'Cloverfield,' '27 Dresses' debut 1-2
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Two new movies, "Cloverfield" and "27 Dresses," broke out 1-2 in U.S. theaters this weekend.
"Cloverfield," a monster movie directed by Matt Reeves, took the top spot with $41 million in estimated ticket receipts, Box Office Mojo reported, while "27 Dresses," a romantic comedy directed by Anne Fletcher, was a distant second at $22.43 million.
Last week's No. 1 film, "The Bucket List," slipped to third at $15.15 million, followed by "Juno" at $10.25 million, "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" at $8.15 million and "First Sunday" at $7.8 million.
Another new movie, "Mad Money," starring Diane Keaton, Katie Holmes and Queen Latifah opposite Ted Danson, debuted at No. 7 with an estimated $7.7 million in ticket sales.
Also in the Top 10 were "Alvin and the Chipmunks," $7 million; "I Am Legend," $5.1 million; and "Atonement," $4.76 million.
The three new films pushed "There Will Be Blood," "One Missed Call" and "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" out of the top tier.
Glitter hospitalized after heart attack
HANOI, Vietnam, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Disgraced British pop singer Gary Glitter is in a Vietnam hospital recuperating after suffering a recent heart attack.
Sky News said Sunday the "Leader of the Gang" singer had been serving a three-year jail sentence in Vietnam for abusing children when he had a heart attack.
Glitter, who was convicted in March 2006 of sexually abusing two 11-year-old girls, will remain under police guard during his stay at a Vietnamese hospital. However, there is word Glitter, whose sentence was reduced by three months through a national amnesty last year, could soon be headed to Britain for additional medical treatment.
Sky News said the "Do You Wanna Touch Me" singer may be allowed to return to his native land once his sentence runs out or he may be set free as part of an amnesty that takes place each year in Vietnam.
'L&O' star Noth welcomes baby boy
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- "Law & Order" star Chris Noth and his girlfriend have welcomed a newborn son into their family in Los Angeles.
A representative for the TV actor confirmed the 53-year-old and his longtime girlfriend, Tara Wilson, are now parents to a 7-pound, 10-ounce boy, People magazine reported Sunday.
"I am happy to confirm that Chris Noth and Tara Wilson are the proud parents of a happy and healthy baby boy," the unidentified representative said regarding Friday's birth of Orion Christopher Noth.
"Chris and Tara are thrilled and all are doing well," the representative added.
People said the couple, who met at Noth's New York bar, The Cutting Room, will appear together in the upcoming film "Frame of Mind."
ESPN acquires Farrell's 'Kicking It'
SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- The soccer documentary "Kicking It," which is narrated by actor Colin Farrell, was acquired Saturday by ESPN, mere hours before it premiered in Utah.
Variety reported that hours before the Susan Koch-directed film was to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, ESPN reached an agreement to the documentary's exclusive TV rights.
In addition to controlling the soccer documentary's TV rights, the sports network will be in charge of the film's digital distribution, as well.
The Ted Leonsis-produced film follows the lives of seven soccer players from six countries who come together to participate in the fourth annual Homeless World Cup.
Variety reported that ESPN Senior Vice President Keith Clinkscales said in a statement that the sports film "is an inspirational guide and a fitting choice for ESPN."
