Monday, April 30, 2012

'Avengers' earns $178.4M overseas - GoErie.com

The superhero saga "The Avengers" lived up to its blockbuster buzz with $178.4 million in overseas weekend ticket sales. It opens in U.S. theaters Friday.

The cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson.

The comedy "Think Like a Man" was No. 1 domestically for the second-straight weekend with $18 million.

Four movies were bunched up for the No. 2 spot in the $11 million range: "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" with $11.4 million; the romantic drama "The Lucky One" with $11.3 million; "The Hunger Games" with $11.25 million; and the romantic comedy "The Five-Year Engagement" with $11.2 million.

Jason Statham's action tale "Safe" from finished at No. 6 with $7.7 million and John Cusack's Edgar Allan Poe mystery "The Raven" ended No. 7 with $7.3 million.

"The Hunger Games" climbed to $372.5 million domestically, putting it less than $10 million behind last year's "Harry Potter" finale.


Usher's songs debut in off-Broadway play

Usher's new songs are making an impression in the new off-Broadway play "Fuerza Bruta: Look Up."

"Fuerza Bruta" is the fast-paced and acrobatic play in which the audience stands as performers dance and jump around on the walls, onstage and on the floor with the crowd.

Usher worked as its lead "Running Man," beginning the show on a treadmill, bursting through paper-made walls as his No. 1 R&B tune "Climax" blasted in the background.

Usher, who debuted 12 songs in the show, said he'll release his seventh album, "Looking for Myself," on June 12.


Fans flock to Reitman's live read of 'The Apartment'

Director Jason Reitman's monthly live reads of well-known plays continue to sell out theaters.

In the latest performance, which was the first to take place in New York, Paul Rudd and Emma Stone channeled Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine in a reading of their 1960s film "The Apartment."

The readings are billed as a one-time only event with no rehearsals and no recordings. Tickets sold out so quickly, a live video simulcast was played in another area of the building for $15 a person.

Reitman took to the stage first and greeted the audience, saying he liked the idea of the live reads because "nothing is live anymore" and that he has "more fun doing this than making movies."

He then introduced the cast which also included Jason Sudeikis, Tom Cavanagh, Cara Buono, David Wain and James Woods.


Nugent miffed over concert cancellation

Ted Nugent says he was insulted by the cancellation of his planned concert at an Army post over his comments about President Barack Obama.

Commanders at the Fort Knox, Ky., post nixed Nugent's segment of a June concert after the rocker and conservative activist said at a recent National Rifle Association meeting that he would be "dead or in jail by this time next year" if Obama is re-elected.

Nugent said his words were not intended as a threat against the president.

"To think that there's a bureaucrat in the United States Army that would consider the use or abuse of First Amendment rights in determining who is going to perform at an Army base is an insult and defiles the sacrifices of those heroes who fought for the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights," Nugent said.

Nugent said he had received messages of support from troops and noted that the Secret Service had met with him and closed its case about the remarks.


Williams supports sister by adopting her new diet

Serena Williams says altering her diet in support of big sister Venus Williams hasn't been much of a hardship.

Serena Williams said she's cut down on eating chicken and fish and is eating more raw foods. Venus Williams, who adopted the change to help her body cope with Sjogren's syndrome, is coping with an autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue and joint pain. But while the new diet has been a big change for Venus, it's not been that big a deal for Serena, she says.

"I've always been a better eater than her, even though I'm a lot, lot thicker," she said, laughing.

Serena said because she lives with Venus, she is mindful to eat foods that won't tempt her.

-- from wire reports


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