'Earth' sci-fi flick is No. 1
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The science fiction remake "The Day the Earth Stood Still" opened strongly in U.S. theaters this weekend, grabbing the top spot, Box Office Mojo said Sunday.
"The Day the Earth Stood Still," featuring Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Kathy Bates and John Cleese, pulled in an estimated $31 million in gate receipts, compared with $13.27 million for "Four Christmases," which had been No. 1 the previous two weeks and has a three-week total of nearly $88 million.
"Twilight" moved from second to third with $8.01 million, followed by "Bolt" at $7.51 million, "Australia" at $4.29 million and "Quantum of Solace" at $3.8 million for a five-week total of $157.7 million.
Another Christmas movie, "Nothing Like the Holidays," about a Puerto Rican family facing what may be their last Christmas together in Chicago, came in at No. 7 with $3.5 million in estimated ticket sales. Rounding out the Top 10 were "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," $3.25 million; "Milk," Sean Penn's portrayal of slaying gay San Francisco city official Harvey Milk, up from 11th last week with $2.64 million; and "Transporter 3," $2.25 million
Burke wins 'X-Factor' despite past failure
LONDON, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Three years after being dropped from "The X-Factor," contestant Alexandra Burke won the British talent competition in its televised finale.
The Sunday Times of London said the 20-year-old singer thanked the ITV series' judges and fans following her Saturday victory in which she inched out the boy band JLS and singer Eoghan Quigg for top honors.
"Thank you so much for making my dream come true," Burke said Saturday. "I'm the happiest girl alive."
The season finale also included a performance by U.S. singer Beyonce Knowles, who paired with Burke for a duet.
Saturday's victory and corresponding record deal for Burke offered the London resident a taste of redemption three years after "X-Factor" judge Louis Walsh booted her before the final rounds.
The Times said singer Leonard Cohen was also a big winner in Saturday's finale as all three finalists sang Cohen's "Hallelujah." Burke's performance of the song will be available as a CD single or music download.
Sheen daughters unhurt in traffic accident
MALIBU, Calif., Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Actor Charlie Sheen's two daughters with actress Denise Richards are unhurt following a traffic accident in Malibu, Calif., the actor's representative says.
Publicist Stan Rosenfield said Sheen's 3-year-old daughter Lola and her sister Sam, 4, were riding in a sport utility vehicle involved in a four-car collision Saturday, People.com reported.
Rosenfield alleged another vehicle made a turn in front of the Mercedes carrying the children, prompting the accident. The girls were in car seats.
"Charlie told me that the girls are fine," the publicist said. "He said it could have been much worse."
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lt. Richard Erickson said the only individual hurt was the driver blamed for the accident, E! Online reported.
Sheen, star of the CBS hit "Two and a Half Men," and Richards, a movie actress, had Lola and Sam during their former marriage together.
Swedish 'Idol' prize won by Malta national
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Malta national Kevin Borg's performance of "With Every Bit of Me" helped him win the title of Swedish "Idol" 2008, officials said.
Voters for the competitive talent show tabbed the 22-year-old, who moved to Sweden from the island nation a year ago, over 17-year-old Alice Svensson in the finale of the popular TV series, The Local reported.
In addition to wowing audiences with Andreas Carlsson's hit song Friday night, Borg offered renditions of Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer" and "You're the Voice" by John Farnham.
Svensson unsuccessfully countered with "Heavens on fire" by Kiss and Pink's hit, "So What."
The Local said Borg, who previously competed twice in the Eurovision contest final, tearfully thanked his fans after being awarded top prize in the singing competition.
