'Hobbit' extends No. 1 journey with $36.7 million

Tiny hobbit Bilbo Baggins is running circles around some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" took in $36.7 million to remain No. 1 at the box office for the second-straight weekend, easily beating a rush of top-name holiday newcomers. Part one of Jackson's prelude to his "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, the Warner Bros. release raised its domestic total to $149.9 million after 10 days. The film added $91 million overseas to bring its international total to $284 million and its worldwide haul to $434 million. "The Hobbit" took a steep 57 percent drop from its domestic $84.6 million opening weekend, but business was soft in general as many people skipped movies in favor of last-minute Christmas preparations. "The real winner this weekend might be holiday shopping," said Paul Dergarabedian, an analyst for box-office tracker Hollywood.com. Tom Cruise's action thriller "Jack Reacher" debuted in second-place with a modest $15.6 million debut, according to studio estimates Sunday. Based on the Lee Child best-seller "One Shot," the Paramount Pictures release stars Cruise as a lone-wolf ex-military investigator tracking a sniper conspiracy. Opening at No. 3 with $12 million was Judd Apatow's marital comedy "This Is 40," a Universal Pictures film featuring Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann reprising their roles from the director's 2007 hit "Knocked Up." Paramount's road-trip romp "The Guilt Trip," featuring "Knocked Up" star Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand, debuted weakly at No. 6 with $5.4 million over the weekend and $7.4 million since it opened Wednesday. Playing in narrower release, Paramount's acrobatic fantasy "Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away" debuted at No. 11 with $2.1 million. A 3-D version of Disney's 2001 animated blockbuster "Monsters, Inc." also had a modest start at No. 7 with $5 million over the weekend and $6.5 million since opening Wednesday. Domestic business was off for the first time in nearly two months. Overall revenues totaled $112 million, down 12.6 percent from the same weekend last year, when Cruise's "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol" debuted with $29.6 million, according to Hollywood.com. Cruise's "Jack Reacher" opened at barely half the level as "Ghost Protocol," but with a $60 million budget, the new flick cost about $100 million less to make. Starting on Christmas, Hollywood expects a big week of movie-going with schools out through New Year's Day and many adults taking time off. So Paramount and other studios are counting on strong business for films that started slowly this weekend. "'Jack Reacher' will end up in a very good place. The movie will be profitable for Paramount," said Don Harris, the studio's head of distribution. "The first time I saw the movie I saw dollar signs. It certainly wasn't intended to be compared to a 'Mission: Impossible,' though." Likewise, Warner Bros. is looking for steady crowds for "The Hobbit" over the next week, despite the debut of two huge newcomers — the musical "Les Miserables" and the action movie "Django Unchained" — on Christmas Day. "We haven't reached the key holiday play time yet," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner. "It explodes on Tuesday and goes right through the end of the year." In limited release, Kathryn Bigelow's Osama bin Laden manhunt saga "Zero Dark Thirty" played to packed houses with $410,000 in just five theaters, averaging a huge $82,000 a cinema. That compares to a $4,654 average in 3,352 theaters for "Jack Reacher" and a $4,130 average in 2,913 cinemas for "This Is 40." ''The Guilt Trip" averaged $2,217 in 2,431 locations, and "Monsters, Inc." averaged $1,925 in 2,618 cinemas. Playing just one matinee and one evening show a day at 840 theaters, "Cirque du Soleil" averaged $2,542. Since opening Wednesday, "Zero Dark Thirty" has taken in $639,000. Distributor Sony plans to expand the acclaimed film to nationwide release Jan. 11, amid film honors and nominations leading up to the Feb. 24 Academy Awards. Opening in 15 theaters from Lionsgate banner Summit Entertainment, Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor's tsunami-survival drama "The Impossible" took in $138,750 for an average of $9,250. A fourth new release from Paramount, "The Sopranos" creator David Chase's 1960s rock 'n' roll tale "Not Fade Away," debuted with $19,000 in three theaters, averaging $6,333. Universal's "Les Miserables" got a head-start on its domestic release with a $4.2 million debut in Japan. 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). 2. "Jack Reacher," $15.6 million ($2.5 million international). 3. "This Is 40," $12 million. 4. "Rise of the Guardians," $5.9 million ($13.7 million international). 5. "Lincoln," $5.6 million. 6. "The Guilt Trip," $5.4 million. 7. "Monsters, Inc." in 3-D, $5 million. 8. "Skyfall," $4.7 million ($9 million international), 9. "Life of Pi," $3.8 million ($23.2 million international). 10. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2," $2.6 million ($6.6 million international). ___ Estimated weekend ticket sales at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada) for films distributed overseas by Hollywood studios, according to Rentrak: 1. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," $91 million. 2. "Life of Pi," $23.2 million. 3. "Rise of the Guardians," $13.7 million. 4. "Skyfall," $9 million. 5. "Wreck-It Ralph," $7.3 million. 6. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2," $6.6 million. 7. "Pitch Perfect," $6 million. 8. "Les Miserables," $4.2 million. 9. "Love 911," $3.2 million. 10. "De L'autre Cote du Periph," $3.1 million.

