"THE EXPENDABLES 2" OPENS STRONG ON ACTION-PACKED WEEKEND AT BOX OFFICE

Still from The Expendables 2

It was no match for The Expendables 2 at the Box Office this weekend as the Sequel with an all-star Cast debuts at number one for Lionsgate/Alliance Films with $28.7 million, from 3,316 theatres across North America. Audiences and Critics also are responding well with the Film receiving many positive reviews, tallying a 66% on Rotten Tomatoes. This result falls just-shy of the previous Film in the Series, earning $35 million back in 2010 in its opening.

Slipping to second this weekend is Universal Pictures' The Bourne Legacy with $16.8 million, for a two-week total of $69.4 million.

Sony Pictures' Musical Sparkle opens at number three this weekend, with the distinction of being Whitney Houston's last Film ever. It opens with $14 million, already recouping its production costs back. Reviews also have been fairly decent despite perceptions, rating a 55% on Rotten Tomatoes. There is much praise for Mike Epps' performance in the Film.

ParaNorman, from the same Creators as Coraline, debuts in fourth spot with $14 million from 3,429 theatres, with the misfortune of opening on a crowded weekend of new releases. Like Coraline, it has also has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, rating 87% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green which opened mid-week for Disney also had a decent opening in seventh, earning $10.9 million from 2,598 theatres. Its five-day total is $14.9 million.

Hope Springs is proof that there indeed is a market for mature audiences, slipping to eighth spot in its second week with a respectable $8.7 million, a two-week tally of $34.6 million. I did actually see the Rom-Com starring Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep and can vouch that it is entertaining, with strong performances all around.

Total Recall rounds out the Top Ten with $3.5 million in its third week, which surprisingly almost is being out-performed by Hope Springs - also from Sony Pictures - costing about an eighth ($30 million) of what it cost to make Total Recall ($250 million).

On a side note, Toronto-filmed Cosmopolis also has a strong bow in a U.S. limited release. The David Cronenberg Film starring Robert Pattinson earns $97k from three theatres, an average of $24.1k per theatre.

NEW STILL FROM "SPARKLE": MUSICAL OUT AUGUST 2012

Still from Sparkle

After several delays, it looks like Sparkle finally will see a release August 10, 2012 via Sony Pictures. Fans of 2006's Dreamgirls will be excited as the Musical also is based loosely on the story of The Supremes and also a 1976 Film of the same name.

Directed by Sam Akil and scored by Curtis Mayfield with new Music by R. Kelly, Sparkle centers around three sisters and the trials and tribulations of Fame. Houston not only stars in this her first role in 15 years, but also serves as Executive Producer in the Detroit-filmed production. Aaliyah originally was to play the role of Sparkle, now played by American Idol Winner, Jordin Sparks.  "We had our Sparkle, but God wanted her more. We just put it down.", says Houston. "Jordin Sparks just came up and we were like, okay.  And everything just started to come into play.".  Houston credits her Daughter Bobbi Kristina for preparing her well for the role of the Mother (Emma) in the Film.

See Houston's Interview with EXTRA back in November: