversations have since leaked online and into the media.
Appearing on news show Larry King Live on Wednesday night, Grigorieva recalled, "I kept hanging up and he kept calling back... I knew he was on his old phone in Malibu; he's not on the road with an iPhone... and he's not coming to kill me yet. I knew he was still there, so I kept picking up, but eventually I got so exhausted... I pulled the batteries out of all my phones.
"Obviously I didn't plan for this to be on public television; I would have called him for all the lies he said on those phonecalls... This is a person who is losing control, this is a batterer who's been controlling me for quite a while... I left him and this is the anger and outrage."
The singer's lawyer, Martin Garbus, who joined her on the show, added, "I've had a chance to listen to all the messages together, it's really horrendous - the fury and the anger that was spewing out against her."
Gibson and his lawyers were asked to give their side of the story on the show, but declined.
It has still not been confirmed that the voice heard raging at Grigorieva, calling her names and using foul expletives, on the phone is that of Gibson.
The actor and Grigorieva are currently embroiled in a bitter custody battle over their child Lucia.
The Russian singer claims the furious Braveheart star called every "five to 10 minutes non-stop from 8pm to 3am" on the 18 and 19 February after she had told the actor their romance was over because of his temper.
She eventually started taping the calls on her iPhone voice memo application because she feared for her life - and wanted documentation of her ex-boyfriend's state of mind.
Some of the taped phone conversations have since leaked online and into the media.
Appearing on news show Larry King Live on Wednesday night, Grigorieva recalled, "I kept hanging up and he kept calling back... I knew he was on his old phone in Malibu; he's not on the road with an iPhone... and he's not coming to kill me yet. I knew he was still there, so I kept picking up, but eventually I got so exhausted... I pulled the batteries out of all my phones.
"Obviously I didn't plan for this to be on public television; I would have called him for all the lies he said on those phonecalls... This is a person who is losing control, this is a batterer who's been controlling me for quite a while... I left him and this is the anger and outrage."
The singer's lawyer, Martin Garbus, who joined her on the show, added, "I've had a chance to listen to all the messages together, it's really horrendous - the fury and the anger that was spewing out against her."
Gibson and his lawyers were asked to give their side of the story on the show, but declined.
It has still not been confirmed that the voice heard raging at Grigorieva, calling her names and using foul expletives, on the phone is that of Gibson.
The actor and Grigorieva are currently embroiled in a bitter custody battle over their child Lucia.
- 11/18/2010
- WENN
So much for closed doors staying closed. In light of sealed documents from the ongoing custody battle between Mel Gibson and ex Oksana Grigorieva being leaked to TMZ, a judge overseeing the case has ordered an investigation into just how that happened. This according to Grigorieva and her lawyer, Martin Garbus, during their appearance on CNN's Larry King Live airing tomorrow. "It's medical documents, declarations, court opinions, transcripts—everything, it seems. They say over 2,000 pages of documents were leaked," reveals Garbus, adding that whoever took the files from the courthouse "certainly got paid a good deal of money." Grigorieva...
- 11/16/2010
- E! Online
Mel Gibson choked up on the stand Wednesday as he testified about how much he loves Lucia and his other children ... sources familiar with the testimony tell TMZ. Mel's voice cracked as he talked about his 1-year-old during his testimony. Oksana Grigorieva -- who wants Judge Scott Gordon to strip Mel of overnight visits with Lucia -- testified that whenever the baby spent the night at Mel's, she came back "acting funny." We're told Oksana...
- 11/11/2010
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Team Oksana Grigorieva lied to TMZ when they denied she had an intimate relationship with her convicted felon/former bodyguard ... at least according to several emails between the bodyguard and Oksana's lawyer. But Oksana's lawyers say there's more to the story. TMZ broke the story .... Kristian Herzog -- who has served time in jail for impersonating a cop -- claimed to have been in an intimate relationship with Oksana that began in May. Oksana's lawyer,...
- 11/10/2010
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
It's time for Mel Gibson to put up or shut up. After months of negative headlines over those controversial leaked tapes and reports of alleged domestic violence, the disgraced star is scheduled to turn up at a mediation center in Los Angeles to be deposed in his ongoing custody battle with estranged girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva. The deposition, set to get under way at 9 a.m. Pt, is likely to last all day. Oksana's lawyer, Daniel Horowitz, previously told E! News that Gibson's legal team was expected to file motions to have it postponed, but as of press time the deposition is still on. According to Horowitz, the Russian musician has also been relying heavily on the expertise of Martin Garbus, a...
