'Angels & Demons' a hit in U.S. theaters
LOS ANGELES, May 17 (UPI) -- Ron Howard's "Angels & Demons" opened at No. 1 in U.S. theaters this weekend, Box Office Mojo figures released Sunday showed.
The drama about a murder investigation that leads to a terrorist plot against the Vatican, starring Tom Hanks and Ewan McGregor, raked in an estimated $48 million in gross ticket sales. That was enough to push last weekend's blockbuster, "Star Trek," to No. 2 with $43 million in gate receipts. "Star Trek" now has a two-week total of $147.61 million, Box Office Mojo said.
"X-Men Origins: Wolverine" moved to No. 3 with $14.8 million in estimated ticket sales, while "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" is No. 4 with $6.86 million and "Obsessed" is No. 5 at $4.55 million.
Rounding out the top 10 were "17 Again" at $3.4 million, "Monsters Vs. Aliens" at $3 million, "The Soloist" at $2.43 million, "Next Day Air" at $2.28 million and "Earth" at $1.68 million.
With only one new movie starting out in the upper tier, the only movie to be bounced out was "Fighting."
"Management," a romantic comedy starring Jennifer Anniston, Steve Zahn and Wood Harrelson, managed just $378,000 in showings in a limited number of theaters.
Book alleges actor Niven attempted suicide
LONDON, May 17 (UPI) -- A new book claims British actor David Niven unsuccessfully tried to commit suicide by shooting himself in a fit of sadness in 1946.
The biography written by Michael Munn says the late British actor's suicide attempt was thwarted when the firearm he was using failed to work. The Sunday Times of London reported.
"I decided to blow my brains out. I took a gun and put the barrel in my mouth and, with barely a thought for my children, which was unforgivable, I pulled the trigger," Niven reportedly said shortly before his1983 death. "And the bloody thing didn't fire."
Munn also writes Niven, known for such films as "The Pink Panther" and "Around the World in 80 Days," turned to a life of sex and alcohol following his suicide attempt.
"I had some bizarre illness. I had to have sex," Munn quotes Niven of saying. "I think it was my only way of deadening the pain. That and getting drunk, but I preferred sex."
The Times said the mood of Munn's book about Niven, who died of motor neurone disease, differs greatly from Niven's own light-hearted autobiography, "The Moon's a Balloon."
Kingsley re-embraced India for new film
CANNES, France, May 17 (UPI) -- Actor Ben Kingsley says he feels a connection with India, the focus of both his latest movie and his Oscar-winning turn as spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi.
The 65-year-old British actor, who earned a best actor Oscar for portraying the Indian leader in 1982's "Gandhi," said at France's Cannes Film Festival his new movie, "Teen Patti," brought him back to India, The Sunday Times of London reported.
"I just get India," Kingsley said Saturday. "There's something spiritual, something about connection."
But returning to the Asian country for the new Bollywood film was not a simple decision for Kingsley, who admits having had a hard time visiting India following his role in "Gandhi."
"When making 'Gandhi' it was very much an active participation and I then found it quite hard going back there afterward as a tourist," he said.
But The Times said with the filming of "Patti" behind him, Kingsley expressed interest in taking part in additional movie projects in India.
"In the short time since making 'Teen Patti,' I've also had offers to act in other Indian films," Kingsley said.
"I'd love to return to India to film there."
Fox digs up another two years of 'Bones'
LOS ANGELES, May 17 (UPI) -- The Fox TV network says it has ordered two additional seasons of its popular U.S. crime drama "Bones."
While the U.S. network will officially announce its new TV line-up Monday, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday that Fox has ordered two more full seasons.
The drama, which recently concluded its fourth season, follows a forensic anthropology team that helps an FBI agent solve homicides. The series stars Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz.
The Times said the network's "Bones" order comes after it renewed several of its other hit series, including "American Idol," "24," "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy."
Fox also has ordered additional seasons to fledgling series such as "Fringe," "Lie to Me" and "Dollhouse."
While a new season order has yet to be made for Fox's medical drama "House," the Times said that series is expected to return this fall.