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Hillsborough charity single tops British chart

A charity single devoted to the victims of Britain's worst-ever sporting disaster has topped the U.K. singles chart to become a Christmas No. 1. The Official Charts Company said Sunday that The Justice Collective's version of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother," sold nearly 270,000 copies, beating out a debut single by music talent show winner James Arthur. Members of the collective, who include ex-Beatle Paul McCartney and former Spice Girl Mel C, are raising money for the families of those who died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, which saw 96 Liverpool fans crushed to death at Sheffield Wednesday's ground. Many authorities blamed the fans for the crush, but years of campaigning from the families eventually led to an inquiry which held police and emergency services responsible.

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Serpico: Pacino played me better than I did

New York City police whistle-blower Frank Serpico says Al Pacino played him better than he did himself. Pacino played the detective who exposed widespread police corruption in the 1973 movie "Serpico." The Daily News (http://nydn.us/RMNYcB ) interviewed the real-life Serpico in Ghent, in New York's Hudson Valley, for a story published Sunday. The 76-year-old retiree spoke weeks after the death of fellow whistle-blowing ex-detective David Durk. Serpico smiled as an interviewer noted he is ranked No. 41, just behind Lassie, on the American Film Institute's list of movie heroes. He says that's "good company." The newspaper says Serpico keeps busy trying to finish a book and taking solitary walks. Serpico and Durk's efforts resulted in front-page newspaper stories and a city panel that recommended reforms to prevent police corruption.

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Witch burns, audience on fire at Vienna opera show

VIENNA (AP) — At the end of the evening, the witch was toast Sunday — or more precisely a gingerbread cookie — and the audience at Vienna's Volksoper loved it. Of course, with many at the performance of "Haensel und Gretel" at Vienna's second opera house under the age of 6, one could argue that it was an easy sell. And yes, the fairy tale set to music by Engelbert Humperdinck is bound to please kids, even if the singers and the orchestra are sub-par — which they weren't this evening. For the youngsters it's mostly about the action on stage. Like past generations, the children at Saturday's performance watched wide-eyed, captivated by the story of the brother and sister who get lost in the woods, are captured by the witch and finally escape her by tossing her in the oven, where, in this version of the tale, she turns into a huge gingerbread cookie. But more than half of the audience Saturday was adults without children, which tells us that there is much more to this opera than just a fairy tale that Vienna's "Omas" and "Opas" take their grandkids to, come Christmas. Humperdinck worked with Richard Wagner, the master of German operatic folklore, and his music, is Wagnerian — rich, lyrical and vaguely reminiscent of some of the German master's early works. The vocal line is melodic and ranges from pretty to the sublime, evoking occasional frissons even from gray-haired opera goers who have long outgrown fairy tales. This is music worth performing well. And it was, this Saturday. As Gretel, Rebecca Nelsen started off well and grew stronger. Her light-lyric soprano was a good fit for the role and she mugged her way admirably through the part of the young waif who saves her and her brother before they turn kids the witch has turned into gingerbread back to life. Mezzo Adrineh Simonian was Nelsen's perfect dramatic foil as the bumptious older brother who narrowly escapes turning into the witch's Sunday roast. Her voice — and acting — harmonized well with Nelsen's performance. Robert Woerle was a witch with a difference. The Volksoper version of a production from Karl Doench that premiered more than two decades ago has a man in that role, and what Woerle doesn't deliver terms of voice, he more than compensates for in terms of the creepy factor. His solo "Hur, hopp" as the witch rants about his evil plans for the kids, was a highlight Saturday. Sebastian Holecek was strong as Peter, the children's poverty-stricken father, tossing off his signature "Ach, wir armen, armen Leute (Oh, we poor, poor, people)" in a powerful and carefree manner that belied the difficulties of this aria. But Gertrud Ottenthal, as his wife, occasionally had to slide into some of her higher notes. Also good: Sera Goesch as the Sandman and Claudia Goebl as the Dew Man. In the orchestra pit, conductor Alfred Eschwe did justice to the full Germanic tapestry of the score, weaving a polyphonic musical manuscript to the onstage goings on. A work for kids? Not only. Richard Strauss, the great German composer of the early and mid-20th century, described Haensel und Gretel as "a masterwork of the highest quality," and its creator as "a great master."