- 11/1/2010
- E! Online
TMZ has learned ... Oksana Grigorieva -- who has said she doesn't have the power to fight the Mel Gibson machine -- has hired a grand total of 39 (Thirty-nine) lawyers so far ... to wage legal war on her behalf. All 39 lawyers have been doing legal work for Oksana in her fight with Mel. Even more shocking, we know at least 18 of the 39 lawyers have submitted more than $1 million in legal bills to the court ... and they're...
- 10/16/2010
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Oksana -- Russian Immigrant with 39 Lawyers
TMZ has learned ... Oksana Grigorieva -- who has said she doesn't have the power to fight the Mel Gibson machine -- has hired a grand total of 39 (Thirty-nine) lawyers so far ... to wage legal war on her behalf.
All 39 lawyers have been doing legal work for Oksana in her fight with Mel. Even more shocking, we know at least 18 of the 39 lawyers have submitted more than $1 million in legal bills to the court ... and they're asking the judge to make Mel pay the tab.
As for the 39 lawyers who have jumped on board team Oksana, they include: Lisa Bloom, Martin Garbus, Daniel Horowitz, Eric George, Sonia Lee, Robin Sax, John Carlson, James Spertus, Ezra Landes, Mary Fulginiti, Amy Hinkley, Dan O'Malley, Suzie Obeda and Amanda Touchton.
But there's more ... the firm of Trope and Trope has put the following lawyers on Oksana's case: Sorrell Trope,...
TMZ has learned ... Oksana Grigorieva -- who has said she doesn't have the power to fight the Mel Gibson machine -- has hired a grand total of 39 (Thirty-nine) lawyers so far ... to wage legal war on her behalf.
All 39 lawyers have been doing legal work for Oksana in her fight with Mel. Even more shocking, we know at least 18 of the 39 lawyers have submitted more than $1 million in legal bills to the court ... and they're asking the judge to make Mel pay the tab.
As for the 39 lawyers who have jumped on board team Oksana, they include: Lisa Bloom, Martin Garbus, Daniel Horowitz, Eric George, Sonia Lee, Robin Sax, John Carlson, James Spertus, Ezra Landes, Mary Fulginiti, Amy Hinkley, Dan O'Malley, Suzie Obeda and Amanda Touchton.
But there's more ... the firm of Trope and Trope has put the following lawyers on Oksana's case: Sorrell Trope,...
- 10/16/2010
- by tmz
- Gossipvita
Things Oksana Grigorieva's lawyers think we should know: She did not extort Mel Gibson. She never leaked the audio tapes of him screaming at her. Oh, and she's on Josh Groban's new album. Daniel Horowitz and Martin Garbus, the lawyers representing Gibson's ex, appeared on the Today show to defend their client this morning, saying she was "terrorized" by the movie star and explaining that she's her own woman who just likes playing the piano. "She's a domestic violence victim, she was beaten, she was terrorized, and yet all the media seems to focus on is whether she extorted Mel Gibson, when in fact it's just the opposite," Horowitz told cohost Meredith...
- 9/22/2010
- E! Online
Jodie Foster has stepped up to defend troubled actor Mel Gibson amidst his nasty custody battle against ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva. The 47-year-old actress told More magazine, "When you love a friend, you don't abandon them when they are struggling."
Jodie, who has worked with Mel in 1994 film "Maverick" and recently reunited with him for "The Beaver", admitted that "Mel is an undeniably gifted actor and director." She then added, "But more importantly, he is and has been a true and loyal friend. I hope I can help him get through this dark moment."
Jodie also called Mel the "easiest, nicest person" she has ever worked with. "The second I met him, I said, 'I will love this man for the rest of my life'," the mother of two further stated.
Mel has been entangled in the legal battle against Oksana over their illegitimate daughter Lucia. The legal battle has been...
Jodie, who has worked with Mel in 1994 film "Maverick" and recently reunited with him for "The Beaver", admitted that "Mel is an undeniably gifted actor and director." She then added, "But more importantly, he is and has been a true and loyal friend. I hope I can help him get through this dark moment."
Jodie also called Mel the "easiest, nicest person" she has ever worked with. "The second I met him, I said, 'I will love this man for the rest of my life'," the mother of two further stated.
Mel has been entangled in the legal battle against Oksana over their illegitimate daughter Lucia. The legal battle has been...
- 9/22/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
TMZ has learned Oksana Grigorieva 's legal team is ready to launch an offensive in the PR war against Mel Gibson ... by going on "Today." In an attempt to turn the tide in the PR war with Mel -- sources tell us Oksana's lawyers -- Martin Garbus and Daniel Horowitz -- will appear on "Today" on Wednesday ... sans Oksana ... to reinforce the point that Mel wanted to have a child with her ... and wasn't "tricked" into it.
