'Mission' takes No. 1 for second weekend
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol," with Tom Cruise, was No. 1 at the U.S. box office for the second straight weekend with $31.25 million in receipts.
"Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, kept going strong and was No. 2 with more than $22.09 million.
All studio estimates of gross U.S. receipts are via Box Office Mojo.
"Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" was third with $18.25 million; "War Horse" fourth with $16.94 million; "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)" fifth with $16.3 million; "We Bought a Zoo" sixth with $14.3 million; "The Adventures of Tintin" seventh with $12 million; "New Year's Eve" eighth with more than $6.74 million; and "The Darkest Hour" ninth with $4.3 million.
"The Descendants" rounded out the top 10 with $3.65 million.
Times Square a happy madhouse at midnight
NEW YORK, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Police in New York say New Year's Eve in Times Square went smoothly and may have drawn a record crowd.
Cooperative weather made life easier for the army of revelers, who were kept toasty by sizzling performances by stars such as Justin Bieber, Carlos Santana and Lady Gaga herself, who helped Mayor Michael Bloomberg with the official countdown to 2012.
"This is my hometown, and my dream," Gaga said in a shoutout to the crowd. The pop princess performed a couple of her always imaginative song-and-dance numbers for the crowd decked out in an avant garde and skin-tight costume and mask.
The New York Daily News said she made a splash by giving Bloomberg a solid smooch on the lips as the ball dropped and the New Year was officially rung in.
The crowd was already delirious and also on its best behavior. "I brought my little brother, and we're having the most amazing time," Kylie Koerner, 25, of Reno, Nev., told the Daily News. "We're having so much fun."
Sunday will be dedicated to sweeping up the last of the trash and layers of confetti that ushered 2011 into history.
Prince Philip attends church in Norfolk
NORFOLK, England, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Britain's Prince Philip was out of the hospital in time to spend New Year's Day with the rest of the royal family, Buckingham Palace announced.
The 90-year-old Duke of Edinburgh made his first public appearance since his Dec. 23 heart operation by attending church under his own power to the applause of onlookers outside the royal estate in Norfolk, England.
The BBC said Philip was accompanied on the 400-meter stroll by Prince Andrew but otherwise appeared well.
Queen Elizabeth gave a reading at Sunday's services and accepted a bouquet of flowers from children in the crowd.
Philip had a stent implanted after a blocked artery caused a bout of chest pain. He was hospitalized for four days and missed the royal Christmas celebration and the traditional Boxing Day shooting trip the following day, the BBC said.
'X' winner Amaro samples namesake pizza
SUNRISE, Fla., Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Melanie Amaro showed up unexpectedly at Scutto's Pizza and Pasta in Sunrise, Fla., on New Year's Eve to check out the "Melanie Amaro Pizza."
"I never thought I'd have a pizza named after me," Amaro told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "It's an honor."
The cheesy creation no doubt agreed with Amaro since it includes her favorite toppings; bacon, pepperoni and mushrooms.
The newspaper said Amaro was recognized by fellow customers, some of whom snapped photos.
A namesake pizza is just the latest honor for Amaro, who won the "X Factor" competition and its $5 million recording contract on Dec. 22.
