Child 44

MPAA Rating: R for violence, some disturbing images, language and a scene of sexuality.
Run Time: 137 Minutes
My Rating: 1/5
So today my wife and I saw Summit Entertainment's Child 44 starring Tom Hardy (Warrior), Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight Trilogy), and Noomi Rapace (Promethus).  The film is set during the Stalin-era of the Soviet Union.  It tells the story of a pro-Stalin soldier who decides to investigate a series of child murders in a country where they deny that such a person could exist. With no one by his side except for his wife and constant backlash from his friends, he faces exile and persecution in order to capture a murderer that no one believes exists.
So personally I did not like this film.  It was one of the biggest waste of 2 hours of my life.  When I saw the trailer for this film it looked very promising.  It looked very thrilling and intense, unfortunately that was not the case.  The film was not what it was portrayed to be and really the hunt for the murderer began when there was only 30 minutes left.  With that being said, the first half of the film was a complete waste.  It was so confusing that by the end of the film I still don't even know what exactly happened.  There were so many plot points and story lines that were not necessary that it made the whole film unbearable.  These pointless story lines also made the film last way longer than it should have been.  If the film had stuck to the premise in the trailer it probably would have been bearable and maybe even enjoyable, but as it drifted away from that premise, so did my attention.
However though I hated this film, I do have to give credit where credit is due.  Tom Hardy does give quite an incredible performance.  He is the only good thing about this film and really the only reason why I didn't stand up and walk out of this film.
Well as if you couldn't tell, this is definitely not a film that I would watch again.  I would recommend this film to no one because I feel like no one should have to sit through 2 hours of boredom.  I hate to say this, but there is a reason why this film lost so many showtimes from last week (opening weekend) to this week.  I wouldn't be surprised if this film isn't in theaters come next week or the week after.  Yes, it is that bad.  My recommendation is please don't see this film and waste your time and your money!!!

Thanks again for reading!!  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!!

Little Boy

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some mature thematic material and violence.
Run Time: 100 Minutes
My Rating: 2.5/5
So today I saw Open Road Films' Little Boy starring Kevin James (CBS' King of Queens), David Henrie (Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place), Emily Watson (War Horse), Michael Rapaport (Hitch), Tom Wilkinson (Selma), and Jakob Salvati (ABC's Red Widow).  The film tells the story of Pepper Flynt Busbee, a young, little boy whose life gets turned upside-down when his dad is enlisted into the army during World War II.  As his dad is off fighting in the war, Pepper is faced with his own war when he is told that if he has enough faith he can bring his father home. While the methods that Pepper takes to bring his father home don't quite resonate well with everyone in his town, he has to show that even the unlikeliest of friends and having the faith of a mustard seed, can truly bring about miracles.
So, let me be the first to say, this was not the kind of show that I was expecting.  In the trailers it portrayed the film to be more about the kid trying to bring his father home, and though it does touch upon that, the film is more about how a family struggles when their loved one is at war.  The film also shows how in order to gain faith, we need to help others and do things that may be difficult for us, but are things that God would want us to do.  It is these values and these lessons that makes this film intriguing.  What the film wants to teach, it does well.  However, when it deviates from these teachings, that is where the film fails.  The thing that holds the film all together though is the young Jakob Salvati.  He carries a heavy burden in portraying Pepper Flynt Busbee, and he carries that burden perfectly.  He is the only reason why I continued watching this film.  He is absolutely amazing in the role and it it weren't for him, the film would fall apart pretty quickly.
Though Jakob Salvati is amazing in the film and the film's messages are inspiring, the film still has its flaws.  One of them being was the pace of the film.  It honestly felt like I was in the theater forever. For a film being just over an hour and a half, it sure felt like it was over two.  Another flaw that the film had was that it wasn't the story that was being represented during the trailers.  This was not the film that I was expecting, Though the film wasn't bad, it just was not what I was expecting.
Overall, the film was good, but not great.  I had a lot higher expectations for this film.  With that being said, if you like inspirational films, you will like this film.  It does teach some pretty powerful lessons and in the center of it has a lot of heart.  Like I said before Jakob Salvati gives a fantastic performance and that is reason enough to see it.  However, this film is not for everyone.