- 9/21/2010
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Washington, Sept 17 – Oksana Grigorieva is apparently set to file a lawsuit against ex-beau Mel Gibson alleging, among other things, battery, emotional distress and defamation.
According to sources, Oksana has hired Martin Garbus and Daniel Horowitz, two formidable lawyers who have been around the block in celebrity cases, reports TMZ.com.
Garbus has defended Robert Redford, Al Pacino, and Spike Lee.
Garbus and Horowitz will be Oksana’s reps in connection with the domestic violence investigation as well as the extortion probe.
Garbus and Horowitz will also represent the star in her music career — specifically, they will challenge Gibson, who they claim is blocking.
According to sources, Oksana has hired Martin Garbus and Daniel Horowitz, two formidable lawyers who have been around the block in celebrity cases, reports TMZ.com.
Garbus has defended Robert Redford, Al Pacino, and Spike Lee.
Garbus and Horowitz will be Oksana’s reps in connection with the domestic violence investigation as well as the extortion probe.
Garbus and Horowitz will also represent the star in her music career — specifically, they will challenge Gibson, who they claim is blocking.
- 9/17/2010
- by News
- RealBollywood.com
After months of battling out their differences, it is being reported that Oksana Grigorieva will file a lawsuit against Mel Gibson.
The “Patriot” actor’s former fling apparently has plans to sue him for battery, emotional distress and defamation, among other things, according to TMZ.
Ms Grigorieva has hired Martin Garbus and Daniel Horowitz - two of the top lawyers in Tinseltown.
In addition to the civil suit, sources told TMZ that Garbus and Horowitz will represent Oksana in her music career - specifically, they will challenge Gibson, who they claim is blocking the release of Oksana's music.
The “Patriot” actor’s former fling apparently has plans to sue him for battery, emotional distress and defamation, among other things, according to TMZ.
Ms Grigorieva has hired Martin Garbus and Daniel Horowitz - two of the top lawyers in Tinseltown.
In addition to the civil suit, sources told TMZ that Garbus and Horowitz will represent Oksana in her music career - specifically, they will challenge Gibson, who they claim is blocking the release of Oksana's music.
- 9/16/2010
- GossipCenter
Oksana Grigorieva will file a lawsuit against Mel Gibson alleging -- among other things -- battery, emotional distress and defamation ... TMZ has learned.
Sources tell us Oksana has hired Martin Garbus and Daniel Horowitz ... two formidable lawyers who have been around the block in celebrity cases. Garbus has defended Robert Redford, Al Pacino, and Spike Lee -- and both he and Horowitz rank among America's top litigators.
We're told Garbus and Horowitz will represent almost all things Oksana -- they will be her reps in connection with the domestic violence investigation as well as the extortion probe.
In addition to the civil suit, we're told Garbus and Horowitz will represent Oksana in her music career -- specifically, they will challenge Gibson, whom they claim is blocking the release of Oksana's music.
As for the civil battery case against Gibson -- sources tell us the plan is to file it by the end of the year.
Sources tell us Oksana has hired Martin Garbus and Daniel Horowitz ... two formidable lawyers who have been around the block in celebrity cases. Garbus has defended Robert Redford, Al Pacino, and Spike Lee -- and both he and Horowitz rank among America's top litigators.
We're told Garbus and Horowitz will represent almost all things Oksana -- they will be her reps in connection with the domestic violence investigation as well as the extortion probe.
In addition to the civil suit, we're told Garbus and Horowitz will represent Oksana in her music career -- specifically, they will challenge Gibson, whom they claim is blocking the release of Oksana's music.
As for the civil battery case against Gibson -- sources tell us the plan is to file it by the end of the year.
- 9/16/2010
- by tmz
- Gossipvita
Oksana Grigorieva will file a lawsuit against Mel Gibson alleging -- among other things -- battery, emotional distress and defamation ... TMZ has learned. Sources tell us Oksana has hired Martin Garbus and Daniel Horowitz ... two formidable lawyers who have been around the block in celebrity cases. Garbus has defended Robert Redford, Al Pacino, and Spike Lee -- and both he and Horowitz rank among America's top litigators. We're told Garbus and Horowitz will represent almost...
- 9/16/2010
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Oksana Grigorieva has decided to sue Mel Gibson! According TMZ, to she will be filing a lawsuit alleging battery, emotional distress and defamation, amongst other things. Grigorieva has hired celebrity lawyers Martin Garbus and Daniel Horowitz, who will act as her reps in connection with the domestic violence investigation as well as the extortion probe. Garbus and Horowitz will also represent Oksana in her music career they claim Gibson is blocking the release of Oksana's album. The lawsuit is expected to be filed by the end of the year. Stay tuned for more details!
