Hangover: Part II has biggest comedy movie debut ever

After a shaky start this year, the US box office has exploded with a series of summer blockbusters - not least Warner Bros. Hangover: Part II which has grossed about $118m in four days. It is the first time an R-rating comedy has topped the Memorial Day box office. The weekend's other big release - Kung Fu Panda 2 - also did well. The family-friendly sequel will clock up about $70m by Monday.

Peter Bowes reporting from California

Oscar voting to go electronic

Reports suggest that a new, electronic voting system could be introduced for the Oscars as early as this year. It would replace the postal ballot. It could result in the awards ceremony being held much earlier in the year (but not until 2013) - which would be very welcome news. Speeding up the process has the potential to make the Oscars more relevant. If the Academy Awards were to leap frog all the other awards shows, it would be even better. That way the winners might be genuine surprises and the Oscars would be an 'event' as opposed to an after-thought.

Next year's Oscars ceremony takes place on 26 February

Governor Schwarzenegger puts Hollywood on hold

Schwarzenegger won't be making that Hollywood comeback after all. Least for now. But note, once a Governor, always a Governor.

"Governor Schwarzenegger is focusing on personal matters and is not willing to commit to any production schedules or timelines. "This includes Cry Macho, the Terminator franchise and other projects under consideration. "We will resume discussions when Governor Schwarzenegger decides."

A gross-out night at the theater

Heading to an advance screening of The Hangover Part II tonight in Century City, the home of 20th Century Fox.  Perfectly scheduled to go into box office competition with Bridesmaids (well, a couple of week later) director Todd Phillips' follow-up to his 2009 blockbuster hit The Hangover, has a lot to live up to. The original film became the highest-grossing R-rated comedy of all time. In a mediocre year at cinemas - and with heavy news swirling all around us - I sense audiences are in the mood for a no holds barred, forget-your-troubles,  gross-out fest.  Instead of a stag night in Las Vegas the action moves to Bangkok - and what ever happens there, certainly won't stay there.  I'll let you know, if I dare...

 

New Facebook Page

I've just launched a new Facebook to catalogue my professional exploits - I'll love you to take a look and better still 'like' it! Apparently when I get to 25 'likes' I can give the site a unique and more appropriate name - like Peter Bowes reporting from California
That's the plan, anyway.