Free Republic

Sony’s controversial comedy flick earned $31 million in online sales and $5 million in theaters despite cyber threats and a wide theatrical release. The online sales figure marks the most lucrative digital release for a Hollywood film ever. Sony Pictures' "The Interview" has made more than $31 million from its online and on-demand release, according to the studio. Sony announced digital figures Tuesday for the film spanning its first 11 days of release since debuting Dec. 24. Sony had previously said the film made $15 million in its first four days online, so demand for the Seth Rogen comedy has...

How did American culture fall prey to the lowest common denominator in our country? When did we start admiring primitive cultures and considering them superior to our western civilization, giving in to their needy and outrageous demands no matter what happens to our own citizens? How did the Western world fall prey to Marxist-Leninists, to Islam, and to the rap music of the ghetto and prison culture? How was Europe colonized by Islam in just a few decades of open-borders immigration? Why did its leaders eagerly embrace Islam instead of their own citizens, committing cultural and demographic suicide?

Though it’s hard to imagine, Elvis Presley would have turned 80 on Thursday. To salute the King, here are 25 facts you should know about the man from Tupelo, Mississippi.

According to Norse mythology, the world will end in fire, carnage, and the near-extinction of mankind. Naturally, I got a song out of it. Copypasta:1. I write and record my songs under the pseudonym "Hopalong Ginsberg." "Slings and Arrows" sounded too Jewish. 2. I know that my voice is slightly less "Metal" than Barry Manilow's. *shrug* It's the only one I've got.3. You can download a free MP3 of "Ragnarok" by clicking here or here. Clicking here will NOT get you a free MP3. No, sir.4.

We will be screening our film "Rockin' the Wall," about music's part in bringing down the Iron Curtain, at the Loft Theater on Speedway, tomorrow night, Wed. Jan. 7 at 7:00 p.m. I'll be there to sign books and do a Q&A. See you there.

It's becoming more and more apparent that a new generational gap is forming. Whereas one generation didn't grow up with iPhones and high-speed internet, the newest generation sees these things as everyday commodities. It's natural for gaps like this to form, and with those gaps come plenty of hilarious consequences. With how quickly technology is advancing, these gaps show themselves more frequently nowadays. There are the usual complaints (like 'those darn kids never put their phones down'), but it's really the disconnect between the two generations that stings. For instance, it seems unimaginable that the younger generation doesn't know who...

Passed away at 8:18 this morning.

Donna Douglas -- who famously portrayed Elly May Clampett on the legendary 60s TV series "The Beverly Hillbillies" -- passed away Thursday at her home in Louisiana with friends and family by her side. Douglas' granddaughter confirmed the death to TMZ. Donna starred on "The Beverly Hillbillies" for all nine seasons and even returned for the 1981 reunion TV movie.

Jack Payne and his B.B.C. Dance Orchestra plays "Bubbling Over With Love."

“My Canary Has Circles Under His Eyes” is performed by Howard Godfrey's Waldorfians with vocal by Al Bowlly issued in 1931.

Post your thoughts on today's games and the upcoming games as they happen.

1. "Guardians of the Galaxy," $332.9 million. 2. "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1," $308.9 million. 3. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," $259.8 million. 4. "The Lego Movie," $257.8 million. 5. "Transformers: Age of Extinction," $245.4 million. 6. "Maleficent," $241.4 million. 7. "X-Men: Days of Future Past," $233.9 million. 8. "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," $208.6 million.

Luise Rainer, an actress who won two Oscars back to back for her roles in The Great Ziegfeld and the Good Earth, after emigrating from Germany, died at the age of 104. While she is remembering for her place in old Hollywood, often overlooked is the pro-Israel work of this Jewish actress. Rainer participated in the United Palestine Appeal’s Night of Stars (Palestine was the British Latin designation used for a colonial territory that included Israel). She was the chairwoman of the American tour of the Habima Theater, which stood to reason as her acting aspirations had begun as a...

Edward Hermann, perhaps best known for playing Richard Gilmore on "The Gilmore Girls"- died this morning in a hospital in New York. He was 71.

Social media has become the first place many of us hear about breaking news. This is perhaps most evident when someone famous dies. Word spreads fast and memories and reminiscences are shared. Here are twenty notables who were remembered on Twitter after their passing in 2014. 1. “Unbroken” World War II hero and Olympian Louis Zamperini 2. Former White House Press Secretary James Brady

You know how that guy at the karaoke bar singing Journey's "Don't Stop Believin' " sounds a little off after he's had a few drinks? The same goes for buzzed birds, according to a team led by researchers from Oregon Health & Science University. For a study published in PLoS ONE, scientists found that when they got some unsuspecting zebra finches drunk, the birds slurred their songs. The findings could help scientists study the neural processes underlying birdsong - and shed light on human speech. While many scientists want to understand alcohol's effects on such a complex system as speech,...

Okay. I love seeing my favorite bands in concert. The older I get, the less I get out to shows. It would be great if concerts started at 4pm, instead of 10pm. That said, here is my short list. Elbow Jeff Tweedy Bonnie Prince Billy EmmyLou Harris Hiss Golden Messenger Robbie Fulks Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch and Fats Kaplan Robbie Fulks -- I'll Trade You Money For Wine

I'm watching the "Breaking Bad" marathon now and half the enjoyment is seeing the "Better Call Saul" commercials for that show that starts in February. Anyway, since the locale is the Southwest, I am wondering if there will be a Fast & Furious storyline. Basically ATF agents buying guns from local dealers and making sure they are purchased by the Mexican cartel. It's almost natural that there would be a Saul Goodman connection there. Perhaps he represents a gun dealer who was framed by the feds but the dealer secretly taped conversations with the ATF agent showing the latter encouraged...