"UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING": RUNAWAY WINNER AT BOX OFFICE

Still from Underworld: Awakening 3-D

Underworld: Awakening 3-D is a runaway winner at the Box Office this weekend, earning $25 million from 3,078 theatres for Sony Pictures, meaning that Kate Beckinsale has had two number one Films consecutively - last week, Contraband and now this fourth installment of the Underworld Franchise.

Red Tails defies all expectations, debuting in second spot for 20th Century Fox.  The World War II Film, funded and produced largely by LucasFilm (George Lucas' Production Company), earned $19 million from 2,512 theatres, just ahead of last week's champion, Contraband with $12.3 million in its second week.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close earned $10.2 million in its fifth week of release, now expanding to 2,630 theatres for Warner Bros.  Critics however, haven't been so responsive to this weekend's Top Four, with this one earning the highest score on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes at 49%.

Meanwhile, Steven Soderbergh's Haywire starring Mixed Martial Arts Star Gina Carano, opens in fifth spot with $8.6 million for Relativity Media garnering strong reviews at 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, just marginally ahead of Disney's Beauty and the Beast 3-D in its second week with $8.3 million.

The Iron Lady earns $3.7 million from 1,076 theatres in its second week of expansion.  Overseas it is faring rather well, bringing in $19.5 million already there.

"CONTRABAND" DELIVERS THE GOODS AT THE TOP OF BOX OFFICE

Still from Contraband

No real surprise that Universal Pictures takes the top of the Box Office with their Action flick Contraband, starring Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale, with a total of $25 million from 2,863 theatres.  Call it a comeback for Beckinsale who hasn't seen the top of the Box Office since 2006 with Adam Sandler Comedy, Click.

Landing in second is Disney's new and improved Beauty and the Beast 3-D, showing in 2,625 theatres with $18.5 million earned in its debut, just ahead of another Musical in Joyful Noise starring Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah with $12.3 million.

Still going strong in fourth is Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol with $12.1 million from 3,346 theatres in its fifth week of release, edging-out last week's champion The Devil Inside in fifth spot with $7.5 million. Both are from Paramount Pictures.

KATE BECKINSALE ADMITS DAUGHTER HAS CRUSH ON MARK WAHLBERG

Still from Contraband

The gorgeous Kate Beckinsale appeared on Live! with Kelly earlier today to promote Universal Pictures' Contraband. The Film which has her co-starring with Mark Wahlberg, is about a former Drug Smuggler named Chris who heads to Panama to protect his Brother-in-Law from a Drug Lord. Upon arriving at his destination, he scores millions of dollars in counterfeit money.

Beckinsale revealed to Kelly Ripa earlier today that her Daughter with Actor Michael Sheen, Lily, has a major crush on Wahlberg.   The Actress jokes "It was a horrible Love Triangle really", as she was playing Wahlberg's Wife while her Daughter was longing for her Co-star at the same time. Beckinsale did reveal that Lily concocted a secret plan to touch his abs, which fortunately didn't happen.  Phew!

The brunette Actress dyed her hair blonde for her role and admits to having lost a bit of hair in the shower, during filming.

One thing Beckinsale and Daughter might not have realized was that Wahlberg actually was staying at the same Toronto Hotel as they last May when he was in-town sealing the deal on a new Yorkville Condo.  Beckinsale then was filming Husband Len Wiseman's Total Recall, in theatres August 3, 2012.

Contraband hits theatres Friday, January 13, 2012.

Watch the Trailer in full:

KATE BECKINSALE IN TORONTO FOR "TOTAL RECALL"

Kate Beckinsale & Mr. Will-W.

One of my favourite Actresses undoubtedly is Kate Beckinsale and although she's been in the City for the Toronto International Film Festival in the past promoting titles like Underworld and Nothing but the Truth, unfortunately I'd never had a chance to meet her.  Arriving last month for her Husband Len Wiseman's Total Recall Reboot in which she plays the role of Lori (married to Colin Farrell's Doug), the beautiful Beckinsale has been spotted out and about by Fans and Paparazzi alike. Because I still hadn't seen her, I was beginning to think she was somewhat of a Mirage.

I had spotted Beckinsale on a stroll with her Daughter Lily, Husband Len, another young Lady and their two Dogs Ingrid and Pocket.  The latter even has been spotted on-Set with her.  Careful not to be intrusive, I had asked if on her way back she could take a minute to chat and take a Photo with me and absolutely she fulfilled her promise! 

Upon finally meeting her, I confessed  what a great Fan I am of 2008's Nothing but the Truth.  Despite few people seeing that Film, her portrayal of a Journalist who had taken her integrity to the extreme affected me deeply.  "Yes, it's a shame that it never really made it to the theatres as I was proud of that one", she admits.  I commented also how overall I thought Doug Liman's 2010 Film Fair Game (inspired also by the story of shamed Spy Valerie Plame) paled in comparison and she was touched genuinely, saying "Yes, we thought the same!".

She, Lily (daughter of Michael Sheen) and one Young Lady visiting also noticed that I had brought my Dog Billy out for a walk and the three of them were rather smitten by him.  Beckinsale asked, "Is he a Shih Tzu? and she absolutely was correct!  Their Dogs Pocket and Ingrid - both Female - were so adorably sweet, jumping on my leg.  And the two young Ladies present were so sweet wishing me a good night before they head off after our Chat.