- 9/16/2010
- Hollyscoop.com
Two potential witnesses in the Mel Gibson/Oksana Grigorieva criminal investigation have told authorities at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department that their lives were threatened after they refused to fabricate evidence on behalf of Oksana Grigorieva, the actor's ex-girlfriend and the mother of his youngest child.
Grigorieva has leveled charges of domestic abuse against Gibson, claiming that the actor assaulted her on more than one occasion.
Last month, two potential witnesses in the case, Violet Kowal, a Polish porn star who claims to have slept with Gibson, and her bodyguard, Nikko Riley, told police that after they refused to help Grigorieva in her case against Gibson, her bodyguard threatened their lives by attempting to run down Riley and making verbal threats to have them killed by cops in his pocket.
Kristian Otto Herzog, Grigorieva's bodyguard, pleaded guilty to two counts of impersonating an officer in 2009 and served 255 days in jail.
Grigorieva has leveled charges of domestic abuse against Gibson, claiming that the actor assaulted her on more than one occasion.
Last month, two potential witnesses in the case, Violet Kowal, a Polish porn star who claims to have slept with Gibson, and her bodyguard, Nikko Riley, told police that after they refused to help Grigorieva in her case against Gibson, her bodyguard threatened their lives by attempting to run down Riley and making verbal threats to have them killed by cops in his pocket.
Kristian Otto Herzog, Grigorieva's bodyguard, pleaded guilty to two counts of impersonating an officer in 2009 and served 255 days in jail.
- 9/16/2010
- by By Allison Hope Weiner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
HBO has two clips from the Liz Garbus documentary "Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edge of Free Speech" which airs tonight at 9 p.m. Et/Pt. An Arab-American educator loses her job after explaining a word with controversial overtones. A high-school student is suspended for wearing a Bible-quoting T-shirt. In the wake of a provocative essay about America’s involvement in 9/11, a college professor is fired after the university launches an investigation into his work. Most Americans believe the First Amendment is sacred and inviolate, but not since the 1950s has it been under such attack – from both the right and the left. In a unique collaboration with her father, noted First Amendment attorney Martin Garbus, Oscar® nominee Liz Garbus explores the social and political trends that have shaped America’s attitudes about free speech and how they can threaten the very tenets upon which the country was built.
- 6/29/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
There’s no doubt that Liz Garbus has made good use of her right to self-expression. She’s helmed more than a dozen documentaries tackling topics such as comas, AIDS, Abu Ghraib, and the death penalty. But it wasn’t until she turned the cameras on her father, First Amendment attorney Martin Garbus, that the issue of free speech became a topic rather than an undercurrent. The result is Liz’s documentary Shouting Fire, which screened at Sundance this winter and premieres on HBO on June 29.
- 6/26/2009
- Vanity Fair
Tom Cruise and John Travolta's wife Kelly Preston have denied allegations they pressured media network Fox News into firing columnist Roger Friedman earlier this year.
Friedman lost his high profile job with the network in April, with his bosses claiming he had been dismissed for posting an online movie review of a leaked copy of X-men Origins: Wolverine.
But Friedman has since announced plans to sue Fox bosses over the incident, alleging several Hollywood stars used their influence over network chiefs to get him fired because he disagrees with their religious beliefs.
The reporter - who plans to file legal papers against Fox in New York later this week (beg15Jun09) - claims his columns angered high profile Scientologists including Cruise, who he alleges was in talks to star in a Fox-backed film at the time of his sacking.
He goes on to levy allegations at Preston - accusing her of calling him a "religious bigot" at the funeral of singer Issac Hayes last August and claiming she subsequently orchestrated a meeting between Fox bosses and Scientology leaders to discuss his removal.
Friedman's attorney, Martin Garbus, says, "In falsely claiming Roger engaged in piracy, they attempted to destroy the reputation of a fine journalist. I've seen how Scientology intimidates even the most powerful media. That seems to be what happened here."
But Cruise's legal team have fired back at the allegations - calling claims the star was involved with Friedman's dismissal "utterly false".
Preston's lawyer, Martin Singer, slammed the accusations as "absurd and ridiculous".
He adds, "(Friedman) was terminated just days after (his X-Men Origins column was published). It is outrageous to try to blame my client on the basis of something that supposedly took place eight months earlier."...
Friedman lost his high profile job with the network in April, with his bosses claiming he had been dismissed for posting an online movie review of a leaked copy of X-men Origins: Wolverine.
But Friedman has since announced plans to sue Fox bosses over the incident, alleging several Hollywood stars used their influence over network chiefs to get him fired because he disagrees with their religious beliefs.
