Twilight, Bond, Lincoln Lead Record Box Office Weekend

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. -- Bella Swan, James Bond and Abe Lincoln have combined to lift Hollywood to record Thanksgiving revenue at the box office.

Kristen Stewart’s finale as Bella in “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2” was No. 1 again with $64 million during the five-day holiday stretch that began Wednesday, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Daniel Craig’s Bond adventure “Skyfall” came in at No. 2 with $51 million, while Daniel Day-Lewis and Steven Spielberg’s Civil War saga “Lincoln” finished third with $34.1 million.

According to box-office tracker Hollywood.com, the three films paced Hollywood to an all-time Thanksgiving week best of about $290 million from Wednesday to Sunday.

That tops the previous record of $273 million over Thanksgiving in 2009, when “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” led the weekend.

This Thanksgiving also was a huge 25 percent jump from a year ago, when domestic revenues were a weak $232 million as some big holiday releases fizzled.

With a strong December lineup ahead, Hollywood has resumed its record revenue pace for the year after a brief box-office lull in late summer and early fall.

Domestic revenues for 2012 are at $9.75 billion, putting Hollywood potentially on track for its first $11 billion year, which would beat the 2009 record of $10.6 billion, said Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian.

“We’re barreling toward a record-breaking box-office year,” Dergarabedian said. “It’s built on the back of just a lot of really strong movies that have come out over the past few weekends. It bodes very well for the rest of the holidays.”

The “Twilight” finale, “Skyfall” and “Lincoln” finished in the same top-three rankings for the second-straight weekend as new releases were unable to dislodge the holdovers.

Released by Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment banner, “Breaking Dawn — Part 2,” pulled in $43.1 million from Friday to Sunday, raising its domestic total to $227 million. The movie added $97.4 million overseas to bring its international total to $350.8 million and its worldwide take to $577.7 million.

Sony’s “Skyfall” also topped $200 million domestically, ringing up $36 million for the three-day weekend to put its U.S. total at $221.7 million. With $41.3 million more overseas, “Skyfall” raised its international revenues to $568.4 million and its worldwide sales to $790.1 million.

“Lincoln,” a DreamWorks film distributed by Disney, took in $25 million over the weekend to lift its domestic revenue to $62.2 million.

Leading the newcomers was Paramount and DreamWorks Animation’s tale “Rise of the Guardians” at No. 4 with $24 million for the weekend and $32.6 million since opening Wednesday.

Based on William Joyce’s “Guardians of Childhood” books, “Rise of the Guardians” gathers Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and other mythical beings as a team of heroes battling an evil overlord.

Close behind at No. 5 was director Ang Lee’s shipwreck saga “Life of Pi” at No. 5 with $22 million over the weekend. The 20th Century Fox release has taken in $30.2 million domestically since its Wednesday debut and added $17.5 million in four Asian markets.

“Life of Pi” was adapted from Yann Martel’s best-selling novel about an Indian youth adrift on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. Many fans considered the introspective novel impossible to film, but Lee has charmed audiences and critics with an inspiring survival story told through dazzling 3-D images.

The weekend’s other new wide release, a remake of the 1980s U.S.-invasion tale “Red Dawn,” opened at No. 7 with $14.6 million, raising its total to $22 million since debuting Wednesday.

“Red Dawn” sat on the shelf for three years while studio backer MGM went through bankruptcy, with distributor FilmDistrict eventually picking it up for domestic release. The movie’s cast includes Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”) and Josh Hutcherson (“The Hunger Games”) in a story of young guerrillas battling North Korean invaders.

In limited release, Fox Searchlight’s “Hitchcock” opened solidly with about $300,000 in 17 theaters. The movie stars Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock in a behind-the-scenes story of the making of “Psycho.”

The weekend’s overall strength came from a broad range of films that clicked with various audiences, from action and family fare to thoughtful drama.

“This is a marketplace that has something for everyone,” said Chris Aronson, head of distribution for 20th Century Fox. “You have something deeper like ‘Life of Pi,’ yet you have a very successful sequel in ‘Twilight’ at the same time. Adult bio-drama, if you will, in ‘Lincoln,’ and you have Bond. That’s the secret to a very successful and balanced marketplace.”

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2,” $43.1 million ($97.4 million international).

2. “Skyfall,” $36 million ($41.3 million international).

3. “Lincoln,” $25 million.

4. “Rise of the Guardians,” $24 million.

5. “Life of Pi,” $22 million ($17.5 million international)

6. “Wreck-It Ralph,” $16.8 million ($2.1 million international).

7. “Red Dawn,” $14.6 million.

8. “Flight,” $8.6 million.

9. “Silver Linings Playbook,” $4.6 million.

10. “Argo,” $3.9 million.

Deepika in demand to perform at award functions !!!

After a commendable performance in Homi Adajania's "Cocktail", actress Deepika Padukone is said to be stormed with offers to dance on film's hit song "Angrezi beat" at award functions.

"Many organizers are in talk with Deepika as they want her to perform to the song. Some of them want to recreate the setting of the film on stage, she may also be carrying the same look from the film," said a source.

