Movie fans turned out in a big way for the latest in the “Twlight” film series this weekend, which debuted with an estimated $139 million. ”The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1,” the first part of the final and fourth installment of the romantic fantasy, captured the number one spot at the box office and is now the top movie in the country.

In “Breaking Dawn” young lovers, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) marry, but things get complicate really quick when Bella becomes pregnant and the vampire baby she’s carrying threatens her life. The film is based on the final book of the blockbuster series by Stephenie Meyers. Melissa Rosenberg, who wrote the screenplay for the previous films, is the writer of this script as well.

Another new flick the animated sequel, “Happy Feet Two,” danced into second with an okay $22 million debut. In third the fantasy drama, “Immortals,” with around $12.2 million, followed closely by the Adam Sandler comedy, “Jack and Jill,” with $12 million. Rounding out the top five, the animated feature, “Puss in Boots,” earned about $10  million.

“The Help” got a boost to number one at the domestic box office with a weekend estimate of $20 million. The comedy-drama is about a young southern white woman and her relationship with the black “help” during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Emma Stone, Viola Davis, and Octavia Spencer star.

“The Help” is based on the 2009 bestselling novel of the same title by Kathryn Stockett. The film’s budget, $25 million. In two weeks, it has made around $71 million and is getting some Oscar buzz as well.

After two weeks at number one, “Rise of the Apes,” fell to number two with around $16.3 million. Followed in third place, by the fourth installment of the “Spy Kids” movie series, which generated about $12 million. “Spy Kids: All the Time in the World” stars Jessica Alba and Joel McHale.

The attempted reboot of  “Conan the Barbarian” fell flat, coming in fourth with an estimate $10 million. This new telling of the mythical warrior Conan’s revenge story features Jason Momoa in the starring role. In two earlier film versions, “Conan the Barbarian” (1982) and “Conan the Destroyer” (1984) a rising action star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, played the lead character.

Rounding out the top five, the aninmated family film, “The Smurfs” with somewhere around $8 million. Final box office numbers out tomorrow.

The long-awaited film featuring the patriotic superhero, Captain America, finally hit movie screens today. “Captain America: The First Avenger” reportedly earned around $4 million at midnight screenings — besting “Green Lantern” and “Thor” for those early shows.

“Captain America,” which stars Chris Evans as the Marvel-comic- book inspired shield -wheeling hero, could be on track to make $60 million this weekend. Question is does the red, white, and blue crusader have enough power to boot the kid wizard, Harry Potter, from the number one spot? Ticket buying movie fans will make the call. More box office results later.

A magical opening weekend for the final installment in the Harry Potter movie series. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2″ has broken all kind of records since opening to huge audiences at midnight screenings last Thursday.  Yesterday, its  estimated weekend take at the domestic box office was a gigantic $168. 5 million. The actual numbers were released today — and the Harry Potter finale did even better than expected — it pulled in $169.1 million for  a new all time weekend record.

Here are the top five grossing weekend movie openings

1. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2″  —– $169.1 million

2. “The Dark Knight” —– $158.4 million

3. “Spider-Man 3″ —– $151 million

4.”The Twilight Saga: New Moon” —– $142.8 million

5. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” —– $135 million

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2″ shattered the record for midnight shows with $43.5 million and for the biggest opening day — with $92.1 million last Friday.  Talking about ending on a high note.

Harry Potter easily captured the crown for the number one film in the country from the sci-fi action hit “Transformers 3″ — which was a distant second with $21.3 million. Rounding out the top five at the box office, the adult comedy, “Horrible Bosses” $17.7 million,  the family comedy “Zookeeper” $12.3 million, and the animated sequel “Cars 2″ $8.4 million.

Movie audiences are really wild about Harry — as in Harry Potter and the finale of the popular novel-based movie series. Tons of Potter fans stayed up late last night  — to catch the first showings of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2.”  In fact, the eighth installment of the series reportedly earned $43.5 million at the domestic box office during those midnight screenings. That blows away the previous record  of $30 million set by “Twilight Saga: Eclipse” back in June 2010.

Internationally, this Harry Potter flick is cleaning up at theaters as well.  Deadline.com has an extensive report on those numbers.

The end is near for the zillions of Harry Potter movie fans. The eighth and final installment in the Potter film series opens tomorrow at midnight. All ready, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2″ is breaking records for movie screens and ticket sales.  Nikki Finke has the scoop over on deadline.com

Jaycee Dugard’s book sells 175,000 copies 1st day

The 18-year kidnap ordeal of Jaycee Dugard has really grabbed public interest. Dugard’s interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer last Sunday brought in huge ratings  last Sunday. Nearly 15 million viewers reportedly watched the two- hour special. Yesterday, her memior detailing her years held captive in a tent by convicted sex offender, Phillip Craig Garrido and his wife, Nancy, debuted.  “A Stolen Life” sold 175,000 copies on Tuesday, according to Galleycat.  More here.

Hollywood & Carmageddon

Some folks in Hollywood are making plans to  avoid what may be a real life disaster. The shutdown of  the 405 freeway, between the 10 and 101, this weekend. It has been dubbed Carmageddon. The Wrap has details on what some local entertainment companies are doing.

The sci-fi mega-hit, “Transformers 3,” held on to the title of number one film in the country for a second straight week. Over the weekend, the third installment of the “Transformers” movie series pulled in $47.1 million, according to the final figures released today. That brings the two week total for “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” to around $260 million at the domestic box office.

In second place, a new R-rated comedy, “Horrible Bosses,” with a debut of $28.3 million. The movie revolves around three friends who decide there would be less grief in their lives if they murder their abusive bosses. The cast includes Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston, and Kevin Spacey. 

Another new flick, “Zookeeper,” captured third place. The family-friendly comedy stars Kevin James and did much better than expected by opening with $20 million. The film is about some very bright animals who help a struggling zookeeper with his love life.

The animated flick, “Cars 2″ drove into fourth place with $15.2 million and rounding out the top five, the comedy “Bad Teacher” with $8.9 million.

“Transformers 3″ is packing them at movie theaters. Yesterday, the sci-fi  flick scored $21 million  — bringing its two-day haul to around $60 million. The question now is how close to $200 million will the film get before the fireworks celebrations wrap up on July 4th?

“Thor 2″ on the way

“Thor ” is still playing in theaters, but a sequel is already in the works.  So far, “Thor” has earned close to $178 million at the domestic box office. “Thor 2″ has a release date of July 26, 2013, even though it has yet to land a director.  However, the project does have a screenwriter. More on  Deadline.com

Justin Timberlake and MySpace

Specific Media snatched up MySpace at a bargain basement price of $35 million, earlier this week.  The Orange County company is hoping  singer/actor, Justin Timberlake, will help revive the struggling social network.  Details on The Wrap.

It’s going to be a hot, sizzling July 4th holiday weekend — and I’m not talking about just the weather.  The box office is fired up. The sci-fi action sequel, “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” opened yesterday with  around $37 million –  which means it’s on track to make some serious bucks over the next few days.

The other major  movies opening this weekend are romantic comedies: “Larry Crowne” starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts and  “Monte Carlo”  featuring Selena Gomez.

The final box office numbers for the weekend are out today. The animated sequel, “Cars 2″ leads the pack with a debut of $66 million winning bragging rights as the number one film in the country. In second place, the Cameron Diaz-Justin Timberlake new R-rated comedy, “Bad Teacher,” with $31.6 million, followed by the superhero actioner “Green Lantern” $18 million,  the sci-fi flick “Super 8 ” $12 million, and rounding out the top five, the family comedy ”Mr. Popper’s Penguins” with $10 million.