Chris Rock's new documentary Good Hair will be given a full Us release after a judge refused to grant an injunction blocking the film from cinemas. The Everybody Hates Chris comedian was recently hit by a lawsuit from Regina Kimbell, who alleged that he stole ideas from her TV show My Nappy Roots in 2007. Kimbell subsequently moved to have the movie banned, although it was later handed a limited release on October 9. However, after watching both productions, a judge has now given Rock the green light to distribute his picture nationwide, Contactmusic reports. Us District Judge Dale Fischer concluded that the (more)...
- 10/20/2009
- by By Oli Simpson
- Digital Spy
Chris Rock was recently at the center of a legal dispute, but not necessarily for the reason you might expect. The comedian is the producer of the new documentary Good Hair, which was accused by documentary filmmaker Regina Kimbell of having too many similarities to her film My Nappy Roots. But turns out, her claims are bogus-- or at least a judge thinks so. THR reports that federal judge Dale S. Fischer watched both films and didn't find enough similarities to fulfill Kimbell's request to block the film's release. So Good Hair will hit theaters nationwide on October 23, just in time to capitalized on its recent Gotham Independent Film Award nomination for Best Documentary. Chris Rock wins again!
- 10/20/2009
- cinemablend.com
Chris Rock's documentary Good Hair will be given a full U.S. release after a judge refused to grant an injunction blocking the film from cinemas.
The Everybody Hates Chris star is at the centre of a lawsuit from Regina Kimbell, who alleges he stole her ideas from her TV show, My Nappy Roots, back in 2007.
Kimbell sought to block the picture, which was given a limited release on 9 October, but after watching both productions a judge has given Rock the green light to distribute his film nationwide.
U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer concluded the documentaries "don't seem to be made for the same audience" and states portions of them "are not similar at all."
Kimbell has vowed to press on with her lawsuit, in which she accuses Rock of copyright infringement and unfair competition. She is seeking $5 million (£3.3 million) in damages.
Kimbell's attorney, Reginald K. Brown, says, "We always knew that it would be tough getting the judge to grant a request for a preliminary injunction. We are looking forward to going to trial."
A trial date has yet to be set. Good Hair will open across the U.S. on 23 Oct..
The Everybody Hates Chris star is at the centre of a lawsuit from Regina Kimbell, who alleges he stole her ideas from her TV show, My Nappy Roots, back in 2007.
Kimbell sought to block the picture, which was given a limited release on 9 October, but after watching both productions a judge has given Rock the green light to distribute his film nationwide.
U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer concluded the documentaries "don't seem to be made for the same audience" and states portions of them "are not similar at all."
Kimbell has vowed to press on with her lawsuit, in which she accuses Rock of copyright infringement and unfair competition. She is seeking $5 million (£3.3 million) in damages.
Kimbell's attorney, Reginald K. Brown, says, "We always knew that it would be tough getting the judge to grant a request for a preliminary injunction. We are looking forward to going to trial."
A trial date has yet to be set. Good Hair will open across the U.S. on 23 Oct..
- 10/20/2009
- WENN
Chris Rock's documentary "Good Hair" has been given the all clear. A judge has stomped another filmmaker's bid to prevent the wide release of the actor's docu-film.
As reported by eonline.com, U.S. District Court Judge Dale S. Fischer said that she watched both Rock's film and Regina Kimbell's 2006 offering "My Nappy Roots" and didn't see significant similarities. "Good Hair" is now given the clear to go for a wide release.
Kimbell claims Rock copied the concept of his film from her idea. "My Nappy Roots" was named best documentary at the Hollywood Black Film Festival in 2007.
She requested for a preliminary injunction to thwart the limited release of "Good Hair" on October 9. The bid was denied and Rock's film took .7 million in theaters.
As reported by eonline.com, U.S. District Court Judge Dale S. Fischer said that she watched both Rock's film and Regina Kimbell's 2006 offering "My Nappy Roots" and didn't see significant similarities. "Good Hair" is now given the clear to go for a wide release.