The reporter - who plans to file legal papers against Fox in New York later this week (beg15Jun09) - claims his columns angered high profile Scientologists including Cruise, who he alleges was in talks to star in a Fox-backed film at the time of his sacking.
He goes on to levy allegations at Preston - accusing her of calling him a "religious bigot" at the funeral of singer Issac Hayes last August and claiming she subsequently orchestrated a meeting between Fox bosses and Scientology leaders to discuss his removal.
Friedman's attorney, Martin Garbus, says, "In falsely claiming Roger engaged in piracy, they attempted to destroy the reputation of a fine journalist. I've seen how Scientology intimidates even the most powerful media. That seems to be what happened here."
But Cruise's legal team have fired back at the allegations - calling claims the star was involved with Friedman's dismissal "utterly false".
Preston's lawyer, Martin Singer, slammed the accusations as "absurd and ridiculous".
He adds, "(Friedman) was terminated just days after (his X-Men Origins column was published). It is outrageous to try to blame my client on the basis of something that supposedly took place eight months earlier."...
- 6/16/2009
- WENN
Hollywood henpecker Roger Friedman has filed an “unlawful termination” lawsuit against his former employer, News Corp, for an April firing amidst the company’s pending piracy investigation. The gossiper wrote a review of X-Men Origins: Wolverine after seeing the unfinished workprint copy leaked on the Internet. After bragging about the early look and access to additional illegal versions, Friedman was “terminated” just days later.
He has since been hired by the Hollywood Reporter, who picked up the column when he took his celebrity smear blog freelance, but that didn’t stop Friedman from holding a grudge towards News Corp. The lawsuit filed by his lawyer, Martin Garbus, this week claims the Wolverine angle was a “cover story,” and Roger Friedman wasn’t fired for blatantly stealing and then condoning piracy.
Instead Friedman is full of conspiracy theories about Scientologists plotting to have him removed. According to the gossip, John Travolta...
He has since been hired by the Hollywood Reporter, who picked up the column when he took his celebrity smear blog freelance, but that didn’t stop Friedman from holding a grudge towards News Corp. The lawsuit filed by his lawyer, Martin Garbus, this week claims the Wolverine angle was a “cover story,” and Roger Friedman wasn’t fired for blatantly stealing and then condoning piracy.
Instead Friedman is full of conspiracy theories about Scientologists plotting to have him removed. According to the gossip, John Travolta...
- 6/16/2009
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
This story is too great not to post. According to an 'unlawful termination' suit that the lawyer for fired Fox columnist Roger Friedman will file in New York this week, the Wolverine leak can actually be traced back to News Corp. head Rupert Murdoch. Martin Garbus, Friedman's lawyer, claims that Murdoch requested a DVD copy of the film, and "apparently, someone made another copy for themselves." No shit? I'm still siding with Devin at Chud, who explained how a post-production leak was probably the hole from which Wolverine wriggled onto the internet. But everyone hates Murdoch, so why not pin this on him, too. That's not even the whole of the lawsuit, which claims that Friedman's firing was actually the result of...whisper it...Scientologists! I told you this was great. More after the jump. Friedman's lawsuit charges that it wasn't his ill-considered (or corporately-directed) review of the leaked Wolverine...
- 6/15/2009
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
Spider-Man creator Stan Lee has successfully capitalized on the movies made about his characters by teaming up with Marvel Entertainment, and making sure he gets a piece of the pie from hits like Spider-Man, X-Men and Iron Man. But apparently when he started branching out from comic books, in the late 1990s, he wasn't so lucky; Stan Lee Media filed for bankruptcy in 2001, and was later involved in arrests of employees accused of manipulating stock prices. And now the troubles for Stan Lee Media are continuing, even after Lee himself sued the company for copyright infringement. Shareholders in the company are suing Lee and Marvel Entertainment, saying they're entitled to $750 million of the profits from Marvel's movies based on Lee's characters. Variety has an article explaining the whole mess, in which Lee's team says the charges are ridiculous and the representative for the plaintiffs, Martin Garbus, claims this is different...
- 1/27/2009
- cinemablend.com
Martin Garbus, Esq.
, has filed a shareholder derivative suit Monday, January 26, against Marvel Entertainment and its chairman Isaac Perlmutter
, as well as Stan Lee
, the creator of Marvel's major superhero characters and former Marvel Studio head, Avi Arad
.
{sidebar id=1}Garbus is suing for recovery in excess of $750 million representing one-half of the proceeds from such blockbuster films as Spider Man, Iron Man and X-Men franchises. The suit accuses Perlmutter, Arad, Marvel and Stan Lee
of denying Stan Lee Media, Inc. (Slmi) shareholders their rights in ownership of 50% of both the legendary superhero characters and intellectual properties created by Stan Lee
, which have become among the top entertainment franchises in the world.