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Bethenny Frankel and husband of 2 years separating

Bethenny Frankel and husband Jason Hoppy are separating. The 42-year-old TV personality, chef, author and entrepreneur told The Associated Press Sunday that the split brings her "great sadness." "This was an extremely difficult decision that as a woman and a mother, I have to accept as the best choice for our family," Frankel said. "We have love and respect for one another and will continue to amicably co-parent our daughter who is and will always remain our first priority. This is an immensely painful and heartbreaking time for us." Frankel and Hoppy were married in 2010 and have a daughter, Bryn, who was born that same year. The couple's courtship and marriage were documented in two reality series, "Bethenny Getting Married?" and "Bethenny Ever After..." Frankel gained fame as a star of "The Real Housewives of New York City." Since her stint on the Bravo show, she has written four books, released a fitness video and founded her Skinnygirl line of cocktails, shapewear and nutritional supplements. She launched a talk show, "Bethenny," over the summer that is set to air nationally on Fox stations in 2013.

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Baseball-Ichiro reaches deal to return to Yankees

Dec 19 (Reuters) - Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki has agreed a deal to return to the New York Yankees worth a reported $13 million over two years.
The 39-year-old was traded to the Yankees in July after playing his first 12 Major League seasons with the Seattle Mariners. He thrived in New York, hitting .322 in 67 regular season games.
A 10-times All Star and former league MVP, Suzuki has 2,606 career hits.
"The Yankees are the kind of team that I always envisioned being a part of," Suzuki said in a statement. "Everyone in the world of competition has a strong desire to win, but the Yankees also have an atmosphere where losing is not an option.
"I believe the Yankees organization appreciates that there is a difference between a 39-year-old who has played relying only on talent, and a 39-year-old who has practiced, prepared meticulously and thought carefully about their craft through the experience they have gained."
News of the deal comes after reports Suzuki was growing impatient with the pace of negotiations, though Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman explained the team had prioritized securing their pitching staff before dealing with the other positions.

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Broach Sports Tours Announces Action-Packed 2013 Spring Training Baseball Tour

Fans will get to see eight Grapefruit League games in seven days, with the Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, Phillies and Braves among the top attractions

Charlotte, N.C. (PRWEB) December 20, 2012
Broach Sports Tours has announced a sterling lineup for its 2013 Grapefruit League spring training baseball tour.
The motorcoach tour will run Saturday, March 16 through Sunday, March 24, and will operate with Tampa as its home base. Fans will see eight games in a seven-day stretch, involving 12 different Major League Baseball teams.
“We have been taking fans to spring training throughout our 20-year history, and this may well be the most-exciting tour we have ever done,” president Tom Broach said. “It’s one of those years where everything seemed to fall into place perfectly with the schedule. We’ll get to see the Yankees twice, the Red Sox twice, and one day we’ll even take in a doubleheader.
“Another exciting thing about this tour is that we’ll ride in style in one of our new Broach Coach motorcoaches, complete with flat-screen TVs for watching even more baseball on the way home from the ballpark.”
The tour starts on Saturday, March 16, originating in Charlotte with pickups in Columbia, S.C.; Savannah, Ga.; and Jacksonville, Fla. Fans from other parts of the country can meet up with the group in Tampa.
The schedule is as follows: Sunday, March 17, Twins-Orioles at Sarasota; Monday, March 18, Red Sox-Pirates at Bradenton; Tuesday, March 19, Yankees-Phillies at Clearwater; Wednesday, March 20, Pirates-Braves at Disney; Thursday, March 21, Blue Jays-Rays in the afternoon and Phillies-Red Sox at night at Sarasota; Friday, March 22, Cardinals-Astros at Kissimmee; and Saturday, March 23, Yankees-Tigers at Lakeland.
Fans will then return home on Sunday, March 24.
The package includes deluxe motorcoach transportation, eight nights' hotel accommodations at Country Inn and Suites Tampa Airport, tickets to all eight games, continental breakfast daily, Broach Sports Tours host and more.
Cost of the total package is $1475 per person double occupancy, $1345 per person triple, $1280 per person quad, or $1925 private.
Those reserving by January 4 will receive a $250 per person discount.
Broach Sports Tours, based in Charlotte, has been a leader in the sports and group travel industry since 1992. It specializes in Major League Baseball tours, with a total of 26 different tours on tap for next summer.
Broach also offers golf travel packages to such events as the British Open, U.S. Open and Ryder Cup; tennis packages to Wimbledon, Roland Garros and the U.S. Open; and NASCAR travel packages to the Daytona 500 and a multitude of other races.