Kimbell claims Rock copied the concept of his film from her idea. "My Nappy Roots" was named best documentary at the Hollywood Black Film Festival in 2007.
She requested for a preliminary injunction to thwart the limited release of "Good Hair" on October 9. The bid was denied and Rock's film took .7 million in theaters.
- 10/20/2009
- icelebz.com
A couple weeks ago, we shared with you a story about Regina Kimbell, a documentary filmmaker who claimed that Chris Rock had infriged on her copyright when making his current documentary, Good Hair. Kimbell says in a lawsuit that she showed Rock footage from her similar non-fiction film, Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage in 2007, but acknowledged that she knew Rock was already working on Good Hair at that time.
On Tuesday, Federal District Court Judge Dale Fischer denied Kimbell's injunction seeking to postpone or somehow block the further release of Rock's documentary, which did not surprise her attorney, Reginal Brown. The Hollywood Reporter quotes Brown as saying, "These motions are rarely granted. We still feel optimistic on our copyright claim and we're on track to proceed."...
On Tuesday, Federal District Court Judge Dale Fischer denied Kimbell's injunction seeking to postpone or somehow block the further release of Rock's documentary, which did not surprise her attorney, Reginal Brown. The Hollywood Reporter quotes Brown as saying, "These motions are rarely granted. We still feel optimistic on our copyright claim and we're on track to proceed."...
- 10/20/2009
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
By Wrap Staff
Federal Judge Dale Fischer on Monday denied a request for an injunction to block the release of Chris Rock’s documentary “Good Hair.”
Plaintiff Regina Kimbell is seeking to block the film's release as part of a $5 million copyright infringement lawsuit she filed Oct. 5 in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
“We always knew that it would be tough getting the judge to grant a request for a preliminary injunction. We are looking forward to g...
Federal Judge Dale Fischer on Monday denied a request for an injunction to block the release of Chris Rock’s documentary “Good Hair.”
Plaintiff Regina Kimbell is seeking to block the film's release as part of a $5 million copyright infringement lawsuit she filed Oct. 5 in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
“We always knew that it would be tough getting the judge to grant a request for a preliminary injunction. We are looking forward to g...
- 10/19/2009
- by Brent Lang
- The Wrap
A judge has untangled Chris Rock's Good Hair. A woman's bid to prevent the wide release of the comedian's latest feature, claiming Rock swiped the premise for his documentary about black women's quest for the perfect 'do from her 2006 film, My Nappy Roots, has been shot down. U.S. District Court Judge Dale S. Fischer said in her ruling that she watched both films and didn't see significant similarities. Good Hair opened in limited release Oct. 9 after Regina Kimbell's first request for a preliminary injunction was denied. The film, which has taken in $1.7 million so far, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com, opens nationwide on Friday. Kimbell's film, which also...
- 10/19/2009
- E! Online
A judge has denied an injunction preventing the release of Chris Rock’s “Good Hair” after Regina Kimbell, producer and director of “My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage,” sought to halt the film’s release. She claims that “Hair” copies substantial elements from her own movie.
- 10/19/2009
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A woman named Regina Kimbell sued comedian and actor Chris Rock, HBO Films, and others in federal court in Los Angeles last week, claiming that Rock's new documentary Good Hair copies her 2006 documentary My Nappy Roots. Kimbell seeks $5 million in damages and an injunction preventing the defendants from distributing and showing Good Hair without Kimbell's consent and from "designating anything other than My Nappy Roots as the inspiration for Good Hair." Kimbell alleges that she completed My Nappy Roots in early 2006 and screened the film at colleges and film festivals throughout the U.S. She claims she was inspired to create the film by her daughter's issues regarding her hair and African-American hair culture. Curiously, this is the same inspiration Rock has articulated for his film. Kimbell says that Rock's assistant invited her to...
