'Christmases' leads U.S. box office
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- "Four Christmases" led the U.S. box office for the weekend, raking in $31.68 million in estimated gross receipts.
The comedy also led the overall five-day Thanksgiving weekend take with $46.71 million.
All estimates are from Box Office Mojo.
"Bolt" was No. 2 with $26.596 million for the weekend, retaining its spot from last weekend.
"Twilight" was third with $26.37 million; "Quantum of Solace" fourth with $19.5 million in its third weekend; "Australia" fifth with $14.815 in its first weekend; "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" sixth with $14.5 million.
"Transporter" was seventh with $12.33 million in its first weekend; "Role Models" eighth with $5.284 million; and "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" was ninth with $1.69 million in only 582 theaters.
"Milk" rounded out the top 10 with $1.381 million.
llness stops Princess Aiko birthday party
TOKYO, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- An Imperial Palace celebration for the seventh birthday of Japan's Princess Aiko has been canceled because the princess is sick, royal officials say.
The Imperial Household Agency said Sunday that events scheduled for Monday to honor the Japanese royal family member were canceled when a doctor diagnosed Aiko with a fever, the Kyodo news agency said.
An unidentified agency official quoted the princess's doctor saying it would likely be several days until she is feeling better.
Cleric says Disney a corrupting influence
LONDON, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- A British Catholic cleric says the Walt Disney Co. is corrupting the minds of children by making its products irresistible.
Abbot of Worth Christopher Jamison said Disney has created a child pilgrimage site out of Disney World and used spirituality to market its various products, The Daily Telegraph reported.
"The message behind every movie and book, behind every theme park and T-shirt is that our children's world needs Disney," Jamison said.
"So they absolutely must go to see the next Disney movie, which we'll also want to give them on DVD as a birthday present."
The cleric said by using a marketing campaign that alludes to some higher meaning to the Disney brand, the global company is misusing spirituality.
"This is basically the commercial exploitation of spirituality," Jamison told the Telegraph.
The newspaper said Jamison offers families advice on how to live a simpler life in his new book, "Finding Happiness."
College offering course on 'South Park'
NEW YORK, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- The City University of New York is offering a course entitled "South Park and Political Correctness" that focuses on the animated TV series, a teacher says.
Brian Dunphy, an adjunct at the school's Brooklyn College, said the Comedy Central series at the center of his new course at the college is perfect for a discussion on political correctness in today's world, the New York Post said Sunday.
"It has the pulse of America more than anything else," the teacher said of the TV and radio department course. "It's proof that you can learn from the most unlikely
places."
"South Park" follows the adventures of four young boys living in Colorado. The animated comedy has been the focus of criticism for its questionable takes on celebrities and society in general.
For Dunphy, such controversial features are the exact reason he chose to include "Park" in his 14-week class that will include discussions on assisted suicide, religion and war.
"I think the best way to reach students is to make them laugh," Dunphy told the Post. "Once they are paying attention, the discussion is very lively."
