'Transformers' starts at No. 1
LOS ANGELES, July 8 (UPI) -- The toy-based science fiction movie "Transformers" morphed into the top-grossing offering when it debuted in U.S. theaters this weekend.
The high-tech graphics film pulled in $67.6 million in estimated ticket receipts, Box Office Mojo reported Sunday. The animated flick "Ratatouille" and the action film "Live Free or Die Hard" retreated to second and third in their second week in the theaters, taking in $29.03 million and $17.4 million respectively.
The Robin Williams comedy "License to Wed" debuted at No. 4 with $10.4 million, while another religious comedy, "Evan Almighty," descended from third to No. 5 with $8.11 million in ticket sales during its third week.
Completing the Top 10 were: "1408" at $7.14 million, "Knocked Up" at $5.16 million, "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" at $4.15 million, "Sicko" at $3.65 million and "Ocean's Thirteen" at $3.53 million.
Bounced out of the top tier were "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and "Evening."
Designer Valentino throws black-tie gala
ROME, July 8 (UPI) -- Princess Caroline of Hanover and the Shah of Iran's widow were among the guests at designer Valentino's recent dinner at Rome's Coliseum.
The dinner was replete with fiberglass replicas of the ancient pillars that once stood in the Coliseum and fireworks for the 500 guests, The New York Times reported Sunday.
Before the dinner, about 1,000 people saw the designer's latest couture collection and then most of the invitees who came to the party ended up dressing in Valentino.
Among those in attendance were actresses Uma Thurman and Sarah Jessica Parker, Rothschilds, Borgheses, Radziwills, Santo Domingos, Guinnesses, and Diane Von Furstenberg and her husband.
"Incredible," Von Furstenberg said after the fireworks. "To have the Colosseum as the backdrop -- you can't do better than that."
It also was reported Valentino, 75, and his business partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, spent more than $10 million on the three-day celebration.
Billions tune into Live Earth concerts
LONDON, July 8 (UPI) -- An estimated 2 billion people turned on their radios, TVs, computers or went to one one of the worldwide venues for the Live Earth concerts.
At London's Wembley Stadium Saturday, British DJ Chris Moyles revved up the crowd before launching into a set, The New York Times reported.
"We're here to save the world," said Moyles at the start of the nine-hour show at Wembley Stadium. "Will you help?" he asked, to which the crowd responded "Yes."
Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who produced the environmental film "An Inconvenient Truth," inspired producer Kevin Wall to re-adapt the idea he used for the Live 8 concerts to global warming.
Gore and Wall also requested the public commit to a seven-point pledge that includes demanding an international treaty to cut carbon emissions by 90 percent, working for energy efficiency at home and in the workplace, and reducing individual carbon pollution to become "carbon neutral."
Details of Jim Morrison's death revealed
PARIS, July 8 (UPI) -- The 36-year-old matter of Jim Morrison's death in Paris may be reopened after a friend revealed the rock star died of a heroin overdose.
Sam Bernett, a former journalist with The New York Times, said Morrison was killed by a heroin overdose and his death was covered up by drug dealers, the Mail on Sunday reported.
Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors, officially died of "natural causes," but in an exclusive interview with the British newspaper Bernett revealed what he claims to be the truth.
Bernett alleges in his book, "The End -- Jim Morrison," that Morrison passed away because of a massive heroin overdose in the toilet of the Rock 'n' Roll Circus nightclub, which he was managing at the time.
The rock star's death reportedly was covered up by two drug dealers who transferred his body from the club to the singer's apartment.
French authorities are taking the allegations seriously enough to consider reopening the investigation into Morrison's death.