- 10/16/2009
- by Chad Fitzgerald
- Huffington Post
TMZ tells us that a judge has cleared the way for Rock to be able to release his movie "Good Hair."
Regina Kimbell sued Rock, claiming he copied her documentary "My Nappy Roots." Well, the judge has shut down her request for a temporary restraining order. (See the original story by clicking Chris Rock's Hair-Raising Lawsuit! Injunction Filed Against Comedian's "Good Hair")
So all's well that ended well for Rock. He's having a "Good Hair" day!
Regina Kimbell sued Rock, claiming he copied her documentary "My Nappy Roots." Well, the judge has shut down her request for a temporary restraining order. (See the original story by clicking Chris Rock's Hair-Raising Lawsuit! Injunction Filed Against Comedian's "Good Hair")
So all's well that ended well for Rock. He's having a "Good Hair" day!
- 10/9/2009
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
A U.S. judge has dismissed a $5 million (£3.5 million) plagiarism lawsuit against funnyman Chris Rock.
The Everybody Hates Chris star was at the centre of a suit from Regina Kimbell, who alleged he stole her ideas for his upcoming documentary Good Hair.
Kimbell claimed she showed Rock her show, My Nappy Roots - which features celebrities discussing different African-American hairdos - back in 2007, and he subsequently ripped off her idea,
Rock hit back at the allegations, insisting the only similarity between the projects was the topic.
And a judge agreed with him, dismissing the suit on Thursday, according to TMZ.com.
The show will air in America on Friday.
The Everybody Hates Chris star was at the centre of a suit from Regina Kimbell, who alleged he stole her ideas for his upcoming documentary Good Hair.
Kimbell claimed she showed Rock her show, My Nappy Roots - which features celebrities discussing different African-American hairdos - back in 2007, and he subsequently ripped off her idea,
Rock hit back at the allegations, insisting the only similarity between the projects was the topic.
And a judge agreed with him, dismissing the suit on Thursday, according to TMZ.com.
The show will air in America on Friday.
- 10/9/2009
- WENN
Funnyman Chris Rock has hit out at the woman suing him for allegedly stealing her hair documentary idea, insisting the only similarity between the projects is the topic.
Regina Kimbell filed a $5 million (£3.5 million) suit earlier this week (begs05Oct09), claiming the inspiration behind Rock's Good Hair film came from her 2005 documentary My Nappy Roots, which she showed the comic on the set of his TV series Everybody Hates Chris in 2007.
Kimbell's film featured celebrities who discussed different hairdos, while Rock's documentary, which premieres in the U.S. on Friday, also features famous names talking about the topic.
Rock admits he viewed My Nappy Roots before he began making Good Hair to ensure the films would not be too similar.
He says, "I called her to see the movie and told her I was doing a movie, so it's not like anybody was hiding it. It's like, 'I'm thinking about doing a movie on hair.' It was really to watch it to make sure I wasn't going to make that movie.
"The only similarity is her movie goes to India and mine goes to India, but I don't even know if she went to India. I think she got footage. That's about it. Her movie is about (hair care entrepreneur Madam) C.J. Walker, histories of hair, men, women… She'll probably be able to sell it now because of Good Hair, but it's not humorous at all.
"If you did two documentaries on George Washington, there'd be some similarities, but they're not the same documentary. We'll see what happens. I guess I'll talk to my lawyers later today."...
Regina Kimbell filed a $5 million (£3.5 million) suit earlier this week (begs05Oct09), claiming the inspiration behind Rock's Good Hair film came from her 2005 documentary My Nappy Roots, which she showed the comic on the set of his TV series Everybody Hates Chris in 2007.
Kimbell's film featured celebrities who discussed different hairdos, while Rock's documentary, which premieres in the U.S. on Friday, also features famous names talking about the topic.
Rock admits he viewed My Nappy Roots before he began making Good Hair to ensure the films would not be too similar.
