'The Incredibles' tops U.S. box office
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- "The Incredibles," distributed by Buena Vista, grossed $70 million it's premier week and topped the U.S. box office Sunday, estimated boxofficemojo.com.
Universal's "Ray" added $14 million to its box office of $40 million.
Sony's "The Grudge" added $13 million to its box office of $90 million.
"Saw," distributed by Lions Gate, added $11 million to its box office of $36 million.
Paramount's "Alfie" grossed $6.5 million its debut week.
"Shall We Dance," distributed by Miramax, added $5.7 million to its box office of $42 million.
"Shark Tale," distributed by DreamWorks, added $4.6 million to its box office of $154 million.
Universal's "Friday Night Lights" added $3 million to its box office of $57 million.
"Ladder 49," distributed by Buena Vista, added $2.6 million to its box office of $70 million.
Paramount's "Team America: World Police" added $1.9 million to its box office of $30 million.
'A Good Woman' with Helen Hunt debuts 2005
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Lions Gate Films, based in Santa Monica, Calif., has acquired the North American distribution rights to the movie "A Good Woman," starring Helen Hunt.
The feature film, adapted from the Oscar Wilde play "Lady Windermere's Fan," will premiere in 2005.
"Mike Barker and this cast deliver one of the best Wilde adaptations in years," said Tom Ortenberg, president of Lions Gate Films Releasing. "I am confident that this film has a winning combination of humor and drama played out on screen by some of the best actors working today."
The film, directed by Mike Barker and written by Howard Himelstein, also stars Scarlett Johansson and Tom Wilkinson.
Set in New York and the Italian Riviera during the 1930s, Hunt plays Mrs. Erlynne, an audacious and well-known woman of a certain age with a reputation for entertaining wealthy, married men. Leaving her problems and unpaid bills in New York, she sets sail for Italy to pursue Meg, played by Johansson. In Europe, she becomes embroiled in a family scandal.
Kristofferson enters country hall of fame
NASHVILLE, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Singer/actor/songwriter Kris Kristofferson will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame during Tuesday's 38th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville.
Faith Hill and Willie Nelson will take part in the tribute to Kristofferson.
"Kris Kristofferson has an incredible body of work as a songwriter and performer," said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson. "He is very deserving of this honor and recognition during the CMA Awards -- the challenge was narrowing a lifetime of contributions he has made to this industry to a representative sampling of his work."
Kristofferson has had seven CMA Award nominations and won Song of the Year in 1970 for "Sunday Morning Coming Down."
He also hosted the annual gala twice -- with Anne Murray in 1985 and in 1986 with Willie Nelson.
Farrell: Pierce is just messing with me
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Irish actor Colin Farrell says he doesn't believe countryman Pierce Brosnan is serious about him taking over the James Bond franchise.
Brosnan's recent announcement that he would not reprise his most famous role has sparked a flurry of predictions about who will be the next actor to play the popular film character.
Brosnan was quoted in the media last week as saying he would like to see the Dublin-born "Alexander" and "Phone Booth" star headline the next Bond film.
"I think Pierce is just messing with me, causing me a lot of grief," Farrell told UPI in a phone interview Sunday. "I was doing a job in London last week and I arrived on the set every day and everyone was (humming the 007 theme song.)"
So, would he consider playing the suave super spy if asked?
"I don't know," Farrell replied. "Nah. They would never offer it to me anyway, so I wouldn't even go there."
