NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

‘Hunger Games’ earns $21.5M at box office

LOS ANGELES

Movie fans have chosen real violence over the slapstick variety as “The Hunger Games” held off “The Three Stooges” to remain the No. 1 weekend movie.

Lionsgate’s “The Hunger Games,” the blockbuster about teens competing in a televised fight to the death, stayed on top for a fourth-straight weekend with $21.5 million. That raises the film’s domestic total to $337.1 million.

Peter and Bobby Farrelly’s slapstick update “The Three Stooges” opened in second-place with $17.1 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The acclaimed horror tale “The Cabin in the Woods” debuted in third-place with $14.9 million.

On the 100th anniver-sary of the ship’s sinking April 15, 1912, the 3-D version of James Cameron’s “Titanic” sailed past the $2 billion mark worldwide.

“Titanic” is just the second blockbuster to top $2 billion, trailing only the next film Cameron made — the sci-fi sensation “Avatar,” which took in $2.8 billion.

Domestically, “Titanic” held the No. 4 spot with $11.6 million. The 3-D re-release has taken in $44.4 million domestically to lift the film’s lifetime total to $645.2 million.

In fifth place was “American Reunion,” with $10.6 million.

Cosby: Trayvon case is about guns, not race

washington

Actor and comedian Bill Cosby says the debate over the killing of Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watch volunteer should be focused on guns, not race.

In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” aired Sunday, Cosby said calling George Zimmerman a racist doesn’t solve anything. Cosby says the bigger question is what Zimmerman was doing with a gun, and who taught him how to behave with it.

The shooting of the 17-year-old Martin on Feb. 26 has ignited a nationwide debate about race and self-defense.

Cosby said during the interview, which was taped Thursday afternoon, that he once owned a gun but no longer does. He says there is a need to get guns off the streets, and that people should be taught to use every possible alternative before shooting someone.

Fans recall artist Pollock at 100

east hampton, n.y.

The 100th anniversary of the birth of American artist Jackson Pollock is being observed with exhibitions, fundraisers and other events throughout the year.

Actor and director Ed Harris will be one of those feted at a gala in New York City on April 25. Harris made his directing debut in the 2000 film in which he also starred. Harris tells The Associated Press that he got inspiration for the film by staying in the home Pollock shared with his wife Lee Krasner in the Springs neighborhood of East Hampton.

Besides the New York fundraiser, there also are exhibitions in Washington, D.C., and at the Pollock-Krasner home.

Associated Press