AP, LOS ANGELES: With a celebrity-studded crowd looking on, Rihanna rocked the halftime show at the NBA All-Star game on her 23rd birthday.
She had other big names helping her sing her hits Sunday, with Drake joining in on "What's My Name?" and working "happy birthday" into the lyrics. Dripping in gold chains, a red-clad Kanye West came out for "All of the Lights," which is off his latest album but features Rihanna.
At halftime, the lights inside Staples Center went out and the video screens filled with water droplets, setting the stage for Rihanna to emerge from behind a wall singing "Umbrella."
The red-haired singer soon shed her short black suit jacket and white scarf to reveal a short black skirt and a rhinestone halter. She shimmied her way through "Only Girl (In the World)" and didn't flinch when her huge hoop earring fell off her left ear in mid-song.
While it was a working day for Rihanna, her fellow music stars relaxed in their seats while watching the 60th annual All-Star game. The West team, led by Kobe Bryant's 37 points, defeated the East 148-143.
Beyonce and hubby Jay-Z sat courtside, with Justin Bieber (MVP of Friday's All-Star celebrity game) two seats away. Sean "Diddy" Combs, Stevie Wonder (wearing headphones), Grammy winner Bruno Mars, Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo, Gene Simmons, and "American Idol" judge Steven Tyler were scattered around the arena. Rapper Nicki Minaj snacked on pink cotton candy.
Later, Rihanna sat courtside next to 16-year-old Bieber, making for a striking contrast between her flaming long hair and his famous shaggy 'do.
Benny, the Chicago Bulls mascot, jumped into the seat next to singer John Legend and his girlfriend-model Chrissy Teigen to joke around.
Canadian singer Melanie Fiona sang her country's national anthem, and Los Angeles native Josh Groban did the U.S. anthem. With plenty of fog swirling, Lenny Kravitz played during the pregame introductions.
Among the movie and TV stars in attendance were Dustin Hoffman, Spike Lee, Warren Beatty, Rick Fox and girlfriend-actress Eliza Dushku, and Nick Cannon (without wife Mariah Carey). CNN talk show host Piers Morgan furiously worked his cell phone during most of the action.
Snoop Dogg, Terrell Owens, Chris Tucker, tennis star Venus Williams, and actors Forest Whitaker, Noah Wyle and Ellen Pompeo took in the show, too. Los Angeles Lakers fan Jack Nicholson was bumped out of his usual courtside seat.
Actress Gabrielle Union walked the magenta carpet outside the arena before the game, dishing on her boyfriend, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade.
"His closet is way bigger than mine. He's way, way, way into clothes that his closet is like five times the size of mine," Union said.
Wade loves different scents, too.
"He is a little bit obsessed with the smell of cocoa butter. He loves it for himself," she said. "He's got, I think, over 30 different colognes."
If the fashion police had been on patrol, they might have cited former NBA great Darryl Dawkins.
Standing 6-foot-11, the man nicknamed "Chocolate Thunder" for his ferocious dunking ability made an even louder statement by wearing a lime-colored pinstriped suit.
As soon as Orlando Magic forward Dwight Howard spotted Dawkins, he couldn't help but offer a critique.
"He looks like a big lizard. Aw-w-w, man," Howard said. "I thought last night's suit was terrible, but then he came out today looking like a highlighter? That's probably one of the worst suits I've ever seen in my life."
While Howard and many of the other arriving NBA players dressed up in suits and ties, Lakers star Bryant dressed down in jeans and a black leather jacket.
Oliver Stone wins Boulder Film Festival award
AP, BOULDER, Colo: Director Oliver Stone has been awarded a "Master of Cinema" award by the Boulder International Film Festival.
The Boulder Daily Camera reports the award was presented on Sunday, the last night of the festival.
Stone's films have been nominated for 31 Academy Awards, and he has won three Oscars: best adapted screenplay for "Midnight Express" and best director for "Platoon" and "Born on the Fourth of July."
The Boulder Daily Camera reports the award was presented on Sunday, the last night of the festival.
Stone's films have been nominated for 31 Academy Awards, and he has won three Oscars: best adapted screenplay for "Midnight Express" and best director for "Platoon" and "Born on the Fourth of July."
Hollywood rarely crowns British monarchy at Oscars
AP, LOS ANGELES: It may seem as though Academy Awards voters would be a bunch of fawning monarchists, considering how often the ceremony has been a love fest for all things English. But British kings and queens generally wind up losers at the Oscars.
If "The King's Speech," a saga about Queen Elizabeth II's dad, makes good on its status as best-picture favorite on Sunday, it would become the first film with a British monarch as its central figure to win the top prize in the 83-year history of the Oscars.
Two films with a British king or queen as a supporting player — 1966's "A Man for All Seasons" and 1998's "Shakespeare in Love" — did win best picture. Yet past contenders with a monarch in a lead role have always lost: 1933's "The Private Life of Henry VIII," 1946's "Henry V," 1964's "Becket," 1968's "The Lion in Winter," 1969's "Anne of the Thousand Days," 1998's "Elizabeth" (which lost to "Shakespeare in Love") and 2006's "The Queen."
Actors as British monarchs have fared a bit better, with lead-acting wins by Charles Laughton in the title role of "The Private Life of Henry VIII"; Katharine Hepburn as Henry II's captive queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, in "The Lion in Winter"; and Helen Mirren as Elizabeth II in "The Queen." Judi Dench won a supporting Oscar as Elizabeth I in "Shakespeare in Love."
Best-actor front-runner Colin Firth as the current queen's father, George VI, is expected to join the winner's list Sunday, though Helena Bonham Carter as his wife, the future Queen Mother Elizabeth, is a longshot for supporting actress.
Losers far outnumber winners: 13 of the 17 actors nominated for playing a British king or queen have lost (there would be one more loser if we throw in Vanessa Redgrave as best actress in 1971's "Mary, Queen of Scots," whose title character schemed but failed to take the English crown from Elizabeth I).
Two actors lost twice for playing the same monarch — Peter O'Toole as Henry II in "Becket" and "The Lion in Winter" and Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth I in "Elizabeth" and its 2007 sequel, "Elizabeth: The Golden Age."
Laurence Olivier lost twice for playing two different kings in Shakespeare adaptations, 1946's "Henry V" and 1956's "Richard III." Kenneth Branagh also lost for his 1989 version of "Henry V."
Henry VIII has gone one-for-three at the Oscars. After Laughton's win, two other actors lost for playing the same role — Robert Shaw as supporting actor in "A Man for All Seasons" and Richard Burton as best actor for "Anne of the Thousand Days" (the latter film also was a best-actress loser for Genevieve Bujold in the title role, as one of Henry VIII's queens, Anne Boleyn).
Before their wins, both Dench and Mirren lost at the Oscars for other roles as British queens. Mirren lost the supporting-actress race as Queen Charlotte in 1994's "The Madness of King George," for which Nigel Hawthorne also lost for best actor in the title role. Dench lost for best actress as Queen Victoria in 1997's "Mrs. Brown."
If "The King's Speech," a saga about Queen Elizabeth II's dad, makes good on its status as best-picture favorite on Sunday, it would become the first film with a British monarch as its central figure to win the top prize in the 83-year history of the Oscars.
Two films with a British king or queen as a supporting player — 1966's "A Man for All Seasons" and 1998's "Shakespeare in Love" — did win best picture. Yet past contenders with a monarch in a lead role have always lost: 1933's "The Private Life of Henry VIII," 1946's "Henry V," 1964's "Becket," 1968's "The Lion in Winter," 1969's "Anne of the Thousand Days," 1998's "Elizabeth" (which lost to "Shakespeare in Love") and 2006's "The Queen."
