'Narnia' takes No. 1 spot at box office
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," directed by Michael Apted, took in $24.5 million during the weekend for the No. 1 U.S. spot.
"The Tourist," starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie, settled into the No. 2 spot with $17 million at the weekend box office.
The animated "Tangled" was a strong No. 3 with more than $14.55 million.
All estimated gross box office figures are from the studios via Box Office Mojo.
Cooling down a little bit was "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1," No. 4 for the weekend with $8.5 million.
"Unstoppable" was fifth with $3.75 million; "Black Swan" sixth with more than $3.33 million; "Burlesque" seventh with $3.2 million; "Love and Other Drugs" eighth with $3 million; "Due Date" ninth with more than $2.54 million.
The animated "Megamind" rounded out the top 10 with $2.51 million.
'Red Dead' wins 4 Spike video game awards
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- The Wild West shoot-em-up "Red Dead Redemption" was named Game of the Year at the Spike TV annual "Video Game Awards" in Los Angeles.
The game produced by Rockstar Games picked up four awards Saturday night, including Best Song, and was nominated in nine award categories.
"Mass Effect 2" took three awards, including "Best Xbox 360 Game" and Best Studio for its developer, BioWare."
Spike TV said in a written statement the awards show at the Los Angeles Convention Center also was the venue for the public premier of 13 new games, including "Portal 2," which was named "Most Anticipated Game" of the year.
"This was a huge night for the gaming universe," said Casey Patterson, the event's executive producer Spike TV's "Video Game Awards." "We honored the best and previewed the future of games next year with incredible world premieres."
Money woes force cancellation of parade
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 12 (UPI) -- The 2010 Orlando Christmas Parade has been canceled because of money problems, organizers in Florida said.
Organizers said it will be replaced by a smaller event called the Santa Farewell Festival, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported.
"With better economic times ahead, the parade will hopefully return in 2011," parade producer Teri Boardman said. "Thank you to all past participants and parade supporters."
Boardman said dwindling sponsorship forced her to cancel the 2010 edition of the parade, which is not funded by the city.
"It all comes down to sponsors equal money to pay city [fees]," Boardman said.
She said running the parade means paying for barricades, police for security and street sweepers to clean up afterward, among other costs. Boardman said area businesses were reluctant or unwilling to get involved for various reasons.
"Most cities have a budget to do a Christmas parade," Boardman said.
The parade's cancellation won't spoil holiday cheer, Boardman said.
The Santa Farewell Festival will be held Dec. 18. It is billed as a special sendoff for Santa before he returns to the North Pole to pack his sleigh.
'Glee' cast silenced by tonsillitis
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Some cast members of Fox Television's hit show "Glee" were diagnosed with tonsillitis in Los Angeles, forcing cancellation of production, officials said.
Among the ill was Dianna Agron, who plays the show's head cheerleader, Entertainment Weekly reported.
The illnesses forced cancellation of Friday's taping and cast members who remained healthy got the day off.
Agron, Tweeting from her bed, said: "Note to self. Should have gotten a flu shot. In bed, hoping that medicine, soup, my computer and a marathon of movies will be the cure."
Cast member Lea Michele was in higher spirits, tweeting: "What a beautiful relaxing day! Went on an awesome hike and just (got) a massage! So happy it's the weekend!"
Mark Salling used the time off to play golf.
"Nothing like a little golf on an unexpected day off," he tweeted.
Production of the show was expected to resume Monday.
