NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

At box office, ‘Hobbit’ wins Christmas

LOS ANGELES

Audiences had their pick of genres over the Christmas weekend, but despite a host of fresh arrivals, splashy holiday fare such as “Unbroken” and “Into the Woods” proved no match for “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.”

The final installment in Peter Jackson’s trilogy marched to the top spot once again with an estimated $41.4 million take across the weekend ($54.5 including Christmas Day earnings), according to studio estimates Sunday.

Sony’s “The Interview,” which was also available for rental and purchase online, ultimately took in $2.8 million from 331 theaters since its opening Thursday, with $1.8 million of that coming from the weekend.

Also placing in the top five were: “Unbroken,” $31.7 million, second place; “Into the Woods,” $31 million, third place; “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb,” $20.6 million, fourth place; and “Annie,” $16.6 million, fifth place.

Rock, wife to divorce

LOS ANGELES

Chris Rock filed for divorce from his wife, Malaak Compton-Rock, a statement from his representative confirmed Sunday. The statement went on to specify that Rock and his family request privacy as they go through this process because it is a personal matter.

Comedian Chris Rock and philanthropist Malaak Compton-Rock had been married for 19 years and have two daughters, Lola Simone, 12, and Zahra Savannah, 10.

Associated Press