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AP source: Polanco reaches agreement with Marlins

MIAMI (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says third baseman Placido Polanco has agreed to terms with the Miami Marlins.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the Marlins hadn't announced a deal.
Polanco, 37, battled injuries this year and hit .257 with two home runs and 19 RBIs in 90 games with Philadelphia. The 15-year veteran is a career .299 hitter with 103 homers.
The deal solidifies the Marlins' lineup following an offseason payroll purge. Other projected starters include Logan Morrison at first base, Donovan Solano at second, Adeiny Hechavarria at shortstop, Jeff Brantly at catcher, Giancarlo Stanton in right field, Justin Ruggiano in center field and Juan Pierre in left field.

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Placido Polanco agrees to $2.75M deal with Marlins

MIAMI (AP) — Former All-Star third baseman Placido Polanco agreed to a $2.75 million, one-year contract Thursday with the Miami Marlins, plugging the final hole in the team's projected lineup following a payroll purge.
The 37-year-old, who can earn an additional $250,000 in performance bonuses, battled injuries this year and hit .257 with two home runs and 19 RBIs in 90 games with the Philadelphia Phillies. The 15-year veteran is a career .299 hitter with 103 homers.
Other projected starters include Logan Morrison at first base, Donovan Solano at second, Adeiny Hechavarria at shortstop, Jeff Brantly at catcher, Giancarlo Stanton in right field, Justin Ruggiano in center field and Juan Pierre in left field.
Hanley Ramirez played 90 games at third this year for Miami before being traded in July. That was part of the salary purge by the Marlins, who pared $146.5 million in future payroll when they swung a trade last month that sent former NL batting champion Jose Reyes, former NL ERA leader Josh Johnson and left-hander Mark Buehrle to Toronto.
The Marlins have a projected 2013 payroll of about $45.75 million. Their payroll on opening day this year was $112 million, not including money received in the Carlos Zambrano trade, but the team finished last in the NL East and drew smaller crowds than expected in its new ballpark.
Polanco was chosen to start in the All-Star game for the second time in 2011, but went only 10 for 58 (.172) after June 30 this year. The Phillies declined a $5.5 million option on Polanco after the season, and he received a $1 million buyout.
Polanco was the 2006 AL championship series MVP for Detroit, and he also played for St. Louis. He has 2,044 hits, and he has won two Gold Gloves at second base and one at third.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Polanco has a home in Miami and attended Miami-Dade Community College.

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Nike Baseball & Softball Camps To Host Multiple Camp Weeks At Dan Duquette Sports Academy For 2013

Nike Baseball and Softball Camps return to Hindsdale, MA at the Dan Duquette Sports Academy to host multiple weeks of camp for 2013. The first camp session is April 14th-19th. Summer sessions begin the week of June 23rd.

San Rafael, CA (PRWEB) December 20, 2012
Nike Baseball Camps and Softball Camps return to Hindsdale, MA at the Dan Duquette Sports Academy to host multiple weeks of camp for 2013. The first camp session is April 14th-19th. Summer sessions begin the week of June 23rd.
The NIKE Baseball and Softball Camps at the Dan Duquette Sports Academy give campers the opportunity to improve their baseball or softball skills, meet new friends, and have fun in a traditional summer camp setting.
“Our baseball and softball camps at the Dan Duquette Sports Academy provide campers with the experience of a lifetime,” says Mike de Surville, Vice President of US Sports Camps. “The abundant field space and new dorms provide a comfortable and ideal environment for our campers.”
Directing the Nike Softball and Baseball Camp at Dan Duquette Sports Academy is Kent Qualls. He was named the Director at the Sports Academy when it opened in 2003 and has overseen its growth into a premier sports facility. The Dan Duquette Sports Academy now hosts a variety of sports camps, broadcasters’ camp, baseball tournaments, tryouts & showcases, team training camps, group retreats, staff training, and team building.
Nike Sports Camps provide focused, intensive training that is essential to improvement for all skill levels. Every facet of the game is covered with an emphasis on fundamentals to help players become valuable team members. At each location, campers are broken into groups with other players of similar age, abilities and goals. Each camp director does their best to advance players to the next level, keeping in consideration each camper’s experience and desire to improve.
About US Sports Camps
US Sports Camps (USSC), headquartered in San Rafael, California, is America's largest sports summer camp network and the licensed operator of Nike Sports Camps. The company has offered summer camps since 1975 with the same mission that defines it today: to shape a lifelong enjoyment of athletics through high quality sports education and skill enhancement.
Players, coaches, parents and others interested in the 2013 Nike Softball Camps or Baseball Camps can visit USSportscamps.com or call 1-800-645-3226.

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