Actors as British monarchs have fared a bit better, with lead-acting wins by Charles Laughton in the title role of "The Private Life of Henry VIII"; Katharine Hepburn as Henry II's captive queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, in "The Lion in Winter"; and Helen Mirren as Elizabeth II in "The Queen." Judi Dench won a supporting Oscar as Elizabeth I in "Shakespeare in Love."
Best-actor front-runner Colin Firth as the current queen's father, George VI, is expected to join the winner's list Sunday, though Helena Bonham Carter as his wife, the future Queen Mother Elizabeth, is a longshot for supporting actress.
Losers far outnumber winners: 13 of the 17 actors nominated for playing a British king or queen have lost (there would be one more loser if we throw in Vanessa Redgrave as best actress in 1971's "Mary, Queen of Scots," whose title character schemed but failed to take the English crown from Elizabeth I).
Two actors lost twice for playing the same monarch — Peter O'Toole as Henry II in "Becket" and "The Lion in Winter" and Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth I in "Elizabeth" and its 2007 sequel, "Elizabeth: The Golden Age."
Laurence Olivier lost twice for playing two different kings in Shakespeare adaptations, 1946's "Henry V" and 1956's "Richard III." Kenneth Branagh also lost for his 1989 version of "Henry V."
Henry VIII has gone one-for-three at the Oscars. After Laughton's win, two other actors lost for playing the same role — Robert Shaw as supporting actor in "A Man for All Seasons" and Richard Burton as best actor for "Anne of the Thousand Days" (the latter film also was a best-actress loser for Genevieve Bujold in the title role, as one of Henry VIII's queens, Anne Boleyn).
Before their wins, both Dench and Mirren lost at the Oscars for other roles as British queens. Mirren lost the supporting-actress race as Queen Charlotte in 1994's "The Madness of King George," for which Nigel Hawthorne also lost for best actor in the title role. Dench lost for best actress as Queen Victoria in 1997's "Mrs. Brown."
Neeson's `Unknown' wins weekend with $21.8M debut
AP, LOS ANGELES: Liam Neeson has proven himself a known quantity again at the box office.
Neeson's thriller, "Unknown," debuted as the No. 1 movie with $21.8 million, following in the footsteps of his 2009 action hit "Taken," according to studio estimates Sunday.
Another action tale, "I Am Number Four," opened at No. 2 with $19.5 million.
A Warner Bros. release, "Unknown" stars Neeson as a botanist who awakens from a coma to find his wife claims she does not know him and that another man has taken his identity.
DreamWorks' "I Am Number Four" stars Alex Pettyfer as a teenage alien refugee on Earth who develops superpowers to battle the evil invaders that destroyed his planet. It was the first DreamWorks movie released under the company's distribution deal with Disney.
While "I Am Number Four" held youth appeal, "Unknown" was a rare No. 1 film that did most of its business among older crowds. According to Warner, 54 percent of the movie's audience was 50 and over and 89 percent was 25 and over.
The 58-year-old Neeson has had action roles before but found unexpected success as an all-out action hero with "Taken," a $100 million hit.
"He's the new man. He's stepped up to the plate. Put him in the right role and he's every man's action star," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution at Warner.
Two movies that opened the previous weekend held the next two spots in the top 10.
Disney's animated comedy, "Gnomeo & Juliet," was No. 3 with $19.4 million, finishing so closely to "I Am Number Four" that the two movies could change rankings when studios release final numbers Tuesday, after the long President's Day weekend. "Gnomeo & Juliet" raised its total to $50.4 million.
Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston's romance "Just Go With It," which had been No. 1 the previous weekend, fell to fourth place with $18.2 million. The Sony release lifted its total to $60.8 million.
The weekend's other new wide release, Martin Lawrence's comedy, "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son," was No. 5 with $17 million. The 20th Century Fox sequel has Lawrence reprising his role as a federal agent who goes undercover as a hefty woman to crack a case.
Hollywood finally broke a long downturn in business during which revenues were off 14 straight weekends compared to last year's.
This weekend, receipts totaled $144 million, up 7.7 percent compared to the same period last year, according to box-office tracker Hollywood.com.
But compared to President's Day weekend in 2010, which fell a week earlier, revenues this time were down 30 percent.
"This was certainly not a record President's Day weekend by any stretch, but it was a good weekend," said Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian. "It was solid but not spectacular, but at least it broke the down streak."
Two top contenders at next Sunday's Academy Awards hit the $100 million mark.
The Weinstein Co. drama "The King's Speech," the best-picture front-runner, pulled in $6.6 million to lift its total to $103.3 million. Fox Searchlight's psychosexual thriller, "Black Swan," took in $1.3 million and raised its haul to $101.5 million.
Colin Firth of "The King's Speech" and Natalie Portman of "Black Swan" are considered the favorites for the lead-acting Oscar awards.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Final figures will be released Tuesday.
1. "Unknown," $21.8 million.
2. "I Am Number Four," $19.5 million.
3. "Gnomeo & Juliet," $19.4 million.
4. "Just Go With It," $18.2 million.
5. "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son," $17 million.
6. "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never," $13.6 million.
7. "The King's Speech," $6.6 million.
8. "The Roommate," $4.1 million.
9. "The Eagle," $3.6 million.
10. "No Strings Attached," $3.1 million.
Neeson's thriller, "Unknown," debuted as the No. 1 movie with $21.8 million, following in the footsteps of his 2009 action hit "Taken," according to studio estimates Sunday.
Another action tale, "I Am Number Four," opened at No. 2 with $19.5 million.
A Warner Bros. release, "Unknown" stars Neeson as a botanist who awakens from a coma to find his wife claims she does not know him and that another man has taken his identity.
DreamWorks' "I Am Number Four" stars Alex Pettyfer as a teenage alien refugee on Earth who develops superpowers to battle the evil invaders that destroyed his planet. It was the first DreamWorks movie released under the company's distribution deal with Disney.
While "I Am Number Four" held youth appeal, "Unknown" was a rare No. 1 film that did most of its business among older crowds. According to Warner, 54 percent of the movie's audience was 50 and over and 89 percent was 25 and over.
The 58-year-old Neeson has had action roles before but found unexpected success as an all-out action hero with "Taken," a $100 million hit.
"He's the new man. He's stepped up to the plate. Put him in the right role and he's every man's action star," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution at Warner.
Two movies that opened the previous weekend held the next two spots in the top 10.
Disney's animated comedy, "Gnomeo & Juliet," was No. 3 with $19.4 million, finishing so closely to "I Am Number Four" that the two movies could change rankings when studios release final numbers Tuesday, after the long President's Day weekend. "Gnomeo & Juliet" raised its total to $50.4 million.
Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston's romance "Just Go With It," which had been No. 1 the previous weekend, fell to fourth place with $18.2 million. The Sony release lifted its total to $60.8 million.
The weekend's other new wide release, Martin Lawrence's comedy, "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son," was No. 5 with $17 million. The 20th Century Fox sequel has Lawrence reprising his role as a federal agent who goes undercover as a hefty woman to crack a case.
Hollywood finally broke a long downturn in business during which revenues were off 14 straight weekends compared to last year's.
This weekend, receipts totaled $144 million, up 7.7 percent compared to the same period last year, according to box-office tracker Hollywood.com.
But compared to President's Day weekend in 2010, which fell a week earlier, revenues this time were down 30 percent.
"This was certainly not a record President's Day weekend by any stretch, but it was a good weekend," said Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian. "It was solid but not spectacular, but at least it broke the down streak."
Two top contenders at next Sunday's Academy Awards hit the $100 million mark.
The Weinstein Co. drama "The King's Speech," the best-picture front-runner, pulled in $6.6 million to lift its total to $103.3 million. Fox Searchlight's psychosexual thriller, "Black Swan," took in $1.3 million and raised its haul to $101.5 million.
Colin Firth of "The King's Speech" and Natalie Portman of "Black Swan" are considered the favorites for the lead-acting Oscar awards.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Final figures will be released Tuesday.
1. "Unknown," $21.8 million.
2. "I Am Number Four," $19.5 million.
3. "Gnomeo & Juliet," $19.4 million.
4. "Just Go With It," $18.2 million.
5. "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son," $17 million.
6. "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never," $13.6 million.
7. "The King's Speech," $6.6 million.
8. "The Roommate," $4.1 million.
9. "The Eagle," $3.6 million.
10. "No Strings Attached," $3.1 million.
Palaces, posh accents boost "King's Speech" shot at Oscars
Reuters, LOS ANGELES: Oscar looks set to bow before "The King's Speech" this coming Sunday, proving there's nothing quite like a British accent, some historic buildings, and, best of all, a few royals to get Hollywood all a twitter.
Few Americans had ever heard of King George VI -- the royal who led Britain into World War II and the father of current monarch Queen Elizabeth -- before Colin Firth brought him to life in "King's Speech" as a shy man with a crippling stutter.
Now, many Americans know his story, and if "King's Speech" wins Oscars on February 27, many more will want to learn about him. And it's very likely the movie will take home at least a few Academy Awards because it has a leading 12 nominations for the honors given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In fact, it is the front-runner for best film.
Throughout U.S. history, Americans have been fascinated by royal pomp -- even on a movie screen. In 1860, a New York ballroom floor collapsed under the weight of thousands gathered to see a teenage Prince Albert Edward. Currently, Americans have royal wedding fever over the April marriage of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton.
"Even though we won the American Revolution, we still bow to British royalty. We are suckers for a British accent -- it sounds so much smarter -- and there is a clear bias throughout Oscar history for British films," said Tom O'Neil of awards websites goldderby.com and theenvelope.com.
U.S. critics, moviegoers and Hollywood's professional guilds have responded warmly to the movie's human story of friendship, courage and triumph over adversity, performed by a strong ensemble cast that includes Oscar nominees Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush, alongside Firth.
A "recommendation" for the movie by Queen Elizabeth, whose aides let it be known that she found the film "moving and enjoyable" after a private screening in January, proved the ultimate endorsement.
"HER MAJESTY'S APPRECIATION"
Her comments were seized upon by veteran Oscar campaigner and "King's Speech" distributor Harvey Weinstein, who said those associated with the film were "deeply honored and humbled by Her Majesty's appreciation."
British period movies have often done well at the Academy Awards. Helen Mirren won her Oscar for portraying Queen Elizabeth in "The Queen" in 2006; the 2001 upstairs-downstairs film "Gosford Park" won a screenwriting Oscar for Julian Fellowes; and 1998 movie "Shakespeare in Love" won seven Oscars, including a trophy for Judi Dench's brief turn as 16th century monarch Queen Elizabeth I.
British stage actors are held in high esteem by their U.S. peers, especially when it comes to Shakespeare.
"Hundreds of years after the American Revolution, there is still the sense that the stuff we see that is British, tends to be smarter," said Robert Thompson, professor of popular culture at Syracuse University.
Indeed, one of the more astounding series of events to watch this awards season in Hollywood has been the manner in which "The King's Speech" quashed early Oscar front-runner, Facebook movie "The Social Network".
"Social Network" swept through early awards from American critics' groups, but "The King's Speech" turned the race on its ear when it began claiming top honors from film and TV professional guilds such as the Producers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild.
"'The Social Network' is the quintessential American movie. It is the ultimate tale of America today, (but) it faced off against a classic British historical drama about royals," said O'Neil. "If a British commoner had this stammer, we would cruelly not care, royal worshipers that we are."
(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
Few Americans had ever heard of King George VI -- the royal who led Britain into World War II and the father of current monarch Queen Elizabeth -- before Colin Firth brought him to life in "King's Speech" as a shy man with a crippling stutter.
Now, many Americans know his story, and if "King's Speech" wins Oscars on February 27, many more will want to learn about him. And it's very likely the movie will take home at least a few Academy Awards because it has a leading 12 nominations for the honors given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In fact, it is the front-runner for best film.
Throughout U.S. history, Americans have been fascinated by royal pomp -- even on a movie screen. In 1860, a New York ballroom floor collapsed under the weight of thousands gathered to see a teenage Prince Albert Edward. Currently, Americans have royal wedding fever over the April marriage of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton.
"Even though we won the American Revolution, we still bow to British royalty. We are suckers for a British accent -- it sounds so much smarter -- and there is a clear bias throughout Oscar history for British films," said Tom O'Neil of awards websites goldderby.com and theenvelope.com.
U.S. critics, moviegoers and Hollywood's professional guilds have responded warmly to the movie's human story of friendship, courage and triumph over adversity, performed by a strong ensemble cast that includes Oscar nominees Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush, alongside Firth.
A "recommendation" for the movie by Queen Elizabeth, whose aides let it be known that she found the film "moving and enjoyable" after a private screening in January, proved the ultimate endorsement.
"HER MAJESTY'S APPRECIATION"
Her comments were seized upon by veteran Oscar campaigner and "King's Speech" distributor Harvey Weinstein, who said those associated with the film were "deeply honored and humbled by Her Majesty's appreciation."
British period movies have often done well at the Academy Awards. Helen Mirren won her Oscar for portraying Queen Elizabeth in "The Queen" in 2006; the 2001 upstairs-downstairs film "Gosford Park" won a screenwriting Oscar for Julian Fellowes; and 1998 movie "Shakespeare in Love" won seven Oscars, including a trophy for Judi Dench's brief turn as 16th century monarch Queen Elizabeth I.
British stage actors are held in high esteem by their U.S. peers, especially when it comes to Shakespeare.
"Hundreds of years after the American Revolution, there is still the sense that the stuff we see that is British, tends to be smarter," said Robert Thompson, professor of popular culture at Syracuse University.
Indeed, one of the more astounding series of events to watch this awards season in Hollywood has been the manner in which "The King's Speech" quashed early Oscar front-runner, Facebook movie "The Social Network".
"Social Network" swept through early awards from American critics' groups, but "The King's Speech" turned the race on its ear when it began claiming top honors from film and TV professional guilds such as the Producers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild.
"'The Social Network' is the quintessential American movie. It is the ultimate tale of America today, (but) it faced off against a classic British historical drama about royals," said O'Neil. "If a British commoner had this stammer, we would cruelly not care, royal worshipers that we are."
(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
"Unknown" claims holiday box office crown
Reuters, LOS ANGELES: Thriller "Unknown" found plenty of friends over the four-day, President's Day holiday weekend in the United States, as it claimed the top spot on box office charts during a slow period in movie theaters.
"Unknown," starring Liam Neeson as a man who must reclaim his identity after finding it stolen when he awakens from a coma, raked in $25.6 million over the four days starting on Friday, according to studio estimates released on Monday.
