http://www.shockya.com/news/2010/04/24/actor-michael-avmen-suing-after-being-denied-entry-to-oscars/
Actor Michael Avmen Suing After Being Denied Entry to Oscars
Budding Hollywood actor Michael Avmen is suing the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for $50 million, FOXNews reported on April 22. Avmen is claiming in his lawsuit that he and his wife were on the guest list to attend the Academy Awards on March 7, but when they arrived at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, they were held against their will for six hours.
Avmen said he and his wife were taken to the Academy’s “detention center” and repeatedly questioned about how they were able to get onto the red carpet without tickets. While he is insisting they were confirmed guests, they were accused of lying and trespassing. Therefore, Avmen has listed illegal false imprisonment and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress on the lawsuit.
In the lawsuit, which was filed in Central District Superior Court in California, Avmen also stated he and his wife did indeed receive a tentative invitation to cinema’s biggest night. While he and his publicist never given physical tickets to the event, he still showed up. He believed the Academy would hold their tickets inside the theater, as they did for other actors, including Robert Downey, Jr.
But when they arrived at the Kodak, Avmen said he and his wife were taken by an usher to the hotel’s “resolution desk.” He spoke with the Academy employee with whom he was previously in contact with, but the couple was still questioned. Six hours later, L.A. police arrived and took Avmen and his wife into custody, but no charges were filed against them. While the Academy officials didn’t apologize for the alleged imprisonment, Avmen said the police did.
The actor, who has small roles in the upcoming movies ‘Broken Blade,’ ‘Battle: Los Angeles’ and ‘Straw Dogs,’ also said in a statement that “If I or some ‘REGULAR’ individual acted as the Academy did, we would be in prison right now. I want and will show that these people aren’t above the law.’
Written by: Karen Benardello
Sunday, April 25, 2010
California Court Denies Petition Filed by Roman Polanski’s Victim
http://www.shockya.com/news/2010/04/24/california-court-denies-petition-filed-by-roman-polanskis-victim/
California Court Denies Petition Filed by Roman Polanski’s Victim
The California Second District Court of Appeal denied a petition on April 22 filed by Samantha Geimer, the victim in Roman Polanski’s sex case, FOX News has reported. The court declined to comment on the denial of the petition, which was filed on March 23 to dismiss the case.
Geimer’s attorney, Lawrence Silver, argued that the 2008 changes in the state’s constitution gives her more rights as a victim to influence the case, saying “She is a person who is harmed by the maintenance of the prosecution and she wants it to end. She has not been treated fairly.”
In response, prosecutors said that the change doesn’t grant Geimer or other crime victims the right to end prosecutions. The ruling is unlikely to change anything on the Academy Award-winning director’s status, at least immediately. Presently, he is under house arrest in the Swiss resort of Gstaad.
American authorities are still seeking to extradite Polanski from Switzerland so that he can be sentenced for the one count of unlawful sexual intercourse he pled guilty to in 1978. However, his attorneys are hoping the plea will be overturned all together, as they claim there was serious misconduct by the original judge in the case.
Written by: Karen Benardello
California Court Denies Petition Filed by Roman Polanski’s Victim
The California Second District Court of Appeal denied a petition on April 22 filed by Samantha Geimer, the victim in Roman Polanski’s sex case, FOX News has reported. The court declined to comment on the denial of the petition, which was filed on March 23 to dismiss the case.
Geimer’s attorney, Lawrence Silver, argued that the 2008 changes in the state’s constitution gives her more rights as a victim to influence the case, saying “She is a person who is harmed by the maintenance of the prosecution and she wants it to end. She has not been treated fairly.”
In response, prosecutors said that the change doesn’t grant Geimer or other crime victims the right to end prosecutions. The ruling is unlikely to change anything on the Academy Award-winning director’s status, at least immediately. Presently, he is under house arrest in the Swiss resort of Gstaad.
