"GREEN LANTERN" LIGHTS UP THE BOX OFFICE

Still from Green Lantern

Although the Critics generally didn't love it (25% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer) Green Lantern absolutely dominated the Box Office this weekend with $52.6 million earned domestically. Overseas it didn't fare as well, bringing in $17 million only. The $200 million Blockbuster is expected to expand into other territories in coming weeks.

Last week's Box Office champion Super 8 is still going strong in its second week with $21.2 million, landing it in second this weekend for Paramount Pictures and Star Trek Director J.J. Abrams.

Jim Carrey-headlining Mr. Popper's Penguins debuts in third with $18.2 million. The 20th Century Fox Family Comedy was made for $55 million and has yet to open Overseas. Finishing right behind Penguins is X-Men: First Class, also from Fox, with $11.5 million bringing its three week tally in North America to $119.9 million.

The Hangover Part II in its fourth week sits in fifth spot with $9.6 million. To date it has earned $232 million in these parts. Meanwhile Woody Allen's acclaimed Midnight in Paris rounds out the Top Ten in ninth spot with $5.2 million, continuing its expansion to 1,038 theatres for Sony Pictures Classics.

INTERVIEW: MARK STRONG ON "GREEN LANTERN"

Mark Strong in Toronto - June 2011

"Ah, Parking Validation.  What a fascinating thing!", he tells a small group of Journalists today as he entered the Interview Suite of his Hotel. Mark Strong had just arrived in Toronto earlier to promote his latest Film Green Lantern, Warner Bros.' eagerly-awaited Blockbuster from Director Martin Campbell. Dressed in a fitted navy blue Blazer, a crisp blue Shirt and Jeans, the 47 year-old British Thespian - and Father of two - admits, "I only first learned of Parking Validation in Los Angeles".

Strong's new-found Fame in North America having starred in recent mega-hits like Sherlock Holmes and Kick-Ass has been long overdue perhaps, after spending many years on-stage and in lesser-known  (in these parts at least) Television Series in the U.K.  He considers himself lucky to be cast in big-budget productions now, often as the Villain, posing the question "What's the point of making something that will never be seen?". He reveals that his eldest Son recently witnessed Fans approaching him for Autographs, confused at the sight of it all.  He had explained to his six year-old, "This is just a feature of my job, but it does not mean in any way that I am better than they are.".

Growing-up in London, Strong admits knowing little about American Superheroes - other than Superman whom he considers most iconic - as they were more obscure overseas. "I honestly knew nothing about Green Lantern.... Martin sent me a load of Comics to read. I became hooked on the look of Sinestro", whom he plays in this DC Comics adaptation.  The Character is the Leader of a race of Peace Protectors  (Lanterns) who shun the one chosen Human Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds).  Hal is faced with the daunting task of overcoming his fears and limitations as a Human in order to save the Universe from destructive Parallax (voiced by Clancy Brown). 

ROBERT PATTINSON & TAYLOR LAUTNER SHARE KISS AT 2011 MTV MOVIE AWARDS

Taylor Lautner & Robert Pattinson kiss at 2011 MTV Movie Awards

In what will be remembered as the most shockingly defining moment of the 2011 MTV Movie Awards, Robert Pattinson went into the audience where The Twilight Saga Co-star Taylor Lautner was sitting... and kissed him!  After much speculation that tonight would be the first time in which Pattinson and Girlfriend/Co-Star Kristen Stewart would be kissing publicly upon receiving their award for Best Kiss, Pattinson managed to break the tension successfully with his surprise move.  Pattinson also won Best Male Performance for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

Jason Sudeikis of NBC's Saturday Night Live hosted for the first-time ever providing for several awkward moments, including making reference to Blake Lively's recent Nude Photo Scandal when introducing her and  Green Lantern Co-star Ryan Reynolds on-stage as Presenters.

Reese Witherspoon who received the MTV Generation Award for her body of work, gave younger Actresses a bit of advice, "If you're gonna take nude photos of yourself, cover your face!".  Calling, Blake Lively....

Other Winners this evening included Chloë Grace Moretz for Best Breakout Star in Kick-Ass, Emma Stone for Best Comedic Performance in Easy A, Justin Bieber for Most Jaw Dropping Moment in Never Say Never and Kristen Stewart for Best Female Performance in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.  The Twilight Saga: Eclipse garnered a total five Awards, leading all nominees in wins, including the top Award of the evening, Best Movie.

Click here for a full list of Winners.

(Photo credit: WireImage/MTV.Com)