'Mall Cop' stays No. 1
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. movie-goers kept the Kevin James comedy "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" No. 1 for a second week in a row, Box Office Mojo said Sunday.
"Mall Cop" pulled in another estimated $21.5 million in ticket sales for a two-week total of $64.8 million.
"Underworld: Rise of the Lycans," a vampire thriller directed by Patrick Tatopoulos, opened at No. 2 with $20.7 million in estimated gate receipts, followed by "Gran Torino" with $16 million and "Hotel for Dogs" with $12.36 million. "Slumdog Millionaire," which grabbed a slew of Oscar nominations this week," jetted up from 10th to No. 5 with $10.55 million.
Rounding out the Top 10 were "My Bloody Valentine" with $10.05 million, "Inkheart," a family-friendly fantasy flick featuring Brendan Frasier and Sienna Guillory, with $7.73 million in its first weekend, "Bride Wars" with $7 million, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," nosing back up from 11th with $6 million and "Notorious" with $5.7 million.
Dropping out of the top tier this week were "Defiance," "The Unborn" and "Marley and Me."
Perry denies owing $200,000 for work
ATLANTA, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Movie producer Tyler Perry says he does not owe nearly $200,000 to contractors for work on his Atlanta home or movie studio.
While six construction firms have already filed liens against the "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" producer's 30,000-square-foot home and studio, Perry maintains he only withheld payment for low-quality work or undocumented charges, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Sunday.
"I pride myself on taking care of my business," Perry said. "I pride myself on being able to pay the bills."
Some of the contractors seeking payments from the 39-year-old producer claim Perry simply refused to pay their final invoices for no apparent reason, while others cited his dissatisfaction with their work.
Perry, whose movie studio was the first opened by an African-American, told the Journal-Constitution he is not "sympathetic" to the contractors' demands for payment given his take on the construction work.
"I'm not sympathetic to anybody who's trying to rip me off," the creator of the U.S. TV series "House of Payne" said. "Just because I'm a Christian, just because I'm a nice guy, it doesn't mean I'm a wimp."
'Sunday Best' auditions begin in Chicago
CHICAGO, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Nearly 3,200 people have auditioned in Chicago for the gospel TV competition "Sunday Best," the show's host says.
"Sunday Best" host Kirk Franklin said the Hyatt Regency Chicago auditions Saturday gave contestants a chance to compete for an appearance on the Black Entertainment Television series that can help jump-start musical careers, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday.
"Best" hopefuls such as Sunya Lewis and Brittany McCleary said that was exactly what they hope to do.
"I'm looking to share my voice with everyone,'' McCleary said at Saturday's auditions.
"I just want to spread love everywhere," Lewis, 47, told the Sun-Times.
The Chicago competition for aspiring gospel singers marked the first round of auditions for the upcoming second season of "Best," which is to debut March 8. The first season's live finale drew nearly 1.7 million viewers in December 2007.
The Sun-Times said the first season's top two performers, Crystal Aikin and Chicago native Shari Addison, have both released albums since then.
Jolie, Pitt relocating to N.Y. for 'Salt'
NEW YORK, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Hollywood celebrity couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will rent a Suffolk County, N.Y., estate while she films the movie "Salt," a Faded Youth blog said.
Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi confirmed his county would serve as a filming location for the upcoming espionage thriller, prompting Jolie and Pitt to rent a 48-acre waterfront estate on the Lloyd Neck peninsula, Newsday reported Saturday.
The estate features eight bedrooms, indicating the couple will likely be bringing along their six children.
The property, owned by LaVal Properties, also comes equipped with a barbershop, laundry, two helipads and three greenhouses.
The home made a 2006 list by Forbes of the 10 most expensive North American homes, Newsday reported.
Sources said "Salt," which will star Jolie as a CIA officer, would be shot at more than one Long Island location beyond Bethpage, N.Y.
