Natalie Portman tops US box office

Natalie Portman romantic comedy tops US box office

Natalie Portman romantic comedy No Strings Attached has topped the North American box office in its opening weekend.

The film, which also stars Ashton Kutcher in the story of two friends who fall in love despite their "no strings" relationship, took $20.3m (£12.7m).

Last week's number one, comic book adaptation The Green Hornet, slipped one place with $18.1m (£11.3m).

Vince Vaughn comedy The Dilemma was at three taking $9.7m (£6.1m).

No Strings Attached's opening weekend takings exceeded the modest expectations of the Paramount Pictures film, which cost $25m to make (£15.7m).

Paramount said women accounted for 70% of the audience, and cinema-goers aged under 25 gave it the best reviews in exit polls.

"It's a so-called 'chick flick' because of the subject matter, but it had appeal for both men and women with the whole idea of being 'friends with benefits'," Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian said.

"For it to do $20 million is fairly impressive, considering it's rated R and January's not a hotbed of huge grosses, unless you're Avatar," he added.

Colin Firth's royal drama The King's Speech held steady at number four with $9.2m (£5.8m), while western True Grit fell two to five with $8m (£5m).

Portman has a second film in the top ten - ballet thriller Black Swan, which stayed at number six, bringing its total box office haul to $83.6m (£52.4m).

Christian Bale boxing drama The Fighter rose two places to seven, comedy sequel Little Fockers fell to eight, while a film based on cartoon character Yogi Bear was at nine.

Tron: Legacy rounded out the top 10.

News From: www.bbc.co.uk

Natalie Portman likes Ashton Kutcher

Natalie Portman likes Ashton Kutcher's parenting skills

Natalie Portman says she'd take parenting advice from "No Strings Attached" costar Ashton Kutcher.

The newly knocked-up actress told MTV News that Kutcher would come to their movie set with sweet stories about advice he gave his stepdaughters, which showed her that he was a committed parent to Demi Moore's kids.

Did we mention that everyone's all up in Portman's business these days?

Recently engaged to choreographer Benjamin Millepied, she oh-so-ungraciously included mention of their sex life in her Golden Globes acceptance speech.

The once-private starlet is basking in the limelight thanks to critical acclaim for playing a psycho-ballerina in "Black Swan." Honestly, we think awards should go to the actors who take on roles where they have to naturally pack on the pounds, then shed them by award season. Hear that, George Clooney, Jake Gyllenhaal and Matt Damon?

Pounds or no pounds, she's likely getting more awards if "Strings" doesn't ruin her chances, as "Norbit" did for Eddie Murphy. Her laugh has also taken on a life of its own.

"The weird thing is people knowing about something that's so private," she told MTV about her pregnancy. "But I mean, you get used to it. It's just wild to walk down the street and have a complete stranger be like, 'Congratulations!'"
Remember when she captivated fanboy hearts in "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"? Or when she was in "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium"? Or when she shaved off her locks to play Evey in "V for Vendetta"? Well, she's moved on to captivating the hearts of Hollywood heavyweights who are doling out the accolades. They must have missed the digital short when she rapped with ex-boyfriend Andy Samberg.

Are you surprised by how ubiquitous Miss "Black Swan" has been? Sound off below!

News From: latimesblogs.latimes.com