Celebrating the upcoming release of Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray, George Lucas via his Lucasfilm studio is collaborating with the non-profit Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) on the aptly titled "Use The Force For Good." Of course, "good" means driving donations to the Stand Up To Cancer website, where all proceeds go to cancer research.

Any celebrities promoting this? Only Aziz Ansari, Zach Galifianakis, Bill Hader, Ed Helms, Ken Jeong, Jaime King, Seth Rogen, Andy Samberg, Emma Stone and even Star Wars alum Samuel L. Jackson. In the video, they each "Use the Force for Good" as they reenact classic Star Wars scenes to raise awareness, and funds, for cancer research.Continue reading...

Trade Talks May Have Liquor Brands Toasting

International trade negotiations could be a boon for alcohol brands, especially American and Scottish whiskies. The U.S. is talking with South Korea about getting rid of a 20% import duty on bourbon and Tennessee whiskey, while the European Union is trying to reach an agreement with India to reduce high tariffs on foreign spirits. With whiskies growing in popularity worldwide, lower tariffs would certainly translate to higher sales. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, if tariffs are cancelled, U.S. exports to Korea could rise to about $17.6 million a year, up from about $6 million in 2009.Continue reading...

Apple poaches Microsoft exec to head up data project, as iPhone 5 seen as crucial test with Verizon. And a lucky class of Maine kindergartners receive iPad 2 tablets.

Bank of America appoints new CFO as earnings disappoint.

BP seeks to resume drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Cisco's Flip camera eulogized by NYT's David Pogue.

Donald Trump mulls political announcement on The Apprentice.

Francis Ford Coppola acquires Inglenook trademark, rebranding his Rubicon Estate to the historic name.Continue reading...

ABC's Desperate Housewives renew contracts with eight-figure salaries. 

Amazon launches $25 cheaper ad-supported Kindle.

NFL players, owners ordered to start federal mediation.

Donald Trump goes on the warpath against New York media.

BP gives Florida $30 million for advertising.

Costco undercuts cheapest gas prices but stocks $1M diamond ring.

David Beckham says he will collaborate on a kids clothing line with pal Snoop Dogg.

Experian says 30% of searches came from Bing last month.Continue reading...

Donald Trump has Trump Super Premium Vodka; Dan Aykroyd has his wine and Crystal Head Vodka; Marilyn Manson has Mansinthe; Justin Timberlake is putting his "T" on tequila; Francis Ford Coppola maintains a tidy business with his winery; and Danny Devito even has his own limoncello.

But watch out, celebrity booze-slingers! The king of porn is, ahem, entering the game.

Ron Jeremy, who has appeared in more than 1,000 pornographic films since the late ‘70s, is attaching his notorious name to a premium 7-year-old Panamanian rum called, cleverly enough, Ron de Jeremy (“ron” being Spanish for “rum”).Continue reading...