UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News

'Marley and Me' romps to No. 1

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- The emotionally charged family-and-their-puppy comedy "Marley and Me" was top dog among five holiday releases in U.S. theaters, Box Office Mojo said Sunday.

The comedy, starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston as a couple learning life lessons from their unruly pooch, opened at No. 1 with an estimated $37 million in box office receipts.

Adam Sandler telling "Bedtime Stories" was No. 2, lodging $28.1 million in estimated ticket sales.

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," in which Brad Pitt ages in reverse was third, taking in an estimated $27 million.

"Valkyrie," retelling a plot to assassinate World War II Nazi Germany leader Adolf Hitler starring Tom Cruise, was No. 4 with $21.5 million.

Last week's top movie, "Yes Man," dropped to No. 5, recording $16.4 million. At No. 6 was "Seven Pounds," down from No. 2 last week, taking in $13.4 million. The animated "The Tale of Despereaux" fell from No. 3 to No. 7 with $9.4 million. The remake of the sci-fi classic, "The Day the Earth Stood Still," dropped four to No. 8, recording $7.9 million.

Filling out the top 10 were the action-thriller "The Spirit," the fifth new film, grabbed $6.5 million at No. 9, and "Doubt," at No. 10, grossing an estimated $5.7 million.

Film festival to honor Penn for 'Milk'

PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Actor Sean Penn will be honored by the Palm Springs International Film Festival for his role in "Milk," the head of the California festival says.

Festival Chairman Harold Matzner tabbed Penn's portrayal of openly gay San Francisco politician Harvey Milk as "one of greatest acting performances in 2008," Daily Variety reported Saturday.

For portraying the man who was the first openly gay politician in California history before being assassinated, Penn will receive the festival's Desert Palm Achievement Award.

The 20th annual festival will take place Jan. 6, 2009. Among the other honorees set to attend is director Gus Van Sant, who directed Penn in "Milk."

Penn's latest honor comes a year after the actor earned the festival's Director of the Year award for "Into the Wild."

Daily Variety said previous winners of the Desert Palm award include actors Daniel Day-Lewis, James Stewart and Nicholas Cage.

Singer Jenkins booed at Harrods sale

LONDON, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Protesters who booed Katherine Jenkins at a Harrods sale in London say the opera singer should not be involved with a store selling fur products.

Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade protester John Wilson said while Jenkins has spoken out against the fur trade, she appeared at Saturday's winter sale opening for the department store, which allegedly sells imported furs, the BBC reported

"We are gathered here today because of our disgust at Ms. Jenkins who professes to be against animal cruelty and the fur trade," Wilson said.

Jenkins arrived for Saturday's sale in a horse-drawn carriage and was accompanied by a group of bagpipe players.

The opera star, who was joined at the sale by scores of customers who waited hours for access to Harrods bargains, told the British network she does not personally wear fur, but respects others' opinions on the matter.

"Personally I do not eat meat or wear fur, but people are entitled to their opinions," Jenkins said.

Leno tabs Stern as a forgotten celebrity

NEW YORK, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Radio shock jock Howard Stern's popularity has significantly dwindled among the U.S. general public since going to satellite radio, TV star Jay Leno says.

"The Tonight Show" star said Stern, whose 1990s popularity peaked with a film and book release, is no longer a common household name since moving from public radio to satellite radio three years ago, The New York Times reported Sunday.

"On radio, Howard to me was a populist. The truck driver, the average guy would listen in the cafe, the truck, the old car that's 50 years old and still has an AM radio," Leno told the Times. "But I don't hear him quoted anymore. People don't say: 'Hey, did you hear what Howard said today?'"

Stern's employer, Sirius XM, is nearly $1 billion of debt as satellite radio has struggled to find a major consumer foothold.

Sirius Chief Executive Officer Mel Karmazin downplayed the declining value of the company's stocks, telling the Times the company must refinance to continue operations.

"I don't think that the performance of the stock is related to the performance of the company," he said. "It's related to the balance sheet of the company and the need for the company to refinance."