Movie star Wesley Snipes was sentenced to three years imprisonment last night for his “brazen defiance” of the US taxman.

The 45-year-old Hollywood actor, who has starred in films including Blade, White Men Can’t Jump and Demolition Man, was given the maximum sentence possible after prosecutors described him to a court in Ocala, Florida, as a “truly notorious offender.” He did not have to go to prison immediately but must surrender to custody at a later date.

Snipes sat expressionless as the sentence was handed down. Asked if he had any reaction, he spread his arms and shrugged. One of his lawyers, Carmen Hernandez, complained: “Mr Snipes was sentenced because he’s Mr Snipes.”

The decision by US District Court judge William Terrell Hodges came two months after a jury convicted Snipes on three counts of willfully failing to file federal tax returns from 1999 to 2001.

The court heard yesterday that Snipes dodged $15 million (£7.5 million) in tax through a campaign in which he concealed millions offshore, falsely applied for tax refunds and bombarded the Internal Revenue Service with frivolous correspondence that threatened government employees, railed about extortion and used twisted legal interpretations to back his claim that taxation was unlawful.

“For nearly a decade, Snipes has engaged in a campaign of criminal tax conduct combining brazen defiance with insidious concealment,” the prosecuting attorney, Robert O’Neill, told the court in a sentencing memorandum. “In the defendant Wesley Snipes, the court is presented with a wealthy, famous and inveterate tax scofflaw. If ever a tax offender was deserving of being held accountable to the maximum extent for his criminal wrongdoing, Snipes is that defendant.”

Okay this is only about the coolest thing ever.  I don’t even remember how I stumbled upon the Mixwit site, but miraculously I did… Quick gist of it is this… Go to the site, use their search tool to find any assorted music tracks you can possibly think of.  Then select the cassette design (stay with me here people - it’s a cassette.. you DO remember those ancient relics right?)  Anyway, select your tracks, design your tape and viola, here you go.

I’m still stuck in my ONCE phase, so of course those were my tracks of choice… I’m actually really surprised that I enjoy the music as much as I do.  It was one of those that the instant I heard the first few notes of ‘Falling Slowly’ I was utterly and completely hooked.  Even on the more raw/gritty songs that normally would grate on my last nerve… love ‘em. 

Actually, I’ve never been a big fan of movie soundtracks for the sheer reason that they are too hit or miss… however, i wouldn’t mind also poking around to see if I can find some tracks from my other guilty pleasure, Dan In Real Life… yep, hooked on the movie and was hooked on the music from that flick as well.  Go figure.  Either soundtracks are getting better, or i’m just getting old and less picky… well, old anyway…

Louis Leterrier, director of the upcoming The Incredible Hulk, downplayed to SCI FI Wire reports of a creative rift in the post-production phase between actor/screenwriter Edward Norton (who plays Bruce Banner) and Marvel Studios.

“It’s so unsettling, because it’s not true,” Leterrier said in an interview on April 19 at New York Comic Con. “Listen, when you have problems [on a film], you learn what to do. Everyone comes to an agreement where everyone agrees to say it was one thing or it was another thing. But [this controversy] is not a real thing, so I am saying one thing and [producer] Kevin [Feige] will say another thing, because it’s a non-issue.”

Entertainment blogger Nikki Finke first reported that Norton and Marvel clashed over the film’s tone and direction. Not so, Leterrier said. “Edward is working on the movie, and we are working here,” he said. “It’s a non-issue. You know what’s real is that it gives that woman, Nikki Finke, too much power, and everybody is falling into what she is saying. It’s sad and weird.” (Finke did not respond to a request for comment from SCI FI Wire.)

Asked if he found it difficult to work with Norton, Leterrier said “No.” “For example, I never, ever heard about the [rumored] Edward Norton problems [with director Tony Kaye] on American History X,” he said. “That movie was amazing, and in France we just judged the movie. I speak to Edward every day. I can show you my iPhone, which has Edward Norton written all over it. We speak daily. He is very proud of the movie and is very involved. I wish he was here.”

Exceprt From: SciFi.com

Retailers Embrace Innovative Product as Best Way to Watch Movies at Home

SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 22 /PRNewswire/ — VUDU Inc., the company that brings instant access to video-entertainment to the living room, today announced that it has been named the “Best Product: Digital Home” at the RetailVision Spring 2008 Event — the premier global event for the retail consumer channel. VUDU also participated in the first FRESH product showcase event held during RetailVision where select companies presented their product to over 200 Top Level Retailers, eTailers, and Direct Marketers.

“VUDU is truly honored to receive the Best Product for the Digital Home category,” said Patrick Cosson, vice president of marketing, VUDU. “We believe it is a testament to the innovative product and entertainment experience we have developed and exemplifies the close relationships we are building with the retail channel.”

The winners of the “Best of RetailVision Awards” are selected by decision-makers from Top Level merchants, who are responsible for selecting products and services to be offered to the consumer market. VUDU won this prestigious “people’s choice” award in a secret ballot of the attendees during the exclusive two day event in Orlando, FL, April 15-16th, 2008.

“The Digital Home Award represents the best of the consumer tech products currently on the market and are chosen by the retailers themselves, the ones who shape the market,” said Ray Robidoux, Sightline Group, a leading retail channel consulting firm. “I believe companies such as VUDU, who were so well received by the retail community at this year’s show, have a promising future.”

VUDU gives movie and TV fans the ultimate in flexibility and choice. Users can finally watch the right movie at the right time, instantly — no planning needed, no computer required, no cable TV or satellite service necessary.

About VUDU:
VUDU is dedicated to bringing instant access to video entertainment to every living room. Through relationships with every major US motion picture studio and more than 25 independent and international distributors, VUDU delivers thousands of mainstream movies, HD films and TV shows straight to the television. Consumers can finally watch what they want, when they want-no planning needed, no computer required, no cable TV or satellite service necessary.