Thanks again for reading!! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2

MPAA Rating: PG for some violence
Run Time: 94 Minutes
My Rating: 2.5/5
So tonight my wife and I saw Sony Pictures' and Happy Madison Productions' Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 the sequel to the 2009 hit Paul Blart: Mall Cop.  The film sees the return of Kevin James (CBS' King of Queens) and Raini Rodriguez (Disney Channel's Austin and Ally) and brings in the talent of David Henrie (Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place) and Neal McDonough (USA's Suits).  The film picks up six years after the events of the previous film and Paul Blart is still keeping the mall he loves safe.  After all of his hard work, he is invited to Las Vegas for a Security Guard Convention.  However once he arrives he and his daughter find themselves in the line of duty when they discover that someone is trying to steal all the valuable artwork from the hotel.  With that being said, with the odds stacked against him and through his zany antics and persistence Paul Blart may just be the only guy who is capable of saving his daughter and the hotel.
So in all reality, if you liked the first movie, you will like this film.  Also, if you did not like the first film, you will once again not like this film.  I actually thought the first film was funny and in turn liked this film.  Now I am not saying that this is comedic genius, but the film knows its target audience and gives them quite an enjoyable movie.  Though there were parts that I thought were pretty dumb and not funny whatsoever, Kevin James has a specific type of humor that I love.  Most people get turned off by his humor, but for some reason I really enjoy it.  So if you find Kevin James funny (including all the fat jokes), then you will actually find this film quite entertaining.  However, though I liked the humor in this film, probably the best part of this film is the heart at the center of it. Throughout the film Paul Blart must deal with the fact that his daughter is growing up and leaving to go to college.  This finds him worried about being alone.  This brings a lot of emotion and heart to the film because it is something that parents can relate to.  I wasn't expecting this film to have this much heart going in, but it was quite a pleasant surprise while I was watching the film.
Like I said, though the film was funny and had its moments, there were just some parts where I thought it was stupid and not necessary.  Then again they had to do something to make the film at least an hour and a half.
Overall, this film was good.  It definitely isn't for everyone, but kids will absolutely love it.  Though most adults will find it boring, they will be able to empathize with what Paul Blart is experiencing. This is a film that most people didn't ask for, but overall it holds its head high and makes the most of what it is.  Kevin James gives a great performance and really seems to be in his element.  If you have kids or enjoyed the first film, then I definitely would recommend you see this film, however if you don't have kids or did not like the first film, then you should probably stay away.

Thanks again for reading!! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!

"Frozen" Lawsuit

Hey everyone, so if you know me, then you know that I am a HUGE Disney fan.  I can quote pretty much every Disney movie and could probably walk around Disneyland and Disney World blindfolded.  Maybe I should be embarrassed by that, but I think I am more proud about it than anything.  It is truly a passion of mine and will be until the day I die.  With that being said, I was introduced to an article today about some legal issues that Disney is facing right now.
Unless you have lived under a rock for the past year and a half, it is pretty safe to say that you have either seen or heard of Disney's billion dollar animated movie Frozen.  This film has won many film awards and many music awards for its #1 song "Let It Go." Well, in March 2014, Disney was sued by Kelly Wilson because she believes that the Frozen trailer is significantly similar to her short animated film "The Snowman." She is claiming copyright infringement and for those of you who don't know the standard of of showing similarity is enormously high.  However after over a year of litigation, Disney has yet to get the case dismissed.  If you want to read the full article, here is the link.
Personally, I have watched the short film and the trailer in question and I can see the similarities, but I don't feel like it is a direct Copyright infringement for a number of reasons.  Yes, there are some very great similarities, but there are some obvious differences that you can see as well. I do believe that Disney should win this case, but it will be interesting to see what happens in the coming months. So with all of this being said, I have posted the links to both "The Snowman" and the "Frozen" trailer and I would love to hear what you think.  Do you think that the two are substantially similar or do you think Disney should win.  Please comment below or on one of the many links that I will be posting either on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn and I will post the results on my Facebook page next Monday!!!

The Snowman

Frozen Trailer

Thanks again for reading!!! I can't wait to hear your thoughts!!

Interview with Stephen Mason: What To Know When Starting Your Own Business (or Making Your Own Film)

Hey everyone, so this week I had the amazing opportunity to have an interview with Stephen Mason. Stephen Mason is an intellectual property lawyer who specializes in patent application preparation for major corporations as well as startup companies.  He received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University and his Juris Doctorate degree from Baylor University.  He now works at Meyertons, Hood, Kivlin, Kowert, & Goetzel in Austin, TX where he focuses a good amount of time helping startup companies expand.  I participated in this interview and coauthored it with my good friend Hoa Nguyen from Law Girl International.
So most of you reading this will probably wonder how this relates to Film Law.  Though Stephen Mason deals mainly with helping companies get patents, his advice is valuable to all areas of law including film.  For you filmmakers that want to know how to start your own film and need advice from a lawyer and need funding, this advice will definitely help you when you begin.  Also his advice will show you just how hard you have to work in order to create and produce your own film.
 I hope you enjoy this interview and that you learn something from it.  Enjoy!!!!

