In February of 2022, Ross Roggio, a 54-year old former paratrooper and con artist from Stroudsbourg, Pennsylvania, was the second American ever indicted for torture. Now, he’s the second ever convicted.
On Friday night, in federal court, a jury unanimously concluded Roggio was guilty of 39 counts of torture, arms smuggling, wire fraud and money laundering, charges carrying over 700 years in prison. He will be sentenced in August and sentencing guidelines indicate he will likely receive life.
This verdict stems from a scheme, explored in depth by Rolling Stone in February,...
On Friday night, in federal court, a jury unanimously concluded Roggio was guilty of 39 counts of torture, arms smuggling, wire fraud and money laundering, charges carrying over 700 years in prison. He will be sentenced in August and sentencing guidelines indicate he will likely receive life.
This verdict stems from a scheme, explored in depth by Rolling Stone in February,...
- 5/21/2023
- by Zack Kopplin
- Rollingstone.com
Jackie Mason, the rabbi who later cultivated careers as a comedian, actor and author, died in a Manhattan hospital on Saturday, according to the New York Times. He was 93.
Mason’s longtime friend, attorney Raoul Felder, confirmed his passing to the Times. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Mason was born Yacov Moshe Maza in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on June 9, 1931. While the son of Belarusian immigrants would ultimately earn fame and accolades for his work on stage, he initially looked to pursue the path of a rabbi, at the behest of his family. He was ordained after completing his rabbinical studies at Yeshiva University, working as a rabbi in both North Carolina and Pennsylvania. He decided to pursue a career as a writer and performer following the death of his father in 1959.
Mason began his career in comedy as a regular performer in the Catskills. He later became a fixture...
Mason’s longtime friend, attorney Raoul Felder, confirmed his passing to the Times. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Mason was born Yacov Moshe Maza in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on June 9, 1931. While the son of Belarusian immigrants would ultimately earn fame and accolades for his work on stage, he initially looked to pursue the path of a rabbi, at the behest of his family. He was ordained after completing his rabbinical studies at Yeshiva University, working as a rabbi in both North Carolina and Pennsylvania. He decided to pursue a career as a writer and performer following the death of his father in 1959.
Mason began his career in comedy as a regular performer in the Catskills. He later became a fixture...
- 7/25/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Universal Television, a division of NBCUniversal Content Studios, has optioned Peter Lefcourt’s novel, The Dreyfus Affair: A Love Story, for development as a high-end television series.
Oscar and Emmy winner David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada) is attached to direct and will co-write the pilot with Lefcourt. Frankel and Lefcourt are executive producers.
The acclaimed seriocomic novel, Lefcourt’s self-proclaimed “darkly comic look at homophobia in baseball,” is about a happily married, father of two, star shortstop Randy Dreyfus, who falls in love with his second baseman in the middle of a pennant race. Dreyfus’ affair creates reverberations for the World Series. In today’s world of sexual identity issues, that make headlines even on sports pages, the storyline is particularly relevant.
The Dreyfus Affair: A Love Story was initially published in 1992 by Random House in hardcover, then in 1993 by Harper Perennial as a paperback (14 printings).
A prolific...
Oscar and Emmy winner David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada) is attached to direct and will co-write the pilot with Lefcourt. Frankel and Lefcourt are executive producers.
The acclaimed seriocomic novel, Lefcourt’s self-proclaimed “darkly comic look at homophobia in baseball,” is about a happily married, father of two, star shortstop Randy Dreyfus, who falls in love with his second baseman in the middle of a pennant race. Dreyfus’ affair creates reverberations for the World Series. In today’s world of sexual identity issues, that make headlines even on sports pages, the storyline is particularly relevant.
The Dreyfus Affair: A Love Story was initially published in 1992 by Random House in hardcover, then in 1993 by Harper Perennial as a paperback (14 printings).
A prolific...
- 5/12/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Legendary Pictures has signed an overall deal with Fede Alvarez and Rodolfo Sayagues’ production banner Bad Hombre Films. The first project will be an untitled horror film set at The White House, directed by Alvarez.
Additionally, Shintaro Shimosawa has been tapped as head of production at Bad Hombre. His previous credits include “Fear the Walking Dead” and “The Grudge.”
