LIAM NEESON TAKES TOP OF BOX OFFICE WITH THIRD MOVIE IN-A-ROW

Still from The Grey

Liam Neeson finds himself atop the North American Box Office yet again, proving that older Men too can draw a crowd at the theatres. In fact, five of his last nine films to be released since 2010 have all debuted in the Top Two including his last three, The Chronicles of Naria: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Unknown and now this $25-million Action-Thriller The Grey earning $20 million from 3,185 theatres in its debut.

Underworld: Awakening which topped the Box Office last weekend, slips to second spot this weekend with $12.5 million, aheead of One for the Money, an Adaptation of the Janet Evanovich novel, opening in third with $11.8 million for Lionsgate Films from 2,737 theatres. Starring Katherine Heigl, the Action-Comedy was made for $42 million and fared well among older Women. Ticket sales also were driven by a partnership with Groupon in the U.S., offering tickets for just $6 and $12 for a pair of tickets, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Last week's runner-up Red Tails slips to third with $10.4 million.

Man on a Ledge from Summit Entertainment (recently acquired by Lionsgate Films in the U.S.), debuts in fifth spot with $8.3 million. The Action-Thriller starring Sam Worthington, edges-out Best Picture nominees Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close in sixth spot earning $7 million and also The Descendants in seventh with $5.7 million; both received a boost with Oscar nominations being announced last week.

"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.

CUBA GOODING JR. IN TORONTO FOR "RED TAILS"

Cuba Gooding Jr. in Toronto - January 2012

It's been a long road back to the top for Cuba Gooding Jr. The Academy Award Winner made a visit to one of his self-professed favourite cities today - Toronto - to promote his latest effort, Red Tails. The George Lucas (Lucasfilm) Production he reveals, was filmed in 2009 and finally just released as admittedly it was a hard-sell to Hollywood studios. With a bit of persistence though, 20th Century Fox took a risk on Red Tails' and now the World War II Drama is poised in-contention with Underworld: Awakening 3-D to take the top of the Box Office this weekend.

Gooding tells an intimate crowd at the Rosewater Supper Club following a Screening hosted by his Friend and former NHL Player Anson Carter this evening, "I think it's a testament to Geroge Lucas' passion to tell the story the right way. I'm sure you've heard the stories of how he put-up his own money, but he is truly passionate about telling this story.".  In celebratory spirits, he goes on to say "I'm just saying there's a movement through America and I feel through Canada to show people that these films of this type can be any colour... but as long as it's done with quality, people will come.".

Cuba Gooding Jr. & Mr. Will-W.

Red Tails admittedly wasn't a Film on my Radar at first, but even I was thoroughly drawn-in within its first 20 minutes. The Anthony Hemingway Film centers on a group of African-American Soldiers in the Tuskegee Program, the unsung Heroes of World War II. Seldom have these Men been acknowledged for their courageous work in the skies, helping America and their Allies achieve victory over their enemies.  A genuine sense of Brotherhood can be felt from the fantastic performances by the Ensemble including Gooding, Terrence Howard, David Oyelowo, Nate Parker, Elijah Kelley and even Singer Ne-Yo. But above this, one cannot help but be seduced by the gutt-wrenching aerial battles orchestrated by the Master himself, Lucas.  This might not be the type of Movie that Critics clamour to review, but audiences will connect.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Gooding on a couple occasions tonight, seeing him spend time generously with Fans on the Red Carpet and greeting Supporters at his After Party.  The Ladies in particular love him and he sure has a way of charming them as they queued one-by-one to meet him, some even came back for seconds. He jokes to me, "If you liked Red Tails, wait till you see Part II!".  Of course, he was kidding and kidding he did a lot of, owning the Microphone as MC at one point (see below) and even taking a tray of Burger Sliders to serve the Bartenders.  Asking him to repeat the pose, Gooding declines kindly, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!".

Red Tails is now in theatres via 20th Century Fox Canada.

See more Photos from tonight's Festivities:

ENTER TO WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF "RED TAILS" IN TORONTO

Official Artwork for Red Tails

20th Century Fox Canada & Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven want to take five lucky Readers and their Guests to see a Toronto Advance Screening of Red Tails!

Inspired by true events, Executive Producer George Lucas brings to life the stirring tale of the courageous black Pilots of the Tuskegee Program, unsung heroes who were our America's last hope against a seemingly unbeatable enemy. Directed by Anthony Hemingway, Red Tails stars Academy Award-winner Cuba Gooding Jr., Academy Award-nominated Terrence Howard, Nate Parker, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelly and more.

Red Tails opens in theatres January 20, 2012.

Watch its Trailer in full below: