“Dolce” Vs. “Dolce”

In what may prove to be the best publicity yet for the already massively hyped lauded "Michael Lucas' La Dolce Vita" (see, we know the difference!), the company that owns the rights to Fellini's 1961 classic is suing Lucas Entertainment for using the title, claiming that it will "infringe, tarnish and dilute" the impact and reputation of the original—something that Lucas, of course, is shrugging off with characteristic aplomb: "Nobody can be confused and think they're buying Fellini's movie by buying mine." (Especially if they read our review, in which we got all Criterion Collection on Lucas' ass for deviating from the original narrative.) We have a feeling things will blow over pretty quickly (Michael Lucas doesn't look that much like Marcello Mastroianni, no matter how fancy his suits are); what's more interesting is that the news story, which refers to Lucas by his real name, is hitting the wires on the same day that Lucas himself sent out a newsletter informing gay pornerati that he's legally changed his name to Michaelangelo Antonioni. (Er, we mean to "Michael Lucas". It's all so meta, even we're getting confused!)

· "Porn Maker Sued Over 'Dolce Vita' Title" (sfgate.com- thanks BR)
· "Michael Lucas' La Dolce Vita Parts 1 & 2" (lucasentertainment.com) and That Other Movie Called "La Dolce Vita" (Amazon)

Update Read Michael Lucas' official statement about the lawsuit ... and the lawsuit itself (PDF download), which we think is pretty funny even though (because?) we happen to be mentioned in it.

Previously: Fleshbot Party Crash: "La Dolce Vita" Premiere, DVD Review: Michael Lucas' "La Dolce Vita"