The untitled White House horror film will be written by Joe Epstein and produced by Bad Hombre Films. It’s being described as “The Shining” set in the White House. Additionally, the duo will also produce a complete reboot of the classic 1974 film “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”
Also Read: 'Don't Breathe 2' Has a Script but 'Evil Dead 2' Does Not, Says Fede Alvarez
“We are looking forward to sparking a new and meaningful relationship with a powerhouse like Legendary,” Alvarez said. “The imprint and wisdom they have is second to none,...
Additionally, Shintaro Shimosawa has been tapped as head of production at Bad Hombre. His previous credits include “Fear the Walking Dead” and “The Grudge.”
The untitled White House horror film will be written by Joe Epstein and produced by Bad Hombre Films. It’s being described as “The Shining” set in the White House. Additionally, the duo will also produce a complete reboot of the classic 1974 film “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”
Also Read: 'Don't Breathe 2' Has a Script but 'Evil Dead 2' Does Not, Says Fede Alvarez
“We are looking forward to sparking a new and meaningful relationship with a powerhouse like Legendary,” Alvarez said. “The imprint and wisdom they have is second to none,...
- 11/19/2019
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
“Don’t Breathe” director-producer Fede Alvarez is teaming with Legendary Pictures for an untitled White House horror movie.
The project, described as “The Shining” set in the White House, will be directed by Alvarez from a script by Joe Epstein and produced by Alvarez’s Bad Hombre Films. Legendary announced the horror movie Tuesday as part of closing an overall deal with Alvarez and his writing partner Rodolfo Sayagues to create, develop and produce feature films through their Bad Hombre Films.
Shintaro Shimosawa, whose previous credits include “Fear the Walking Dead” and “The Grudge,” is joining Bad Hombre as head of production. As part of the new deal with Legendary, Bad Hombre will also produce a reboot of the 1974 horror movie “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” to be written by Chris Thomas Devlin.
“We are looking forward to sparking a new and meaningful relationship with a powerhouse like Legendary. The imprint and...
The project, described as “The Shining” set in the White House, will be directed by Alvarez from a script by Joe Epstein and produced by Alvarez’s Bad Hombre Films. Legendary announced the horror movie Tuesday as part of closing an overall deal with Alvarez and his writing partner Rodolfo Sayagues to create, develop and produce feature films through their Bad Hombre Films.
Shintaro Shimosawa, whose previous credits include “Fear the Walking Dead” and “The Grudge,” is joining Bad Hombre as head of production. As part of the new deal with Legendary, Bad Hombre will also produce a reboot of the 1974 horror movie “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” to be written by Chris Thomas Devlin.
“We are looking forward to sparking a new and meaningful relationship with a powerhouse like Legendary. The imprint and...
- 11/19/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: After optioning Catherynne M. Valente’s science fiction novel Space Opera last year, Universal has hired Joe Epstein to adapt the screenplay, in what is planned to be a music-themed film.
Valente’s novel, which has tones of Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, centers around a fierce musical contest in outer space known as the Metagalactic Grand Prix. Part gladiatorial contest, part beauty pageant, part concert extravaganza and part continuation of the wars of the past, species far and wide compete in feats of song and dance. Those who place well are revered and those who fail face sudden extermination for their entire species. However, Earth just stumbled upon this new galaxy and, in an effort of diplomacy, decides to compete and sends Decibel Jones and the Absolute Zeroes to rep the planet as they roll the dice on their fate.
Epstein’s first spec...
Valente’s novel, which has tones of Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, centers around a fierce musical contest in outer space known as the Metagalactic Grand Prix. Part gladiatorial contest, part beauty pageant, part concert extravaganza and part continuation of the wars of the past, species far and wide compete in feats of song and dance. Those who place well are revered and those who fail face sudden extermination for their entire species. However, Earth just stumbled upon this new galaxy and, in an effort of diplomacy, decides to compete and sends Decibel Jones and the Absolute Zeroes to rep the planet as they roll the dice on their fate.
Epstein’s first spec...