It beat family animated film "Gnomeo and Juliet," which claimed the No. 2 spot with $24.8 million, switching places from Sunday's estimates with thriller "I Am Number Four, which landed at No. 3 after four days with $22.6 million.
On Sunday, studio estimates put "Gnomeo" in the No. 3 spot with a three-day weekend total of $19.4 million to $19.5 million for "I Am Number Four." But those totals were revised downward and Monday's holiday was expected to boost the number of families in theaters, which was seen as helping "Gnomeo."
The comedy about garden gnomes in a family feud, experienced a slight 24 percent drop in ticket sales from its debut last weekend. Typically, a major studio release like "Gnomeo" might be expected drop around a 50 percent in its second weekend, but the family film has been helped by generally good critics' reviews and audience ratings.
The holiday's No. 4 movie was comedy "Just Go With It" starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. Its four-day ticket sales were estimated at $21.7 million and it's total box office at $64.3 million in the United States and Canada.
Last week's No. 2 movie, "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never," a look at the life of teenage singer Bieber, fell to No. 6 with an estimate of $16.5 million over the four days. Its total domestic revenues now total $51.4 million after two weeks.
The weekend's other new major release, Martin Lawrence comedy "Big Mommas: Like Father Like Son" claimed the No. 5 spot with $19 million during the holiday weekend.
Ticket sales for all films in theaters from Friday through Monday were estimated at $174 million, down around 27 percent from 2010's Presidents Day weekend tally of $239.3 million, according to industry tracker Hollywood.com Box Office.
Other notable releases included Oscar hopeful "The King's Speech," which landed at No 7. with a four-day estimate of $7.9 million, pushing its total box office up to $104.6 million.
Rounding out the top 10 were holdovers from recent weeks: "The Roommate," "The Eagle" and "No Strings Attached" in the No. 8, 9 and 10 spots, respectively.
(Editing by Zorianna Kit)
"Unknown," starring Liam Neeson as a man who must reclaim his identity after finding it stolen when he awakens from a coma, raked in $25.6 million over the four days starting on Friday, according to studio estimates released on Monday.
It beat family animated film "Gnomeo and Juliet," which claimed the No. 2 spot with $24.8 million, switching places from Sunday's estimates with thriller "I Am Number Four, which landed at No. 3 after four days with $22.6 million.
On Sunday, studio estimates put "Gnomeo" in the No. 3 spot with a three-day weekend total of $19.4 million to $19.5 million for "I Am Number Four." But those totals were revised downward and Monday's holiday was expected to boost the number of families in theaters, which was seen as helping "Gnomeo."
The comedy about garden gnomes in a family feud, experienced a slight 24 percent drop in ticket sales from its debut last weekend. Typically, a major studio release like "Gnomeo" might be expected drop around a 50 percent in its second weekend, but the family film has been helped by generally good critics' reviews and audience ratings.
The holiday's No. 4 movie was comedy "Just Go With It" starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. Its four-day ticket sales were estimated at $21.7 million and it's total box office at $64.3 million in the United States and Canada.
Last week's No. 2 movie, "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never," a look at the life of teenage singer Bieber, fell to No. 6 with an estimate of $16.5 million over the four days. Its total domestic revenues now total $51.4 million after two weeks.
The weekend's other new major release, Martin Lawrence comedy "Big Mommas: Like Father Like Son" claimed the No. 5 spot with $19 million during the holiday weekend.
Ticket sales for all films in theaters from Friday through Monday were estimated at $174 million, down around 27 percent from 2010's Presidents Day weekend tally of $239.3 million, according to industry tracker Hollywood.com Box Office.
Other notable releases included Oscar hopeful "The King's Speech," which landed at No 7. with a four-day estimate of $7.9 million, pushing its total box office up to $104.6 million.
Rounding out the top 10 were holdovers from recent weeks: "The Roommate," "The Eagle" and "No Strings Attached" in the No. 8, 9 and 10 spots, respectively.
(Editing by Zorianna Kit)
Blockbuster gets $290 million "stalking horse bid"
Reuters, PHILADELPHIA: Movie rental chain Blockbuster Inc, which filed for bankruptcy last year, said it has started the process to sell itself and has entered into an agreement with "stalking horse" bidder Cobalt Video Holdco for $290 million.
Cobalt is a limited liability company formed by funds managed by Monarch Alternative Capital LP, Owl Creek Asset Management LP, Stonehill Capital Management LLC and Värde Partners Inc.
A "stalking horse" bid is used as a starting bid or minimally accepted offer that other interested bidders must surpass if they want to buy the company.
Cobalt has agreed to purchase substantially all of the assets of Blockbuster and its U.S. and international subsidiaries for $290 million, subject to adjustment.
Blockbuster also filed a motion seeking approval from U.S. bankruptcy court for Southern District of New York to conduct an auction for the company.
"The auction process is designed to achieve the highest and best offer for the company's assets and would be conducted under the Court's supervision," Blockbuster said in a statement.
The bidding procedures, if approved by the bankruptcy court, would require other interested parties to submit binding offers to acquire Blockbuster within about 30 days following such approval. Assuming qualified bids are submitted, an auction would be held within about one week of the bid deadline.
A final sale approval hearing is anticipated to take place shortly after the auction with the closing anticipated to occur no later than April 20, 2011. Blockbuster and its domestic subsidiaries filed voluntary Chapter 11 petitions on September 23.
Blockbuster said expects that its U.S. operations, including a majority of its stores, DVD vending kiosks, by-mail and digital businesses, to continue to serve customers during the sale process.
The company's international operations in Canada, Denmark, Italy, Mexico, and the United Kingdom are also expected to conduct business as usual during the sale. Blockbuster said its franchise locations in both the U.S. and abroad are independently owned, operated and funded, and will also continue normal business operations.
Last week, four landlords asked a Manhattan bankruptcy judge to order immediate rental payment for 38 stores, including one in Blockbuster's hometown of Dallas, or allow them to evict the company.
Blockbuster is already facing demands from the film studio behind the hit "Twilight" vampire series that it pay its bills or liquidate.
Earlier this year, Blockbuster told Summit Distribution LLC that it would not pay $6.8 million it owed for DVDs, including "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," that were shipped since it filed for bankruptcy in September because it did not have the money, according to court documents.
The bankruptcy court previously allowed the company to borrow $125 million to pay for operations while it was under Chapter 11. The loan was provided by billionaire investor Carl Icahn and a group of hedge funds.
The company filed for bankruptcy with a plan to swap its senior secured bonds, which are owned by Icahn and the group of hedge funds, for ownership of the company.
Blockbuster has not met deadlines for providing details on its reorganization plan as originally planned when it filed for bankruptcy.
(Reporting by Saqib Iqbal Ahmed in Bangalore and Jessica Hall in Philadelphia; Editing by Maju Samuel)
Cobalt is a limited liability company formed by funds managed by Monarch Alternative Capital LP, Owl Creek Asset Management LP, Stonehill Capital Management LLC and Värde Partners Inc.
A "stalking horse" bid is used as a starting bid or minimally accepted offer that other interested bidders must surpass if they want to buy the company.
Cobalt has agreed to purchase substantially all of the assets of Blockbuster and its U.S. and international subsidiaries for $290 million, subject to adjustment.
Blockbuster also filed a motion seeking approval from U.S. bankruptcy court for Southern District of New York to conduct an auction for the company.
"The auction process is designed to achieve the highest and best offer for the company's assets and would be conducted under the Court's supervision," Blockbuster said in a statement.
