Bruno Was #1 In Box Office

New movie, "Bruno," has hit the No. 1 spot in the box-office this weekend but it's uncertain for how long the movie will stay there. Sacha Baron Cohen's started off big on Friday but then had a huge drop for the rest of the weekend. At the end of the movie, the movie received $30.4 million. The movie nearly took in nearly half it's weekend total with $14.4 million on Friday, it had $8.8 million on Saturday, and $7.2 million on Sunday.

Revenues for hit movies usually go up on Saturday so the nosedive for "Bruno" could be a sign that it lacks the shelf life that made "Borat" a $100 million smash. Box-Office analyst for Hollywood.com, Paul Dergarabedian, said, "It is unusual for a film to drop on Saturday. Normally, you expect the film at least to be even on Saturday or above compared to Friday, because Saturday is the biggest moviegoing day of the weekend."

"Bruno" features Sacha Baron Cohen as a wannabe going to extremes to achieve celebrity status and it had finshed ahead Ice Age: Dawn of The Dinosoars" which had took $28.5 million. The "Ice Age" sequel raised it's domestic total as $120.6 million. Finishing third after two weekends in the No. 1 spot was "Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen" with 24.2 million, raising it's domestic haul to $339.2 million. The sequel passed $319 million total of 2007's "Transformers."

The weekend's over wide release, 20th Century Fox's romantic comedy, "I Love You Beth Cooper" opened with $5 million landing at no. 7. The movie centers around a high school valedictorian who uses his graduation speech to confess his love for the bombshell who is played by Hayden Panettiere. I definitely love her and I do feel like seeing this movie but might wait till it goes on DVD.

"Bruno" outpaced the $26.5 million opening weekend for Boran Cohen's surprise hit, "Borat." The last movie started with $9.4 million on opening Friday then it climbed to $10.1 million Saturday which had meant that people had been talking about the movie with their friends. The good reviews on "Borat" made sure the movie had a good long run in theaters which climbed the movie up to $128.5 million total.

"Borat" had also scored it's big opening weekend in far fewer theaters. "Bruno" dubuted in 2,756 theaters which is three times more than "Borat." Head of distribution at Universal, Nikki Rocco, said that it's typical for comdies such as "Bruno" to drop off over the weekend at this time of year, while "Borat" was opened in November when audiences are less fickle then summer crowds.

The studio will have to wait until next weekend for a sense of how well "Bruno" can hold up for the long haul. Nikki Rocco says, "I don't know. That crystal ball just isn't on my desk this morning. Zany comedies tend to be like that, so I'm hoping that in scheme of things, it just plays out the way zany comedies will play out."

Reviews on "Bruno" were not as strong as the movie "Borat," which many critics had liked. There had also been questions to if Sacha Boran Cohen's flamboyant gay persona might be putting off to some audiences. "Bruno" did well on cities in the East and West coast but not so well in middle America which isn't too surprising.

Even if revenues continues to plunge, "Bruno" is well on it's way to turning a profit for Universal which paid $42.5 million for rights to distribute it domestically and in eight other terrortories. "Bruno" took in $25 million in overseas markets so far, including $20 million in those Universal acquired, among Great Britain, Austrailia, and Germany.

Modi Wiczyk, co-cheif executive officer of Media Rights Capital, who financed "Bruno" said the movie exceeded the company's expectations. He felt that "Bruno" would finish in the range of $25 million domestically for the weekend. "We don't have talking robots or karate in our film. For that increasingly small subset of films that don't have robots," says Wiczyk.

Me personally, I still want to see "Bruno" really bad. Now I'm not sure about going to the theater and just like "I Love You Beth Cooper," I'm thinking about waiting for it to go to DVD as well. But I find the movie to look offensive and funny and I normally love movies like that. They always stir things up in entertainment. But anyways, these were the top 10 movies this weekend:

1. "Bruno," $30.4 million.

2. "Ice Age: Dawn of The Dinosoars," $28.5 million.

3. "Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen," $24.2 million

4. "Public Enemies," $14.1 million

5. "The Proposal," $10.5 million

6. "The Hangover," $9.9 million

7. "I Love You Beth Cooper," $5 million

8. "Up," $4.7 million

9. "My Sister's Keeper," $4.2 million

10. "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3," $1.6 million

New Video Game Timer

In Minnesota, a 79-year-old man has made a device to stop your kids from playing video games. John Morrisey's invention is the GameDr and it's making headlines as a potentially useful tool for parents that are sick of arguing with their kids over play time. That's surprising. My grandma was cool with video games because I wasn't in her face.

The device is pretty much a fancy version of a cooking timer. Parents simply program in a certain amount of time at which time the password protected timer shuts off power to the console entirely. And I thought I wouldn't hate something worse than the parental control which I've had plenty of friends get around. I'm pretty sure they can get around this device as well. Oh and to add on this, the device can work for any game console.

You might think John Morrisey is anti-video games but he actually isn't. He says, "Video games are great. There is evidence that they improve the reflexes and the thinking process. But right now, for many parents, options is all or nothing. They either let the kids play the video game or they take it away for two weeks."

There of course are people that disagree with the technology. Marketing director, Kara Lineal, says that there are moms who love the device and know at least ten people who need it while the other side feels that parents should just monitor their kids. I for one go on the side where I feel like this device is stupid just like parental controls on cable and the internet. Parents, learn how to monitor your kids and raise them without devices.

French Tourists Are Seen as World's Worst Tourists

According to a survey of 4,500 hotel owners across the world, French tourists are the worst tourists in the world and why you may ask? Because they're bad at foreign languages, tight-fisted and arrogant. I'm pretty sure not all the people in France are like this and why is there a survey about this?

They finished in last place in the survey carried out for internet travel agency, Expedia, by polling company TNS Infratest, which said that French holidaymakers don't speak local languages and are seen as impolite. Expedia Marketing Director Timothee de Roux told radio station France info, "It's mainly the fact that they speak little or no English when they're abroad, and they don't speak much of the local language."

"The French don't go abroad very much. We're lucky enough to have a country which is magnificant in terms of its landscape and culture," he said as he added that 90% of French people did their traveling at home. Timothee de Roux added more by saying, "So when they're on holiday they can be a bit stressed, they're not used to things, and this can lead them to be demanding in a way which could be seen as certain arrogance."

French tourists are also accused of spending less money. De Roux said the French, not accustomed to leaving large tips at home where a service charge is automatically levied on restraunt bills, can seem tight-fisted compared to other nationalities. Well me personally, I don't see what's so wrong to be a little cheap.

The Japanese ranked top in the Best Tourist survey, with the British and Germen judged best for Europeons. But French tourists recieved some consolation for their poor performance, finishing third after the Italians and British for dress sense while on Holiday. What I've learned from this story is that they'll make a survey about anything.

-Yahoo

Eminem's New Video

Eminem has put his controversial antics on the back-burner for the fourth life from his "Relapse" album which has sold over 1 million copies since it's release in May 19. The video, "Beautiful," spotlights his hometown, Detroit. The video opens up with a historical statement about the Michigan's national ranking during an economic peak.

On the second screen the message continued about how Detroit was the greatest manufacturing city in the world. The 4-minute clip is Eminem walking through various Michigan landmarks that once thrived but now improvised Beaux Arts train station, the original Tiger Stadium, and the former Packard Motor Car Company plant. Each of what are now dilapidated structures were built prior in 1914.

Ironically the song lyrics aren't about Detroit. Eminem battles with depression during his bout with an addiction for which he got help with rehabilitation. He raps, "I don't know how or why or when, I ended up in this position I'm in." In a statement released, Eminem said that after overcoming his trials, he realized the song could be used as a metaphor.

Eminem also added, "Tiger Stadium is being torn down, and the train station station is supposed to be demolised too. This video is one of the last times anybody outside Detroit is going to see them." I don't care what no one says but I feel anybody can see the good in Eminem despite his controversy. That is why he continues to be one of my favorite rappers regardless of how controversial people may find him.

His last words about the video is, "Beautiful is a reminder to keep your head up, and to see who you really are despite what you may be going through. Now that I've gotten through the toughest part, I see how the song relates to Detroit, and it feels more powerful." I do encourage people to check out the video on Yahoo music or YouTube.

- Yahoo Music

Costa Rica Tops Happiness For Being Green

According a new survey by a British non-environmental group, Costa Rica is one of the happiest places on earth and the most environmental friendly. The New Economics Foundation looked at 143 countries that are home to 99% of the world's population and devised and equation that weighed life expectancy and people's happiness against their environmental impact.

By that formula, Costa Rica is now the happiest and greenest country right ahead of the Dominican Republic. Latin American countries did well in this survey, occupying nine of the top 10 spots. Australia scored third place but other countries did poorly. Britain came in at 74th place and the United States at 114th. Please tell me why I am not surprised....

The New Economics Foundation's measurements found that Costa Ricans have a life expectancy of 78.5 years and 85% of the residents say they are happy and satisfied with their lives. I for one find that good news and am happy for them. Those figures and the fact that Costa Rica has a small ecological footprint combined to push the nation to the top of the list.

A 2006 New Economics Foundation study designated Vanuatu that world's happiest nation with Costa Rica in second place. Sociologist Andrea Fonseca said that Costa Rica gives their citizens the tools to be happy but she also cautioned that happiness can't be calculated just by looking at life expactancy and enviromental practices.

She added that a lot of the country's rise to the top of Happy Planet Index has a lot to do with social imagination. Costa Rica has a peaceful reputation because it doesn't have an army and it's also known for it's protected ecological zones and national slogan, "pure life," she adds.

I'm for one glad that Costa Rica is such a clean place and I hope they keep up the good work. Us on the other hand need a lot of work. It really isn't a surprise that the USA did so bad because how often do a lot of use recycle all the time, not waste resources, take advantage of our energy, and other things? I know I'm not as eco friendly as I could be but us being in 114th place should open our eyes.