Q:  What are the differences between representing Fortune 500 Companies and representing startup companies?
A: The primary difference between representing Fortune 500 companies and representing startups is that when a Fortune 500 company rings your phone, the call is coming from another lawyer, and because the call is from another lawyer, he/she packages the problem and usually has a specific legal solution in mind. He/she is usually calling you to ask you to perform a specific legal task.  However, when a startup company calls you, they call you with a business problem and usually limited understanding of the potential legal solutions. They’re asking you, very frequently, to figure out what to do, rather than just to perform a specific task. Representing startups takes a little bit more perspective and creativity, and it can be a lot more inclusive as an approach to problem solving.

Q: What do you enjoy most about representing startup companies?
A: The most enjoyable thing is the sense of drive that the people in startups exhibit. Generally, with entrepreneurs who come to you for patent work, their companies are their lives. These are people who have mortgaged their houses, who are living on “ramen noodles” to see their startups grow. There is a tremendous and implacable urgency in these folks. It is very refreshing. It is great to see people who are just militantly committed to their work. It’s inspiring.

Q: When was the last time you represented a startup company?
A: This morning. It’s an on-going part of my work. About half of my docket is representing startup; and about half of my docket is representing very large enterprises.

Q: When did you start representing startup companies? Can you tell us your story?
A: My first exposure to a technology startup was in 2006. It was a digital advertising company that came to me about an intellectual property question. As the relationship grew, I discovered that I was very much entranced by the drive of these people. They had a lot of work to do as their company was growing, and they subsequently hired me to help on an in-house.
When I came back from that experience and went back into a law firm, I decided that I wanted new ventures to continue to be part of my practice, to have an exposure to these disruptively innovative companies, to see things before they were mass marketed, and to be exposed to companies that were a little bit “rough around the edges”.

Q: You have a technical background, is it something that has really helped you with your daily practice?
A: Yes, and immensely. My engineering background helps in two ways. The first way that it helps is that when a company deals with technology, the fact that I used to make a living programming computers in the telecommunications space gives me the ability to comprehend what they are doing at a very low level. The second way that it helps is that it gives me what I think is enhanced credibility. The inventors with whom I deal with know that I have been in their shoes by doing the same sort of work that they are doing. Credibility is critical. If you want to show someboby that you care about them personally or on a business level, you do that by learning what is important to them and adapting the work you do for them to the priority that they feel and the needs that they express.

Q: What are some problems that startup companies do not think about when starting their businesses?
A: Generally, every problem seems simple until you get into the hard work of solving it. That is true whether you are running a technology company or a grocery store. The greatest problem is the unknown “unknown.” When you are innovating, you are going into a place where there is no map. When there is no map, you will run into obstacles that you cannot anticipate. That is the excitement, but that is also the difficulty.

Q: What do you do to help them?
A: I’m principally dealing with patent cases these days. Most of my practice is focused on helping clients to develop patent assets and to assert the rights granted by those patent assets to protect their markets. If you are running a small company that develops this revolutionary idea, I’m in the business of helping you to prevent others from copying that innovation.

Q: What are some mistakes that the startup companies usually make?
A: The two biggest mistakes that I commonly see are: (1)  having the wrong team in place and (2) not having enough of a sense of what it is going to cost and how long it is going to take. On the first mistake, if you have a team of three programmers and no marketing guys, you’ve got a problem. It is the easiest time in history to get a product off the ground. That’s not the hard part. The hard part in the 21st century is to get the market’s attention. You need marketing talent for that. If your company is three engineers who don’t know how to market, you are not much better off than if you have three marketing guys who don’t know how to code. If you are starting your company, you have to find people with skills that complement your own. You have to figure out what things you can learn, and what things you need to bring people in for.
In addition, the second problem that I see on a recurring basis is capital shortfall. People don’t understand how long it is going to take and how much it is going to cost to get the company off the ground and get it to revenue. That first dollar in the door is a very powerful thing, but often it takes longer than you expect to both get a product up on the web and drive traffic to it. What I generally find is that companies underestimate how long they are going to lose money until they start making money.

Q: How long does it take for a company to make money?
A: Frequently, it takes years. There are various reasons for this. One is getting  attention from the market. Another is that you may have solved a problem that people don’t find as important as you think it is. You have to pivot sometimes and be very adaptable and learn what are your customers’ basic needs and wants. That takes time.

