"GNOMEO & JULIET" TOPS BOX OFFICE WITH LOWEST EARNING #1 IN TWO YEARS

Still from Hall Pass

In what is the lowest-earning Box Office topper in over two years, Summit Entertainment takes the top spot with Animated Feature Gnomeo & Juliet in its third week of release with $14.2 million.  

Warner Bros. originally was thought to have topped the Box Office with The Farrelly Brothers' new Comedy Hall Pass, although after the final tally it wound up placing second with $13.4 million from 2,950 theatres.  Last week's champion, also from Warner Bros., Unknown lands in third with $12.4 million. In two weeks, the Thriller has grossed $43.5 million.

Slipping to fifth this weekend is last week's first runner-up Disney's I Am Number Four with $11 million. The teen-targeting Action/Fantasy seems to be getting a lot of buzz for allegations of its star Alex Pettyfer having "threatened" now ex-Girlfriend Dianna Agron of Glee.

Paramount Pictures continues to pull out all the stops for Justin Bieber: Never Say Never 3-D as it remains in sixth spot with $9.2 million this weekend, after a special Director's Cut of the Documentary with additional footage was released to theatres.

Summit Entertainment's Drive Angry 3-D unfortunately had a soft opening with only $5.1 million made this weekend in its first week. Perhaps it's time for Nicolas Cage to take a little break? Successive Box Office misfires Bangkok Dangerous, Knowing, The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Season of the Witch have all failed to bring in the anticipated big numbers.

"UNKNOWN" IS KNOWN FOR TAKING TOP SPOT AT BOX OFFICE

Still from Unknown

In a v. evenly-matched race at the Box Office this weekend, Warner Bros.' Unknown winds up taking the top spot. The Thriller starring Liam Neeson and Mad Men's January Jones, despite mixed reviews overall (56% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer) will bring in $21.8 million by end of weekend.

Disney's I Am Number Four takes second spot. Starring real-life Couple Alex Pettyfer and Glee's Dianna Agron, the Action/Fantasy brought in $19.5 million in its opening weekend. There is talk of this developing into a Franchise and clearly there's a demand for it among Movie-goers.

Following closely in third is Gnomeo & Juliet 3-D with $19.4 million for eOne Films/Summit Entertainment. The Animated Feature set to the music of Elton John, debuted in third also last week, holding steady despite a 23.4% drop.

Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston's Just Go With It slips to fourth this weekend with $18.2 million, after denying Justin Bieber's Never Say Never 3-D top spot last weekend.  To date it has earned $63.5 million, well on its way to recouping its $80 million production budget for Sony Pictures.

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son in my opinion didn't need to made at all, but the latest installment of the Martin Lawrence franchise debuts in fifth with a not-too-shabby $17 million. One thing is clear - people love seeing Black Men in Drag as evinced by the success of this and Tyler Perry's wildly successful Madea Films.

JUSTIN BIEBER'S "NEVER SAY NEVER" LANDS ON TOP OF BOX OFFICE FRIDAY NIGHT

Justin Bieber in Toronto - February 2011

Congratulations to Justin Bieber who last night topped the Box Office with over $12.5 million in Ticket Sales from his Motion Picture debut, Never Say Never 3-D.  Although impressive, industry insiders are predicting that by Sunday, the Film will slip to second with Adam Sandler/Jennifer Aniston's Just Go With It expected to take top spot.  The Sandler Romantic-Comedy placed second last night with $9.7 million earned.

I would have to go against what these insiders are predicting.  Sunday traditionally is a day which Families come out in hoards to the theatres and I wouldn't be surprised if Bieber actually takes it all this weekend.  We'll see tomorrow....

Bieber's Film directed by Jon Chu, has actually received pretty strong reviews with Rotten Tomatoes listing it at 63% on the Tomatometer.  Just Go With It unanimously has received negative reviews, a much lower 18%.

For my coverage of the Toronto premiere of Never Say Never, click here.

UPDATE:  It was a close finish this weekend as Just Go With It just edged out Never Say Never by a hair.  The former brought in $31 million while the latter earned $30.2 million.  One can't say that Bieber didn't try hard, running an incentive on Twitter which awarded some lucky Fans a date with him should they order tickets through MovieTickets.com.

Elton John-produced Animated Feature Gnomeo & Juliet placed a respectable third for Summit Entertainment with $25.5 million.  The Eagle starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell, placed a distant fourth with $8.6 million - perhaps not the best weekend to open.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

JUSTIN BIEBER'S BODYGUARD KENNETH HAMILTON ARRESTED

Justin Bieber with Bodyguard Kenneth Hamilton

Look who got arrested! Kenneth Hamilton, Bodyguard to Canada's pride and joy Justin Bieber, was just arrested in New York City on assault charges. An incident took place at the London Hotel last November when Bieber was there for a Meet & Greet at Barnes & Noble Book Store.

Hamilton had shoved a Paparazzi, Jason Nicholas, causing minor injury apparently. Nicholas claims he was at the Hotel trying to photograph another Celebrity, when Bieber had shown up. Trying to seize the opportunity, he attempted to snap a picture of Bieber.

JUSTIN BIEBER IN TORONTO FOR PREMIERE OF "NEVER SAY NEVER"

Justin Bieber in Toronto - February 2011

Although Toronto was safe from the impending Blizzard today, another Supernatural force swept through the City. Justin Bieber.

Arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport just before 11:00 PM last night, the 16 year-old Teen Sensation retired to his Hotel Room, watching a bit of David Letterman with his little Sister Jazmyn by his side, before calling it a night. Bieber is in-town promoting his Big Screen debut, a 3-D Documentary titled Never Say Never, directed by Jon Chu. The Film follows him around in his world travels and promises lots of Celebrity Cameos.

With Fans camped out overnight in front of Royal York Hotel, many received a wonderful surprise after being summoned into his Media Only-Press Conference this afternoon by his Handlers. Answering seemingly mundane questions which oddly are fascinating considering his level of Fame, Bieber revealed lots of Fun Facts. For example, he confessed how much he misses Tim Horton's Iced Cappuccinos and how simply he cannot travel without those chewy Cinnamon-flavoured Confectioneries: Big Foots. He adores Ketchup Chips and is adamant in his distaste for Sour Patch Kids. I agree. Gross.

At one point in the Press Conference, he interrupted one Journalist posing a legitimate question, favouring a Fan question. "Will you marry me?", one lovestruck Fan asked. Kids.

JUSTIN BIEBER IN TORONTO FOR PREMIERE OF "NEVER SAY NEVER"

Official Poster for Never Say Never

Rule #1 in remaining a Mega-star: remember where you came from.  Well, actually considering  he is from Stratford, I guess Toronto is close enough!  It is almost confirmed that Justin Bieber's forthcoming 3-D Film Never Say Never, which follows him around behind-the-scenes on Tour, will be getting an official Toronto Premiere.

Although details are still under wraps, both Bieber and Director Jon M. Chu will be in attendance at the Advanced Screening slated for Tuesday, February 1, 2011, following an appearance on MuchMusic's newly-launched New.Music.Live at 5:00 PM EST.  Based on history, Scotiabank Theatre would be a likely candidate to host the Premiere seeing how close it is to the MuchMusic Headquarters.

I'll provide more updates as soon as they come.  But get ready - it will be Fandemonium. Baby-baby-baby, yeah!

UPDATE: Check out these Pics & Video I got from the Never Say Never Toronto Premiere here!