The bidding procedures, if approved by the bankruptcy court, would require other interested parties to submit binding offers to acquire Blockbuster within about 30 days following such approval. Assuming qualified bids are submitted, an auction would be held within about one week of the bid deadline.
A final sale approval hearing is anticipated to take place shortly after the auction with the closing anticipated to occur no later than April 20, 2011. Blockbuster and its domestic subsidiaries filed voluntary Chapter 11 petitions on September 23.
Blockbuster said expects that its U.S. operations, including a majority of its stores, DVD vending kiosks, by-mail and digital businesses, to continue to serve customers during the sale process.
The company's international operations in Canada, Denmark, Italy, Mexico, and the United Kingdom are also expected to conduct business as usual during the sale. Blockbuster said its franchise locations in both the U.S. and abroad are independently owned, operated and funded, and will also continue normal business operations.
Last week, four landlords asked a Manhattan bankruptcy judge to order immediate rental payment for 38 stores, including one in Blockbuster's hometown of Dallas, or allow them to evict the company.
Blockbuster is already facing demands from the film studio behind the hit "Twilight" vampire series that it pay its bills or liquidate.
Earlier this year, Blockbuster told Summit Distribution LLC that it would not pay $6.8 million it owed for DVDs, including "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," that were shipped since it filed for bankruptcy in September because it did not have the money, according to court documents.
The bankruptcy court previously allowed the company to borrow $125 million to pay for operations while it was under Chapter 11. The loan was provided by billionaire investor Carl Icahn and a group of hedge funds.
The company filed for bankruptcy with a plan to swap its senior secured bonds, which are owned by Icahn and the group of hedge funds, for ownership of the company.
Blockbuster has not met deadlines for providing details on its reorganization plan as originally planned when it filed for bankruptcy.
(Reporting by Saqib Iqbal Ahmed in Bangalore and Jessica Hall in Philadelphia; Editing by Maju Samuel)
Cirque du Soleil puts record $57 million in Russian show
Reuters, MOSCOW: Canadian circus company Cirque du Soleil will invest a record $57 million in a new show in Moscow next year to test the ground before launching a permanent show in Russia by 2015, its president said on Monday.
"Zarkana" is Cirque du Soleil's first new show in Russia and will be the most expensive non-permanent show the company has ever made to date, Daniel Lamarre told reporters.
The Montreal-based company said the $57 million it would invest in the highly acrobatic show is significantly more than the $30-$50 million it was previously eyeing for all of Russia.
"Zarkana, for us, is a test to see if the market can bear a permanent show," Lamarre said.
"(The show) will tell me much more about the clientele in Moscow. If we have the success that I think we will have, this will definitely confirm the means for a permanent presence."
The 26-year-old Cirque du Soleil came to Russia two years ago and is now in the three Russian cities of Moscow, Kazan and Saint Petersburg. It will add the Urals city of Yekaterinburg later this year.
Lamarre said Russia, which has a long history of circus, is the company's fastest-growing market.
"We have never developed a market at the pace we are doing in Russia right now, which is much more encouraging than I thought when we first came in," Lamarre said.
Cirque du Soleil, which says a fifth of its 1,000 artists are from Russia, is banking on the country's love for circus and the arts for it to prosper.
"The response from the previous two shows was amazing, the best we've seen anywhere else in the world," its vice chairman Craig Cohon told Reuters.
"The Russian audience really gets the art of the cirque... I am confident the permanent production will be a success here," he said.
Zarkana will premiere at the Kremlin Palace in February 2012 and run for nine weeks.
(Reporting by Nastassia Astrasheuskaya, editing by Paul Casciato)
"Zarkana" is Cirque du Soleil's first new show in Russia and will be the most expensive non-permanent show the company has ever made to date, Daniel Lamarre told reporters.
The Montreal-based company said the $57 million it would invest in the highly acrobatic show is significantly more than the $30-$50 million it was previously eyeing for all of Russia.
"Zarkana, for us, is a test to see if the market can bear a permanent show," Lamarre said.
"(The show) will tell me much more about the clientele in Moscow. If we have the success that I think we will have, this will definitely confirm the means for a permanent presence."
The 26-year-old Cirque du Soleil came to Russia two years ago and is now in the three Russian cities of Moscow, Kazan and Saint Petersburg. It will add the Urals city of Yekaterinburg later this year.
Lamarre said Russia, which has a long history of circus, is the company's fastest-growing market.
"We have never developed a market at the pace we are doing in Russia right now, which is much more encouraging than I thought when we first came in," Lamarre said.
Cirque du Soleil, which says a fifth of its 1,000 artists are from Russia, is banking on the country's love for circus and the arts for it to prosper.
"The response from the previous two shows was amazing, the best we've seen anywhere else in the world," its vice chairman Craig Cohon told Reuters.
"The Russian audience really gets the art of the cirque... I am confident the permanent production will be a success here," he said.
Zarkana will premiere at the Kremlin Palace in February 2012 and run for nine weeks.
(Reporting by Nastassia Astrasheuskaya, editing by Paul Casciato)
Rihanna rocks celeb-studded NBA All-Star game
AP, LOS ANGELES: With a celebrity-studded crowd looking on, Rihanna rocked the halftime show at the NBA All-Star game on her 23rd birthday.
She had other big names helping her sing her hits Sunday, with Drake joining in on "What's My Name?" and working "happy birthday" into the lyrics. Dripping in gold chains, a red-clad Kanye West came out for "All of the Lights," which is off his latest album but features Rihanna.
At halftime, the lights inside Staples Center went out and the video screens filled with water droplets, setting the stage for Rihanna to emerge from behind a wall singing "Umbrella."
The red-haired singer soon shed her short black suit jacket and white scarf to reveal a short black skirt and a rhinestone halter. She shimmied her way through "Only Girl (In the World)" and didn't flinch when her huge hoop earring fell off her left ear in mid-song.
While it was a working day for Rihanna, her fellow music stars relaxed in their seats while watching the 60th annual All-Star game. The West team, led by Kobe Bryant's 37 points, defeated the East 148-143.
Beyonce and hubby Jay-Z sat courtside, with Justin Bieber (MVP of Friday's All-Star celebrity game) two seats away. Sean "Diddy" Combs, Stevie Wonder (wearing headphones), Grammy winner Bruno Mars, Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo, Gene Simmons, and "American Idol" judge Steven Tyler were scattered around the arena. Rapper Nicki Minaj snacked on pink cotton candy.
Later, Rihanna sat courtside next to 16-year-old Bieber, making for a striking contrast between her flaming long hair and his famous shaggy 'do.
Benny, the Chicago Bulls mascot, jumped into the seat next to singer John Legend and his girlfriend-model Chrissy Teigen to joke around.
Canadian singer Melanie Fiona sang her country's national anthem, and Los Angeles native Josh Groban did the U.S. anthem. With plenty of fog swirling, Lenny Kravitz played during the pregame introductions.
Among the movie and TV stars in attendance were Dustin Hoffman, Spike Lee, Warren Beatty, Rick Fox and girlfriend-actress Eliza Dushku, and Nick Cannon (without wife Mariah Carey). CNN talk show host Piers Morgan furiously worked his cell phone during most of the action.
Snoop Dogg, Terrell Owens, Chris Tucker, tennis star Venus Williams, and actors Forest Whitaker, Noah Wyle and Ellen Pompeo took in the show, too. Los Angeles Lakers fan Jack Nicholson was bumped out of his usual courtside seat.
Actress Gabrielle Union walked the magenta carpet outside the arena before the game, dishing on her boyfriend, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade.
