As if Hollywood were not already steeped in enough controversy, we are now seeing the world of the stars collide with another equally interesting sector: the world of technology. Last week, the trial between Hollywood studios and RealNetworks began.

The issue revolves around the product called RealDVD, which allows people to convert their DVDs into files that can be played on personal computers and other similar devices. Hollywood studios point out that this is basically hacking while RealNetworks maintains the stance that it is not a hacker’s tool.

For one, they say that the software maintains the DVD’s copyright protection. On top of this, RealDVD also adds another layer or protection by employing digital rights management that locks the converted file to the PC. The Guardian has this story:

RealNetwork’s defence is that RealDVD strengthens DVD copy protection. Some observers, such as Fred von Lohmann, a senior lawyer with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, think Hollywood is fighting a losing battle: “I’m not sure what alternate version of reality the MPAA is living in, but consumers have been able to copy DVDs for a long time, thanks to free, widely available DVD rippers,” he says.

Hollywood argues that it has introduced features to its discs such as Digital Copy, which allows users to copy DVDs on to a hard drive, although in much lower resolution and with DRM constraints.

So what’s it gonna be? Who knows? One thing we know is that the judge is the same one who presided over the Napster case, and that she ruled in favor of the music industry.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame recently got an addition to its already numerous stars. This time, it is a member of the British group, The Beatles. George Harrison was awarded the accolade on the 14th of this month.

Beatles fans would know that George Harrison died in 2001, at the age of 58. Cancer was the cause of his death. And while he might not have been the most popular member of the band, it cannot be denied that he contributed a lot to the band’s success. He was a school friend of Paul McCartney, and was actually a founder of The Quarrymen, the band which later on evolved into The Beatles.

George is actually the man behind many of the band’s most popular songs, including Here Comes The Sun, Something, and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. And when The Beatles disbanded, George Harrison’s career did not really take that much of a beating. In the 70s, he launched a solo career and managed to come up with a hit song, My Sweet Lord. Not unlike the songs he created and performed with the rest of the band, this solo song became a hit all over the world.

Now that he has passed away, George’s legacy remains alive in his work. As a matter of fact, award winning Martin Scorsese is working on a documentary about George’s life. In addition to that, Capitol/EMI are also pondering on releasing a new Harrison record. This is something to look forward to.

Hollywood has made a name for itself all over the world, and not one person does not know about it. Still, in the recent years, films from other countries have been making names for themselves. Perhaps this is part of globalization, but whatever the reason, we know that there are many good movies made in other parts of world other than Hollywood.

And the people in Tinsel Town are not denying this. In fact, earlier this month, the Chinese Film Festival opened in Hollywood. This is actually part of the celebrations for the 30th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries, China and the United States. While our governments may not always see eye to eye about matters such as the economy and the military, it is good to experience their culture through film.

The Chinese Film Festival is featuring 14 movies. According to Tong Gang, the current director of the China Film Bureau:

“In 2008, over four hundred movies were produced in China. But most of them remain unknown to audiences in the United States. So we’ve brought fourteen movies here, hopefully to generate widespread awareness and interest in Chinese movies and culture.”

Indeed, while 14 is not a huge number, especially given that fact that hundreds of movies have been produced last year, it is a good start. At least, those in America who have not previously been aware of Chinese films will be given a glimpse. The hope is that we will find something we like and an exchange can be initiated.

When I first heard of this piece of news, for some reason, the song “Peter Pumpkinhead” started playing in my head. Until now, as I am writing this post, the song will not stop playing! Oh well, I suppose there is a connection somehow and the song is good anyway, so I will not complain.

So what is the pumpkin bread all about? If you do not know already, there is this convent in Hollywood that has become famous because of their pumpkin bread. The convent is called the Monastery of Angels, and it has been in existence for 75 years now.

Their existence is being seriously threatened right now, however, as the convent’s finances are way in the red. According to the nuns, donations and other sources of income (including a gift shop and other investments) have not been earning them much money recently. Their budget has actually been cut down by more than 70%. As a result, they might have to close the convent down, perhaps opening the property to some other sort of development.

Naturally, neighbors and other concerned people are not about to let that happen, if they can do anything about it. Talks have been going around about making use of the nuns’ famous pumpkin bread, in the hopes that revenue can be made from this product. There are currently 20 nuns in the convent and their days revolve around prayer, with three hours of work in the morning. It is during these three hours that the nuns bake their pumpkin bread and work in the gift shop.

With this news going around in the community, the people are scrambling to help the nuns. Now isn’t that just the perfect attitude this Easter?