'Girls Gone Wild' creator Joe Francis receives jail, probation for assaulting woman.

LOS ANGELES –  "Girls Gone Wild" creator Joe Francis was sentenced Tuesday to 270 days in jail and three years' probation for choking a woman and repeatedly slamming her head to the ground at his Los Angeles mansion in 2011.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Nancy L. Newman also ordered the 40-year-old Francis to complete an anger management course and attend 52 sessions of psychological counseling, according to Deputy City Attorney Mitchell Fox.

A jury in May convicted Francis of five misdemeanor charges -- three counts of false imprisonment, one count of assault by means likely to cause great bodily injury, and one count of dissuading a witness from reporting a crime.

Francis' attorney Steve Levine said key details of the case were proven to be false in court, and he is appealing the decision.

"Joe has always maintained his innocence," Levine said. He added that the judge "still came to a very fair and measured decision."

According to Fox, Francis met three women on Jan. 29, 2011, at a college graduation party at the Supper Club in Hollywood. He grabbed the arm of one of the girls and took her to his limo, and the two others followed, believing they'd be taken to their car. Instead, they ended up in a gated area of Francis' Bel Air home.

Francis appeared to be interested in one of the women and tried to lead her away, but her friend pulled back, Fox said.

Francis then "jumped on the friend, took her to the ground, choked her, slammed her head against the ground, dragged her across the ground, and when she got back up, did it several more times," Fox said.

He then apparently told the women they were trespassing and had to leave. The women said they were going to call the police, and Francis yelled to "go ahead and call the police," the prosecutor said.

Francis told the girls he "owns the police" and that officers wouldn't arrest him, Fox added.

Judge Newman denied Francis' request for a new trial Tuesday, but sentenced him to less than the four years in county jail urged by prosecutors.

Levine said Francis would be released from custody soon after posting a $250,000 bond Tuesday. He'll remain free pending the outcome of the appeal.

The day after Francis was convicted in Los Angeles, he told The Hollywood Reporter that members of the jury were "retarded," and said "they should all be lined up and shot."

Francis later apologized for his comments.

"This is one of those cases where being a celebrity did not help him at all," Levine said.

Francis has had a number of past legal troubles. Last year, a jury found him guilty of defaming casino mogul Steve Wynn on multiple occasions, including on ABC's national morning show. Francis claimed the creator of some of Las Vegas' most upscale resorts threatened to kill him over a gambling debt.

Dozens of other lawsuits have targeted Francis, who built a porn empire producing and marketing videos of young women exposing themselves on camera.


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/08/28/girls-gone-wild-creator-joe-francis-receives-jail-probation-for-assaulting/#ixzz2dGEy3M85

A new character poster for Tony Jaa’s ‘Tom Yum Goong 2′ AKA ‘The Protector 2′!

Witch reports that Tom Yum Goong 2 will reunite the entire Tom Yum Goong/Ong Bak team with Tony Jaa in the lead, Prachya Pinkaew directing, Panna Rittikrai handling fight choreography and Chocolate star Jeeja Yanin also handed a significant role – the first time Jaa has ever shared the stage with another marquee fighter. Read the full story here.

Updates: There are also plans to shoot the movie in 3D. Rising martial artist Marrese Crump also has a role. At the link are some shots of the Tom Yum Goong 2 opening ceremony. | Twitch Film has the word from a Thai newspaper that Tom Yum Goong 2 is only about 40% finished after eight months of principal photography, and that Tony Jaa will take a break from filming in May to marry his longtime girlfriend. Twitch speculates that the Tom Yum Goong 2 is now likely over-budget and won’t see release until mid 2013.

Not much new but Asian Movie Pulse makes notice of a fan petition you can sign to try and grant the film a worldwide release. Also, this guy actually managed to see some footage from the film at Cannes, and it sounds appropriately big-budget and over the top.

Twitch Film relays news that the RZA, fresh off The Man With the Iron Fists, has a ‘featured’ role in Tom Yum Goong 2. In addition, the film finally has a release date: expect the movie in Thai theaters this May 2013. | Twitch is running an article that states Tom Yum Goong 2 will be the first Tony Jaa movie to make extensive use of CGI and wirework, supposedly necessitated because of the film’s 3D nature. Expect the first trailer for the movie in Spring 2013.

Twitch reports that Tom Yum Goong 2 is nearly finished with principle photography. Now that the film is reaching completion, Tony Jaa is lining up two new projects: one film, which may or may not be a Hong Kong-based project with Sammo Hung as fight choreographer, is said to co-star Jean-Claude Van Damme. In addition, Tony Jaa is looking to return to the director’s chair for a different film. That project may involve callaboration with Bangkok Knockout director Panna Rittikrai and Fighting Fish director Julaluck Ismalone. Stay tuned for further news as it develops. | M.M.A.C. says Tom Yum Goong 2 is slated for a December 5th, 2013 release date. | Click here to watch the Tom Yum Goong 2 trailer. Note: If you get an error, try doing a search.

Here are the first three official stills from the film. According to Tom Yum Goong 2′s English Facebook page, Magnet Releasing has secured North American rights to the film and should be releasing it under the title The Protector 2. Expect the official trailer for the movie this summer. In the meantime, you can check out this new poster for Tom Yum Gong 2. | Check out the first official poster for Tom Yum Goong 2. And remember – don’t mess with Tony’s elephant! Also, here’s the official teaser trailer. And here’s the teaser with English subs.

Read more: http://www.cityonfire.com/tony-jaa-to-make-tom-yum-goong-2-aka-the-protector-2/

Billy Ray Cyrus' thoughts are on Syria, not Miley's VMAs performance.

The world doesn’t revolve around Miley. Even for her superstar father Billy Ray Cyrus.

The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer tweeted that a post he wrote from his verified account on Sunday night had nothing to do with his 20-year-old daughter’s controversial gyrating at the MTV Video Music Awards.

PHOTOS: Miley Cyrus' raunchiest VMA moments

He was referring to the ongoing conflicts in Syria, he explained.

Billy Ray, who celebrated his 52nd birthday the same day his daughter shocked audiences at the VMAs, tweeted late Sunday about Syria. But because his pop star daughter garnered so much social media attention that night, his tweet was misinterpreted by her fans.

"Thanking God for so many blessings tonight. Continue to pray for world peace. More love ...less hate,” he wrote.

Miley supporters figured he was talking about the critics, who were quick to tear down her racy performance.

But on Monday, Billy Ray clarified that he wasn’t talking about Miley.  

"FYI 'Love Not Hate' Late last night I was watching devastating news out of Syria. Chemical weapons used on innocent children is unacceptable!” he tweeted.

According to People magazine, Billy Ray Cyrus is an advisory board member for the Parents Television Council, a group that has strongly criticized Miley’s MTV antics.

His rep told FOX411 the country crooner had no comment on his daughter’s controversial performance.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/08/27/billy-ray-cyrus-worried-about-syria-not-miley-vmas-performance/#ixzz2dGB7Dbnd