Hobbit tops US box office with $73.7m

Undaunted hobbits trumped princess power at the multiplex.

According to studio estimates on Sunday, Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was No. 1 at the US box office with $US73.7 million ($A82.62 million), beating last weekend's No.1 film, Disney's animated fable Frozen.

Melting down to the No. 2 position, Frozen earned $US22.2 million in its third weekend, bringing its impressive overall domestic ticket total to nearly $US164.4 million.

Despite its first place position, Hobbit fell short of topping its prequel's debut. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which opened this same weekend last year, gained $US84.6 million.

'Hobbit rules this date and Warner Bros has linked this brand to this time of year very effectively,' said box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Rentrak.

The holiday-themed Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas came in third place with $US16.2 million.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, earned $US13.2 million for the fourth place slot. To date Catching Fire has grossed $US739.9 million, surpassing the worldwide box office total for The Hunger Games, which brought in $US691 million.

Disney's super hero sequel, Thor: The Dark World, continues to thrive as it remained in the top five with $US2.7 million, bringing its domestic total to $US198.1 million.

In its second weekend, drama Out of the Furnace, starring Christian Bale and Casey Affleck, dropped to the sixth place position with $US2.3 million after opening in the third place slot.

Comedy Delivery Man, with Vince Vaughn as the lead, dropped in at No.7 in its fourth weekend at the box office with $US1.9 million, bringing its domestic total to $US28 million.

Philomena, starring Judi Dench, who received a best actress Golden Globe Awards nomination for her performance as a nun in search of her son, landed in the No.8 spot with $US1.8 million.

In its sixth weekend at the box office, Fox's Nazi Germany-set The Book Thief, starring Emily Watson, Geoffrey Rush and Sophie Nelisse, held ninth position with $US1.7 million.

Coming in at No.10 was the Jason Statham and James Franco-starring Open Road crime thriller Homefront, which gained $US1.6 million in its third weekend. Its total domestic gross is now $US18.4 million.

Opening in limited release in just six locations, David Russell's con artist tale, American Hustle, scored $US690,000 over the weekend. This aces the success of his Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook, which saw $US27,687 during its opening weekend in December last year.

American Hustle, featuring stellar performances by Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence, has been nominated for seven Golden Globe Awards and two Screen Actors Guild nominations.

source: skynews.com.au

Walker crash not part of street race

The neighbourhood where 'Fast Furious' star Paul Walker died in a fiery crash is known to attract street racers, but law enforcement officials do not believe the Porsche in which Paul Walker and a friend were riding had been racing another car.

Accident investigators 'have received eyewitness statements that the car involved was travelling alone at a high rate of speed,' the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a statement on Monday.

'No eyewitness has contacted the (department) to say there was a second vehicle.'

Walker and his friend and fellow fast-car enthusiast Roger Rodas died on Saturday when Rodas' 2005 Porsche Carrera GT smashed into a light pole and tree, then exploded in flames. The posted limit was 45mph (72km/h).

The two had taken what was expected to be a brief drive away from a charity fundraiser and toy drive at Rodas' custom car shop in Valencia, northwest of Los Angeles. Walker's publicist said the action star was the passenger.

The crash happened on a street that forms a near two-kilometre loop amid industrial office parks. It is rimmed by hills and relatively isolated from traffic, especially on weekends when the businesses are closed.

'It's well-known out here that that's a hot spot for street racers,' California Highway Patrol Sgt Rick Miler said.

Skid marks are a testament to past antics on the loop. The sheriff's department, which polices the neighbourhood, said Saturday's wreck was not the first speed-related crash there, but would not reveal specifics.

Meanwhile, investigators are consulting video from security cameras, talking to witnesses and analysing physical evidence such as on-board computer data from the Porsche.

A steady stream of fans has flocked to the crash site to leave flowers, candles and memorabilia from the action films.

source: skynews.com.au

Marlon Stockinger Unlikely To Enter Showbiz Soon

It looks like TV, movies and modeling contracts for Filipino-Swiss racing sensation Marlon Stockinger will have to wait.

The handsome young man is bent on accomplishing a lifelong dream – to become the first ever Filipino to be a full-fledged Formula 1 (F1) driver.

Asked about plans of entering showbiz, Stockinger said, “Right now I’m devoting all my time and energy to racing. I know that I’ve been given one-of-a-kind opportunities to pursue my dream, and I’m dead-set on making the most of them.”

Stockinger was back in the country for 10 days recently and has created quite a clamor for his presence after being named a Junior Driver for the Lotus F1 team of Eric Boullier.

Already a sports hero in his own right, Stockinger is another excellent Filipino athlete shining through the international sports arena. “It’s a great honor to be part of the Lotus F1 Team, and an even greater honor to bear the Filipino flag as I train and compete,” said he.

The racing sensation is now in Europe to continue testing in France and Spain later this month.

By April onwards, he begins competing in a series of 18 races all over Europe. Two races will be held in a different country each weekend starting in Italy on April 6 and 7, followed by Spain on April 27 and 28, Monaco in time for the F1 Grand Prix on May 25 and 26, in Belgium on June 1 and 2, Russia on June 22 and 23, Austria on July 20 and 21, Hungary on September 14 and 15, France on September 28 and 29, and finally capping off with Races 17 and 18 in Spain on October 19 and 20.

In between, Stockinger will return to Manila for the big Lotus F1 roadshow from May 4-5.

source: mb.com.ph

Georgina Wilson says sorry to Nora Aunor

MANILA, Philippines - Celebrity Georgina Wilson on Friday finally spoke on the controversial
mock-up image of superstar Nora Aunor that she uploaded on Twitter last month.

The mock-up image, which showed Aunor wearing a two-piece swimsuit, made fans of the veteran actress angry.


Wilson made it clear, however, that she was not the one who created the photo, adding that she has great respect for Aunor.

"I respect Ms. Nora Aunor. A fan sent me that photo. Hindi ako ang gumawa and I posted it kasi parang I thought it was funny. Some people were offended so I took it down. I didn't say anything," she said as she was launched as the newest calendar girl of Ginebra San Miguel on Friday.

"Of course my intention is not to offend her," she added. She's our superstar and I was talking to Tita Gloria (Diaz) about it and she said that people just took it the wrong way."

Wilson also apologized to Aunor and her fans.

"I apologized and I also feel that I really didn't mean anything wrong. And if I offended her fans and her, I'm really sorry about that. But I really would never offend someone who's already an institution in our showbiz world," she said.

While a number of people found the mock-up image of Aunor "disrespectful," Wilson initially thought of it as a tribute of sorts to the country's "Superstar."

"Akala ko mga fans niya ang gumawa noon so I thought, 'how cute naman of them to think of me and put her picture. Big fan naman ako ni Ate Guy. So na-confuse talaga ako when it became a big issue. But I'm sure it's not an issue for her, she's a superstar," she said.

Last month after the photo was uploaded, Aunor gave Wilson some words of advice.

"Ituloy lang niya kung ano 'yung mga pintas na gusto niyang iparating sa akin, at tatanggapin ko nang buong puso," Aunor said when asked for her message to the Filipina-British model.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Talent thrives among Elvis grandkids: Lisa Marie

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Elvis Presley’s grandchildren all have show business in their blood, but their mother Lisa Marie Presley said Friday she hoped they would succeed at whatever they chose to pursue.

Presley, 44, discussed her iconic rock ‘n’ roll father, who died 35 years ago this week, alongside her mother Priscilla during a half-hour talk before Elvis fans at the family’s Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee.

It was the first time the singer-songwriter, whose latest album “Storm and Grace” came out in May, had participated in an open panel discussion at the annual Elvis Week festivities.

“Really, I just want them to be really good at whatever they want to do,” she said when asked about her children Riley Keough, 23, Benjamin Keough, 19, and three-year-old twins Harper and Finley Lockwood.

Riley, who appears in director Steven Soderbergh’s male stripper film “Magic Mike,” is doing “incredibly well” in her acting career, while music-loving Benjamin is “swinging back and forth” between bass and guitar, said Presley.

Of “the little ones,” she said Finley “is definitely going to sing… that child loves music,” while potential thespian Harper can recreate any movie she sees “scene by scene, line by line, exactly as she saw it.”

Asked what the twins make of their iconic grandpop, Presley said: “They are very, very, very proud. ‘That’s my grandfather! I want to see my grandfather!’ They have such a sense of pride. It’s really cute.”

Presley had her older children with her first husband, musician Danny Keough, and the youngest ones with her current spouse, music producer Michael Lockwood. She was also married to the late Michael Jackson and actor Nicolas Cage.

source: interaksyon.com

Ariel Villasanta Cites Reason For Split With Cristina Decena

MANILA, Philippines - After four weddings and a year and a half together as man and wife, comic TV host Ariel and businesswoman Cristina Decena have parted ways due to what he claims as "incompatibility."

“Tinext ko ‘yung parang ano nga, sa hiwalayan namin…‘yung closure,” Ariel shared on "Showbiz Central," July 29.

“Unang-una, sa totoo lang [ay] hindi namin kayang humarap sa isa’t isa, eh,” the comedian related.

Nevertheless, Cristina gave her all in the relationship, to the point of spoiling him. “Ibang klaseng magmahal si Cristina, more than you expected. Binigay niya lahat na naging spoiled ako. Pati mommy ko inalagaan niya. Nag-produce pa siya ng show ko.”

But this, it seems, was not enough to sustain their relationship.

“Pero minsan may mga bagay na… meron kasi siyang ibang kinalakihan, meron akong ibang kinalakihan. In short, may incompatibility kami... Napaka-strong ng personality niya, eh. Ako naman, manipis lang ang dibdib ko. Siguro talagang nahirapan akong mag-adjust sa pagiging mayaman [niya] so eto, balik ako...”

A happy start

On Nov. 6, 2010, Cristina and Ariel exchanged “I dos” in Hong Kong.

“Gusto kong isigaw sa buong mundo kung ano ‘yung pakiramdam namin sa isa’t isa,” Ariel said in a previous “SC” interview.

“Ang saya-saya namin. Pakiramdam ko [ay] para bang ayoko nang mahiwalay sa kanya,” Cristina shared then.

Devastated

Cristina herself confirmed that she and Ariel have parted ways.

“Oo hiwalay na kami noong pang may 27. Umalis siya ng bahay, hindi na siya umuwi, hindi na siya nagte-text sa akin. Wednesday, meron akong launching nitong bago kong business, ‘yung Muebles de Cristina at Signatures by Cristina. Alam kong hahanapin siya ng mga tao, ng mga press. Obvious naman na wala ‘yung asawa ko,” she said.

Their separation was coursed through a text message from Ariel, leaving her devastated.

“Doon na ako nagiba, doon na ako naiyak. Sabi ko, ‘Ano ‘to, isang text lang tapos na lahat. Gano’n na lang?’”

Ariel’s defense

Ariel disputed the notion that he married Cristina for convenience. “Sa totoo lang [ay] malupit din ang ginive-up ko dito kasi kung material lang [ang habol ko], baka inakap ko ito. Isipin n’yo pati career, eh. Siyempre may prinsipyo din ako.”

Even Ariel’s mom, Elvie, was surprised to learn about the separation.

“Siyempre medyo nalungkot ako dahil siyempre malapit na akong mamatay dahil may cancer ako, eh. Mamatay man ako siyempre meron akong pag-iiwanan sa kanya,” Mommy Elvie said.

Realization

After the split, Cristina had come to a realization. “Hindi pala basehan ang pagpapakasal sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo para magkaroon kayo ng isang matibay, matatag na relasyon,” she said, adding that a solid foundation is needed to make the relationship grow.

“Kailangang malalim ang pundasyon n’yo. Sa amin ni Ariel sa isang bagyo lang [ay] nagiba lahat, eh.”

But even when her marriage proved to be a failure, Cristina did not regret marrying Ariel.

“Wala akong pagsisisi sa ginawa kong pagpapakasal kay Ariel sa iba’t ibang bansa kasi noong ginawa ko ‘yon (ay) sobrang mahal na mahal ko siya at alam ko rin naman na during that time ay mahal na mahal niya ako.”

Plans

Cristina bares her plan to file an annulment or divorce to make their separation official.

