"Chronicle" wins tight box office race

Teen boys with superpowers helped lift the movie box office to unexpected heights over Super Bowl weekend as thriller "Chronicle" edged "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe's haunted house movie "The Woman in Black."

Actor Dane DeHaan in a "Chrohicle" poster

"Chronicle" brought in an estimated $22.0 million from U.S. and Canadian theaters, studio estimates released on Sunday showed. The movie with largely unknown actors finished just ahead of Radcliffe's "Woman in Black," which took in an estimated $21.0 million.

Both performances surpassed projections from studio executives, who had expected weaker sales against competition from Sunday's Super Bowl football championship. The tallies include actual ticket receipts for Friday and Saturday plus estimates for Sunday at North American (U.S. and Canadian) theaters.

"Chronicle" added $13 million from 33 international markets, for a global weekend total of $35 million.

The appearance of young moviegoers, who had shunned some recent films targeted to them, boosted the top two films.

"The teen audience seems to be coming back to movies again. There was serious worry they were fading," said John Davis, who produced "Chronicle."

The movie tells the story of three teenage boys who develop superpowers and find they have a dark side. People under age 25 made up 61 percent of the movie's audience, distributor 20th Century Fox said. Fifty-five percent were males.

The studio produced "Chronicle" for about $12 million and had forecast debut weekend sales below $10 million.

Young moviegoers also propelled "Woman in Black" well past studio expectations of around $10 million. Fifty-seven percent of filmgoers were under age 25, and 59 percent were females.

The movie was Radcliffe's first since the blockbuster "Harry Potter" franchise ended last summer. The film attracted Radcliffe's young female fans plus "an audience that likes to be scared but not grossed out," said Steven Friedlander, executive vice president of theatrical distribution for CBS Films, the unit of CBS Corp that released the movie.

"Woman in Black" scored as the biggest debut weekend ever for CBS Films, which has struggled with its five earlier movies. The studio's biggest previous opening was a $12.2 million debut for "The Back-up Plan."

With "Woman in Black," the studio acquired domestic distribution rights for $3 million and spent about $15 million on marketing.

Elsewhere this weekend, Liam Neeson thriller "The Grey," dropped to third place with $9.5 million. The movie ranked No. 1 last weekend and has brought in $34.8 million domestically after two weekends in theaters.

Super Bowl alternatives

Total ticket sales outpaced the same weekend last year by nearly 37 percent despite competition from the Super Bowl, according to the box office division of Hollywood.com. Sales for all films reached $119 million.

"Big Miracle," a drama based on the true story of a whale rescue, aimed to offer a non-football alternative to young women and girls. The movie finished the weekend in fourth place with $8.5 million domestically, in line with studio forecasts.

The movie starring Drew Barrymore and "The Office" actor John Krasinski cost less than $40 million to produce.

In fifth place, vampire and werewolf sequel "Underworld: Awakening" starring Kate Beckinsale took in $5.6 million at domestic theaters. To date, the movie's worldwide sales stand at $108.3 million.

News Corp unit 20th Century Fox distributed "Chronicle." "Big Miracle" was released by Universal Pictures, a division of Comcast Corp. Open Road Films, a joint venture between theater owners Regal Entertainment Group and AMC Entertainment Inc, distributed "The Grey." The film studio of Sony Corp released "Underworld: Awakening."

dtinews.vn

Man Utd v Liverpool Odds: Back Javier Hernandez to score last

The live Saturday lunchtime offering in the Premier League is a mouth-watering and potentially controversial affair as Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford. United start the match as 5/6 favourites, while Liverpool are priced 10/3 and the draw 13/5 by Paddy Power, but the main focus will be on Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra.

Suarez and Evra meet for the first time since the Liverpool man was charged with racially abusing Evra. Paddy Power go 4/11 for the pair to shake hands on Saturday and 15/8 that the pair avoid a handshake. Furthermore, the Irish bookmaker will refund all losing first/last scorer, correct score and scorecast single bets if Luis Suarez scores anytime at Old Trafford.

Bearing that in mind, it could be worth a look at Javier Hernandez to score last at odds of 11/2. Hernandez scored in the final ten minutes of both Man Utd v Liverpool matches last season and he repeated the trick with a late equaliser in the thrilling 3-3 draw with Chelsea last weekend. Furthermore, paddy power go evens that the last goal of Saturday's match is scored after the 73rd minute.

United should be buoyant after they fought back from 3-0 down at Stamford Bridge and they will be looking to extend a formidable home record against Liverpool. They have won 29 and lost only two of their last 33 league games at Old Trafford and they have won seven of their last eight at home against Liverpool.

Furthermore, they have scored sixteen in their last five fixtures at Old Trafford and they have scored in every league match there, with over 2.5 goals available at 5/6. With their injury crisis easing, as Nani, Phil Jones and Tom Cleverley near full fitness, United look well set to step up their title bid.

The concern for Liverpool will be their lack of goals this season as they have scored just 28 goals in 24 league games. They have the worst conversion rate of chances in the league and United can be backed at 6/4 to keep a clean sheet and 9/4 to win to nil with Paddy Power, which looks decent value as they have kept clean sheets in three of their last four at home.

Liverpool, who welcome Jose Enrique back from injury, may have won four of the last seven matches against United but their recent domestic form has been pretty poor as they have won just two of their last six in all competitions. They did beat United 2-1 in the FA Cup two weeks ago but even the most faithful Liverpool fan would admit that they were lucky.

We expect United to gain swift revenge for that defeat, although it could be a controversial match as there have been four penalties in the last six meetings between the two, with Paddy Power going 2/1 for Phil Dowd to award a penalty on Saturday.