- Yahoo Green

Television Planning to Cover Michael Jackson

NBC executives have changed their minds Sunday and decided to join other networks that will televise Michael's memorial's service live this week. NBC has offered to show the ceremony live along with other stations such as, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, and E! Entertainment. It's set for 10 am Tuesday at the Los Angeles Staples Center.

NBC had planned to have a one hour prime time special on Tuesday night but decided Sunday to cover the event. It is not said who will anchor the event. Charles Gibson on the other hand is anchoring the event for ABC which is setting aside typical daytime programming. CBS anchor, Katie Couric, will be at the Staples Center. The network has not said yet if they will cover the memorial.

CNN has seen their rating soar with the Jackson story, and it will show the memorial on the main network as well as HLN. CNN International will are the ceremony to the rest of the world. For CNN's anchors, there is Anderson Cooper, Larry King, and Don Lemon. Robin Meade, A.J. Hammer and Jane Velez-Mitchell will anchor HLN. CNN en Espanol will also cover the event. I guess this is going to be a big deal.

Chris Jansing will anchor live coverage of the memorial for MSNBC. Fox News Channel has yet to release their plans yet. E! Entertainment will be covering the memorial on their station and web site as well.

- Yahoo

Disney World Monorail Crash Kill an Employee

Two trains had crashed earlier on a Sunday morning in Disney World. The crash had killed one train's operator according to emergency officials. Disney said it was the first fatal crash in the monorail's 38th history in the park. The transit system that serves thousands of visitors around the resort was shut down while authorities investigated the wreck.

The operator died at the scene of the crash around 2 am according to Bo Jones, deputy chief for Ready Creek Fire Department. The other train operator was uninjured which was lucky but he was taken to a hospital because he was emotionally shaken and who wouldn't be? Bo says that five people were treated at the scene even though the Orange County Sheriff's office said six were treated.

Bo Jones has responded by saying, "To see the accident, to see the scene of what had happened and the fact that there was a life that was lost, it was very sad. It was very somber." Disney's senior spokesman Micheal Griffin identified the driver as 21-year-old Austin Wueenenburg. Micheal Griffin will not discuss how long Austin had been working with Disney or the circumstances of the crash as well not talk about how the Disney monorail operates.

Griffin responds the accident as something that is extremely rarely to happen at the park and that the safety of their guests is at the top of priorities above everything else. While the Orange County Sheriff's officials investigating the crash, Bo Jones is saying that is unclear on how the crash happens.

A spokeswoman for Stetson University in nearby DeLand confirmed that Austin Wueenenburg was a student at the school. A woman standing in front of Wueenenburg's home declined to comment on the incident because she wanted to give the family some private time to grieve which I have a huge amount of respect for.

Brandon Ross said that Austin had scheduled his classes around his Disney job and took precautions while working the night shift. Ross had included that Wueenenburg would make an hour-long drive from DeLand to Orlando the day before his shift so he wouldn't be tired when driving the monorail.

22 year-old Ross had added that Austin had seemed to be a pretty safe person and wasn't reckless at all. Austin Wueenenburg had studies computer science. Ross had used to ask him for help on school projects while saying he was smart and talented. According to Ross, he was very good with computers.

Jones said that the accident had happened at the park's ticket and transportation center. About a dozen gaurds wearing blue Disney security uniforms gaurded the monorail that Sunday morning and kept visitors from approaching. Micheal Griffin hasn't commented on the video posted on the on the Web site of Orlando TV station WKMG. The clip was shot by a guest at the park which was showing a man pounding on the door to the driver's compartment after the crash.

Griffin does add, "This is such a close-knit community. Our heart's go to Austin's family. It's a sad day here." 45-year-old Catherine McKenna and her family were visiting the theme park from Ireland. The family had planned to use the monorail for traveling the park last Friday but said they were told the train was broken. They took a ferry and returned to the monorail later that day.

McKenna says, "It's very sad. You would be very afraid to use it again." I couldn't agree with you more there. Disney's spokeswoman, Zoraya Suarez said that the park had boosted other types of transportations such as ferries, buses, and boats for visitors on Sunday. She also adds that the visitors are still getting around fine.

17-year-old Ethan Meus, visiting from Dubuque, Iowa said that he and his family took the monorail to a dinner at a resort hotel Saturday night. Ethan had watched the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the monorail at the way back to his hotel and said he didn't notice any problems with the train.

Meus also adds that it was a shock that the driver was killed. Lauren Shoebottom who was visiting the park from London says, "You would think it would be so safe. You don't expect it on holiday do you?" Griffin had issues a statement giving his condolences to Wueenenburg's family and saying the monorail was closed.

22-year-old Danielle Williams from London says, "It's a bit shocking. Disney seems so perfect." Well unfortunately it isn't. Accidents and tragedies happen everywhere and my heart does go out to Austin Wueenenburg's family. I can't imagine what they're going through. I know it's hard for them to lose a man who seemed to be great person who had more to look forward to in life. I do hope they can get past this extremely hard burden.

- Associated Press