"His closet is way bigger than mine. He's way, way, way into clothes that his closet is like five times the size of mine," Union said.
Wade loves different scents, too.
"He is a little bit obsessed with the smell of cocoa butter. He loves it for himself," she said. "He's got, I think, over 30 different colognes."
If the fashion police had been on patrol, they might have cited former NBA great Darryl Dawkins.
Standing 6-foot-11, the man nicknamed "Chocolate Thunder" for his ferocious dunking ability made an even louder statement by wearing a lime-colored pinstriped suit.
As soon as Orlando Magic forward Dwight Howard spotted Dawkins, he couldn't help but offer a critique.
"He looks like a big lizard. Aw-w-w, man," Howard said. "I thought last night's suit was terrible, but then he came out today looking like a highlighter? That's probably one of the worst suits I've ever seen in my life."
While Howard and many of the other arriving NBA players dressed up in suits and ties, Lakers star Bryant dressed down in jeans and a black leather jacket.
She had other big names helping her sing her hits Sunday, with Drake joining in on "What's My Name?" and working "happy birthday" into the lyrics. Dripping in gold chains, a red-clad Kanye West came out for "All of the Lights," which is off his latest album but features Rihanna.
At halftime, the lights inside Staples Center went out and the video screens filled with water droplets, setting the stage for Rihanna to emerge from behind a wall singing "Umbrella."
The red-haired singer soon shed her short black suit jacket and white scarf to reveal a short black skirt and a rhinestone halter. She shimmied her way through "Only Girl (In the World)" and didn't flinch when her huge hoop earring fell off her left ear in mid-song.
While it was a working day for Rihanna, her fellow music stars relaxed in their seats while watching the 60th annual All-Star game. The West team, led by Kobe Bryant's 37 points, defeated the East 148-143.
Beyonce and hubby Jay-Z sat courtside, with Justin Bieber (MVP of Friday's All-Star celebrity game) two seats away. Sean "Diddy" Combs, Stevie Wonder (wearing headphones), Grammy winner Bruno Mars, Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo, Gene Simmons, and "American Idol" judge Steven Tyler were scattered around the arena. Rapper Nicki Minaj snacked on pink cotton candy.
Later, Rihanna sat courtside next to 16-year-old Bieber, making for a striking contrast between her flaming long hair and his famous shaggy 'do.
Benny, the Chicago Bulls mascot, jumped into the seat next to singer John Legend and his girlfriend-model Chrissy Teigen to joke around.
Canadian singer Melanie Fiona sang her country's national anthem, and Los Angeles native Josh Groban did the U.S. anthem. With plenty of fog swirling, Lenny Kravitz played during the pregame introductions.
Among the movie and TV stars in attendance were Dustin Hoffman, Spike Lee, Warren Beatty, Rick Fox and girlfriend-actress Eliza Dushku, and Nick Cannon (without wife Mariah Carey). CNN talk show host Piers Morgan furiously worked his cell phone during most of the action.
Snoop Dogg, Terrell Owens, Chris Tucker, tennis star Venus Williams, and actors Forest Whitaker, Noah Wyle and Ellen Pompeo took in the show, too. Los Angeles Lakers fan Jack Nicholson was bumped out of his usual courtside seat.
Actress Gabrielle Union walked the magenta carpet outside the arena before the game, dishing on her boyfriend, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade.
"His closet is way bigger than mine. He's way, way, way into clothes that his closet is like five times the size of mine," Union said.
Wade loves different scents, too.
"He is a little bit obsessed with the smell of cocoa butter. He loves it for himself," she said. "He's got, I think, over 30 different colognes."
If the fashion police had been on patrol, they might have cited former NBA great Darryl Dawkins.
Standing 6-foot-11, the man nicknamed "Chocolate Thunder" for his ferocious dunking ability made an even louder statement by wearing a lime-colored pinstriped suit.
As soon as Orlando Magic forward Dwight Howard spotted Dawkins, he couldn't help but offer a critique.
"He looks like a big lizard. Aw-w-w, man," Howard said. "I thought last night's suit was terrible, but then he came out today looking like a highlighter? That's probably one of the worst suits I've ever seen in my life."
While Howard and many of the other arriving NBA players dressed up in suits and ties, Lakers star Bryant dressed down in jeans and a black leather jacket.
Hockey icon Don Cherry reupps with CBC in Canada
Reuters, TORONTO: "Hockey Night in Canada's" bombastic co-host Don "Grapes" Cherry will remain on the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. payroll for another year.
Renewing Cherry's contract through the 2011-2012 National Hockey League season gives the CBC some runway to renew its overall Canadian NHL TV rights package during negotiations in fall 2012.
Cherry reupping comes amid panic at CBC that it required the politically incorrect hockey pundit if it hopes to fend off rival CTV to regain the rights to "Hockey Night in Canada," which first started airing on the public broadcaster in 1952.
Cherry's first-intermission show on "Hockey Night in Canada," Coach's Corner, is the highest-rated seven minutes on Canadian TV. But resigning Cherry comes with negatives for the CBC. For starters, the politically-incorrect hockey pundit polarizes his TV audience.
The former Boston Bruins coach has politicized the CBC's flagship hockey telecast by featuring long tributes to fallen Canadian troops in Afghanistan and endorsing right wing political candidates. The hockey pundit is also aging.
At 77 years-old, Cherry could retire before the 2013 contract extension talks, taking his cult audience with him. But CBC executives were putting the best spin on Cherry's resigning on the weekend.
"We're delighted to announce that the venerable hockey icon Don Cherry has signed on for another season and will continue to provide hockey's liveliest and sometimes provocative commentary," Kirstine Stewart, executive vice president of CBC English Services, said.
Terms of Cherry's new contract with the CBC were not disclosed.
(Editing by Zorianna Kit)
Renewing Cherry's contract through the 2011-2012 National Hockey League season gives the CBC some runway to renew its overall Canadian NHL TV rights package during negotiations in fall 2012.
Cherry reupping comes amid panic at CBC that it required the politically incorrect hockey pundit if it hopes to fend off rival CTV to regain the rights to "Hockey Night in Canada," which first started airing on the public broadcaster in 1952.
Cherry's first-intermission show on "Hockey Night in Canada," Coach's Corner, is the highest-rated seven minutes on Canadian TV. But resigning Cherry comes with negatives for the CBC. For starters, the politically-incorrect hockey pundit polarizes his TV audience.
The former Boston Bruins coach has politicized the CBC's flagship hockey telecast by featuring long tributes to fallen Canadian troops in Afghanistan and endorsing right wing political candidates. The hockey pundit is also aging.
At 77 years-old, Cherry could retire before the 2013 contract extension talks, taking his cult audience with him. But CBC executives were putting the best spin on Cherry's resigning on the weekend.
"We're delighted to announce that the venerable hockey icon Don Cherry has signed on for another season and will continue to provide hockey's liveliest and sometimes provocative commentary," Kirstine Stewart, executive vice president of CBC English Services, said.
Terms of Cherry's new contract with the CBC were not disclosed.
(Editing by Zorianna Kit)
NBA All-Star game highest ratings since 2003
Reuters, LOS ANGELES: Kobe Bryant's on-court drama for the West team brought TNT its highest rated NBA All-Star Game since 2003.
The Sunday night game delivered 9.1 million total viewers and six million households. It was second most-watched NBA game on television during the 2010-11 season to date.