American authorities are still seeking to extradite Polanski from Switzerland so that he can be sentenced for the one count of unlawful sexual intercourse he pled guilty to in 1978. However, his attorneys are hoping the plea will be overturned all together, as they claim there was serious misconduct by the original judge in the case.
Written by: Karen Benardello
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Cybil Shepherd Son Avoids Jail Time
http://www.shockya.com/news/2010/04/23/cybil-shepherds-son-avoids-jail-time/
Cybil Shepherd Son Avoids Jail Time
Cybil Shepherd’s son, Cyrus Zachariah Shepherd-Oppenheim, has averted jail time and will instead enter a pretrial diversion program. The 22-year-old law student from the University of Pennsylvania appeared in Philadelphia Municipal Court on April 20, People.com is reporting. He will be able to keep his criminal record clean if he follows the rules of the program, which is designed for first time offenders.
Shepherd-Oppenheim was arrested in January at Philadelphia National Airport for allegedly stealing other passengers’ property. He was caught trying to take a Cannon digital camera, leather make-up case, small travel bag and money from fellow passengers as they slept on an overnight flight from San Francisco to Philadelphia.
Another hearing is scheduled for on June 4. The lawyer for Shepherd-Oppenheim, who comes from Sebastopol, California and whose father is the actress’ ex-husband, Bruce Oppenheim, declined to comment on the case outside of the courtroom.
Written by: Karen Benardello
Cybil Shepherd Son Avoids Jail Time
Cybil Shepherd’s son, Cyrus Zachariah Shepherd-Oppenheim, has averted jail time and will instead enter a pretrial diversion program. The 22-year-old law student from the University of Pennsylvania appeared in Philadelphia Municipal Court on April 20, People.com is reporting. He will be able to keep his criminal record clean if he follows the rules of the program, which is designed for first time offenders.
Shepherd-Oppenheim was arrested in January at Philadelphia National Airport for allegedly stealing other passengers’ property. He was caught trying to take a Cannon digital camera, leather make-up case, small travel bag and money from fellow passengers as they slept on an overnight flight from San Francisco to Philadelphia.
Another hearing is scheduled for on June 4. The lawyer for Shepherd-Oppenheim, who comes from Sebastopol, California and whose father is the actress’ ex-husband, Bruce Oppenheim, declined to comment on the case outside of the courtroom.
Written by: Karen Benardello
Heather Locklear Arrested for Hit-and-Run
http://www.shockya.com/news/2010/04/23/heather-locklear-arrested-for-hit-and-run/
Heather Locklear Arrested for Hit-and-Run
Heather Locklear, who made headlines late last year after returning to the role of Amanda Woodward on the CW’s revamped ‘Melrose Place,’ has made headlines again. TMZ reported that the actress was arrested on April 17 for a hit-and-run.
One of Locklear’s neighbors in the gated North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village, California, heard a crash around 4 a.m. While the witness didn’t call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department to report the crash until 7:48 p.m. that night, deputies were still able to find obvious signs that a car went on a curb and struck a “No Parking” sign near the actress’s home.
The deputies determined that the car in question was indeed Locklear’s black 2005 BMW after examining debris left at the scene. When they went to her house, they saw the car had damage consistent with the crash, and then subsequently arrested her for the hit-and-run.
Locklear wasn’t taken into custody however, as the offense is a misdemeanor. However, she may be facing serious trouble, as she was arrested in Santa Barbara in 2008 for driving under the influence of prescription medications. She pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving in that case, and was placed on three years informal probation. A Santa Barbara prosecutor is looking into the recent hit-and-run, as it may be a probation violation.
Written by: Karen Benardello
Heather Locklear Arrested for Hit-and-Run
Heather Locklear, who made headlines late last year after returning to the role of Amanda Woodward on the CW’s revamped ‘Melrose Place,’ has made headlines again. TMZ reported that the actress was arrested on April 17 for a hit-and-run.
One of Locklear’s neighbors in the gated North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village, California, heard a crash around 4 a.m. While the witness didn’t call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department to report the crash until 7:48 p.m. that night, deputies were still able to find obvious signs that a car went on a curb and struck a “No Parking” sign near the actress’s home.
The deputies determined that the car in question was indeed Locklear’s black 2005 BMW after examining debris left at the scene. When they went to her house, they saw the car had damage consistent with the crash, and then subsequently arrested her for the hit-and-run.
Locklear wasn’t taken into custody however, as the offense is a misdemeanor. However, she may be facing serious trouble, as she was arrested in Santa Barbara in 2008 for driving under the influence of prescription medications. She pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving in that case, and was placed on three years informal probation. A Santa Barbara prosecutor is looking into the recent hit-and-run, as it may be a probation violation.
Written by: Karen Benardello
Friday, April 23, 2010
Michael Douglas Asks Judge for Leniency in Son Cameron’s Case
http://www.shockya.com/news/2010/04/21/michael-douglas-asks-judge-for-leniency-in-son-camerons-case/
Michael Douglas Asks Judge for Leniency in Son Cameron’s Case
Before Cameron Douglas son was sentenced on April 20 for dealing methamphetamine and cocaine in New York City, his famous father, Michael, wrote to the judge, asking him for leniency, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
AP added the actor wrote that the Douglas family’s long history of drug abuse sparked his son’s drug habit. Douglas also wrote that while his son is an adult and is “responsible for his own actions,” Cameron’s substance abuse problems and drug dealing were a result of “genes, family and peer pressure.” Douglas’s half-brother Eric died in 2004 from a drug overdose.
Douglas also hinted that his son’s drug problems stemmed from coming from a privileged family, as his grandfather, Kirk, is also an actor. He wrote that “I have some idea of the pressure of finding your own identity with a famous father. I’m not sure I can comprehend it with two generations to deal with.”
The 31-year-old Cameron was arrested July 28 of last year at the Hotel Gansevoort in Manhattan as part of a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation. He reportedly dealt large amounts of meth and cocaine while there. He pled guilty in January, and told the judge that he first started dealing when a contact asked him for drugs in 2006. After that, Cameron said he began dealing on a regular basis.
Cameron is currently in a Manhattan federal jail, and is also supported by his grandfather Kirk, stepmother Catherine Zeta-Jones and NBA executive Pat Riley. Ninety-three-year-old Kirk asked the judge to spare his grandson a lengthy sentence, as he hopes to see him turn his life around while he’s still alive. Zeta-Jones also wrote that while Cameron’s heroin addition has taken over his life in recent years, he has remained a ‘caring, considerate, worthy human being.” However, she didn’t argue that he shouldn’t pay for his crimes.
The charges carried a minimum sentence of 10 years, but Cameron’s lawyers insist he is committed to his sobriety. They urged the judge to only give him a maximum three-and-a-half year sentence.
Written by: Karen Benardello
Michael Douglas Asks Judge for Leniency in Son Cameron’s Case
Before Cameron Douglas son was sentenced on April 20 for dealing methamphetamine and cocaine in New York City, his famous father, Michael, wrote to the judge, asking him for leniency, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
AP added the actor wrote that the Douglas family’s long history of drug abuse sparked his son’s drug habit. Douglas also wrote that while his son is an adult and is “responsible for his own actions,” Cameron’s substance abuse problems and drug dealing were a result of “genes, family and peer pressure.” Douglas’s half-brother Eric died in 2004 from a drug overdose.
Douglas also hinted that his son’s drug problems stemmed from coming from a privileged family, as his grandfather, Kirk, is also an actor. He wrote that “I have some idea of the pressure of finding your own identity with a famous father. I’m not sure I can comprehend it with two generations to deal with.”
The 31-year-old Cameron was arrested July 28 of last year at the Hotel Gansevoort in Manhattan as part of a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation. He reportedly dealt large amounts of meth and cocaine while there. He pled guilty in January, and told the judge that he first started dealing when a contact asked him for drugs in 2006. After that, Cameron said he began dealing on a regular basis.
Cameron is currently in a Manhattan federal jail, and is also supported by his grandfather Kirk, stepmother Catherine Zeta-Jones and NBA executive Pat Riley. Ninety-three-year-old Kirk asked the judge to spare his grandson a lengthy sentence, as he hopes to see him turn his life around while he’s still alive. Zeta-Jones also wrote that while Cameron’s heroin addition has taken over his life in recent years, he has remained a ‘caring, considerate, worthy human being.” However, she didn’t argue that he shouldn’t pay for his crimes.
The charges carried a minimum sentence of 10 years, but Cameron’s lawyers insist he is committed to his sobriety. They urged the judge to only give him a maximum three-and-a-half year sentence.
Written by: Karen Benardello
Mel Gibson, Oksana Grigorieva Split
4/21/10 Shockya.com blog
http://www.shockya.com/news/2010/04/21/mel-gibson-oksana-grigorieva-split/
Mel Gibson, Oksana Grigorieva Split
The Russian model, musician and mother of Mel Gibson’s youngest child, Oksana Grigorieva, has confirmed her split with the controversial actor and director. During a press conference on April 19 in Moscow to announce a charity concert, Grigorieva appeared in front of cameras for the first time since the breakup and told reporters that “I can tell you that we have split up, suddenly and recently. Unfortunately, I cannot give you the reason. But you will find out everything quite soon.”
US Magazine reported that the Russian piano player also said that the breakup was mutual, and the two will raise their 5-month-old daughter Lucia together. At the time of the press conference, Grigorieva said Lucia was at her Los Angeles home with her mother.
Their relationship stirred controversy last year when it first became public. When it first made headlines, Gibson’s wife Robyn, who he was married to for nearly 30 years, filed for divorce in April. A month later, Gibson and Grigorieva announced they were expecting a child and were engaged, although a wedding date was never publicly revealed.
Lucia joins Gibson’s seven children with Robyn. Grigorieva also has a son, 13-year-old Alexander, with former James Bond star Timothy Dalton.
Written by: Karen Benardello
http://www.shockya.com/news/2010/04/21/mel-gibson-oksana-grigorieva-split/
Mel Gibson, Oksana Grigorieva Split
The Russian model, musician and mother of Mel Gibson’s youngest child, Oksana Grigorieva, has confirmed her split with the controversial actor and director. During a press conference on April 19 in Moscow to announce a charity concert, Grigorieva appeared in front of cameras for the first time since the breakup and told reporters that “I can tell you that we have split up, suddenly and recently. Unfortunately, I cannot give you the reason. But you will find out everything quite soon.”
US Magazine reported that the Russian piano player also said that the breakup was mutual, and the two will raise their 5-month-old daughter Lucia together. At the time of the press conference, Grigorieva said Lucia was at her Los Angeles home with her mother.
Their relationship stirred controversy last year when it first became public. When it first made headlines, Gibson’s wife Robyn, who he was married to for nearly 30 years, filed for divorce in April. A month later, Gibson and Grigorieva announced they were expecting a child and were engaged, although a wedding date was never publicly revealed.
Lucia joins Gibson’s seven children with Robyn. Grigorieva also has a son, 13-year-old Alexander, with former James Bond star Timothy Dalton.
Written by: Karen Benardello
Thursday, April 22, 2010
'Ondine' Movie Review
Ondine Movie Review
Here's the link to my 'Ondine' Movie Review, starring Colin Farrell, on the Shockya.com website:
http://www.shockya.com/news/2010/04/21/ondine-movie-review/
Here's the link to my 'Ondine' Movie Review, starring Colin Farrell, on the Shockya.com website:
http://www.shockya.com/news/2010/04/21/ondine-movie-review/
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