NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

‘Ghostbusters’ holds its own, but ‘Life of Pets’ still No. 1

NEW YORK

After months of prerelease debate, Sony Picture’s female-led “Ghostbusters” reboot arrived in theaters as neither a massive success nor the bomb some predicted, as the much-scrutinized film opened with an estimated $46 million in North American theaters, second to the holdover hit “The Secret Life of Pets.”

“The Secret Life of Pets” stayed on top with $50.6 million in its second week, according to studio estimates Sunday.

But all eyes were on Paul Feig’s “Ghostbusters,” which resurrects the 1984 original with a cast of Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon. Sony, noting it was the best opening for a live-action comedy in more than a year, called the result “a triumph.” Audiences, which broke down 46 percent male and 54 percent female, gave it a solid B-plus CinemaScore.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore. Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday also are included. Final three-day domestic figures will be released today.

1. “The Secret Life of Pets,” $50.6 million ($4.4 million international).

2. “Ghostbusters,” $46 million ($19.1 million international).

3. “The Legend of Tarzan,” $11.1 million ($22 million international).

4. “Finding Dory,” $11 million ($36.5 million international).

5. “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” $7.5 million ($2.1 million international).

6. “The Purge: Election Year,” $6.1 million ($3.6 million international).

7. “Central Intelligence,” $5.3 million ($10 million international).

8. “The Infiltrator,” $5.3 million.

9. “The BFG,” $6.7 million ($2.9 million international).

10. “Independence Day: Resurgence,” $3.5 million ($16.2 million international).

It’s sexy and secret: Pitbull drops video paid by Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.

The new video from rapper Pitbull looks like a four-minute advertisement for Florida because that’s exactly what it is.

Pitbull has a contract with the state’s tourism agency. He just released a video for “Sexy Beaches” that includes scenes from nearly two-dozen Florida beaches.

Pitbull signed with Visit Florida last year. The agency receives $80 million in taxpayer funding but has asserted that contract details are trade secrets. So it’s not clear how much Pitbull, whose real name is Armando Christian Perez, is getting paid.

Visit Florida spokeswoman Kathy Torian said the video is being released first on the rap star’s Vevo channel and will be distributed through his social media accounts. The video already has gotten more than 1 million views on YouTube.

Rappers The Game, Snoop Dogg organize LA gang summit

LOS ANGELES

Rappers The Game and Snoop Dogg are organizing a summit with Los Angeles-area gang members to discuss ways to curb violence.

The Game put the word out on social media, inviting leaders of the Crips, Bloods and other street gangs to come together at a town hall style meeting Sunday in South Los Angeles.

The event is called “Time To Unite: United Hoods + Gangs Nation.”

The Game, who hails from nearby Compton, says he wants men to have a much-needed conversation about their influence on young people and how to serve as better role models.

Earlier this month, The Game and Snoop Dogg led a peaceful march to Los Angeles police headquarters, where they met with the mayor and police chief and urged improved relations between authorities and minority communities.

Associated Press