'Jumper' leaps to No. 1
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- New movies, led by "Jumper," grabbed four of the Top 5 spots Sunday among U.S. theater-goers.
"Jumper," a thriller starring Samuel L. Jackson and Hayden Christensen, pulled in $27.23 million in estimated ticket sales in its debut weekend to claim the No. 1 spot, Box Office Mojo reported. No. 2 was "Step Up 2 the Streets," a romantic dance movie starring Briana Evignan and Robert Hoffman that tallied $19.67 million. "The Spiderwick Chronicles," a kids' fantasy, was right behind at $19.08 million.
Fourth place went to "Fool's Gold," which fell from No. 1, with $13.08 million, while another new film, "Definitely, Maybe," featuring Ryan Reynolds and An Nguyen, was No. 5 with $9.69 million in sales.
Also still in the Top 10 were "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins," $8.89 million; "Juno," "$4.63 million; "The Bucket List," $4.11 million; "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour," $3.29 million; and "27 Dresses," $3.18 million.
Disappearing from the top tier were "The Eye," "There Will Be Blood," "Rambo" and "Meet the Spartans."
British princes plan motorcycle adventure
LONDON, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Britain's Princes Harry and William are plotting a 1,000-mile motorcycle ride across Africa, nicknaming their adventure Operation ER+Queen.
The ER in the trek's name refers to Peter Fonda's 1969 U.S. road movie "Easy Rider" and Queen is a nod to actor Steve McQueen's memorable motorcycle jumps in the 1963 World War II movie "The Great Escape," The Mail on Sunday reported.
The royal pair's cross-country adventure will raise money for South African orphans with HIV or AIDS, the British newspaper said.
The duo's official route through Africa has not been finalized as British officials are concerned with rampant violence travelers can face in regions of the African continent.
To help protect Harry and William, at least six bodyguards will travel with them, as will several TV crews.
The princes are expected to embark on the trip during a break from their military service in June, the newspaper reported.
'Elite Squad' tops Berlin Film Festival
BERLIN, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- The Brazilian movie "Tropa De Elite" -- "The Elite Squad" -- has been named best film at the Berlin Film Festival, it was reported Sunday.
Deutsche Welle reported the movie won the festival's Golden Bear trophy for its depiction of police corruption and violence in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.
Meanwhile, the annual event's Silver Bear award for best director went to Thomas Paul Anderson for his U.S. film "There Will Be Blood," which had already won several awards and is nominated for eight Oscars.
Best actress kudos went to Sally Hawkins for her portrayal of a London teacher in the film "Happy-Go-Lucky," while Reza Naji was given the festival's best actor award for his role in "The Song of Sparrows."
The BBC said 21 films were screened as part of the 58th annual German cinematic competition.
Travolta, Preston support Fla. fundraiser
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Movie star John Travolta and his wife, actress Kelly Preston, were on hand last week in Jacksonville, Fla., to help raise money for endangered children.
The celebrity couple helped the Marcia C. and Ricardo Morales Jr. Infant Nursery raise more than $1 million Friday to help children. If that estimate is accurate, it would represent the top one-night fundraiser in the city's history, The Jacksonville (Fla.) Times-Union said Sunday.
Travolta and Preston received a police escort to get them through rush-hour traffic on the way to the charity event.
"Wow, this is great. We've never had one of these before," they reportedly said upon arriving for the fundraiser.
