Popsquire

If you’re just tuning in, welcome to Popsquire’s ongoing Oscar celebration, which examines Oscar nominees’ collisions with the law.

Popsquire’s pick of the moment: Sweeney Todd. If you haven’t seen this movie, shame on you, but here’s what you need to know…

This Tim Burton film is a dark musical about a man seeking to avenge his unjust imprisonment and his wife’s death. Amid the singing, the main characters played by Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter kill numerous people, chop them up, and make minced meat out of them — literally.

Popsquire assumes everyone sees the obvious crime of endless murder, but what other unlawful activity do you see in this movie? Below is Popsquire’s list. If you have any to add, let me know!

1. False Advertising
2. False Imprisonment
3. Kidnapping
4. Unlicensed Barber
5. Cannibalism
6. Numerous Healthy and Safety Code Violations

Technorati Tags: academy awards, cannibalism, helena bonham carter, johnny depp, law, murder, oscars, pop culture, sweeney todd, tim burton

In anticipation of the Oscars, Popsquire is examining how the nominated films present collisions between pop culture and law…

Juno is a great movie with many legal collisions! In the scene where Juno is exploring adoption with the potential adoptive parents, Jennifer Garner’s character asks if Juno is seeking any “other compensation.” Juno says “No.”

Popsquire’s perspective…

Generally, it is both legal and customary to pay for certain expenses incurred by a birth mother, with various limitations and conditions.

For example, California law provides in Penal Code § 273, that it is legal to assist with a birth mother’s reasonable and necessary pregnancy-related living expenses, for the period of time that she is disabled or unemployable due to the pregnancy.

This payment of expenses must be made unconditionally and as an act of charity — otherwise, it could be considered buying the baby.

If Popsquire were adopting, he’d definitely prefer a birth mother who lives modestly! Just like Notorious B.I.G. said, Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems.

Technorati Tags: academy awards, adoption, ellen page, jason bateman, jennifer garner, juno, law, oscars, pop culture