“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” the eighth and final film based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved book series, took in $168.6 million domestically from Friday to Sunday. That beats the previous best opening weekend of $158.4 million, also held by Warner Bros. for 2008′s Batman blockbuster “The Dark Knight,” according to the Associated Press.

Overseas, the Harry Potter finale added $307 million in 59 countries since it began rolling out Wednesday, topping the previous best international debut of $260.4 million set in May by Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.”

Worldwide, “Deathly Hallows: Part 2″ topped $475 million in a matter of days, putting it on course to become the franchise’s first billion-dollar worldwide hit, according to the AP.

As anticipated, the last adventure for The Boy Who Lived is shaping up to become the biggest at the box office. The current franchise h

Read the rest of article…

Rapper Jeffrey Atkins, also known as Ja Rule, was sentenced Monday to 28 months in prison for failing to file tax returns with the IRS after admitting that he did not file his taxes for five years, the Justice Department said in a news release Monday.

The 35-year-old performer from Saddle River, New Jersey, had pleaded guilty to three of five counts before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patty Shwartz, who imposed the sentence in Newark federal court.

From 2004 through 2008, Atkins received royalties from ASJA Inc. and performance income from Rule Tours Inc., but failed to file returns that would have mandated he pay the government $1,137,912, the release said. Read the rest of article…

LOS ANGELES Harry Potter has cast his biggest spell yet with a recordbreaking first day at the box office for his final film.

Distributor Warner Bros. reports that “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2″ summoned up $92.1 million domestically on opening day Friday.

That’s nearly $20 million more than the previous recordholder, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” which took in $72.7 million in its first day two years ago.

The first 3D film in the series, “Deathly Hallows: Part 2″ benefited from the higher price theaters charge for 3D tickets, which cost a few dollars more than 2D.

In a single day, “Deathly Hallows: Part 2″ took in more money than four of the previous seven “Harry Potter” films did over their entire opening weekends.

The finale of the “Harry Potter” saga also set a record for midnight screenings with $43.5 million. Read the rest of article…

Preview: ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2′ x “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2″ broke a domestic box office record for a midnight opening Thursday, hauling in $43.5 million, Warner Bros. Pictures said Friday.

The film also set a midnight opening record for IMAX theaters: $2 million gross, president Dan Fellman of Warner Bros. Pictures Domestic Distribution said in a statement. The film opened on a record number of IMAX screens, the studio said.

The movie also set records for overseas releases and garnered $43.6 million in 26 countries on Wednesday, the first day, and a total of $82.5 million by Thursday, a Warner Bros. Read the rest of article…

Actor Ronny Cox, known for his roles in the movies “Deliverance,” “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Bound for Glory,” has forged a second career as a folk musician. He will perform today at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Okemah.

Read the rest of article…