‘Aquaman’ continues reign as ‘Escape Room’ sneaks into 2nd

‘Aquaman’ continues reign as ‘Escape Room’ sneaks into 2nd

LOS ANGELES

“Aquaman” is still the champ at the box office three weeks in, but the high-concept thriller “Escape Room” also drew some substantial crowds in its debut weekend.

Warner Bros. on Sunday said “Aquaman” has added an estimated $30.7 million from over 4,000 North American theaters. That brings its domestic grosses to nearly $260 million. The DC comics film starring Jason Momoa has had a tidal wave of successes internationally, too.

Sony’s PG-13 rated thriller “Escape Room” managed to sneak into second place in its first weekend in theaters generating an estimated $18 million in ticket sales – double its production budget.

The film stars Taylor Russell, Deborah Ann Woll and Logan Miller and was directed by Adam Robitel. It got mixed reviews, but that didn’t seem to matter.

Rounding out the top five at the box office were: “Mary Poppins Returns,” $15.8 million, third place; “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” $13 million, fourth place; and “Bumblebee,” $12.8 million, fifth place.

Soulja Boy’s car trapped by mudslide

LOS ANGELES

Rapper Soulja Boy was among motorists whose cars were trapped by mudslides caused by a powerful storm that shut down Southern California’s Pacific Coast Highway.

The 28-year-old retweeted a photo of the mudslides in Malibu on Saturday.

He said: “My car got stuck too almost went into the ocean” and also posted a prayer emoji.

Soulja Boy’s real name is DeAndre Cortez Way and he has retweeted well wishes from fans and news stories about the mudslides.

No injuries were reported after heavy rains swept through greater Los Angeles, loosening hillsides in areas scorched by recent wildfires.

The highway remains closed Sunday as crews tow away trapped cars and clear the lanes.

Cooper honored at Penn’s star-studded benefit

LOS ANGELES

Julia Roberts paid homage to Anderson Cooper for showing bravery as a journalist in matters of crisis at Sean Penn’s ninth annual benefit for J/P Haitian Relief Organization.

Anderson was honored at the star-studded fundraiser that raised $3.5 million Saturday night in Los Angeles. Penn followed suit acknowledging Cooper’s “aggressiveness to tell the truth in reporting the news” after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

Some individual plates cost $10,000 at most, while tables ranged up to $100,000.

Penn unveiled the name change of his Haitian Relief Organization to the Community Organized Relief Effort to rebrand his nonprofit.

Jamie Foxx was the event’s master of ceremonies.

Associated Press