Pixar can’t shake Jurassic World at box office
In a box-office bout of Tyrannosaurus-sized proportions, Jurassic World kept the No. 1 spot with one of the biggest second weeks ever, although Pixar’s Inside Out nearly matched it with a $91.1-million (U.S.) debut, well above expectations.
Universal’s Jurassic World took in $102 million in North American theatres, according to studio estimates Sunday, making it only the second release to break $100 million in its second week. The enormous holdover for the movie, which last week set an opening weekend record with $208.8 million, has been bested by only 2012’s The Avengers, which made $103.1 million in second week.
The Colin Trevorrow- directed, Steven Spielberg- produced fourth entry in the franchise had turned Disney’s $175-million 3D Inside Out into an underdog expected to merely nip at Jurassic World’s heels. But the emotional Inside Out, about the voices in the head of an 11-year-old girl, set records too.
Inside Out was the first Pixar release not to open in first place, following an unparalleled two-decade streak of 14 straight No. 1s. But it’s the largest opening for a wholly original movie (one not based on source material or a sequel), unseating Avatar in that distinction.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Rentrak. 1. Jurassic World, $102 million. 2. Inside Out, $91.1 million. 3. Spy, $10.5 million. 4. San Andreas, $8.2 million. 5. Dope, $6 million.
The Associated Press
Taylor Swift takes a bite out of Apple
In an open letter to Apple, singer Taylor Swift has criticized the company’s new streaming music service for failing to pay artists for a free three-month trial.
Writing on her Tumblr page Sunday in a posting titled “To Apple, Love Taylor,” Swift said she would withhold her bestselling 2014 album 1989 from Apple Music, which
Melrose Place actress faces lawsuit
launches June 30. The pop star called Apple’s plan not to compensate artists, writers or producers during the three-month trial “shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company.”
Three months, she said, “is a long time to go unpaid.” Last November, Swift also pulled 1989 off Spotify.
Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Associated Press A former Melrose Place actress convicted of vehicular manslaughter still faces a federal lawsuit.
A New Jersey jury convicted Amy Locane-Bovenizer in the 2010 crash that killed 60-year-old Helene Seeman.
The state Department of Corrections website shows Locane-Bovenizer was recently released from prison after serving about 2 1⁄ years
2 of a three-year sentence.
She was sued in federal court by Seeman’s husband. The suit also includes claims and counterclaims by Locane-Bovenizer, a couple and a lo- cal theatre that hosted parties she attended the day of the crash, and a woman whose car she hit and who followed her before the crash.
Fred Seeman’s lawyer said in a letter that settlement talks have stalled and his client seeks a trial.
Locane-Bovenizer’s lawyer didn’t respond to a request for comment.
The Associated Press
Brian Williams comes clean
Brian Williams said the months since his suspension from NBC News had been like torture, and a come-clean interview with colleague Matt Lauer on the Today show must surely have felt like an extension. The humbled anchorman told Lauer in an interview that aired Friday that he let his ego get the better of him in telling stories that exaggerated his role in news reporting and that he intends to make the most of his second chance. But he admitted he had trouble accepting his punishment — being stripped of his job as Nightly News anchor and assigned to MSNBC — although he’s now come to terms with it.
He said he was always careful with his words on the job, but “after work, when I got out of that building, when I got out of that realm, I used a double standard. Something changed. I was sloppier. I said things that weren’t true.”
The Associated Press
Captain America, in Lego of course
Marvel Comics has a new Captain America, so of course he’s going to need his own LEGO minifigure.
A little building-block version of Sam Wilson, the former Falcon and current shield-slinging superhero clad in red, white and blue, is available for attendees at San Diego Comic-Con (July 8 to 12).
A toy version of Falcon, played in the Marvel movies by Anthony Mackie, appeared in the “Hulk Lab Smash” building set released last year. USA Today
Scott Baio’s wife has brain tumour
Happy Days actor Scott Baio, 54, revealed on Facebook that his wife, Renee Baio, has been diagnosed with a brain tumour.
He told his followers: “Just a few days ago, we learned my wife Renee has a meningioma brain tumour. Although 90 per cent of these type of tumours are benign they can cause serious problems depending on the size of the tumour and the location. We are waiting to learn the exact location to see if it’s operable. “Renee has been down some rough roads in her life, yet each time with her strong faith in God, she comes through a better and stronger person. During this time we ask for your prayers and support. My wife is my rock. She refuses to even shed one tear, nor will she question God’s will.
“Renee, Bailey and I will get through this and along the way maybe help educate others to get checked out (MRI with contrast) as 6,500 people each year, mostly women, get these tumours.” USA Today
Transformers get a dose of estrogen
The Transformers universe is about to get an influx of girl power and a giant new personality.
Six female robots that team up to form the massive Combiner character Victorion debut next month in IDW’s Transformers: Combiner Hunters comic book, and they’re a motley crew made tighter by surviving pretty much the worst environment possible.
Not that writer Mairghread Scott is breaking out the welcome mat to greet them as they’re introduced into the mythology.
“I don’t like to give my characters a lot of breathing room, so Victorion comes into existence about a half second before a sword flies at her head,” she says.
“Naturally, her first concern when it comes to other Transformers is not being killed by them. But IDW Transformers has always been interested in how people navigate a world of shifting alliances, imperfect heroes and charismatic villains.” USA Today