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SA director tops US box office

Los Angeles – Battle: Los Angeles emerged victorious at the box office this weekend with an impressive $36m projected take across North America, preliminary industry figures showed on Sunday. The movie is directed by South African filmmaker Jonathan Liebesman.

The film about a Marine unit's fight against invading aliens generated strong interest among men, as well as with a sizable minority audience thanks to its multi-ethnic cast, which includes Latina actress Michelle Rodriguez and African-American R&B singer Ne-Yo.

Knocked from the top perch to second place was Paramount's eccentric cartoon Rango an animated tale starring Johnny Depp as a chameleon who becomes sheriff to clean up the town of Dirt, which had $23m in ticket sales.

Twilight

Third place went to the debut of Red Riding Hood, a gothic retelling of the classic fairy tale, starring Amanda Seyfried as a strong-willed teenager in a love triangle.

The film, which earned $14.1m, meant to appeal to the teen girl audience, is the first from director Catherine Hardwicke since her 2008 megahit Twilight.

In fourth place was The Adjustment Bureau with $11.5m in takings.

Disney's Mars Needs Moms! debuted in fifth place this weekend with $6.8m in estimated sales.

Rounding out the top 10 were Hall Pass, Beastly, Just Go With It, Oscar-winner The King's Speech, and Gnomeo and Juliet - each earning between $5m and $3.5m at the box office.

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