Monday, April 29, 2013
NEWSMAKERS
‘IM3’ rules the world; ‘Pain & Gain’ takes US
LOS ANGELES
“Iron Man 3” was the heavy-lifter at theaters with a colossal overseas debut that overshadowed a gang of mercenary bodybuilders in a sleepy pre-summer weekend at the domestic box office.
The Marvel Studios superhero sequel starring Robert Downey Jr. got a head-start on its domestic launch next Friday with a $195.3 million opening in 42 overseas markets, distributor Disney reported Sunday.
Director Michael Bay’s “Pain & Gain,” a true-crime tale of bodybuilders on the make, muscled into first-place domestically with a $20 million debut.
The Paramount release starring Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson and Anthony Mackie knocked off Tom Cruise’s sci-fi adventure “Oblivion” after a week in the No. 1 spot. Universal’s “Oblivion” slipped to second-place with $17.4 million, raising its domestic total to $64.7 million.
In third place was “42” with $10.7 million. “The Big Wedding” tanked at No. 4 with just $7.5 million.
In at No. 5 was “The Croods” with $6.6 million.
Rolling Stones rock small LA club
LOS ANGELES
For one night only, the Rolling Stones were an up-and-coming band again.
The legendary group rocked a small club in LA on Saturday night for a tiny crowd compared with the thousands set to see them launch their “50 and Counting” anniversary tour this coming Saturday at the Staples Center.
Despite clocking in several decades as a band, Jagger, drummer Charlie Watts and guitarists Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood showed no signs of slowing down Saturday.
“[This is] the first show of the tour, probably the best one,” Jagger said at the end of the set.
Jurors to get roadmap of Jackson civil trial
LOS ANGELES
The most complete account of Michael Jackson’s final months is about to unfold in a cramped LA courtroom nearly four years after the pop superstar’s death.
Lawyers for Jackson’s mother will attempt to convince a jury that the company promoting the pop superstar’s 2009 comeback concerts is responsible for his untimely death. The attorneys will try to prove that AEG Live hired and controlled the doctor convicted of involuntary manslaughter over Jackson’s demise.
AEG Live denies any wrongdoing and contests that they hired the physician who for months was giving Jackson doses of a powerful anesthetic in the singer’s bedroom to help him sleep.
Opening statements will take place today.
Mirren reigns at Olivier awards
LONDON
Helen Mirren reigned at London’s Olivier theater awards Sunday, taking the best actress prize for her performance as Queen Elizabeth II in “The Audience.”
Mirren had been favorite for the trophy at Britain’s equivalent of Broadway’s Tonys for her regal turn in Morgan’s play about the private weekly meetings between the monarch and Britain’s prime ministers over the her 61-year reign.
The winners were being announced during a song- and dance-filled ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House hosted by “Downton Abbey” actor Hugh Bonneville and stage star Sheridan Smith.
Associated Press