From The Associated Press:

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 Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," $32.9 million ($106.5 million international). (Review by The News-Herald's Mark Meszoros: 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' has familiar ring to it)
2."Django Unchained," $30.7 million. (Review by Meszoros: With fun, vulgar and violent 'Django Unchained,' Waltz, Tarantino again a terrific tandem)
3."Les Miserables," $28 million ($38.3 million international). (Review by Meszoros: Director, female stars make 'Les Miserables' a winning adaptation)
4."Parental Guidance," $14.8 million ($7 million international). (Review by The AP's Michael Rechtshaffen: You can go only so wrong with 'Parental Guidance')
5."Jack Reacher," $14 million ($18.1 million). (Review by The AP's Christy Lemire: In twisty thriller 'Reacher,' Tom Cruise oozes low-key charisma)
6."This Is 40," $13.2 million. (Review by Lemire: Apatow's latest comedy, 'This Is 40,' shows growth, reunited Rudd, Mann)
7."Lincoln," $7.5 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Lincoln,' powered by Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal, engrossingly brings to life crucial bit of presidential history)
8."The Guilt Trip," $6.7 million. (Review by McCarthy: ‘Guilt Trip’ a flick only a mother (or Streisand fan) could love)
9."Monsters, Inc. 3-D," $6.4 million.
10."Rise of the Guardians," $4.9 million ($11.6 million). (Review by The AP's Todd McCarthy: Animated 'Rise of the Guardians' overly busy, should appeal to kids)

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

From The Associated Press:

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 Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," $36.7 million ($91 million international). (Review by The News-Herald's Mark Meszoros: 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' has familiar ring to it)
2. "Jack Reacher," $15.6 million ($2.5 million international). (Review by The AP's Christy Lemire: In twisty thriller 'Reacher,' Tom Cruise oozes low-key charisma)
3. "This Is 40," $12 million. (Review by Lemire: Apatow's latest comedy, 'This Is 40,' shows growth, reunited Rudd, Mann)
4. "Rise of the Guardians," $5.9 million ($13.7 million international). (Review by The AP's Todd McCarthy: Animated 'Rise of the Guardians' overly busy, should appeal to kids)
5. "Lincoln," $5.6 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Lincoln,' powered by Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal, engrossingly brings to life crucial bit of presidential history)
6. "The Guilt Trip," $5.4 million. (Review by McCarthy: ‘Guilt Trip’ a flick only a mother (or Streisand fan) could love)
7. "Monsters, Inc." in 3-D, $5 million.
8. "Skyfall," $4.7 million ($9 million international). (Review by Meszoros: New Bond film 'Skyfall' almost lives up to all that buzz)
9. "Life of Pi," $3.8 million ($23.2 million international). (Review by The AP's David Germain: Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' is inspiring 3-D art)
10. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2," $2.6 million ($6.6 million international). (Review by Meszoros: 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2,' although still painful for non Twi-hards, has welcome sense of humor)

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

There are two movies I remember my family borrowing from the tiny library collection of VHS tapes over and over again as a young child:

• "The Return of the King" — Yes, the 1980 cartoon version, featuring such memorable ditty's as "Frodo of the Nine Fingers and the Ring of Doo-oooh-ooh-uh-oom."
• "Superman II" (1980)

 "Superman II" was the one where the Man of Steel took on General Zod, a Kryptonian criminal, and his two cronies to save the world again. He'll face General Zod again next year when Superman returns to the big screen in "Man of Steel."

Because I haven't gotten around to seeing "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" yet (Seriously, what's wrong with me? It's a live-action adaptation of my favorite book.), I will have to content myself and my nerd-tastic tendencies by watching this trailer for the new Superman movie over and over again.


It seems epic, right? With a story co-written by Christopher Nolan (of The Dark Knight trilogy fame), it sure seems likely to be more enjoyable than the snoozefest of 2006's "Superman Returns."

And in case you missed it: An excellent teaser poster for the film that featured Superman in handcuffs accompanied by soldiers came out a few weeks ago.  

— Nicole Franz | NiFranz@News-Herald.com | @FranzOrFoe

How well did "The Hobbit" do in its first weekend at the box office? It made nearly 11.5 times what second-place finisher "Rise of the Guardians" pulled in. The Associated Press reports that its $84.8 million was "a record-setting opening better than the three previous "Lord of the Rings" films."

