

By H. Leighton Steward
Fantasy replaces reality in Obama's green economy

The days of "no-drama Obama" are waning, and hopeful Republicans who entertain the notion that Hollywood has lost its love for President Obama, take heed.
While Harvey Weinstein has no plans to roar like the MGM lion before each of his movies, the Oscar-winning producer wants to turn the film studio bearing his family's name into a recognizable brand. His wish list includes branding on par with Facebook's F, Twitter's T and Apple's, well, apple.
Harvey Weinstein wants to turn the film studio bearing his family's name into a recognizable brand.

The White House on Thursday defended President Obama's fundraising jaunt to Manhattan, where he headlined a pair of exclusive events for high-dollar donors after a visit to an advanced battery plant in Michigan.
Once again, the Halston fashion brand has cleaned house, severing ties with Sarah Jessica Parker, who was creative director and president of the label's contemporary line, as well as with runway collection designer Marios Schwab and investor Harvey Weinstein.
A California man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to hack into computer servers and steal email addresses and personal information from iPad users.

In fashion circles and beyond _ in the worlds of business, politics and entertainment _ she's just Anna, a worthy peer to Oprah and Martha.

The Thai film "Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives" was named best picture at the fifth Asian Film Awards on Monday in a ceremony overshadowed by the absence of Japanese filmmakers who stayed home in the wake of a deadly earthquake and tsunami.

Without the colossus "Avatar" in the mix, the Weinstein brothers resumed weaving their spell over the Oscar awards season and spinning critical acclaim into box office gold.

"The King's Speech" was crowned best picture Sunday at an Academy Awards ceremony as precise as a state coronation. The monarchy drama won an expected four Oscars, and predictable favorites claimed acting honors.

An Arkansas man accused of stealing more than 100,000 e-mail addresses of Apple iPad users last year was released on bail Monday and will be prohibited from using the Internet except for work _ which in his case means a job as a computer consultant.
The new chief executive of Miramax Films said Thursday that he'll focus primarily on boosting sales of the 700-movie library of Oscar winners and other classics while looking for partners to make new films.
Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling's marital drama "Blue Valentine" on Wednesday won a rare appeal of its adults-only NC-17 rating and will go into theaters with an R rating instead.
An investigation born of a fiery plane crash at a small New Jersey airport nearly six years ago culminated Monday in convictions for two brothers accused of skirting safety regulations as they ran a charter jet company that catered to the rich and famous.

The Walt Disney Co. said Friday that it agreed to sell its Miramax Films to an investor group for about $660 million, ending a 17-year association with the studio and a six-month bidding process.
Weinstein says that while the lion is a powerful symbol, he's not seeking that type of message.
"I wanted to be that 23-year old boy and spend a week with Marilyn Monroe and go skinny-dipping," Weinstein said Wednesday. "Haven't we all dreamed of being with someone that gorgeous?"

By Patrice Hill - The Washington Times
Nicholas Rastenis has been through the wringer.

By Tim Devaney - The Washington Times
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich hinted Sunday that if rival Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney ...

By Manuel Valdes - Associated Press
Three skiers were killed Sunday when an avalanche swept them about a quarter-mile down an ...