Q: A lot of startup companies do not have enough capital to pay an attorney’s fee. How do you deal with that?
A: It is a tricky thing. One of the things I’ve found is that investors are very interested in patents. Investors are interested in knowing that they will own the things for which they have paid. They are interested in a patent right because that is a right that excludes others from making the invention. Then you have a chicken-and-egg problem. Investors will not invest without a patent. But a patent costs money. One of the things that I found that startup companies can do at zero cost that can help to attract investors’ attention and to convince investors that their interests is secured is to file a provisional patent application with the United States Patent & Trademark Organization (USPTO). They can do this themselves, without attorney intervention.  The result may not be perfect, but even if it is terrible, it is better than nothing. The provisional application sends a signal to investors that the owners of the company are interested in protecting the things that they are asking people to fund.  Our system of provisional applications is one of the great beauties of the U.S. patent ecosystem.

Q: How do startup companies get billed? How do you get compensation for your services?
A: Typically, I ask to be paid upfront. Very frequently, I am brought in by investors or funding parties who have taken an interest in the company or are taking interest in a company conditional on the work that I do. I tend to work for these guys a little later in the process. Usually 6-10 months after filing the provisional application.

Q: What advice would you give to attorneys who want to represent startup companies?
A: The legal issues faced by startup are not unique. What is unique to the startup ecosystem is that you have to be more attuned to defining the problem that the company faces, to prioritizing the problem, and to seeking solutions to the most pressing problems in the most cost efficient ways.

Q: What advice do you give young attorneys with respect to finding clients, particularly to attorneys who do not know people who are starting companies?
A: In any town of any size in America these days, there are various forums that are dedicated to helping to incubate early-stage companies. There may be a coworking space. You can rent space there and work there during a couple days each week to meet entrepreneurs. You can go to high-tech happy hours. You can go to entrepreneurs’ teaching events where they teach entrepreneurs how to write business plans. You have to do these things consistently to be ‘present’ in the community. You have to insert yourself into environments where services are being provided to entrepreneurs to help them start their businesses. The second thing you should do is that sometimes you have to give legal advice for free.  These guys have legal problems that need to be solved. At the same time, they have very basic needs in terms of explaining how the legal system works, which you can easily address in a low cost way.

Thanks again for reading!!! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!

True Story

MPAA Rating: R for language and some disturbing material
Run Time: 100 Minutes
My Rating: 3/5
So tonight my wife and I saw Fox Searchlight Pictures' True Story starring Jonah Hill (22 Jump Street), James Franco (127 Hours), and Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything).  The film tells the true story of Michael Finkel (Jonah Hill), a journalist, who sees his career falling to pieces after his latest story was ridiculed for inaccuracies.  Just when he thought his career was over, he finds out that a person on the FBI's Most Wanted list, Christian Longo (James Franco), was captured after using Michael's name as an alias for the past several weeks.  Eventually the two meet and form an inseparable relationship as Christian prepares for trial.  During their sessions, Michael trades journalism tips for information on Christian's horrific acts of murdering his family.  As the two help each other in their respective aspects, it isn't until the end when Michael finally finds out the true story of what really happened.
So personally, I thought that this film was very interesting and quite intriguing.  Ever since I heard about this film when it premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival I have wanted to see it.  I am a huge fan of both Jonah Hill and James Franco and so when heard that they were doing a film together I was really excited.  Though they are both known for their comedies, I personally believe that they give their greatest performances in more serious roles.  Each has been nominated for Oscars for their dramatic performances and personally I feel like this one should be no different.  Both of these actors give incredible performances and the chemistry that have makes the film that much better.  Along with their excellent performances, the film also benefits from having an intriguing story of how being so fixated on someone can lead to an even more torturous existence than before.
Though I thought the film was great, there were still things about the film that annoyed me.  One of the big things was that the film moved at a very slow pace.  Thankfully, the film is under two hours so it wasn't completely terrible.  The other thing that bothered me in the film was every scene that didn't involve Jonah Hill and James Franco interacting.  The movie could have been a two hour long conversation between the two actors and I would have been intrigued.  Though there was one scene between James Franco and Felicity Jones that was excellent, the rest of the scenes that didn't involve Jonah Hill and James Franco felt forced.
Overall, this film was intriguing and very good.  I actually would recommend this film and watch this film again.  Though it wasn't as amazing as I thought it was going to be, it was still pretty great to see Jonah Hill and James Franco at their very best.  In conclusion, if you are a fan of either of these actors or a fan of True Crime, you will love this film and definitely should see it.

Thanks again for reading!! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!