- 8/1/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Vince Marcello, who recently directed the Netflix original film, The Kissing Booth, has signed on to direct a film adaption to Peter Lefcourt’s Nyt bestseller, The Dreyfus Affair: A Love Story. Published in 1992, the book centered around Randy Dreyfus, a baseball star who seemingly has everything, beautiful wife and family, fame, money. Things take a turn when, in the midst of a pennant race, Randy realizes he has fallen in love with his second baseman.
”In ”The Dreyfus Affair: A Love Story” Peter accomplished something extraordinary – a double play, in fact. With a skilled hand, he turned the spotlight on an aspect of human relationships, which before that time, was relegated to the shadowy corners of professional sports. He did this, however, with humor, heart, and humanity,” said Marcello. “I have always been a fan of the novel and I am now so delighted to be able to...
”In ”The Dreyfus Affair: A Love Story” Peter accomplished something extraordinary – a double play, in fact. With a skilled hand, he turned the spotlight on an aspect of human relationships, which before that time, was relegated to the shadowy corners of professional sports. He did this, however, with humor, heart, and humanity,” said Marcello. “I have always been a fan of the novel and I am now so delighted to be able to...
- 10/11/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS is getting in the Christmas spirit early with John Christmas, a telefilm starring Peter Falk and Valerie Bertinelli. The project hails from the creative team of CBS' highly rated 2001 telefilm A Town Without Christmas, which also starred Falk. In John Christmas, Falk will reprise his role from Town of the angel Max. The project centers on a fireman who suddenly leaves his native Chicago after saving many lives in a school inferno. Twenty years later, a local newspaper runs a photograph of the hero, dubbing him "John Christmas", and offers a reward for information on his whereabouts. Finding the fireman becomes a personal quest for a newspaper photographer who was among those saved in the fire. Also determined to track him down is a woman (Bertinelli) who thinks the anonymous hero is her brother who disappeared 20 years earlier. In their endeavors, all three get help from Max. Andy Wolk is set to direct the movie from a script by Michael J. Murray. Daniel H. Blatt is executive producing, with Michael Mahoney, Ken Gross and Murray serving as producers. Falk most recently reprised his role as Lt. Columbo in ABC's Columbo Likes the Nightlife. Bertinelli most recently co-starred on CBS' series Touched by an Angel.
William H. Macy and Steven Schachter, the duo behind TNT/Johnson & Johnson's critical and commercial success Door to Door, are reteaming with the cable channel and the consumer product giant for a remake of Jackie Gleason's 1962 comedy Gigot. Macy and Schachter are writing the script for the new take on the heartwarming story of kindhearted janitor Gigot, who befriends the little daughter of a prostitute. Macy will take on the title role, played in the original by Gleason. Schachter, who helmed the Peabody Award-winning Door to Door, is set to direct. Gene Kelly directed the original Gigot, for which Gleason co-wrote the script and the music. Door to Door executive producer David A. Rosemont is set to executive produce the Gigot remake, with Macy and Schachter producing. Macy and Schachter's script for Door to Door has earned them a Writers Guild Award nomination. For his portrayal of cerebral palsy-ridden salesman Bill Porter in the movie, Macy received Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations. Macy and Schachter are repped by Writers & Artists Agency and manager Ken Gross.
William H. Macy and Steven Schachter, the duo behind TNT/Johnson & Johnson's critical and commercial success Door to Door, are reteaming with the cable channel and the consumer product giant for a remake of Jackie Gleason's 1962 comedy Gigot. Macy and Schachter are writing the script for the new take on the heartwarming story of kindhearted janitor Gigot, who befriends the little daughter of a prostitute. Macy will take on the title role, played in the original by Gleason. Schachter, who helmed the Peabody Award-winning Door to Door, is set to direct. Gene Kelly directed the original Gigot, for which Gleason co-wrote the script and the music. Door to Door executive producer David A. Rosemont is set to executive produce the Gigot remake, with Macy and Schachter producing. Macy and Schachter's script for Door to Door has earned them a Writers Guild Award nomination. For his portrayal of cerebral palsy-ridden salesman Bill Porter in the movie, Macy received Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations. Macy and Schachter are repped by Writers & Artists Agency and manager Ken Gross.
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.