He says, "I called her to see the movie and told her I was doing a movie, so it's not like anybody was hiding it. It's like, 'I'm thinking about doing a movie on hair.' It was really to watch it to make sure I wasn't going to make that movie.
"The only similarity is her movie goes to India and mine goes to India, but I don't even know if she went to India. I think she got footage. That's about it. Her movie is about (hair care entrepreneur Madam) C.J. Walker, histories of hair, men, women… She'll probably be able to sell it now because of Good Hair, but it's not humorous at all.
"If you did two documentaries on George Washington, there'd be some similarities, but they're not the same documentary. We'll see what happens. I guess I'll talk to my lawyers later today."...
- 10/8/2009
- WENN
Not everybody loves Chris Rock. Example A: Regina Kimbell, who's so ticked off that she doesn't want anyone to see his new movie. That, and a $5 million check for her troubles. The funnyman is now firing back against Kimbell, a director who has gone to court to block this Friday's release of the Rock-helmed documentary Good Hair, claiming it's a rip-off of her own film. In a declaration filed yesterday in U.S. District Court, Rock denies swiping the idea for his flick. Rock describes his work as a "hybrid documentary and a comedy (a 'docu-comedy')" that "does not focus on the history of black hair care," as opposed to Kimbell's informational Nappy Roots. Got...
- 10/8/2009
- E! Online
The success rate for lawsuits that claim the big star or major studio stole Idea X is astonishingly low. Somebody would have to help me out on the last time a court ruled in favor of the little guy.
We just wrote a couple of weeks ago about the pair of writers trying to halt the release of Love Happens because it sounded like an idea they gave Universal. So far: Nothing. Now it's Chris Rock's turn to be hounded by legal proceedings.
Regina Kimbell has filed suit against Rock and "several film companies," according to The Hollywood Reporter, stating that elemens of her film My Nappy Roots have been co-opted for the comedian's new documentary Good Hair.
We just wrote a couple of weeks ago about the pair of writers trying to halt the release of Love Happens because it sounded like an idea they gave Universal. So far: Nothing. Now it's Chris Rock's turn to be hounded by legal proceedings.
Regina Kimbell has filed suit against Rock and "several film companies," according to The Hollywood Reporter, stating that elemens of her film My Nappy Roots have been co-opted for the comedian's new documentary Good Hair.
- 10/8/2009
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
Chris Rock is being sued for at least $5 million by a filmmaker who is also trying to block the release of his upcoming documentary "Good Hair." Apparently, Regina Kimbell sued Rock and other film companies in federal court in Los Angeles on Monday, claiming Rock's project is a copycat of "My Nappy Roots," her film. Kimbell stated that she screened her film for the comedian in 2007. The lawsuit states "My Nappy Roots" traces the business and cultural history of black hair care. It has only been shown only at colleges and film festivals since its completion in 2006.
- 10/8/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Chris Rock is being sued for $5 million by Regina Kimbell, producer and director of "My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage."
Kimbell is saying that Rock's upcoming film, "Good Hair" (opening in limited release this Friday), copied her "Nappy Roots" documentary. She claims that, "after hearing the buzz about the film, Rock requested a private screening at Paramount Studios. Unaware that Rock had a deal to produce a black hair documentary for HBO, Kimbell agreed to let him see the film."
"Good Hair" is directed by Jeff Stilson with the script written by Lance Crouther, Paul Marchand, Rock, Chuck Sklar, and Stilson.
So the issue is -- there are two documentaries about African-American hair, and Rock copied Kimbell's take on the subject. Really? A good copyright lawsuit argues that the way ideas are expressed are very similar. Upon looking at trailers for both films, I don't think there's a...
Kimbell is saying that Rock's upcoming film, "Good Hair" (opening in limited release this Friday), copied her "Nappy Roots" documentary. She claims that, "after hearing the buzz about the film, Rock requested a private screening at Paramount Studios. Unaware that Rock had a deal to produce a black hair documentary for HBO, Kimbell agreed to let him see the film."