Slmi was placed into Chapter 11 Reorganization in Bankruptcy by Stan Lee
in 2001 after the dot-com bust and emerged in November 2006, beginning a titanic battle between shareholders and the company's founder, Lee.
Slmi shareholders contend that Read more...
, has filed a shareholder derivative suit Monday, January 26, against Marvel Entertainment and its chairman Isaac Perlmutter
, as well as Stan Lee
, the creator of Marvel's major superhero characters and former Marvel Studio head, Avi Arad
.
{sidebar id=1}Garbus is suing for recovery in excess of $750 million representing one-half of the proceeds from such blockbuster films as Spider Man, Iron Man and X-Men franchises. The suit accuses Perlmutter, Arad, Marvel and Stan Lee
of denying Stan Lee Media, Inc. (Slmi) shareholders their rights in ownership of 50% of both the legendary superhero characters and intellectual properties created by Stan Lee
, which have become among the top entertainment franchises in the world.
Slmi was placed into Chapter 11 Reorganization in Bankruptcy by Stan Lee
in 2001 after the dot-com bust and emerged in November 2006, beginning a titanic battle between shareholders and the company's founder, Lee.
Slmi shareholders contend that Read more...
- 1/27/2009
- by IESB Staff <alyson@iesb.net>
- IESB.net
Shareholders of an ill-fated Stan Lee venture are seeking more than $750 million in profits from films and other works based on Marvel comic characters such as "Spider-Man,""X-Men" and "Iron Man." The lawsuit was filed Monday in a Manhattan federal court on behalf of shareholders of Stan Lee Media Inc. Defendants include Lee, his partner Arthur Lieberman, Marvel Entertainment Inc. and its chairman Isaac Perlmutter, and former Marvel Studios president Avi Arad. The suit names four shareholders who live in Florida, California and Canada. Their lawyer, Martin Garbus, said the suit is aimed at reclaiming money for all Stan Lee Media Inc. shareholders. The lawsuit claims profits from Lee's comic creations belong to the company, which emerged from...
- 1/26/2009
- Comingsoon.net
Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edge of Free Speech explores free speech in America by addressing contemporary cases in which the First Amendment has played a very significant role. The documentary not only looks at how free speech has been challenged in our country, but also how willing or unwilling Americans are to give up civil liberties in exchange for national security in a post-9/11 era. Filmmaker Liz Garbus speaks with her father, First Amendment attorney Martin Garbus as part of the narrative for the film. Garbus takes us through the era of McCarthyism as well as other pivotal times in our nation's history when the First Amendment was put to the test, using his own personal experiences as well as other historical references to lay out the story. The film also cites various cases from recent years, including Ward Churchill being fired from his job as a professor at...
- 1/18/2009
- cinemablend.com
Following an eventful week, in which Lindsay Lohan's female beau Samantha Ronson took her lawsuit against celeb blogger Perez Hilton to new heights, everybody's favorite same-sex couple arrived safely at Florida's Miami International Airport today, for some much needed R&R.This week it was announced 31 year-old Ronson filed a malpractice suit against Martin Garbus, the 71 year-old veteran civil rights attorney whose previous work includes defending comedian Lenny Bruce in his landmark 1st amendment trial. Garbus's other clients over the years have included Daniel Ellsberg, the military analyst targeted by president Richard Nixon for leaking ...
- 12/14/2008
- by By Actress Archives
The Sundance Film Festival officially announced the lineup for the films playing in competition next month. The 16 movies will compete for the Grand Jury Prize in Park City, Utah at the 25th anniversary of the largest independent film festival in the U.S. from January 15-25.
The list was announced by festival director Geoff Gilmore, who recently received the first annual Sydney Pollack Award.
At the bottom of the page is a full list with synopsis and partial cast lists, but I wanted to focus on a few of the titles that stand out. Alphabetical order with omissions of films I don’t care about yet:
Arlen Faber - A single mother and a man out of rehab intrude into the life of a reclusive author, played by Jeff Daniels. He’s my other favorite Jeff, but I also like young actresses Kat Dennings and Olivia Thirlby.
Big Fan -...
The list was announced by festival director Geoff Gilmore, who recently received the first annual Sydney Pollack Award.
At the bottom of the page is a full list with synopsis and partial cast lists, but I wanted to focus on a few of the titles that stand out. Alphabetical order with omissions of films I don’t care about yet:
Arlen Faber - A single mother and a man out of rehab intrude into the life of a reclusive author, played by Jeff Daniels. He’s my other favorite Jeff, but I also like young actresses Kat Dennings and Olivia Thirlby.
Big Fan -...
