Holidays Vampire Sequel ‘New Moon’ at Box Office

LOS ANGELES, News update: The ‘Twilight’ vampire romance sequel ‘New Moon’ took a record-breaking bite out of the North American box office this weekend, final figures showed on Monday.

The second big-screen installment adapted from Stephenie Meyer’s phenomenally successful books raked in an astounding 142.8 million dollars in three days, the third biggest opening of all time, Exhibitor Relations said.

Only Batman sequel “The Dark Knight” with 158.4 million dollars and “Spider-Man 3″ with 151.1 million dollars have scored bigger openings.

However, the “New Moon” earnings are considered remarkable because the film was released in November, outside of the traditional summer blockbuster season.

Although the movie was unable to dethrone “The Dark Knight” or “Spider-Man 3″ for highest opening weekend, it did set records for biggest midnight opening and opening day, figures showed.

The “Twilight” franchise follows the fortunes of high school teenager Bella Swan, played by Kristen Stewart, and her vampire lover Edward Cullen, played by British heart-throb Robert Pattinson.

The success of “New Moon” left American football drama “The Blind Side” in second place.

The feel-good film, adapted from Michael Lewis’s 2006 book, is based on the real-life journey from rags to riches of Baltimore Ravens star Michael Oher.

Starring Sandra Bullock as the woman who helps Oher realize his dream, it earned a healthy 34.1 million dollars in its opening weekend.

In third place, end-of-the-world film “2012″ brought in 26.4 million dollars, more than double its next-runner-up, “Planet 51,” with 12.3 million.

“Disney’s A Christmas Carol” earned 12.2 million, trailed by acclaimed abuse saga “Precious” with 10.9 million dollars.

In seventh place was satire “The Men Who Stare At Goats,” starring George Clooney and Jeff Bridges as members of a military unit schooled in psychological warfare. The film took 2.8 million dollars.

Eighth spot was taken by comedy “Couples Retreat,” which earned 1.9 million dollars while extra-terrestrial drama “The Fourth Kind” was ninth with 1.7 million.

Michael Jackson concert movie “This Is It” completed the top 10 with 1.6 million dollars.

Oil prices above $79 on gulf storm, weaker dollar (AP)

Oil and gasoline futures rose Monday as a tropical storm heading into the Gulf of Mexico and the U.S. dollar both weakened.

Dollar down again as G20 backs ongoing stimulus (AP)

The euro pushed back up above $1.50 Monday after finance ministers from the Group of 20 rich and developing countries steered clear from addressing the weakness of the U.S. currency against most of its competitors at a meeting over the weekend.

SRK: I feel like a 25 year old

Baadshah of Bollywood SRK, recently turned 44 year old, but the Scorpian is still young at heart. Check out his interview below:

Your looks belie your age!
Physically, I feel 25-26. But I have no problems in accepting that I’m 44. In fact, if I look good, then the media writes that I’ve done plastic surgery. Honestly, if I sleep well, then I look good. Last night I slept well.

This has been a year of mixed fortunes…
I enjoyed Season II with my cricket team. I was a bit disappointed when we didn’t fare well, but I know we’ll bounce back. I didn’t have film releases with the exception of Billu which was special for me. I got a honourary doctorate from the University of Bedfordshire, won a couple of other honours. My Name is Khan will come in February 2010. I had my shoulder surgery that kept me out of action now I’m on the road to recovery. I spent quality time with my kids. I’m finishing my book 20 Years Of A Decade. It was an unfortunate physical year but a good emotional one.

Are there any specific thoughts on growing older?
Yes, I have been constantly thinking about what I can give back to people, to society. Allah has been kind to me, He has given me so much. I have just six to seven good friends in the industry. But the media is my friend. You are the ones who remind me of my birthday at least four-five days in advance. You have given me so much love, so has my audience. Now I want to do something in return. I want to bring a smile to the faces of youngsters. I don’t want to start an NGO, but I do wish to do something for the cause of the girl child… The feeling of wanting to give is stronger now than it has been. I think of life as work. I want to introspect as to which direction I should take my life in. I want to do something to save the environment. Honestly, I haven’t done my bit yet but I will start now.

What’s next as far as films go?
RA1. It is something I’m kicked about. It’s a film that children are going to love. It will have action, special effects and a super hero.

Did you receive any special gifts?
Yeah, Karan Johar gave me a lap top bag and a pair of very expensive shoes. My children are making something for me that will come over the weekend. Parmeshwar Godrej sent me a gift. She does that each year. One of my fans has bought me a piece of land on the moon, one has bought me land in Scotland. I’m accepting gifts till this weekend, so all of you who wish to give me something can do so till Sunday.

Edward Norton’s New York City Marathon Results

Edward Norton Is No. 1 In Celebs
Edward Norton did an amazing job this weekend running in the New York Marathon–he came in first amongst all the celebs who participated. This is no easy feat, and his awesome time came out of nowhere–who would’ve thought that he would be leading the pack, unless they were following his training with the Maasai?

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Edward Norton’s New York City Marathon Results

`This Is It’ tops charts with $101M worldwide (AP)

LOS ANGELES – “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” is the No. 1 Halloween thriller for movie audiences. “This Is It” led the weekend box office with a domestic debut of $21.3 million and raised its five-day total worldwide to $101 million.

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`This Is It’ tops charts with $101M worldwide (AP)

Afghan challenger drops out of election (AP)

AP – Afghanistan’s presidential challenger announced Sunday he would not participate in next weekend’s runoff election because his demands for measures to prevent fraud were rejected. He stopped short of calling on his supporters to boycott the balloting.

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Afghan challenger drops out of election (AP)

Bill Cosby’s gift of gab: In his genes via a sock

Where does the gift come from? For Bill Cosby, it begins in a housing project in North Philadelphia. He’s 6, maybe 7 years old. He’s sitting at the knee of his father’s father, hoping for a quarter. But first he has to listen.

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Bill Cosby’s gift of gab: In his genes via a sock

Castro’s sister helped CIA

Juanita Castro reveals details of her collaboration with the CIA against brother Fidel.

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Castro’s sister helped CIA

Obama’s H1N1 national emergency declaration could invoke FEMA response to pandemic (opinion) by M…

(NaturalNews) President Obama’s declaration of a national pandemic emergency is “no cause for alarm,” reported the mainstream media throughout the weekend. The declaration is nothing more than a “precaution,” they say.

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Obama’s H1N1 national emergency declaration could invoke FEMA response to pandemic (opinion) by M…

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