"Good Hair" is directed by Jeff Stilson with the script written by Lance Crouther, Paul Marchand, Rock, Chuck Sklar, and Stilson.
So the issue is -- there are two documentaries about African-American hair, and Rock copied Kimbell's take on the subject. Really? A good copyright lawsuit argues that the way ideas are expressed are very similar. Upon looking at trailers for both films, I don't think there's a...
- 10/8/2009
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
By Wrap Staff
Chris Rock is having a bad “Hair” day.
Filmmaker Regina Kimbell is claiming Rock’s new documentary “Good Hair,” which opens Friday, rips off her 2005 documentary, “My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage.”
Kimbell claims that there are over a dozen similarities between the two films and that Rock screened her film -- which won the Pan African Film Festival's best documentary award in 2007 – on the set of his TV sho...
Chris Rock is having a bad “Hair” day.
Filmmaker Regina Kimbell is claiming Rock’s new documentary “Good Hair,” which opens Friday, rips off her 2005 documentary, “My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage.”
Kimbell claims that there are over a dozen similarities between the two films and that Rock screened her film -- which won the Pan African Film Festival's best documentary award in 2007 – on the set of his TV sho...
- 10/7/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
Chris Rock has been hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit over his upcoming comedy documentary film "Good Hair." Independent filmmaker Regina Kimbell claims the funnyman stole ideas from her own "My Nappy Roots" film.
In the lawsuit she filed at Los Angeles' District Court this week, she claims Rock's inspiration behind his film came from the documentary she made in 2005, which she showed to him on the set of his sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris" in 2007.
She also cites several similarities of the two films, including both having celebrities tell their own hair stories, the business of Black hair care, interview of hair care pioneers, and socially and politically conscious themes.
Kimbell is seeking million in damages, according to RadarOnline.com.
In the lawsuit she filed at Los Angeles' District Court this week, she claims Rock's inspiration behind his film came from the documentary she made in 2005, which she showed to him on the set of his sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris" in 2007.
She also cites several similarities of the two films, including both having celebrities tell their own hair stories, the business of Black hair care, interview of hair care pioneers, and socially and politically conscious themes.
Kimbell is seeking million in damages, according to RadarOnline.com.
- 10/7/2009
- icelebz.com
Funnyman Chris Rock is at the centre of a $5 million (£3.5 million) lawsuit from a woman alleging he stole her idea for his forthcoming documentary about African-American hairstyles.
Regina Kimbell has filed a suit at Los Angeles' District Court claiming the inspiration behind Rock's Good Hair film came from a documentary she made in 2005, which she showed the comic on the set of his TV series Everybody Hates Chris in 2007.
Kimbell alleges Rock ripped off her ideas from My Nappy Roots, which features celebrities who discuss different hairdos. Rock's documentary, which premieres in the U.S. on Friday, also features famous names talking about the topic.
She is seeking $5 million (£3.5 million) in damages, according to TMZ.com.
Regina Kimbell has filed a suit at Los Angeles' District Court claiming the inspiration behind Rock's Good Hair film came from a documentary she made in 2005, which she showed the comic on the set of his TV series Everybody Hates Chris in 2007.
Kimbell alleges Rock ripped off her ideas from My Nappy Roots, which features celebrities who discuss different hairdos. Rock's documentary, which premieres in the U.S. on Friday, also features famous names talking about the topic.
She is seeking $5 million (£3.5 million) in damages, according to TMZ.com.
- 10/6/2009
- WENN
Chris Rock's documentary about African-American hairstyles is as phony as the extensions on Paris Hilton's head, according to a new lawsuit. Regina Kimbell says she showed Chris her 2005 documentary, "My Nappy Roots," on the set of his TV series, "Everybody Hates Chris," back in 2007. Then, according to the suit filed in U.S. District Court in downtown L.A., he stole the idea for his documentary, "Good Hair," which will open on Friday.
- 10/6/2009
- TMZ
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