‘Alien: Covenant’ edges ‘Guardians’ at box office

‘Alien: Covenant’ edges ‘Guardians’ at box office

LOS ANGELES

“Alien: Covenant” edged out “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2” in a weekend space battle at the box office.

Ridley Scott’s latest “Alien” exploit opened with $36 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. “Guardians” was close behind with just over $35 million in its third week of release.

Two other new releases landed in the top five. Warner Bros.’ teen romance “Everything, Everything” debuted in third place with $12 million, and Fox’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul,” opened in fifth with $7.2 million.

“Snatched,” Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn’s R-rated comedy from Fox, fell to fourth place in its second week of release with $7.6 million.

Lawyers to pick jurors for Cosby’s trial

PITTSBURGH

A crucial phase of comedian Bill Cosby’s sex-assault trial starts today when lawyers gather in Pittsburgh to pick the jury that will weigh his case.

The jury must decide if the 79-year-old actor drugged and molested a Temple University women’s basketball team manager at his home near Philadelphia in 2004.

Trial consultant Howard Varinsky believes lawyers will be on guard for celebrity worshippers or jurors who may want to serve to write a book.

Cosby calls the encounter with accuser Andrea Constand consensual. The felony charge carries a potential 10-year prison term, but Cosby is also focused on the court of public opinion. He told a talk-radio host last week that he hopes to clear his name and resume his stand-up comedy career.

Judge Judy gives speech in W.Va.

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.VA.

Syndicated television’s Judge Judy has told graduating high-school seniors in West Virginia to fill their lives and work with passion.

Media outlets report Judy Sheindlin gave the keynote address Saturday at the commencement for South Charleston High School graduates at the Charleston Civic Center.

The retired New York family court judge told the graduates they only have one chance to make a first impression. She suggested the graduates make their journeys through life “exciting, fulfilling and honorable.”

South Charleston High student Sophia Mallory won a national essay contest to have Judge Sheindlin speak to the graduates.

Associated Press