Balfour arrested for murder

CHICAGO - POLICE on Monday arrested Oscar-winning starlet Jennifer Hudson's brother-in-law in connection with the October 24 murders of her nephew, brother and mother in Chicago, a police spokesman said.

William Balfour, 27, was transferred from the Stateville Correctional Center, east of Chicago, where he was being held for parole violation, and transferred to Chicago police custody, Sergeant Antonette Ursitti said.

Balfour was awaiting to be charged, she added. The suspect, who has convictions for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, is facing three charges of murder.

The spokesman did not say what evidence the arrest warrant was based on, but the Chicago Tribune reported that a gun belonging to Balfour matched the weapon used in the triple murder.

Estranged from Hudson's older sister Julia, Balfour is the prime suspect in the murder of his seven-year-old stepson Julian King; Jennifer Hudson's brother, Jason, 29; and mother, Darnell Donerson, 57.

The man and woman were found shot dead on October 24 at the family home on Chicago's south side. Julian King's bullet-riddled body was found three days later in an abandoned vehicle on Chicago's west side.

There were no indications on what motivated the slayings.

The crime shocked the country as it affected a popular screen and television star.

Hudson, whose star turn in 'Dreamgirls' earned her an Academy Award for best supporting actress in 2007, was in Florida promoting her latest movie, 'The Secret Life of Bees,' when she got word of the tragedy.

She has shunned the spotlight since rushing home to Chicago.

The 27-year-old star was riding high with a new movie and a number one hit on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop charts from her recently released self-titled debut album, until the family tragedy upended her life. -- AFP

Balfour arrested for murder

CHICAGO - POLICE on Monday arrested Oscar-winning starlet Jennifer Hudson's brother-in-law in connection with the October 24 murders of her nephew, brother and mother in Chicago, a police spokesman said.

William Balfour, 27, was transferred from the Stateville Correctional Center, east of Chicago, where he was being held for parole violation, and transferred to Chicago police custody, Sergeant Antonette Ursitti said.

Balfour was awaiting to be charged, she added. The suspect, who has convictions for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, is facing three charges of murder.

The spokesman did not say what evidence the arrest warrant was based on, but the Chicago Tribune reported that a gun belonging to Balfour matched the weapon used in the triple murder.

Estranged from Hudson's older sister Julia, Balfour is the prime suspect in the murder of his seven-year-old stepson Julian King; Jennifer Hudson's brother, Jason, 29; and mother, Darnell Donerson, 57.

The man and woman were found shot dead on October 24 at the family home on Chicago's south side. Julian King's bullet-riddled body was found three days later in an abandoned vehicle on Chicago's west side.

There were no indications on what motivated the slayings.

The crime shocked the country as it affected a popular screen and television star.

Hudson, whose star turn in 'Dreamgirls' earned her an Academy Award for best supporting actress in 2007, was in Florida promoting her latest movie, 'The Secret Life of Bees,' when she got word of the tragedy.

She has shunned the spotlight since rushing home to Chicago.

The 27-year-old star was riding high with a new movie and a number one hit on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop charts from her recently released self-titled debut album, until the family tragedy upended her life. -- AFP

007's lotus fetches $254k

LONDON - THE classic white Lotus sports car driven by Roger Moore in Bond film 'The Spy Who Loved Me' was sold at auction in London on Monday for 111,500 pounds (S$253,994).

Bonhams auctioneers said the 1976 Lotus Esprit, which was driven on land and under water in the 1977 film, was bought by a private US collector who was bidding by telephone.

The new owner of the car, one of two Lotus cars driven in the film, described himself as a fan of both Lotus and James Bond and said the car would be going to Atlanta in the US state of Georgia. -- AFP

007's lotus fetches $254k

LONDON - THE classic white Lotus sports car driven by Roger Moore in Bond film 'The Spy Who Loved Me' was sold at auction in London on Monday for 111,500 pounds (S$253,994).

Bonhams auctioneers said the 1976 Lotus Esprit, which was driven on land and under water in the 1977 film, was bought by a private US collector who was bidding by telephone.

