Asia Pacific Entertainment

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Da Vinci Code cracks record

The Da Vinci Code movie established a new record opening earning a whopping $152.6 million in five days.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith held the previous record set the same time last year at $144.8 million.

US actor Tom Hanks, right, stands with French actress Audrey Tautou, below right, and US Director Ron Howard, front left with Paul Bettany, top left, and Sir Ian McKellen, top right, following the naming of a Eurostar train 'The Da Vinci Code' at Waterloo Station in London, Tuesday May 16, 2006. The Train is named after the book by author Dan Brown which has been made into a film staring Hanks and Tautou playing the leading roles, which has its World Premier in Cannes on May 17. The train which left with the cast and director of the film was attempting a world record time for the longest international non-stop train journey from London to Cannes. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ron Howard, Paul Bettany and Sir Ian McKellen following the naming of a Eurostar train 'The Da Vinci Code' at Waterloo Station in London, Tuesday May 16, 2006. AP photo from Yahoo News.

A record was also established in Japan where the movie opened in more theaters than any other film. The Da Vinci Code did extremely well in Latin America and Europe. According to Sony Pictures, the film set a record or second best debut in each Latin American opening.

Records also fell in two strongly Catholic European countries -- Italy and Spain -- despite calls for a boycott from conservative Catholic groups.

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Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro recovering from injury

After a severe injury during the running of the Preakness Stakes, Barbaro appears to be making a comeback from a potentially life-threatening situation.

Many thought the undefeated colt had a chance at becoming the first Triple Crown winner in decades after easily winning the Kentucky Derby.

Barbaro rests in his stall after surgery to repair his broken leg at the intensive care unit of the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center for Large Animals, Kennett Square, Pa., Tuesday, May 23, 2006. AP photo from Yahoo News.

Barbaro's leg was broken into 20+ pieces, a type of injury that often leads to euthanization. Horses can suffer from circulatory problems and other complications if they cannot evenly distribute their weight on all four legs.

So far Barbaro is recovering well and is resting all day long in his stall. If he fully recovers he may become a stallion used for breeding other horses.

It seems rather peculiar to me that horses, animals that depend on their running ability in the wild to survive, could severely break their legs just by galloping. And it appears this is a rather common occurrence.

Are the horses overtrained? Have they been bred too large in frame for the type of racing in which they compete?

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Monday, May 22, 2006

Jet Li recalls Aaliyah while shooting "Rogue"

Martial arts star Jet Li said he was haunted by memories of singer and actress Aaliyah while filming Rogue in Vancouver, Canada according to a quote at the IGN.com website.

Aaliyah and Li filmed the movie Romeo Must Die in the same city.

Aaliyah

Aaliyah in 2001 file photo. AP photo from Yahoo News.

"I have some memories of this very beautiful city ... but it still makes me think about Aaliyah because I feel still we worked together here for a few months."

In other news, Li is said to be negotiating a deal with fellow martial arts sensation Jackie Chan for the first movie to feature both actors.

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