'21' is No. 1
LOS ANGELES, March 30 (UPI) -- The gamble taken by makers of "21" proved a winner as the movie about college students taking Las Vegas casinos for millions debuted at No. 1 in U.S. theaters.
The Sony movie, starring Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth and Jim Sturgess, paid its backers an estimated $23.7 million in ticket receipts in its first weekend, Box Office Mojo reported Sunday. That pushed "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!" to No. 2 with $17.43 million.
Another new offering, the spoof "Superhero Movie," started out at No. 3 with $9.51 million in estimated sales.
The next four in the rankings were: "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns" at $7.76 million, "Drillbit Taylor" at $5.8 million, "Shutter" at $5.33 million and "10,000 B.C." at $4.88 million.
"Stop-Loss," a gritty drama about an Iraqi war veteran facing a return to combat, debuted at No. 8 with $4.53 million in estimated receipts.
Filling out the top 10 were "College Road Trip" at $3.51 million and "The Bank Job" at $2.8 million.
Falling out this week were "Never Back Down," Vantage Point" and "Under the Same Moon."
Cyrus dominates Kids Choice Awards
LOS ANGELES, March 30 (UPI) -- U.S. child star Miley Cyrus, who performed and won two awards at Nickelodeon's 2008 annual Kids Choice Awards, said she just didn't want to get slimed.
While accepting an award for Favorite Female Singer, the "Hannah Montana" star asked not to be coated with Nickelodeon's trademark slime and ceremony officials allowed her to leave the stage unscathed, People magazine reported Saturday.
"I don't want to get slimed but I am glad to be here," Cyrus told those in attendance.
The actress/singer also won a Kids Choice award for Favorite TV Actress for her work on "Montana."
Meanwhile, the honor of being slimed went to actor Harrison Ford who was coated with the gooey liquid while presenting the award for Favorite Voice for an Animated Movie.
"Fantastic Four" star Jessica Alba was named Favorite Movie Actress, while her fellow movie starlet Cameron Diaz was presented with the event's Wannabe Award.
The even
U.S. 'Superman' copyright to be shared
LOS ANGELES, March 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. copyright for the "Superman" trademark will no longer be the sole property of Time Warner thanks to a federal judge's ruling last week.
U.S. District Judge Stephen G. Larson ruled in Los Angeles that the copyright for the renowned superhero should be shared with the heirs of "Superman" co-creator Jerome Siegel, The New York Times reported Sunday.
Siegel initially created "Superman" with Joseph Schuster and the pair sold the rights to their fictional creation to Detective Comics 70 years ago for $130.
Last Wednesday's ruling also opened the door for similar legal action from Schuster's heirs, which could potentially mean the "Superman" trademark could be under shared control until at least 2033, a lawyer representing both estates said.
Such shared copyright ownership could significantly complicate planned cinematic endeavors involving the bulletproof character, the Times said.
Currently, Time Warner is working toward a sequel to the 2006 film "Superman Returns" and the superman character is expected to take part in the film "Justice League of America," based on a DC Comics creation of the same name.
'Light' to illuminate Rolling Stones
NEW YORK, March 30 (UPI) -- The impending release of the concert movie "Shine a Light" will offer a glimpse into the raucous musical lives of the British rock group, the Rolling Stones.
Filmed by Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Richardson and directed by Martin Scorsese, "Light" captured a live performance by the Stones p at Broadway's Beacon Theatre, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.
The band's 64-year-old guitarist, Keith Richards, said the project should represent a perfect blend of music and cinema thanks to Scorsese's directorial touch.
"The show was a good one," Richards said, "but you have to know that it's not just about the band, right? It's about Martin Scorsese ... it's a rock show painted by a Rembrandt."
In production notes, Scorsese states his initial plan of filming a large Stones concert was dismissed for a more intimate look at the band at the 2,800-seat New York theater.
"At a certain point I thought making something more intimate would be suited to me as a filmmaker and would also facilitate a more personal connection between the audience and the band," the famed director said.
The Times said "Light" is to be released in select theaters across the United States Friday.
