Avatar regains top spot in UK box office

James Cameron's blockbuster Avatar has climbed back to the top of the UK box office charts.

The sci-fi film, which was knocked off the top spot by Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel which took £5.9 million, bringing its UK box office total to £32.8 million.

Sherlock Holmes, Guy Ritchie's new film, moved up one place to claim the second position, netting £3.4 million.

Available to rent on the movies4africa website from April 10.

82nd Annual Academy Awards: Oscar Winners

This morning the speculation and debate came to an end when the 82nd Academy Awards sorted through the nominees and picked their winners. 

Below, the complete list of the 2010 winners. The Hurt Locker took the most Oscars coming away with a stunning six nominations in all. See all the results below:


BEST PICTURE: The Hurt Locker
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE: Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE: Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side

ACRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Mo'Nique - Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM: Up
ART DIRECTION: Avatar
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Avatar
COSTUME DESIGN: The Young Victoria
DIRECTING: The Hurt Locker
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: The Cove
DOCYMENTARY SHORT: Music by Prudence
FILM EDITING: The Hurt Locker
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos)
MAKEUP: Start Trek
MUSIC (Original Score): Up
MUSIC (Original Song): Crazy Heart
SHORT FILM (Animated): Logorama
SHORT FILM (Live Action): The New Tenants
SOUND EDITING: The Hurt Locker
SOUND MIXING: The Hurt Locker
VISUAL EFFECTS: Avatar
WRITING (Adapted Screenplay): Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire
WRITING: (Original Screenplay): The Hurt Locker

Bridget Jones heading to TV?

Bosses at American network NBC are reportedly in talks to bring Renee Zellweger's Bridget Jones character to TV in a new weekly show.

Rumours of a third installment in the movie series have been rife over the last few months - Zellweger has shrugged off the gossip insisting she knows nothing about a planned sequel, while her onscreen love interest Colin Firth has spoken out in favour of a follow-up.

And speculation about the future of the franchise has now turned to TV, following a deal between bosses at Working Title, the studio behind Bridget Jones, and U.S. network NBC.

President of NBC Universal International, Pete Smith, has said executives are working on a "reservoir" of content but refused to discuss specifics as film rights are still under discussion, but a Bridget Jones adaptation is said to be a top priority, according to the New York Post. ~ LoveFilm

Chinese author in Avatar copyright lawsuit bid

A Chinese writer is persevering with his threats to sue James Cameron over allegations the director based his blockbuster Avatar on a 1997 novel, even though officials at two courts have refused to submit the breach of copyright case.

Zhou Shaomou claims the plotlines in the sci-fi epic were lifted from his book, Tale Of The Blue Crows, which was published online.

He tells China Daily, "Eighty per cent of the plot and the key elements of Avatar are similar to my 1997 science fiction novel Tale Of The Blue Crows."

Shaomou has failed so far in his attempts to file a lawsuit in China, but the writer is persevering with his legal bid, and is seeking £96.9 million.

He adds, "I realise that no one knows me in China but I insist on fighting for my copyright. Over 10 million people have read my book over the internet.

We've just been informed, the official Rental Release for Avatar is expected on the 22nd April 2010.