Bryant won MVP for the West team which pulled out a dramatic victory over the LeBron James-led East team. Rihanna performed at the half-time show before taking a courtside seat next to Justin Bieber, who was named MVP in the Celebrity All-Star game on Friday night.
The 2003 All-Star Game was the final appearance by NBA superstar Michael Jordan.
The Sunday night game delivered 9.1 million total viewers and six million households. It was second most-watched NBA game on television during the 2010-11 season to date.
Bryant won MVP for the West team which pulled out a dramatic victory over the LeBron James-led East team. Rihanna performed at the half-time show before taking a courtside seat next to Justin Bieber, who was named MVP in the Celebrity All-Star game on Friday night.
The 2003 All-Star Game was the final appearance by NBA superstar Michael Jordan.
Piers Morgan expects "tension" with King interview
Reuters, LOS ANGELES: Briton Piers Morgan on Monday said he expects "a little tension in the air" when he sits down to interview Larry King on Morgan's CNN talk show later this week.
CNN announced on Monday that King would be a guest on "Piers Morgan Tonight," which replaced "Larry King Live" in December, setting up a face-to-face showdown between former talk show host King and the man who took his job.
The announcement came only days after King, 77, told the BBC that Morgan may have been "oversold" to U.S. audiences when his new show replaced King's old one in January.
When Morgan took over CNN's nightly primetime interview time period, he promised to be "polarizing" and "butt-kicking." When he debuted on January 17, more than 2 million people watched the show, but he was still beaten by rival Fox News and its interview with Tea Party favorite Sarah Palin.
"He's good, but not that dangerous," King told the BBC in an interview last week. "I think they might have been better off starting quietly and that's not Piers' fault, or maybe it is, I'm not inside anymore," he said.
Morgan, the former editor of British newspaper The Daily Mirror, on Monday appeared to be amplifying interest in his interview with King when he took to Twitter and said he expects a tense time.
"Got a feeling we may need to discuss Larry's claim that I'm 'oversold' and 'not dangerous,'" Morgan tweeted.
CNN did not immediately say when King would appear on "Piers Morgan Tonight," but the interview is timed to coincide with the show's "Hollywood Week," in anticipation of the Academy Awards on Sunday.
(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by )
CNN announced on Monday that King would be a guest on "Piers Morgan Tonight," which replaced "Larry King Live" in December, setting up a face-to-face showdown between former talk show host King and the man who took his job.
The announcement came only days after King, 77, told the BBC that Morgan may have been "oversold" to U.S. audiences when his new show replaced King's old one in January.
When Morgan took over CNN's nightly primetime interview time period, he promised to be "polarizing" and "butt-kicking." When he debuted on January 17, more than 2 million people watched the show, but he was still beaten by rival Fox News and its interview with Tea Party favorite Sarah Palin.
"He's good, but not that dangerous," King told the BBC in an interview last week. "I think they might have been better off starting quietly and that's not Piers' fault, or maybe it is, I'm not inside anymore," he said.
Morgan, the former editor of British newspaper The Daily Mirror, on Monday appeared to be amplifying interest in his interview with King when he took to Twitter and said he expects a tense time.
"Got a feeling we may need to discuss Larry's claim that I'm 'oversold' and 'not dangerous,'" Morgan tweeted.
CNN did not immediately say when King would appear on "Piers Morgan Tonight," but the interview is timed to coincide with the show's "Hollywood Week," in anticipation of the Academy Awards on Sunday.
(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by )
Hollywood comes out for NBA all-star game
AFP, LOS ANGELES: Hollywood A-listers turned out en masse for the NBA all-star game and were treated to a superb display of showmanship from hometown hero Kobe Bryant, who led the West over the East 148-143.
An eclectic group of celebrities was on hand at Staples Center arena Sunday night, including half-time performer Rihanna, who was celebrating her 23rd birthday.
Teenage singing sensation Justin Bieber, of Canada, caught the game from courtside while singers Beyonce, Jay-Z and Steven Tyler, and actors Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman sat in the lower bowl.
Comedian George Lopez rose out of his seat and waved to the sold-out crowd when introduced on the JumboTron TV in the first half while fashion model, actress and recording artist Ciara blew kisses to the camera.
An eclectic group of celebrities was on hand at Staples Center arena Sunday night, including half-time performer Rihanna, who was celebrating her 23rd birthday.
Teenage singing sensation Justin Bieber, of Canada, caught the game from courtside while singers Beyonce, Jay-Z and Steven Tyler, and actors Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman sat in the lower bowl.
Comedian George Lopez rose out of his seat and waved to the sold-out crowd when introduced on the JumboTron TV in the first half while fashion model, actress and recording artist Ciara blew kisses to the camera.
Rihanna rocks celeb-studded NBA All-Star game
AP, LOS ANGELES: With a celebrity-studded crowd looking on, Rihanna rocked the halftime show at the NBA All-Star game on her 23rd birthday.
She had other big names helping her sing her hits Sunday, with Drake joining in on "What's My Name?" and working "happy birthday" into the lyrics. Dripping in gold chains, a red-clad Kanye West came out for "All of the Lights," which is off his latest album but features Rihanna.
At halftime, the lights inside Staples Center went out and the video screens filled with water droplets, setting the stage for Rihanna to emerge from behind a wall singing "Umbrella."
The red-haired singer soon shed her short black suit jacket and white scarf to reveal a short black skirt and a rhinestone halter. She shimmied her way through "Only Girl (In the World)" and didn't flinch when her huge hoop earring fell off her left ear in mid-song.
While it was a working day for Rihanna, her fellow music stars relaxed in their seats while watching the 60th annual All-Star game. The West team, led by Kobe Bryant's 37 points, defeated the East 148-143.
Beyonce and hubby Jay-Z sat courtside, with Justin Bieber (MVP of Friday's All-Star celebrity game) two seats away. Sean "Diddy" Combs, Stevie Wonder (wearing headphones), Grammy winner Bruno Mars, Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo, Gene Simmons, and "American Idol" judge Steven Tyler were scattered around the arena. Rapper Nicki Minaj snacked on pink cotton candy.
Later, Rihanna sat courtside next to 16-year-old Bieber, making for a striking contrast between her flaming long hair and his famous shaggy 'do.
Benny, the Chicago Bulls mascot, jumped into the seat next to singer John Legend and his girlfriend-model Chrissy Teigen to joke around.
Canadian singer Melanie Fiona sang her country's national anthem, and Los Angeles native Josh Groban did the U.S. anthem. With plenty of fog swirling, Lenny Kravitz played during the pregame introductions.
Among the movie and TV stars in attendance were Dustin Hoffman, Spike Lee, Warren Beatty, Rick Fox and girlfriend-actress Eliza Dushku, and Nick Cannon (without wife Mariah Carey). CNN talk show host Piers Morgan furiously worked his cell phone during most of the action.
Snoop Dogg, Terrell Owens, Chris Tucker, tennis star Venus Williams, and actors Forest Whitaker, Noah Wyle and Ellen Pompeo took in the show, too. Los Angeles Lakers fan Jack Nicholson was bumped out of his usual courtside seat.
Actress Gabrielle Union walked the magenta carpet outside the arena before the game, dishing on her boyfriend, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade.
"His closet is way bigger than mine. He's way, way, way into clothes that his closet is like five times the size of mine," Union said.
Wade loves different scents, too.
"He is a little bit obsessed with the smell of cocoa butter. He loves it for himself," she said. "He's got, I think, over 30 different colognes."
If the fashion police had been on patrol, they might have cited former NBA great Darryl Dawkins.