- 12/4/2008
- by Jeff
- newsinfilm.com
I am heading out the door and have no time to really dig into this, but here is the line-up for next year's 2009 Sundance Film Festival as reported by Variety. Dramatic Competition Adam, directed and written by Max Mayer ("Better Living"), about a slightly dysfunctional man's attempt at a relationship with an alluring new neighbor. Stars Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Peter Gallagher, Amy Irving, Frankie Faison. Amreeka, directed and written by Cherien Dabis, a drama examining the challenges faced by a divorced Palestinian woman and her teenage son upon moving to rural Illinois. With Nisreen Faour, Melkar Muallem. Arlen Faber, directed and written by John Hindman, about the intrusion of two strangers into the life of a famous reclusive author. With Jeff Daniels, Lauren Graham, Lou Pucci, Olivia Thirlby, Kat Dennings. Big Fan, directed and written by Robert Siegel (writer of "The Wrestler"), which hinges on the reaction of a...
- 12/3/2008
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
U.S. Dramatic Competition
This year's 16 films were selected from 1,026 submissions. Each film is a world premiere.
Adam (Director-screenwriter: Max Mayer)
A strange and lyrical love story between a somewhat socially dysfunctional young man and the woman of his dreams. Cast: Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Peter Gallagher, Amy Irving, Frankie Faison.
Amreeka (Director-screenwriter: Cherien Dabis)
When a divorced Palestinian woman and her teenage son move to rural Illinois at the outset of the Iraq war, they find their new lives replete with challenges. Cast: Nisreen Faour, Melkar Muallem, Hiam Abbass, Yussuf Abu-Warda, Alia Shawkat.
Big Fan (Director-screenwriter: Robert Siegel)
The world of a parking garage attendant who happens to be the New York Giants' biggest fan is turned upside down after an altercation with his favorite player. Cast: Patton Oswalt, Michael Rapaport, Kevin Corrigan, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Matt Servitto.
Brief Interviews With Hideous Men (Director-screenwriter: John Krasinski)
When her boyfriend leaves with little explanation,...
This year's 16 films were selected from 1,026 submissions. Each film is a world premiere.
Adam (Director-screenwriter: Max Mayer)
A strange and lyrical love story between a somewhat socially dysfunctional young man and the woman of his dreams. Cast: Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Peter Gallagher, Amy Irving, Frankie Faison.
Amreeka (Director-screenwriter: Cherien Dabis)
When a divorced Palestinian woman and her teenage son move to rural Illinois at the outset of the Iraq war, they find their new lives replete with challenges. Cast: Nisreen Faour, Melkar Muallem, Hiam Abbass, Yussuf Abu-Warda, Alia Shawkat.
Big Fan (Director-screenwriter: Robert Siegel)
The world of a parking garage attendant who happens to be the New York Giants' biggest fan is turned upside down after an altercation with his favorite player. Cast: Patton Oswalt, Michael Rapaport, Kevin Corrigan, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Matt Servitto.
Brief Interviews With Hideous Men (Director-screenwriter: John Krasinski)
When her boyfriend leaves with little explanation,...
- 12/3/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lindsay Lohan is begging a court not to force her to testify in a forthcoming case on videotape - because she fears it will be leaked online.
Lohan has been called to testify in girlfriend Samantha Ronson's malpractice suit against her former lawyer Martin Garbus.
Garbus represented Ronson in a defamation case she lost against blogger Perez Hilton, who had written that Lohan's 2007 arrest for driving under the influence (DUI) and possession of cocaine was the DJ's fault.
According to papers obtained by TMZ.com, the actress filed a motion in Los Angeles on Wednesday (8Oct08) protesting a videotaped deposition, because she fears Garbus will question her "about the details of the drugs allegedly found in the car and of her alleged romantic relationship with Ronson."
The paperwork adds that Lohan is concerned the tape will be leaked online and cause her "unwarranted annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, undue burden and expense."
She is also requesting a private location for the deposition, that there are minimal witnesses present and that any transcript of her words is kept secure.
Ronson's lawsuit against Perez Hilton was thrown out of court last year.
Lohan has been called to testify in girlfriend Samantha Ronson's malpractice suit against her former lawyer Martin Garbus.
Garbus represented Ronson in a defamation case she lost against blogger Perez Hilton, who had written that Lohan's 2007 arrest for driving under the influence (DUI) and possession of cocaine was the DJ's fault.
According to papers obtained by TMZ.com, the actress filed a motion in Los Angeles on Wednesday (8Oct08) protesting a videotaped deposition, because she fears Garbus will question her "about the details of the drugs allegedly found in the car and of her alleged romantic relationship with Ronson."