However, with back-to-back films like "Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani", "Ram Leela", "Kochadaiyaan" and "Chennai Express", the actress is yet to work out her schedule.

Deepika's spokesperson said: "She has been approached to perform to 'Angrezi beat'. However, Deepika still has to work out her dates."

"Angrezi beat", sung by Yo yo Honey Singh, secured its place as a chartbuster, and is a popular number among the youth.

Life After Marriage For Kareena Kapoor Khan !!!

MUMBAI: The newest Begum of Pataudi, Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Khan already has a spate of new assignments to look forward to, post her wedding to Saif Ali Khan. Fans can expect her to sizzle the screen in an item number called ‘Fevicol Se’ in ‘Dabangg 2′ and in film-maker Prakash Jha’s next ‘Satyagraha’.

While her marriage has ensured that she’s glowing like all newlywed brides, it seems that not much has changed on her career front.

“I do not know why people even bring up this question. Whether I’m in love or committed, that doesn’t interfere with my career. Saif and I have maintained that for five years and it continues to stay that way. Ultimately, it is talent that counts.”

Even though Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor were in a live-in relationship for quite some time and marriage has been a natural progression for them, the new bride still continues to gush over her hubby like a besotted girl in a new relationship.

“God has been very kind to me. I am lucky to have found this man who is so modern, so liberated. He’s much more intelligent than me. I like the fact that he is so well read and that I can count on him for everything,” she said.

Sharing her equation with Saif, Kareena says, “I’m modern yet traditional. Actually, we kind of complement one another in many ways and find a balance. If he is too liberal, then I get traditional. And if I am very modern, then he kind of becomes protective. He is also someone who will always give me the right advice. When I ask Saif something he doesn’t take it lightly because he knows if I am asking him something; it must be very important. I take his words very seriously.”

The couple is set to go to London for their honeymoon in December. “I love running away from India. We like our quiet time in London. It is liberating for me,” she says.

So will Mrs. Kareena Kapoor Khan continue to actively taking up assignments? She comes back with a resounding yes.

“Of course, I’m an actor and the movies are my life. Directors know that I’m a professional; and as long as I look good and perform well, everything else is unimportant”.

Michael Sheen and Rachel McAdams: It's serious

They've been dating since 2010 and now Rachel McAdams, 33, and Michael Sheen, 43, are rumoured to be getting engaged.

They were seen looking particularly loved-up at a baseball game recently.

‘We never spend more than three weeks apart,' says Rachel.

Michael is dad to daughter Lily, 13, with ex-partner Kate Beckinsale.

The teenager finds it hard to watch her dad playing Aro, leader of the Volturi, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2.

'It's slightly strange for her that the bad guy is her father,' says Michael.

'But she really enjoys the fact that I'm a part of the Twilight films.'

Sana & Vishal a Couple? which is participate in bigg boss 6

Sana Khan and Vishal Karwal were seen cosying up in the 'Bigg Boss 6' house. 

Romance is blooming as house inmates Sana Khan and Vishal Karwal finally open up about their relationship in one of the upcoming episodes. The sources say about this couple, who share a live-in relationship will be seen cosying up to each other. The truth comes to light when Sana confesses to Delnaaz Irani about why she will not nominate Vishal to exit the show.

Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla to work together in Gulab Gang !!

The two lovely ladies who ruled bollywood in the 80s and 90s are coming together in a movie for the first time ever. As per TOI the film needed two strong female characters and Anubhav Sinha finalized on Madhuri and Juhi when they agreed to be a part of this exciting project.

Anubhav spoke to TOI, "Gulab Gang is about two iconic female characters. I couldn't have pulled off a better cast than the two most iconic female stars, Madhuri and Juhi, together for the first time on Indian screen. My film is an action and drama piece with two women at loggerheads. I needed actors who would justifiably match up to each other, both in terms of their performance and stature. I think, this is the best the film could get, because the subject material is so strong"

Gulab Gang is a women's group who fight for women empowerment. Their leader Sampat Pal recently became more popular as a contestant of the Bigg Boss 6 house.

It will be great to watch these two excellent actors portray the fierce characters of Gulab gang.

Katy Perry and John Mayer: It's serious

After dating the likes of Jessica Simpson andJennifer Aniston, John, 35, has met his match in Katy, 28.

They're said to be keeping neighbours awake with their nightly love-ins!

‘She doesn't want to be just another conquest,' says a pal.

Katy was wed to ladies' man comedian Russell Brand for 14 months and their divorce was only finalised in July.

The pair got married in a lavish ceremony in India in October 2010.

Halle Berry's fiance fistfights with her ex, who is arrested

LOS ANGELES -- Halle Berry's ex-boyfriend and her current fiancé got into a fistfight at her Hollywood Hills home on Thanksgiving morning, authorities confirmed.

The confrontation between ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry and fiancé Olivier Martinez took place at her home in the 1100 block of Doheny Drive on Thursday morning, police said.

Actors Olivier Martinez, left, and Halle Berry attend a function in Beverly Hills, Calif., in April 2011. Police say Martinez was involved in a fight Thursday with Berry's ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry.