GLADIATOR WITH A BOW AND ARROW

For those of you waiting with bated breath for the bath rug instructions, you'll have to rein in your anticipation for a tad longer because I've been waiting the past couple weeks to blog about Russell Crowe's new role as Robin Hood. My problem was that my son, Patrick, is Executive Director of The Copyright Alliance, an organization formed by the movie, music, publishing, NASCAR, NFL, NBA, and bunches of other groups interested in protecting copyright.

So, although a photo of Crowe started appearing everywhere, I couldn't risk using it because I hadn't been given permission. (As my kid told me, if everyone jumped off a roof, would you do it, too? Which made me wonder when our roles had become reversed.)

But I digress. . . Anyway, since, as an author whose books often get pirated, I really, really care about copyright protection, I even wrote to Universal Pictures, who owns the copyright for the photo, asking for permission. They sent me to a link where I could purchase rights to clips from their movies. But Robin Hood wasn't on the list because - duh, hello all you Universal lawyers -- IT'S NOT OUT YET!!!

Finally, the photo popped up on Photobucket last night. Newscorp, who owns Photobucket and is a member of The Copyright Alliance, worked out some sort of royalty deal which I don't understand, but I've been assured by my kid, aka Copyright Cop, that it's legally okay to use those photos.

Crowe stated in an interview that he's loved the Robin Hood story since he was six. Well, I was about seven when I first read it and fell in love with Robin and all his Merry Men. There have, of course, been lots of movies made featuring the character.









But, although that diabolical director Ridley Scott is making me wait until April 14th, 2010, to see it, I'm betting that this one will be my favorite yet. Despite the haircut, which is a tad too Gladiatorish for my taste. Still, Gladiator with a bow and arrow? What's not to love?

I also believe that the message -- about a homeless hero forced to set up camp in the woods taking from the big, bad, greedy guys (let's all say it together. . . risky real estate investment toxic assets) to give back to the regular folks -- is particularly appropriate these days.