Unfriended

MPAA Rating: R for violent content, pervasive language, some sexuality, and drug and alcohol use - all involving teens.
Run Time: 82 Minutes
My Rating: 4/5
So today I saw Universal Pictures' and Blumhouse Productions' Unfriended starring Shelley Hennig (Days of Our Lives), Will Peltz (Paranoia), and Renee Olstead (ABC Family's The Secret Life of an American Teenager).  The film tells the terrifying story of six high school friends, who while video-chatting one night, receive a Skype message from one of their classmates who killed herself exactly one year ago that night.  What seems like just a prank, turns into a horrific nightmare as the group of teens are forced to face their inner-demons.  Though none of them are as clean as what they seem to be and as this supernatural demon keeps taunting them, they soon realize that if they don't start playing by the rules they could all wind-up dead before dawn.
So as everyone knows, I am a huge fan of horror.  With that being said, when I first saw the trailer for this film I was ecstatic.  I thought it was very innovative and a great direction for genre.  So, after watching the film, it was just as innovative and just as entertaining as I thought it would be.  The most unique thing about the film is the way that it is filmed.  The entire time you are watching this film, you are looking at a girl's laptop screen.  Everything that she is doing, you can see.  Everything that she types, you can see.  The thing that I really liked about it was that when she is Skyping with her friends, there are multiple screens that you can watch.  You could literally watch this film 6 different times and see the story in a a different point of view each time.  Obviously it all leads to the same conclusion, but it is still a great technique used by the filmmakers.  Another thing that I loved about this film is that each of the materials used in the film are actually materials that everyone uses in daily life.  Unlike most films who don't bother obtaining rights to use certain things and end up making up their own social media outlets, this film actually took the time to obtain the rights to use the social media outlets that we use; Facebook, Skype, Youtube, Google Chrome and Instant Messaging (IM) are just as important characters in this film as the actors.  After watching this film it will definitely make you a little hesitant to check your News Feed on Facebook.  This film has definitely stuck with me since I have watched it and personally, that is why I absolutely loved this film.
Though I thought that this was a very innovative way to tell the story, it definitely had its difficulties. For me the biggest thing that bothered me about the entire film was that by the end of it I had a headache.  Just like when I stare at a computer screen for too long and I get a headache, the same thing happened to me in this film.  Though it was annoying that I got a headache, that still didn't stop me from enjoying this film
Overall, I thought the film was excellent.  I would definitely see this film again.  This is definitely one that horror fans will like.  Though the film doesn't have major scares, there is definitely a lot of suspense.  This probably won't be a film that will win people over to the genre, but I definitely would recommend people to see this film just to see the great innovation in filmmaking.  Overall, this is a great addition to the horror genre and film in general.

Thanks again for reading!! If you have any questions, comments or ideas just let me know!!!!

The Age of Adaline

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for a suggestive comment
Run Time: 110 Minutes
My Rating: 3.5/5
So tonight my wife and I were invited to see a special sneak preview of Liongate's The Age of Adaline starring Blake Lively (CW's Gossip Girl), Michael Huisman (Wild), Harrison Ford (Ender's Game), and Ellen Burstyn (Interstellar).  The film follows the story of Adaline Bowman, a 29 year old woman who after a terrible car accident has miraculously stayed 29 years of age for the past eight decades.  Due to this miracle, Adaline has had to live in solitude, not getting close to anyone because of fear that they might reveal her secret.  However when she meets Ellis Jones and falls in love her passion for life begins to spark again. Though everything that she has tried to keep secret may begin to unfold during a weekend at his parents house, which causes Adaline to make a decision that may change her long life forever.
Ok, so personally, when I saw the trailer for this film I had absolutely no desire to see it.  I thought it looked stupid and boring.  I was planning on skipping this film altogether. However, when I was invited to see this free screening of the film I figured as long as it was free I might as well give it a shot.  Now after seeing the film, I am quite glad I did.  This film completely surprised me and actually was quite entertaining from beginning to end.  This film is filled with so much emotion and Blake Lively's acting is quite stunning.  Probably the most surprising part for me was how much I cared and felt for Adaline.  Seeing her live her life in solitude was sad, but when she actually found love, I can't believe how much I was rooting for her.  This all should be attributed to Blake Lively's incredible performance.  She truly is amazing in this role and it is something completely different than what you are used to seeing her in.  She is very sophisticated and compelling that I honestly believe that she is the reason why I and all the audience members were so captivated in the film.  Honestly, I can't remember a film where the audience was so invested in a film that they actually yelled out and talked to to the screen.  Though at times it was annoying, it just shows how intense and intriguing this film truly is.
Though I was captivated by the film, probably the thing I did not like the most about this film was the narrator.  I understand his purpose in the film, he just kind of annoyed me.  There were some things that he was saying that I thought were not necessary and somethings that I truly didn't care about.  He did serve a purpose in explaining some things, but I just think that they could have cut his lines in half and I still would have been satisfied.
Overall, I thought that the film was good.  Is it the greatest film that you will see this year? Definitely not, but it is quite entertaining.  This is definitely a film that is not for everyone.  Guys that means you.  Though it does have its moments, this is a pure chick-flick and one that girls will love.  It does have an intriguing story and like I said before, it was a lot better than what I was expecting.  I had no intention of liking this film, but fortunately I did.  This is one that I would recommend seeing, but this one is mainly for women.