The new owner of the car, one of two Lotus cars driven in the film, described himself as a fan of both Lotus and James Bond and said the car would be going to Atlanta in the US state of Georgia. -- AFP

'Four Christmases' finds $31.7M (RM110 M) in holiday cheer

In this file photo, Reese Witherspoon, a cast member in 'Four Christmases,' poses on the red carpet at the premiere of the film in Los Angeles. - AP pic

LOS ANGELES, Dec 1 - Thanksgiving weekend movie crowds gobbled up the Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn holiday comedy "Four Christmases," which debuted at No. 1 with $31.7 million, according to studio estimates yesterday.

The Warner Bros. release, featuring Witherspoon and Vaughn as a couple suffering through four separate family holiday gatherings, raised its total to $46.7 million since opening Wednesday to get a head start on the long weekend.

In terms of revenue, it was Hollywood's second-biggest Thanksgiving period ever. The top 12 movies took in $223.7 million from Wednesday to Sunday, trailing only the $232.2 million haul over Thanksgiving in 2000.
Summit Entertainment's vampire romance "Twilight," which had a huge No. 1 opening the previous weekend, took a steep 62 percent decline from its $69.6 million debut and was neck-and-neck for second place with Disney's animated family flick "Bolt."

Based on yesterday's estimates, "Bolt" had a slight lead with $26.6 million for the weekend, compared to $26.4 million for "Twilight." Their rankings could change once final numbers are released today.

"Twilight' is still a phenomenon, but you can't really maintain that level of intensity week after week," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media By Numbers.

"Twilight" raised its 10-day total to $119.7 million, while "Bolt" lifted its sum to $66.9 million.

Hollywood typically releases a handful of holiday-themed movies starting in November, but "Four Christmases" has the market virtually to itself this season.

"It was the perfect time. It's the only movie out there that deals with Christmas," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros.

The only potential competition comes Dec. 12 with the John Leguizamo tale "Nothing Like the Holidays."

The weekend's other new wide release, the Nicole Kidman-Hugh Jackman epic "Australia," opened at No. 5 with $14.8 million for the weekend and $20 million since debuting Wednesday.

The 20th Century Fox film reunites Kidman with "Moulin Rouge" director Baz Luhrmann for a World War II-era romance between an aristocratic British woman and an Australian ranch hand.

Sean Penn's drama "Milk" got off to a great start in limited release, coming in at No. 10 with $1.4 million in just 36 theaters. The film had a strong average of $38,375 a cinema, compared with $9,571 in 3,310 theaters for "Four Christmases."

"Milk," an Academy Awards contender released by Focus Features, stars Penn as gay-rights pioneer Harvey Milk, the San Francisco city supervisor slain by a colleague who also killed the mayor. The film expands to more theatres Friday.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "Four Christmases," $31.7 million.

2. "Bolt," $26.6 million.

3. "Twilight," $26.4 million.

4. "Quantum of Solace," $19.5 million.

5. "Australia," $14.8 million.

6. "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," $14.5 million.

7. "Transporter 3," $12.3 million.

8. "Role Models," $5.3 million.

9. "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," $1.7 million.

10. "Milk," $1.4 million.

'Four Christmases' finds $31.7M (RM110 M) in holiday cheer

In this file photo, Reese Witherspoon, a cast member in 'Four Christmases,' poses on the red carpet at the premiere of the film in Los Angeles. - AP pic

LOS ANGELES, Dec 1 - Thanksgiving weekend movie crowds gobbled up the Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn holiday comedy "Four Christmases," which debuted at No. 1 with $31.7 million, according to studio estimates yesterday.

The Warner Bros. release, featuring Witherspoon and Vaughn as a couple suffering through four separate family holiday gatherings, raised its total to $46.7 million since opening Wednesday to get a head start on the long weekend.

In terms of revenue, it was Hollywood's second-biggest Thanksgiving period ever. The top 12 movies took in $223.7 million from Wednesday to Sunday, trailing only the $232.2 million haul over Thanksgiving in 2000.
Summit Entertainment's vampire romance "Twilight," which had a huge No. 1 opening the previous weekend, took a steep 62 percent decline from its $69.6 million debut and was neck-and-neck for second place with Disney's animated family flick "Bolt."

Based on yesterday's estimates, "Bolt" had a slight lead with $26.6 million for the weekend, compared to $26.4 million for "Twilight." Their rankings could change once final numbers are released today.

"Twilight' is still a phenomenon, but you can't really maintain that level of intensity week after week," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media By Numbers.

"Twilight" raised its 10-day total to $119.7 million, while "Bolt" lifted its sum to $66.9 million.

