'Diary of a Mad Black Woman' tops box office
HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," distributed by Lion's Gate, grossed $28 million its debut week and topped the U.S. box office, estimated boxofficemojo.com.
Sony's "Hitch" made $21 million last week for a total box office of $122 million, while "Constantine," distributed by Warner Bros., made $12 million for a total box office of $51 million.
In their premier week, Dimension's "Cursed" grossed $9.6 million and Sony's "Man of the House" grossed $9 million.
"Million Dollar Baby," distributed by Warner Bros., made $7 million for a total box office of $65 million.
Fox's "Because of Winn-Dixie" made $6.7 million for a total box office of $22 million, while Sony's "Are We There Yet?" made $4 million for a total box office of $76 million.
"The Aviator" made $3.8 million for a total box office of $94 million, while New Line's "Son of the Mask" made $3.7 million for a total box office $14 million.
Some Michael Jackson fans fiercely loyal
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Michael Jackson hasn't had a top hit in a decade and he's facing child molestation charges in California, but some of his fans remain fiercely loyal.
For some, Jackson is a selfless being who embodies humility and generosity in a world where goodness is persecuted, reported Newsweek.
Faisal Malik, who helps run a Web site that says it has the most accurate Michael Jackson news on the Internet, believes Jackson is persecuted because he never tried to conform.
"So what if he wants to get plastic surgery or live in a place called Neverland?" Malik says. "I understand what it's like to have a really strict father who makes you work all the time, who denies you of your childhood."
The Web site is just one of hundreds pro-Michael Jackson fan sites that study and respond to Jackson's legal issues, as well as organizing rallies.
"These fans have what's called a parasocial relationship," Stuart Fischoff, professor emeritus of media psychology at California State in Los Angeles, told Newsweek. "They think they know Michael, even if Michael doesn't know them -- they have a bond they're not willing to give up very readily."
Destiny's Child sets 16-country tour
OAK BROOK, Ill., Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Destiny's Child will kick off a 16-country, 72-city tour in Hiroshima, Japan, April 9 followed by stops in Australia, Europe, the United States and Canada.
"McDonald's Presents 'Destiny Fulfilled ... and lovin' it'" worldwide tour will have Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams making personal appearances at selected McDonald's restaurants. They will also participate in various activities to support Ronald McDonald House Charities.
"Our 2005 tour is going to be amazing and will really entertain our fans across the globe," said Knowles. "McDonald's definitely shares our passion for music, and we have a lot of fun and exciting things coming up with them, including TV commercials, special restaurant promotions and our role as global ambassadors for World Children's Day."
Tour stops include: Tokyo, Sydney, Stockholm, Paris and London. The North America tour begins in July and lands in 44 cities throughout the United States and Canada. The tour ends in September with a final performance in Honolulu.
Impressionist paintings in Hong Kong popular
HONG KONG, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- An exhibit of French impressionist paintings has attracted record crowds in Hong Kong.
More than 77,800 people have visited the exhibit in its first 20 days of the show, reported Sunday's South China Morning Post.
The exhibit, part of the Year of France in China program, has also had a record number of the number of people using the audio-guide system, which explains the exhibit's paintings.
The Hong Kong Museum of Art's curator of modern art, Tang Hoi-chiu, credited the record number of visitors to a growing interest in the arts and culture, reported Xinhua, China's main government-run news agency.
"For many Hong Kong people, the current exhibition is just a highly publicized event," said Ada Wong Ying-kay, a former member of the now-defunct culture and heritage commission.
"What we've got to think about is how to sustain people's interest as we can't always hold an exhibition with such valuable paintings every day."