The paperwork adds that Lohan is concerned the tape will be leaked online and cause her "unwarranted annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, undue burden and expense."
She is also requesting a private location for the deposition, that there are minimal witnesses present and that any transcript of her words is kept secure.
Ronson's lawsuit against Perez Hilton was thrown out of court last year.
- 10/10/2008
- WENN
Celebrity Dj Samantha Ronson is set to relaunch her defamation lawsuit against the celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton.
The sister of British producer Mark Ronson sued Hilton after he accused her of being the owner of cocaine found in Lindsay Lohan's vehicle following the actress' car accident in Los Angeles last May.
The case was thrown out of court in November and Ronson was ordered to pay Hilton almost $85,000 (GBP42,500).
But Ronson is launching a fresh bid to reinstate the lawsuit.
According to documents filed on Wednesday by Ronson's new attorney, David M. Bass, the Dj's previous lawyer, Martin Garbus, had a conflict of interest over legal fees and didn't fight the case to the best of his ability.
The sister of British producer Mark Ronson sued Hilton after he accused her of being the owner of cocaine found in Lindsay Lohan's vehicle following the actress' car accident in Los Angeles last May.
The case was thrown out of court in November and Ronson was ordered to pay Hilton almost $85,000 (GBP42,500).
But Ronson is launching a fresh bid to reinstate the lawsuit.
According to documents filed on Wednesday by Ronson's new attorney, David M. Bass, the Dj's previous lawyer, Martin Garbus, had a conflict of interest over legal fees and didn't fight the case to the best of his ability.
- 4/11/2008
- WENN
Shamed broadcaster Don Imus will no longer be sued for slander and defamation by a member of the Rutgers University Women's Basketball Team. Imus was axed from CBS Radio earlier this year after he called the mostly-black team a racist and sexist epithet on his radio show, Imus In The Morning. Kia Vaughn filed a lawsuit in New York last month alleging slander and defamation of character - but has dropped the case in a bid to pursue a career in journalism. A spokeswoman for Vaughn's attorney, Richard Ancowitz, says, "Her strong commitments have influenced her decision to withdraw the lawsuit at this time," the statement said. Imus' lawyer Martin Garbus confirmed his client had paid no money to Vaughn.
- 9/13/2007
- WENN
NEW YORK -- In the latest promotional event for Michael Moore's health care documentary "Sicko", three 9/11 workers filmed visiting Cuba to get medical treatment held a press conference to protest what they called "the Bush Administration's politically-motivated investigation of them."
No investigation of workers Reggie Cervantes, John Graham or William Maher has been announced, and no letters have been issued to them saying there will be an investigation.
But attorney Martin Garbus cited letters from the U.S Treasury Dept. to Moore and his travel agency saying they were under investigation, along with a May 20 New York Post article in which Treasury spokesperson Molly Millerwise said "getting medical care is generally "not something we'd license.' "
Cervantes, Graham, Maher and Garbus held the conference at the Davis & Gilbert law offices in Manhattan Friday afternoon to discuss the issues around their poor health care situations, which Cuban doctors treated.
In "Sicko", Moore films himself bringing the rescue workers to Cuba on a boat after cruising outside Guantanamo Bay prison.
No investigation of workers Reggie Cervantes, John Graham or William Maher has been announced, and no letters have been issued to them saying there will be an investigation.
But attorney Martin Garbus cited letters from the U.S Treasury Dept. to Moore and his travel agency saying they were under investigation, along with a May 20 New York Post article in which Treasury spokesperson Molly Millerwise said "getting medical care is generally "not something we'd license.' "
Cervantes, Graham, Maher and Garbus held the conference at the Davis & Gilbert law offices in Manhattan Friday afternoon to discuss the issues around their poor health care situations, which Cuban doctors treated.
In "Sicko", Moore films himself bringing the rescue workers to Cuba on a boat after cruising outside Guantanamo Bay prison.
- 6/23/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
BEIJING -- China announced Friday the creation of a new court that will prosecute pirates amid increasing international pressure to protect the intellectual property of industries making everything from movies to medicine. The Judicial Court of Intellectual Property will handle piracy cases nationwide, China Supreme People's Court spokesman Sun Huapu said Friday at a news conference in the capital in the middle of a week of annual meetings of China's parliament, the National People's Congress. "We shall reform and perfect the legal system and work mechanism relating to intellectual property," Sun said. U.S. lawyers here expressed doubt about the new court in the face of the scale of the piracy problem. "The infrastructure to prosecute piracy in China is already in place but has seen limited success thus far. Merely creating another court doesn't mean that it will be successful," said Martin Garbus, a First Amendment lawyer who represents the interests of Al Pacino and Robert Redford.
- 3/11/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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