Hollywood typically releases a handful of holiday-themed movies starting in November, but "Four Christmases" has the market virtually to itself this season.

"It was the perfect time. It's the only movie out there that deals with Christmas," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros.

The only potential competition comes Dec. 12 with the John Leguizamo tale "Nothing Like the Holidays."

The weekend's other new wide release, the Nicole Kidman-Hugh Jackman epic "Australia," opened at No. 5 with $14.8 million for the weekend and $20 million since debuting Wednesday.

The 20th Century Fox film reunites Kidman with "Moulin Rouge" director Baz Luhrmann for a World War II-era romance between an aristocratic British woman and an Australian ranch hand.

Sean Penn's drama "Milk" got off to a great start in limited release, coming in at No. 10 with $1.4 million in just 36 theaters. The film had a strong average of $38,375 a cinema, compared with $9,571 in 3,310 theaters for "Four Christmases."

"Milk," an Academy Awards contender released by Focus Features, stars Penn as gay-rights pioneer Harvey Milk, the San Francisco city supervisor slain by a colleague who also killed the mayor. The film expands to more theatres Friday.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "Four Christmases," $31.7 million.

2. "Bolt," $26.6 million.

3. "Twilight," $26.4 million.

4. "Quantum of Solace," $19.5 million.

5. "Australia," $14.8 million.

6. "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," $14.5 million.

7. "Transporter 3," $12.3 million.

8. "Role Models," $5.3 million.

9. "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," $1.7 million.

10. "Milk," $1.4 million.

Madonna documentary to air

'If all you can do is live life in YOUR world in a way that shows you are responsible for the people around you, that's a course of action,' Madonna said. -- PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK - MADONNA'S awakening to the crisis in Malawi - an impoverished African nation where one million children are orphaned by AIDS - had many consequences.

She adopted one of those orphans, her 3-year-old son David. She is building a school there.

And she has told Malawi's harrowing story in her documentary, I Am Because We Are. With an audience thus far limited to isolated theatre screenings, it will air for everyone in the Untied States with its TV premiere on Sundance Channel Monday (World Aids Day).

The feature-length film was written, produced and narrated by Madonna (directed by Nathan Rissman). It consults experts including President Bill Clinton and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

But the film's real power is its images, which are often dismaying but, here and there, reflect hope and a remarkable will to survive.

'I had many goals,' said Madonna during a phone conversation from her Manhattan home a few days ago. 'I did get to a point where I thought, 'I'm being overambitious, I'm trying to say too much, I'll never accomplish it.' But I feel proud of the fact that I did get to make all my points.'

Among her points: an insistence that any crisis comes with solutions, however hard-won and piecemeal.

The film offers its audience a menu of constructive responses.

'If all you can do is live life in YOUR world in a way that shows you are responsible for the people around you, that's a course of action,' Madonna said. 'People can be of service in large ways and small.'

The first wide exposure of I Am Because We Are may be coming at a propitious time, which befits the pop superstar who made it, with her knack for anticipating and identifying cultural trends.

On the eve of a new presidential administration, Americans seem set on a more idealistic path, however alarmed they may be by economic threats along the way.

'People really are going, 'Wow! I can no longer ignore what's going on around me.' There are changes in the air,' she said.

Madonna's busy schedule continues apace. But the artistic life that drives it 'is a world you create and you inhabit, to express yourself, and to inspire and reach out to other people', she explained. 'It's also a consolation, a place you go to to protect yourself.'

That's true now, in particular, during her highly public split with Guy Ritchie, her husband of eight years, which she described as 'not easy, I'm not going to lie'.

Though on a brief New York break from her concert tour, Madonna said the day's long to-do list called for this AP interview to be followed by interviews she would be conducting herself: with prospective head mistresses for the girls school she is building in Malawi.

'We're all going there together at the end of March,' she said, referring to David, 8-year-old son Rocco and 12-year-old daughter Lourdes.

'I'm very involved in a lot of things that are going on there,' she said, and as she makes return visits with her kids, she wants them to gather insights into the plight of the world's underprivileged. 'And David's always going to understand where he came from, and what his life could have been like.'

Meanwhile, she hopes her film can spread the message to millions more.

'It has an impact on the people who see it,' she declared. 'The more people, the bigger the impact.' -- AP