From The AP:

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 Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," $84.8 million ($138.2 million international). (Review by The News-Herald's Mark Meszoros: 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' has familiar ring to it)
2. "Rise of the Guardians," $7.4 million ($20.1 million international). (Review by The AP's Todd McCarthy: Animated 'Rise of the Guardians' overly busy, should appeal to kids)
3. "Lincoln," $7.2 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Lincoln,' powered by Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal, engrossingly brings to life crucial bit of presidential history)
4. "Skyfall," $7 million ($12.2 million international). (Review by Meszoros: New Bond film 'Skyfall' almost lives up to all that buzz)
5. "Life of Pi," $5.4 million ($11.5 million international). (Review by The AP's David Germain: Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' is inspiring 3-D art)
6. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2," $5.2 million ($13 million international). (Review by Meszoros: 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2,' although still painful for non Twi-hards, has welcome sense of humor)
7. "Wreck-It Ralph," $3.3million ($4.7 million international). (Review by The AP's Justin Lowe: Animated 'Wreck-It Ralph' has fun celebrating video games old and new)
8. "Playing for Keeps," $3.2 million ($1.4 million international). (Review by The AP's Christy Lemire: Gerard Butler stars in rom-com 'Playing for Keeps,' one of year's worst movies)
9. "Red Dawn," $2.4 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Red Dawn' remake falters, despite solid effort by star Chris Hemsworth)
10. "Silver Linings Playbook," $2 million ($370,000 international). (Review by Lemire: Charming 'Silver Linings Playbook' has great performances from Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence)

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

In case you totally missed what was popular with popular music in the year 2012, you can catch up in 8 minutes with the Pop Danthology 2012, which somehow combines more than 50 songs into a totally listenable track.



Be sure to pay attention to the text across the bottom of the video, where you can learn the name of the the songs being used in case any of the music or lyrics catch your ear.

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

I did not know that Mariah Carey's Christmas classic "All I Want For Christmas is You" could be improved — and apparently IT COULD BE AND IT WAS.

Thanks to "Late Night," Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, toy instruments and some adorable children for making what might be my new favorite Christmas video:



-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Happy Hanukkah! Time again to share my favorite Hanukkah song and music video:



-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

James Bond and some animated characters have overtaken the vampires at the weekend box office. Have all the Twi-hards seen "Breaking Dawn" already?

From The Associated Press:

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. "Skyfall," $11 million ($20.3 million). (Review by The News-Herald's Meszoros: New Bond film 'Skyfall' almost lives up to all that buzz)
2. "Rise of the Guardians," $10.5 million ($26 million international). (Review by The AP's Todd McCarthy: Animated 'Rise of the Guardians' overly busy, should appeal to kids)
3. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2," $9.2 million ($23.5 million international). (Review by Meszoros: 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2,' although still painful for non Twi-hards, has welcome sense of humor)
4. "Lincoln," $9.1 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Lincoln,' powered by Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal, engrossingly brings to life crucial bit of presidential history)
5. "Life of Pi," $8.3 million ($23.8 million international). (Review by The AP's David Germain: Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' is inspiring 3-D art)
6. "Playing for Keeps," $6 million ($500,000 international). (Review by The AP's Christy Lemire: Gerard Butler stars in rom-com 'Playing for Keeps,' one of year's worst movies)
7. "Wreck-It Ralph," $4.9 million ($5.8 million international). (Review by The AP's Justin Lowe: Animated 'Wreck-It Ralph' has fun celebrating video games old and new)
8. "Red Dawn," $4.3 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Red Dawn' remake falters, despite solid effort by star Chris Hemsworth)
9. "Flight," $3.1 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Flight' directed right into the ground by Robert Zemeckis)
10. "Killing Them Softly," $2.7 million ($1.4 million international). (Review by Lemire: Brad Pitt’s strong in ‘Killing Them Softly,’ but crime drama lacks subtlety)

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

A weaker weekend at the box office keeps the last in the "Twilight" series at the top of the box office, but not by much.

From The Associated Press:

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," $17.4 million ($48.4 million international) (Review by The News-Herald's Mark Meszoros: 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2,' although still painful for non Twi-hards, has welcome sense of humor)
2. "Skyfall," $17 million ($34 million international). (Review by Meszoros: New Bond film 'Skyfall' almost lives up to all that buzz)
3. "Lincoln," $13.51 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Lincoln,' powered by Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal, engrossingly brings to life crucial bit of presidential history)
4. "Rise of the Guardians," $13.5 million ($40 million international). (Review by The AP's Todd McCarthy: Animated 'Rise of the Guardians' overly busy, should appeal to kids)
5. "Life of Pi," $12 million ($21.5 million international). (Review by The AP's David Germain: Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' is inspiring 3-D art)
6. "Wreck-It Ralph," $7.02 million ($1.5 million international). (Review by The AP's Justin Lowe: Animated 'Wreck-It Ralph' has fun celebrating video games old and new)
7. "Killing Them Softly," $7 million ($700,000 international). (Review by The AP's Christy Lemire: Brad Pitt’s strong in ‘Killing Them Softly,’ but crime drama lacks subtlety)
8. "Red Dawn," $6.6 million ($500,000 international). (Review by Meszoros: 'Red Dawn' remake falters, despite solid effort by star Chris Hemsworth)
9. "Flight," $4.5 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Flight' directed right into the ground by Robert Zemeckis)
10. "The Collection," $3.4 million.

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl