.| UrbanNerd |.

ARS Technica: Harvard economics researcher Ben Edelman conducted a study (PDF) to determine if sites certified by TRUSTe, a nonprofit organization that analyzes privacy policies, really respect user privacy. Using MacAfee’s SiteAdvisor tool to compare almost 1,000 TRUSTe certified sites with over 500,000 non-certified web sites, Edelman discovered that “TRUSTe-certified sites are more than twice as likely to be untrustworthy as uncertified sites.”

According to Edelman, the problem is that private certification organizations are reluctant to lose potential certification renewal revenue by revoking the certification of a client. TRUSTe claims that it “systematically monitors the practices of seal program participants to ensure that ongoing compliance with posted privacy statements” and that it provides a Watchdog Consumer Dispute Resolution service so that individual users can post complaints about sites that violate privacy policies. According to Edelman, despite “the 3,416 complaints [about certified sites] received since January 2003, TRUSTe concluded that not a single one required any change to any member’s operations, privacy statement, or privacy practices, nor did any complaint require any revocation or on-site audit.” Edelman also points out that “only two certifications [have been] revoked in TRUSTe’s ten-year history.”

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Borat, the fictional TV reporter from Kazakhstan, may have gotten under the skin of Kazakh officials but on Thursday he couldn’t get past the gates of the White House.

Secret Service agents turned away British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, in character as the boorish, anti-Semitic journalist, when he tried to invite “Premier George Walter Bush” to a screening of his upcoming movie, “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.”

Also invited to the screening:
O.J. Simpson, “Mel Gibsons” and other “American dignitaries.”

Cohen’s stunt was timed to coincide with an official visit by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is scheduled to meet with Bush on Friday.

Nazarbayev and other Kazakh officials have sought to raise the profile of the oil-rich former Soviet republic and assure the West that, contrary to Borat’s claims, theirs is not a nation of drunken anti-Semites who treat their women worse than their donkeys.

Kazakhstan is expected to become one of the top 10 oil producers within a decade. A U.S. ally with troops in
Iraq, the country has drawn criticism for its deteriorating civil liberties and flawed elections.

Shortly after Nazarbayev dedicated a statue in front of the Kazakh embassy, Borat denounced an official Kazakh publicity campaign running in U.S. magazines as “disgusting fabrications” orchestrated by neighboring Uzbekistan.

“If there is one more item of Uzbek propaganda claiming that we do not drink fermented horse urine, give death penalty for baking bagels, or export over 300 tonnes of human pubis per year, then we will be left with no alternative but to commence bombardment of their cities with our catapults,” Borat said.

Source: Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

Academy Award® Nominee Robert Downey Jr. will take on the role of one of Marvel’s greatest Super Heroes, signing on as the title character for Marvel Studios’ highly-anticipated Iron Man. This project, the first feature film to be produced independently by Marvel Entertainment, will launch into theaters May 2, 2008. The film is being directed by Jon Favreau and will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Downey is widely recognized as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors. Nominated for an Oscar® for his extraordinary portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in “Chaplin,” Downey has been featured in more than 50 films. His upcoming credits include “Fur” (co-starring Nicole Kidman), “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints,” and the David Fincher film “Zodiac.” He has also recently been seen in such films as: “A Scanner Darkly,” “The Shaggy Dog,” “Good Night, And Good Luck.,” “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang,” “Gothika,” “The Singing Detective” and “Wonder Boys.”

Based upon Marvel’s iconic Super Hero, Iron Man tells the story of Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. Upon his return to America, Tony must come to terms with his past. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man.

“Robert Downey Jr. is one of the most talented and acclaimed actors of this generation. His versatility sets him apart and makes him an ideal fit to play such a complex character as Iron Man. We could not think of another actor better suited to bring one of Marvel’s crown jewels to the big screen and be the centerpiece of our first independently produced feature,” said Kevin Feige, President of Production, Marvel Studios.

Marvel Studios is currently casting all supporting roles. Filming is slated to begin in Los Angeles in February 2007.

Iron Man will be produced by Feige and Avi Arad. Executive Producers are Michael Helfant, Ari Arad, Favreau, Louis D’Esposito and Peter Billingsley. Downey is represented by CAA.

Source: Computerworld

A patent from London’s New Medium Enterprises promises to alleviate headaches caused by trying to decide which next-generation DVD format to support. Their multi-layer hybrid DVDs have Blu-ray on one layer and HD DVD on another, and have lowered the cost of production to just 1.5x the price of regular DVDs.

NME also says they won’t step on Warner Bros.’s toes, since they own the patent for the technology and Warner owns the patent for the application. Either way, hopefully this brings us one big step towards ending this dumb war.

Above: A famous hybrid

ClickOnDetroit.com reports that the Transformers production is looking for extras:

Paid extras needed for major motion picture “Transformers”.

The movie is directed by Michael Bay with Steven Spielberg acting as executive producer.

Extras 16 years of age & older are needed to work outside for the 2-day scene currently scheduled for the first week of Oct. 2006. If you are interested in possibly working as a paid extra in the film, please send information immediately.

Mail To: Wendy Washbrook/Extra Casting
“Transformers”
5600 Campus Center Drive
Bungalow 1
Playa Vista, CA 90094

Or Email Photo and Info To: Wendy Washbrook/Extra Casting: wwashbrook@verizon.net

Source: Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

Marvel Entertainment announced today that Cryptic Studios is the developer behind “Marvel Universe Online.” The full press release:

Today Marvel Entertainment, Inc. announced further details around its eagerly awaited project based on the Marvel universe of Super Heroes. Marvel Entertainment confirmed that Cryptic Studios has been named the developer of “Marvel Universe Online,” the highly anticipated massively multiplayer online (MMO) video game exclusive to Xbox 360 and Windows Vista and to be published by Microsoft Game Studios.

“The huge Marvel fan base has been eagerly awaiting new information on our massive multiplayer online game,” said David Maisel, Executive Vice President, Office of the Chief Executive, Marvel Entertainment. We are proud to have a premiere developer such as Cryptic Studios who has had such incredible success in the online gaming world developing this game. Marvel, Microsoft and Cryptic are committed to creating the definitive interactive Marvel universe experience via this massive multiplayer online game.”

“The vision behind the alliance of Microsoft Game Studios, Cryptic Studios and Marvel is to expand the MMO genre and create an epic gaming experience exclusively for Xbox 360 and Windows Vista gamers to experience together online,” said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “Cryptic Studios is widely respected for their established track record of innovation and understanding of the MMO space, and they are a perfect fit for the creation of the best possible experience in ‘Marvel Universe Online.’”

“As an independent developer, Cryptic Studios has the freedom to make games and forge partnerships that we are truly passionate about,” said Michael Lewis, president of Cryptic Studios. “Cryptic Studios and Microsoft Game Studios share a common vision for online gaming and commitment to quality titles. Together with Marvel we will create a new exciting game that captures the uniqueness of the Marvel IP.”

Cryptic Studios brings a history of excellence in MMO design and best-of-breed community support to the development of “Marvel Universe Online.” “Marvel Universe Online” will unite gamers in a cross-platform experience, allowing for Xbox 360 and Windows Vista users to play alongside one another.

Marvel’s repertoire of Super Heroes have evolved from the pages of comic books to become driving forces in entertainment, from the silver screen to television shows and best-selling video games, including “Spider-Man,” “X-Men” and “The Hulk” franchises. As part of an MMO gaming experience, “Marvel Universe Online” players will be able to interact simultaneously in a truly unique atmosphere featuring all their favorite Marvel characters, creatures and villains.

Check out Marvel at the link above!

This looks crazy, but I had to post it. This is a real boxing match, not a joke, or scam. When I heard there was a big guy from Russia boxing I thought, 6’5″ 275lbs. This guy is 7′ and weighs over 325lbs. Thats nuts, and he’s fighting a much, much smaller guy. Makes me think of Bob Sapp of K1 and Pride fame.

I know this isn’t nerdy, or urban, but I had to post it. Sorry.

While searching through the endless pages of Ebay I came across the greatest thing since sliced bread! Hollywood*props is auctioning off the orginal Vanessa Kensington FEMBOT for Austin Powers: the Spy Who Shagged Me!

Own your very own FEMBOT and make all your friends jealous… or creap them out. Whatever the result, you will have one awesome prop. Does this make you horney baby??? Yeah!!! Hopely they will sell the SHAGUAR next!

Ebay Link

Source: IFC Films

IFC Films announced today that it has acquired all North American rights from ICM to Code Entertainment’s mob comedy You Kill Me. The film is directed by John Dahl (Red Rock West, The Last Seduction) and stars Ben Kingsley, Téa Leoni and Luke Wilson. Also starring are Dennis Farina, Philip Baker Hall, Bill Pullman, and Marcus Thomas. The film is in post-production with a 2007 nationwide release planned.

Written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers), You Kill Me is the story of a Frank, a hit-man from Buffalo (Kingsley) whose drinking is getting in the way of his killing. He’s sent to the west coast to dry out where he lands a job at a mortuary and meets Laurel (Leoni), smart-talking and dangerously devoid of boundaries. Code Entertainment financed the film and produced with Ben Kingsley’s BiPolar Productions, Carol Baum, Inc., and Mike Marcus’ Echo Lake Productions. Code’s Al Corley, Bart Rosenblatt and Eugene Musso produced with Carol Baum, Mike Marcus, and Zvi Howard Rosenman. Leoni and Jonathan Dana are Executive Producers. The film was originally brought to Code by ICM.

IFC Entertainment President Jonathan Sehring commented, “This is a film with enormous commercial potential. It is a big movie with a great cast and this acquisition signifies an aggressive new direction for IFC Films. With our First Take label providing a lucrative option for smaller, critically acclaimed indie and foreign fare, IFC Films is in the position to acquire and release movies of a much larger scale. ‘You Kill Me’ is hugely appealing and exactly what we’ve been looking for over the past several months to launch us in this new direction.”

Code Entertainment Partner Bart Rosenblatt added, “We’re excited about what IFC is doing. We think this is a perfect fit for the movie.”

The deal was negotiated with Jonathan Sehring and lawyer John Sloss on behalf of IFC with ICM and Endeavor representing the film and Jonathan Dana representing the producers with lawyer Mark Halloran.

Source: Variety

Reiko Aylesworth and Steven Pasquale have been cast as the leads in 20th Century Fox’s Alien vs. Predator 2, which begins filming next week in Vancouver, reports Variety.

Greg and Colin Strause direct from a script by Armageddon writer Shane Salerno. Davis Entertainment’s John Davis and Robbie Brenner are producing.

Aylesworth, a former series regular on Fox’s “24,” recently finished filming The Killing Floor, executive produced by Avi Arad and Doug Liman, as well as a supporting role in Mr. Brooks.

Pasquale appears in the FX series “Rescue Me.” His film credits include Aurora Borealis