Movie News & Gossip

LOS ANGELES - James Cameron's "Avatar" jumped out to a faster start than projected, taking in $77 million domestically over opening weekend.

That was about $4 million more than distributor 20th Century Fox had estimated over the weekend. The studio said the film did far more business than it had projected on Sunday.

LOS ANGELES - James Cameron launched his science-fiction epic "Avatar" into a safe orbit as the costly film soared to No. 1 with $73 million domestically and $159.2 million overseas, for a $232.2 million worldwide total.

With that big a start, distributor 20th Century Fox was quick to proclaim it made a good investment with the estimated $400 million spent to make and market the film, which is Cameron's first narrative feature since 1997's "Titanic," the king of modern blockbusters.

LOS ANGELES - "Up in the Air," "Precious" and "Inglourious Basterds" led the Screen Actors Guild Awards with three nominations each Thursday, among them honors for George Clooney, Diane Kruger and Mo'Nique.

The World War II rewrite "Inglourious Basterds" and the Harlem story "Precious: Based on the Novel `Push' By Sapphire" are competing for the guild's overall cast prize, along with the 1960s British drama "An Education," the Iraq War tale "The Hurt Locker" and the musical "Nine."

LOS ANGELES - Roy E. Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney whose powerful behind-the-scenes influence on The Walt Disney Co. led to the departure of former chief Michael Eisner, has died. He was 79.

The company announced that Disney died Wednesday in Newport Beach, Calif., after a yearlong bout with stomach cancer.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - "Up in the Air" landed at just the right time, emerging as a potential Academy Awards favorite with themes of job loss and economic calamity that offer a heartbreaking yet hilarious reflection of these hard times.

The film grabbed a leading six Golden Globe nominations Tuesday, including best drama, plus directing and screenplay honors for Jason Reitman. George Clooney earned a best dramatic actor slot as a frequent-flyer junkie traveling the country in first-class seats and premium car rentals as he fires the rank-and-file at downsizing companies.

NEW YORK - The Golden Globes nominations didn't include any fall-out-of-your-seat shockers, but they did — as always — feature some surprises and the inevitable snubs.

Though the Globes bestowed six nominations on one of the awards season favorite's, Jason Reitman's "Up in the Air," they also spread the love around — especially to a few favorite stars.

- Reactions to nominations for the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards, announced Tuesday in Beverly Hills, Calif:

"The biggest effort is figuring out what to wear. If I could go in a lovely pair of black pajamas, I'd be really happy." — Glenn Close, nominated for best dramatic actress for her role in TV's "Damages."

BEVERLY HILLS (Reuters) - Film drama "Up in the Air" soared away with six Golden Globe nominations on Tuesday, more than any film, while Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep and Matt Damon each earned two nominations for the major awards show.

"Up in the Air," starring George Clooney as a corporate hatchet man forced to consider his life's direction, took home nominations for best film drama and for Clooney as best actor. Jason Reitman grabbed a nod for director and best screenplay with co-writer Sheldon Turner, while both Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga will compete for supporting actress.