Understanding Legal Issues in Film Part 3: During Fliming

Disclaimer
I am a law student and therefore have no legal right to provide actual legal advice.  With that being said, I know that the process of making a film, especially for young, new filmmakers, can be daunting.  I mean other than focusing on what to actually film, the legal process for filmmakers is quite extensive.  Due to this, I wish to help you young filmmakers understand what legal issues you will be facing during your creative process.  This is the third of four articles that I will provide regarding these issues.  The first one dealt with legal issues while drafting the script, the second one dealt with legal issues after the writing process but before filming, this third dealing with legal issues during the filming process, and finally the fourth one dealing with the legal issues after filming is completed.  I hope that you enjoy and find this helpful.  Once again before I begin, this should not be considered legal advice, but should be issues that you should discuss with a licensed lawyer.

Hey y'all, sorry it has taken so long to finally write my next installment in my Understanding Legal Issues in Film Series.  This is part 3 in the series and will talk about what legal issues you young filmmakers will face during the filming process.  So I hope you enjoy and find this helpful.

Trademarks
Just like Copyrights and Contracts were such huge issues before filming, the issue of Trademarks is the biggest issue that you will face while filming.  A lot of filmmakers will try to get money for their films through product placement.  This means that companies will pay you to put their logos and products in your film.  This is an excellent way to earn more money for your film and to gain more support for your film.
With that being said, if you are planning on using certain products in your film, you have to get permission to use those products.  Also, if you don't plan on using specific products, names or business logos, but intend to make use your own logos, names or products, you will have to make sure that they do not resemble actual products, names, or logos.  You are able to discover what has a trademark and what is registered by contacting the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Publicity/Privacy Releases from All Individuals
Even if your film is fictional, you must makes sure that no names, faces,or likenesses that could identify any recognizable living person, unless you obtain written releases from those individuals. This is very similar to Trademarks.  However, with that being said, if the individual is depicted as someone part of a crowd, the release is unnecessary.  In respect to those that are deceased, it would be wise (unless advised otherwise by your lawyer) to get a release from heirs and family members of the deceased.  If you do not do this, you may be faced with a defamation lawsuit.  In conclusion, it is a lot better to be safe than sorry.
Though it is important to know that you need to get releases, it is also important to know what releases should entail.  First they should give the filmmaker the right to edit the product in ways that the filmmaker deems appropriate.  Second, they should include an express waiver of defamation, libel, and waiver of privacy claims.  Make sure that if you are dealing with minors, you need to make sure that it is legally binding and it is best to have parental permission.  Once again these are things that you attorney should be aware of.

Other Releases
Other releases that you should be aware about are locations and materials used on set.  For locations, if you want to a specific building such as a business or personal property, you must get a release from the owners.  If it is a publicly owned area, you do not have to get a release, but you must have the right to be there.  As for materials on the set, if you are using a certain set and there paintings on the walls or other objects (including wallpaper decor) you must get a release and maybe even the copyrights to use them.  This could get very tedious, but it will definitely be worth it when you are not being sued.

Music
This is another big issue that you will face when making a film.  Like when drafting the script and you needed to obtain copyrights to ideas of others, you also need to get the licenses and copyrights to the music that you use in your film.  This will probably be the most difficult part of your filmmaking process because most of them are owned by multiple entities including but not limited to artists, publishing companies, and record companies.  It is important to note, that you will need to get rights to pre-recorded music as well.  Some music clearance companies are Total Clearance 415-389-1531, Clearance Consultants 310-441-2600, and The Permissions Group 847-635-6550.

Film/Audio Clips
Finally, the last legal issue that you will probably face while filming your movie is the use film and audio clips.  Not only will you have to get a license to use these clips, but you will also need to get an authorized license from all the people involved in producing that clip.  This could be actors and the literary rights.  Also if there is music in the clip, you will need to get the copyrights for that music as well.  It is also important to note that by using a clip those involved may be able to obtain residual payments for re-use which could be costly.

In conclusion, probably the best advice that I can give you is that if you cannot get a release for any of the above mentioned items, DO NOT use the item in your film.  It is not worth it.  The best thing for your film is to reduce the chance of a lawsuit.  I hope that you found this helpful.  I know that there is a lot of stuff in this section, but all of it is very important.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I am more than willing to answer any of them.  Also for more information you can contact my friend, The IP Doctor.

The Longest Ride

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some sexuality, partial nudity, and some war and sports action.
Run Time: 139 Minutes
My Rating: 3.5/5
So tonight for our anniversary, my wife and I saw The Longest Ride, the latest in the series of Nicholas Sparks' adaptions.  The film stars Britt Robertson (Dan in Real Life), Scott Eastwood (Fury), Alan Alda (NBC's The Blacklist), Jack Huston (HBO's Boardwalk Empire), and Oona Chaplin (HBO's Game of Thrones).  The film tells the epic love story of Luke and Sophia. Luke is a former champion bull rider who after terrible accident is looking to make a comeback, while Sophia is a college student who is about to experience her dream job in New York City. While the unlikely pair meet and fall in love, their different ideals and values are keeping them apart. However, one fateful night, the two meet Ira whose breathtaking love story with his beloved wife inspire the young couple to sacrifice everything and find out what really is important when it comes to love.
So personally, when it comes to Nicholas Sparks' films I am not a huge fan.  I think that they are good stories and fine films, but I just don't find them entertaining. However, that was not the case for this film.  I actually really liked it and was quite entertained throughout.  Though the intertwining love stories created for a spectacular and emotional roller coaster, for me it was the bull riding that made the film for me.  This is one of the first Nicholas Sparks' films that has counter-programming for all those men that are dragged to the theater by either their girlfriend, wife, or friend.  Now don't get me wrong, this is still a typical Nicholas Sparks' film, but it does provide a unique story that men will be able to enjoy.  Also, I was quite impressed by the film's two leads.  These two aren't well-known names now, but I have a feeling that these two will be very soon.  They have great chemistry and though the script could have been better, the two make the most of it and make the film great.  Finally, the film is visually amazing.  The landscaping is beautiful and the scenes just look good.  The lighting is amazing and the bull riding scenes are fantastic.
Though I thought the film was great, there were some things that I thought could have been better. For one thing, the script could have been better.  There were some lines in the film that I couldn't believe were said.  Another thing that I didn't like was that besides the bull riding, it was the exact same film as all the other Nicholas Sparks' movies.  They all have the same elements to them, but in terms of the target audience, they will absolutely love these elements.
Overall, I thought that this was a good film.  Is it the best film ever or even out in theaters? No. However, I will admit that compared to what is out in theaters now, this is a good piece of counter-programming that is quite entertaining for both women and men.  Fans of Nicholas Sparks will love this film just like all the other ones, but those that are on the fence, will probably find something to like about it as well.  There is definitely a reason that this film has the greatest fan rating of a Nicholas Sparks' film since The Notebook.  I do recommend you to see this film because if nothing else, it is visually stunning and quite entertaining.

Woman in Gold

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some thematic elements and brief strong language.
Run Time: 109 Minutes
My Rating: 5/5
So today my wife and I saw The Weinstein Company and BBC Films' Woman in Gold starring Helen Mirren (The Queen), Ryan Reynolds (The Proposal), Daniel Bruhl (Rush), and Katie Holmes (Dawson's Creek). The film tells the inspiring true story of Maria Altman, a Austrian-American woman who fled Austria during the Nazi regime due to her religious status.  Now after 60 years since she left Austria and being the last living member of her family, she seeks out to regain a world famous painting of her aunt that was taken from her Austrian home by the Nazis.  With 60 years of Austrian tradition and the country of Austria against her, she seeks the help of a young lawyer to finally reclaim what is rightfully hers.
This film is absolutely fantastic. It is an incredible story and it is brought to life quite remarkably by its incredible cast.  As always Helen Mirren gives a riveting performance and makes it her own. I love Helen Mirren and think that she is an amazing actress and this performance is no different. She brings so much emotion and passion to the role that it is hard not to be just as emotional as she is. This performance becomes even better through her incredible chemistry with her young lawyer co-star, Ryan Reynolds. Personally, I thought that this was one of Ryan Reynolds' greatest performances of his career.  After seeing this performance, I want to see Ryan Reynolds take up more of these kinds of roles.  I believe that either one of them could receive acting nominations when next years award season comes around.
Of all the incredible talent that is in this film, my only problem with the film was it's pacing. To me, it seemed like the film moved at a very slow pace however, it was easy to overlook because of the incredible story that was being told.
Overall, I loved this film.  This is a great film for everyone to see.  If you want a good, inspiring film to watch in the theaters, this is it.  The acting is incredible and the story is captivating.  I will definitely be watching this film again.  You definitely need to see this film because I promise you that it is worth your time and your money!!!