“Kailangan kong magpunta ng Hong Kong. Kailangan kong mag-inquire dahil naka-file doon ’yung kasal namin, eh. Mag-i-inquire ako kung paano makapag-file ng annulment doon o divorce. Ganoon din sa Japan.”

Ariel is very grateful for Cristina's generosity as a wife.

“Cristina, unang-una talagang nalulungkot ako dito sa nangyari sa atin pero nagpapasalamat ako sa pag-alaga mo, sa lahat ng mga pagmamahal na binigay mo sa akin, sa pag-alaga mo sa mommy ko. Thank you. Salamat sa iyo.”

source: mb.com.ph

TV5, Dolphy’s last home, joins nation in mourning

TV5, Dolphy’s last home network, commiserated with the Filipino people on Wednesday on the death of the revered comedian.

“The management and staff of TV5 join the whole nation in mourning the passing of our most cherished colleague and one of showbiz’s most revered icons, Dolphy.

“For us in TV5, Mang Dolphy forever lives as the symbol of the indomitable joyful spirit of the Filipino. May the legacy of his laughter sustain us through our trials and triumphs as a people,” the network said in an official statement.

In early 2010, Dolphy joined TV5 where he starred in the sitcom “Pidol’s Wonderland”.

“I think ABS-CBN felt bad about it. But I just wanted to work. I’ve been waiting for a job for the past three years. I love ABS-CBN, but I need to move on,” he explained to the media.

For Dolphy, the transfer to TV5 represented a chance to work with his sons and old colleagues once again and be directed by his son, Eric Quizon.

For TV5 chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, it represented an opportunity to be associated with a legend he had long admired.

“I find Dolphy especially outstanding in two things—a Filipino in the truest sense, and, at bottom, a kind and generous man,” Pangilinan said in his note to Dolphy’s biography, “Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-isa”.

In December 2010, Dolphy played the narrator in TV5’s first film venture, “Rosario”, a well-crafted period drama about the life of Pangilinan’s grandmother.

The role won for him the best supporting actor honors at the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival, a welcome bonus to the best actor trophy he bagged for his other MMFF entry, “Father Jejemon”, the last entry in his long filmography.

On July 24, 2011, TV5 celebrated Dolphy’s 83rd birthday with a two-hour special called “Talentadong Pidol”.

Dolphy also co-hosted a special segment of “Talentadong Pinoy” with Ryan Agoncillo.

source: interaksyon.com

Marian Rivera Meets Grandparents For The First Time

MANILA, Philippines - Marian Rivera visited her birthplace Spain recently, which allowed for a happy reunion with his father who then facilitated a first time meeting between her daughter and her grandparents.

“Na-meet ko ang lola’t lolo ko na ‘di ko na-meet before. So, nagkaroon kami ng maliit na reunion sa Spain; kasama sila papa tapos lolo’t lola ko, yung mga uncle ko. Nagkaroon ng bonding at pag-uusap na ang saya-saya. Parang feeling ko sobrang kumpleto na lahat," said Rivera.

She excitedly related that her father is planning to visit the Philippines next year.

Rivera last saw her father, Spanish restaurateur Francisco Javier Alonzo Gracia in 2010. Prior, they were estranged for seven long years.

Rivera was born in Madrid, Spain. Javier Gracia separated with Rivera's mother, Amalia when the former model was just a child. Rivera grew up with relatives on her mother's side in Cavite, occasionally visiting her dad in Spain during school breaks. The number of visits waned when Rivera became too busy with her college studies as well as having to juggle time as ramp and commercial model.

Rivera was in tears when her father greeted her during a birthday concert in 2008, admitting that it was an unexpected surprise. It eventually allowed for the two to renew their bond culminating with Rivera visiting his father in 2010.

In a separate interview, Marian's boyfriend, Dingdong Dantes, denied that he had asked Gracia's blessing to marry his daughter during the visit. Rivera likewise denied the matter, insisting that she wouldn't try to hide it if it were the case.

According to Rivera, the visit was part of a long-planned vacation that she and Dantes thought necessary after having spent a great deal of time working together in the recently concluded GMA-7 series, "My Beloved."

source: mb.com.ph