With Paddy Power's money back offer in mind, it could be worth a punt on the correct score of 2-1 to United at odds of 7/1 as they look to move to the top of the Premier League, with Man City not in action until Sunday.

betting-directory.com

Future of top Vietnamese satirical TV show in doubt

Rumours that one of the Vietnam’s most loved television shows – the Kitchen Gods– an end of year satire performance may come to an end has sparked public dismay.

A tense argument between the Kitchen Gods of Education and Transport over changes to school hours

The show’s director, Do Thanh Hai, confirmed with DTiNews that a final decision had yet to be reached on the show, and that rumours of the hard-hitting satirical show facing the axe were mere media speculation.

The show has proved hugely popular as it features the antics of the Jade Emperor and his advisors dealing with the complaints, trials and tribulations of various petitioners representing current Vietnamese government ministers.

Topics on this year's end of year review included the controversial decision by the Ministry of Transport to change school hours, a spate of unexplained vehicle fires, violent disturbances in residential areas, bribery in the health sector, a standstill in the real estate market, high interest rates and financial difficulties, and the skimpy costumes worn by singers.

Audiences have expressed their surprise at the rumoured cancellation.

Hai said, “The reporter asked me what would I do if the show was halted. I told him that I’d not really thought about it being cancelled and I hadn’t any new projects in development”.

“We often map out a plan for the show by midyear. So, currently we’ve got no information about the future of this year’s show,” he noted.

Hai added that if the show continued to draw high viewing figures, they would do their utmost to ensure it would continue.

The show humorously criticises the problems Vietnam faces, including the economy, education, healthcare, transportation, and culture during the year.

The latest Tet’s show has received rave reviews for it’s brave and entertaining delivery.

‘Patients’ of the economic and healthcare industries drew great attention during the show

dtinews.vn

Hoang Thien claims victory at U18 international tennis tourney

Vietnam’s top player Nguyen Hoang Thien and his Hong Kong partner Wong Chun Hun won the men’s doubles event at the U18 International Tennis Federation (ITF) Tournament (Grade 4) in New Zealand on February 3.

Before entering the finals, Hoang Thien and Chun Hun had defeated Smith-Stoica and Gage Brown-Southon from New Zealand, Plodpai-Wiriyajanyong from Thailand, and Delaney-Polmans from Australia.

In the finals, Thien and Wong trounced the World’s No.4 seed pair Allan and Horton from Australia 2-0 (6/3, 6/2). This is a good start for the young Vietnamese star in 2012.

In the men’s singles event, Thien missed a chance to advance further after losing 1-2 to Kang Ku Keon from the Republic of Korea.

dtinews.vn

Liem finishes 7th at UK Chess Festival

Vietnamese Chess Grandmaster Le Quang Liem completed the Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival in the UK ranking 7th with 7 points after a draw in the final match with Indian rival Negi Parimarjanon on February 2. Host player Nigel D. Short came first and Chinese female player Hou Yifan second. Both earned 8 points after 10 matches and had to compete in blitz chess events which ended in favour of the host with a win and a draw.

Liem is scheduled to take part in the Aeroflot Tournament in Russia where he will defend his championship title.

dtinews.vn

CSKA sign South Korean midfielder Kim In-Sung

PFC CSKA Moskva have signed 22-year-old South Korean midfielder Kim In-Sung from Gangneung City FC as they prepare to resume their season in Europe and at home.

PFC CSKA Moskva have made their third winter acquisition with the UEFA Champions League contenders bringing in South Korean midfielder Kim In-Sung.

Kim, 22, has signed a 12-month deal with the option of a further two years after helping semi-professional side Gangneung City FC to a third-place finish in South Korea's second division last season, scoring four times in 25 league games. He joins the Army Men's other recent arrivals, Sweden midfielder Pontus Wernbloom and Nigerian forward Ahmed Musa.

CSKA meet Real Madrid CF in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, with the tie kicking off in Moscow on 21 February and concluding at the Santiago Bernabéu on 14 March. They resume their Russian Premier-Liga campaign – they sit second, six points adrift of leaders FC Zenit St Petersburg – in March.

uefa.com

Leverkusen's Derdiyok joins Sam on the sidelines

Bayer 04 Leverkusen's injury problems have worsened with top scorer Eren Derdiyok ruled out of the round of 16 opener against FC Barcelona after treading on a shard of glass.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen will be without Switzerland striker Eren Derdiyok for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 match against FC Barcelona.

The 23-year-old forward trod on a shard of glass while at home on Thursday night and required seven stitches in his foot. "Eren stepped in some glass at his apartment," confirmed Bayer coach Robin Dutt. "The wound has been stitched but the foot has to be rested for at least ten days. He will be sidelined for two to three weeks."

The news will come as a blow to Dutt as Derdiyok is Leverkusen's top scorer in the Bundesliga this season with six goals. He has also found the target twice in the UEFA Champions League and once in the German Cup.

The Bundesliga outfit have already had to contend with losing midfielder Sidney Sam, who has been ruled out for will the next two months after picking up a thigh muscle injury during Saturday's 2-2 draw with VfB Stuttgart.

Sam, who started all six of Leverkusen's matches in UEFA Champions League Group E, scoring once, had to be brought off 12 minutes after being introduced as a 72nd-minute substitute against Stuttgart.

Dutt explained: "It's obviously a difficult situation for us at the moment, as almost every week we have new injuries to complain about. Sidney Sam will definitely be unavailable for the next two months."

Leverkusen face reigning champions Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, with the first leg in Germany on 14 February and the Camp Nou return scheduled for 7 March.

uefa.com