Standing 6-foot-11, the man nicknamed "Chocolate Thunder" for his ferocious dunking ability made an even louder statement by wearing a lime-colored pinstriped suit.
As soon as Orlando Magic forward Dwight Howard spotted Dawkins, he couldn't help but offer a critique.
"He looks like a big lizard. Aw-w-w, man," Howard said. "I thought last night's suit was terrible, but then he came out today looking like a highlighter? That's probably one of the worst suits I've ever seen in my life."
While Howard and many of the other arriving NBA players dressed up in suits and ties, Lakers star Bryant dressed down in jeans and a black leather jacket.
She had other big names helping her sing her hits Sunday, with Drake joining in on "What's My Name?" and working "happy birthday" into the lyrics. Dripping in gold chains, a red-clad Kanye West came out for "All of the Lights," which is off his latest album but features Rihanna.
At halftime, the lights inside Staples Center went out and the video screens filled with water droplets, setting the stage for Rihanna to emerge from behind a wall singing "Umbrella."
The red-haired singer soon shed her short black suit jacket and white scarf to reveal a short black skirt and a rhinestone halter. She shimmied her way through "Only Girl (In the World)" and didn't flinch when her huge hoop earring fell off her left ear in mid-song.
While it was a working day for Rihanna, her fellow music stars relaxed in their seats while watching the 60th annual All-Star game. The West team, led by Kobe Bryant's 37 points, defeated the East 148-143.
Beyonce and hubby Jay-Z sat courtside, with Justin Bieber (MVP of Friday's All-Star celebrity game) two seats away. Sean "Diddy" Combs, Stevie Wonder (wearing headphones), Grammy winner Bruno Mars, Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo, Gene Simmons, and "American Idol" judge Steven Tyler were scattered around the arena. Rapper Nicki Minaj snacked on pink cotton candy.
Later, Rihanna sat courtside next to 16-year-old Bieber, making for a striking contrast between her flaming long hair and his famous shaggy 'do.
Benny, the Chicago Bulls mascot, jumped into the seat next to singer John Legend and his girlfriend-model Chrissy Teigen to joke around.
Canadian singer Melanie Fiona sang her country's national anthem, and Los Angeles native Josh Groban did the U.S. anthem. With plenty of fog swirling, Lenny Kravitz played during the pregame introductions.
Among the movie and TV stars in attendance were Dustin Hoffman, Spike Lee, Warren Beatty, Rick Fox and girlfriend-actress Eliza Dushku, and Nick Cannon (without wife Mariah Carey). CNN talk show host Piers Morgan furiously worked his cell phone during most of the action.
Snoop Dogg, Terrell Owens, Chris Tucker, tennis star Venus Williams, and actors Forest Whitaker, Noah Wyle and Ellen Pompeo took in the show, too. Los Angeles Lakers fan Jack Nicholson was bumped out of his usual courtside seat.
Actress Gabrielle Union walked the magenta carpet outside the arena before the game, dishing on her boyfriend, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade.
"His closet is way bigger than mine. He's way, way, way into clothes that his closet is like five times the size of mine," Union said.
Wade loves different scents, too.
"He is a little bit obsessed with the smell of cocoa butter. He loves it for himself," she said. "He's got, I think, over 30 different colognes."
If the fashion police had been on patrol, they might have cited former NBA great Darryl Dawkins.
Standing 6-foot-11, the man nicknamed "Chocolate Thunder" for his ferocious dunking ability made an even louder statement by wearing a lime-colored pinstriped suit.
As soon as Orlando Magic forward Dwight Howard spotted Dawkins, he couldn't help but offer a critique.
"He looks like a big lizard. Aw-w-w, man," Howard said. "I thought last night's suit was terrible, but then he came out today looking like a highlighter? That's probably one of the worst suits I've ever seen in my life."
While Howard and many of the other arriving NBA players dressed up in suits and ties, Lakers star Bryant dressed down in jeans and a black leather jacket.
Police probe death of baby born to Oprah student
AP, JOHANNESBURG: Police are investigating whether to file charges after the death of a newborn baby born to a student at Oprah Winfrey's elite South African high school.
In a statement Monday, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy said it was awaiting the outcome of the police investigation into the birth last week, and providing counseling for students in the wake of the latest controversy surrounding the school outside Johannesburg.
Soon after Winfrey's school opened in 2007, a dormitory supervisor was accused of trying to kiss and fondle students. The supervisor was acquitted of sexual assault charges last year.
Winfrey has vowed to give bright young women opportunities in a society where they are handicapped by conservative traditions as well as the poor schools that are a legacy of apartheid.
In a statement Monday, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy said it was awaiting the outcome of the police investigation into the birth last week, and providing counseling for students in the wake of the latest controversy surrounding the school outside Johannesburg.
Soon after Winfrey's school opened in 2007, a dormitory supervisor was accused of trying to kiss and fondle students. The supervisor was acquitted of sexual assault charges last year.
Winfrey has vowed to give bright young women opportunities in a society where they are handicapped by conservative traditions as well as the poor schools that are a legacy of apartheid.
Dancer in Berlusconi case may grace Vienna ball
Reuters, VIENNA: The nightclub dancer at the center of a political storm in Italy involving Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is set to be the star guest at Vienna's famed Opera Ball this year, a spokesman for her host said.
Karima el Mahroug -- an 18-year-old dancer known by her stage name Ruby Rubacuori (Ruby Heartstealer) -- will be the special guest of Vienna construction magnate and social lion Richard Lugner, his spokesman said on Monday.
"We have received an e-mail confirmation from her that she has agreed to the terms. The contract should be drawn up in Italian today," the spokesman said, declining to give any details about how much she will earn for her appearance.
Ruby has become a focus of an investigation into Berlusconi, who has been ordered to stand trial in April on charges of paying an underage girl for sex and abusing his position to get her out of police custody.
Lugner, 78, has had many a beauty on his arm for the glittering Opera Ball, the highlight of Vienna's ball season which is being held on March 3.
Paris Hilton, Dita von Teese and Sophia Loren have been his guests, although Hollywood starlet Lindsay Lohan dropped out last year and actress Bo Derek failed to agree on terms this year.
Ruby has told newspapers that she attended parties at Berlusconi's residence three times and said they were "normal dinners" with lots of food, laughter and jokes.
She denies she had sex with Berlusconi, but says he gave her 7,000 euros ($9,586) since she was in financial trouble.
Karima el Mahroug -- an 18-year-old dancer known by her stage name Ruby Rubacuori (Ruby Heartstealer) -- will be the special guest of Vienna construction magnate and social lion Richard Lugner, his spokesman said on Monday.
"We have received an e-mail confirmation from her that she has agreed to the terms. The contract should be drawn up in Italian today," the spokesman said, declining to give any details about how much she will earn for her appearance.
Ruby has become a focus of an investigation into Berlusconi, who has been ordered to stand trial in April on charges of paying an underage girl for sex and abusing his position to get her out of police custody.
Lugner, 78, has had many a beauty on his arm for the glittering Opera Ball, the highlight of Vienna's ball season which is being held on March 3.
Paris Hilton, Dita von Teese and Sophia Loren have been his guests, although Hollywood starlet Lindsay Lohan dropped out last year and actress Bo Derek failed to agree on terms this year.
Ruby has told newspapers that she attended parties at Berlusconi's residence three times and said they were "normal dinners" with lots of food, laughter and jokes.
She denies she had sex with Berlusconi, but says he gave her 7,000 euros ($9,586) since she was in financial trouble.
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