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UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News

'Men in Black' leads U.S. box office

LOS ANGELES, May 27 (UPI) -- "Men in Black 3," starring Will Smith, led the U.S. box office so far this weekend with $55 million in receipts as of Sunday.

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The film came in below expectations, despite its healthy box office.

"The Avengers," starring Robert Downey Jr. and an ensemble case, was second with $36.98 million.

All studio estimates of gross U.S. box office receipts are via Exhibitor Relations.

"Battleship" was third with $10.75 million; "The Dictator" fourth with $9.6 million; "Chernobyl Diaries" fifth with $8 million; "Dark Shadows" sixth with more than $7.51 million; "What to Expect When You're Expecting" seventh with $7.15 million; "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" eighth with $6.35 million; and "The Hunger Games" ninth with $2.2 million.

"Think Like a Man" was 10th with $1.4 million.


Michelle Obama, daughters see Beyonce

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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., May 27 (UPI) -- First lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia attended one of Beyonce's first shows since she gave birth, concert-goers in Atlantic City, N.J., said.

Obama received a thunderous round of applause from the crowd at Beyonce's second sold-out show Saturday at Revel's Ovation Hall, the Press of Atlantic City reported.

The series of four concerts marking the grand opening of the resort are the only announced performances for Beyonce for the year, which may explain why the Obamas made the trip to Atlantic City, the newspaper said.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his family were also in attendance for the performance, along with actress Maria Bello, models Janeil Williams and Emily DiDonato, and Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice.

Tickets for the first three shows sold out within the first minute of going on sale, so the resort added a fourth concert, Revel representatives said.


Lady Gaga cancels Jakarta gig for security

JAKARTA, May 27 (UPI) -- Lady Gaga has canceled her concert in Jakarta amid conservative Islamist threats to intercept the U.S. singer once she lands in Indonesia, a promoter said.

The singer's management team called off the June 3 show at Bung Karno Stadium to eliminate risks to Lady Gaga, the crew and audience members, The Jakarta Post reported Sunday.

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"Gaga's camp did not want this show to cause any harm to anybody," said Minola Sebayang, a lawyer for the company promoting the concert, Big Daddy Entertainment.

Hard-line groups in Indonesia accused Lady Gaga of promoting satanic values, and some Friday prayers asked God to intervene and cause the show to be canceled, the newspaper said.

"With this prayer, let's ask God to strengthen the heart of the police so they will not be tempted with money, so they will not allow the concert," preached Fudloli Mohammad Ruham, a teacher at a Muslim school in the city.

Big Daddy executive Michael Rusli promised all 52,000 ticket-holders would be given refunds, beginning June 10.

"We will announce detailed procedures on Wednesday because we have to ask the police to issue a permit for us to refund the tickets, since it will involve crowds," Rusli said.


Madonna asks for pool at Israel venue

TEL AVIV, Israel, May 27 (UPI) -- U.S. pop star Madonna requested producers of her Tel Aviv concert build her children a private pool on the grounds of the concert venue, sources told Haaretz.

Madonna arrived in Israel Friday ahead of the Thursday launch of her world tour, The Jerusalem Post reported.

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Temporary luxurious housing, a private pool and game room were constructed on the grounds of Ramat Gan stadium, where the concert will be held, unnamed sources told Haaretz.

Several Israeli Facebook pages have popped up lauding the queen of pop as she settles in for the concert she has dubbed "Concert for Peace," the Post reported.

Avihay Asseraf, who manages what he calls Israel's official Madonna Facebook page, said the fact that the musician is opening her tour in Tel Aviv is monumental.

"People don't appreciate the meaning that someone like Madonna is doing her opening night here. It's the premiere of a tour," he told the Post. "It's a piece of history."

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