Furious 7

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for prolonged frenetic sequences of violence, action and mayhem, suggestive content and brief strong language.
Run Time: 137 Minutes
My Rating: 4.5/5
So tonight my wife and I saw Furious 7, the next installment in the Fast and Furious Franchise.  The film stars Vin Diesel (Riddick Trilogy), the late Paul Walker (Eight Below), Michelle Rodriguez (Avatar), and Dwayne Johnson (Hercules).  The film also brought in new talent with Jason Statham (The Transporter Series), Kurt Russell (Sky High), and in the director's chair James Wan (The Conjuring).  The film starts directly where the last film left off. After destroying Owen Shaw, his brother Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) is out for revenge against Torreto, Brian and their family. However, he may be their greatest threat ever.  Now, the gang is back together trying to take down one more person so that they can finally live their lives in peace.  As they travel around the world to save their family, they will have to rely on each other and their new friends in order to survive their most wild ride yet!!!
So personally, I really liked this film and am a huge fan of the franchise.  I was very late in the game to this franchise, the first one I ever watched was Fast and Furious 6, but after watching all of the films now, I am hooked!!  This is a franchise that should have never become what it is now, but the thing I love about this franchise is that it knows how ridiculous it may be and it is proud of it.  This franchise is not out to win Oscars (even though Vin Diesel says that it will), but it is out to entertain it's audience and entertain it does.  This film is no exception, in fact, this film pushes the boundaries on what this franchise can be.  Some of the stunts that this film pulls off are so outlandish, but at the same time breathtaking.  The film brings so much action and adrenaline that you will be on the edge of your seat the entire time.  However, probably the best part about this film is that even though it is full of action and adrenaline, the film still has time for some very emotional and heartbreaking moments.  In fact, the final moments of the film has an incredibly heart-wrenching tribute to the late Paul Walker and I would recommend anyone to sit through the film just for this tribute.  It had the entire audience in tears.
Though I thought the film was incredible and I will definitely see it again, the biggest problem with the film though is that there was way too much going on.  The film took so many twists and turns to finally get to the finale that at one point I was wondering how they were going to tie it all together. I wish that the film could have just focused on one story than adding multiple to the plot.
Overall, I loved the film.  I would definitely recommend this film to all those that love this franchise. This is a worthy entry in the franchise and those familiar with it, will love this film.  Also if you haven't seen the other films, I still believe that you should go see it.  I don't think that you should have a problem keeping up with the story, but if you are worried, you can read summaries of the films online.  Either way, you should see this film.  It is full of action and entertainment and it is something that is completely worth your money!!

Thanks again for reading!! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!

It Follows

MPAA Rating: R for disturbing violent and sexual content including graphic nudity, and language.
Run Time: 100 Minutes
My Rating: 5/5
So today I saw Radius-TWC's and Northern Lights Films' It Follows starring Maika Monroe (The Guest) and Jake Weary (ABC Family's Pretty Little Liars).  The film tells the story of Jay Height, a normal nineteen year old girl, who finds herself being stalked and followed by something or someone after a sexual encounter with her boyfriend.  As this overwhelming presence continues to follow her wherever she goes, Jay and her friends must find a way to destroy it before who or whatever it is catches up to them.
So this film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival last year to raving reviews.  After traveling from there to multiple other film festivals including this year's Sundance, this critical-darling has finally started to expand into theaters everywhere.  Ever since its debut at the Cannes Film Festival, I have been dying to see this film.  Being an avid horror fan, I love to see such great critical response for the horror genre and after seeing this film, it deserves all the praise that it has been getting.  This is such a unique and intense film that it is hard not to like it.  There are a lot of things that are great about the film.  First off, I thought the cast was incredible.  This is a relatively young cast and most of them you probably have never heard of.  That is the what's brilliant about the film. Though the cast is young and they sometimes make mistakes, it was refreshing to see new faces.  I can't wait to see what becomes of them since most of today's Hollywood stars started out in the horror genre.  The next thing that I loved about this film was the musical score.  It was so unique and different than a typical horror movie score that it was entertaining and made the movie-going experience incredible.  I wish more horror movies would experiment with their music, it may make them more enjoyable.  Finally, I thought that the premise of the film was great. It was generally scary and was a great social commentary.  I don't want to spoil it, but lets just say that it will definitely make you think twice before taking action.
Though I thought that the film was great, there was only one thing that I wish the movie would have done.  I wish that the film would have delved deeper into why the curse started in the first place. However, I have heard that there has been discussion of a sequel, so I will wait and see if my question gets answered.  Other than that, I can't think of any reason not to like this film.
Overall, I thought the film was great.  I would definitely see this film again.  In just 4 weeks of release, this film has already become a cult favorite and I hope that more people go and see this incredible film.  If you are horror fan I would definitely recommend this film.  I promise you that you will not be disappointed.  However, if you are not a horror fan, I would recommend that you see it, because even though it may not make you a fan of the genre, it could just change your mind about the genre as a whole.

Thanks again for reading!!  If you have any questions, comments or ideas just let me know!!