Vampires take biggest bite of the box office

Los Angeles – Golden Globe-winning films saw significant boosts at the weekend box office, but the vampire flick “Underworld: Evolution” was the top earner, debuting with $27.6 million in ticket sales.

The blood-drenched thriller, starring Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman, edged out last weekend’s winning family fare, according to studio estimates released Sunday.

“Hoodwinked,” the animated update of the Little Red Riding Hood story, fell to second place with $11 million in ticket sales, while inspirational films “Glory Road” and “Last Holiday” ranked third and fourth, taking in $9.1 million each.

Last week’s Golden Globe Awards provided a big box office bump for its winning films, most notably “Brokeback Mountain,” which ranked fifth in weekend ticket sales. The film, which follows the 20-year forbidden romance between two rugged ranch hands, won four Golden Globes, including best motion picture in the drama category and best director. It earned $7.8 million, up 35 percent over the previous weekend.

The Johnny Cash biopic “Walk the Line,” saw its earnings jump 77 percent after Golden Globe wins for stars Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. The film also won the trophy for best motion picture in the musical or comedy category.

“Capote,” which earned Golden Globe acting honors for its star Philip Seymour Hoffman, and “Transamerica,” which won an acting award for star Felicity Huffman, also saw weekend box office boosts.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday:

1. “Underworld: Evolution,” Sony, $27.6 million.

2. “Hoodwinked,” Weinstein Co., $11 million.

3. “Glory Road,” Disney, $9.1 million.

4. “Last Holiday,” Paramount, $9.1 million.

5. “Brokeback Mountain,” Focus, $7.8 million.

6. “Fun With Dick and Jane,” Sony, $6.1 million.

7. “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” Disney, $6 million.

8. “Hostel,” Lions Gate, $4.3 million.

9. “The New World,” New Line, $4.2 million.

10. “End of the Spear,” Rocky Mountain, $4.2 million.

He’s game to host again

Pasadena, Calif. – Comic Howie Mandel’s first reaction when offered the chance to be host of a game show was to wonder whether it would be death for his career.

“If I’m a game show host, will someone buy a ticket to see me do standup?” he wondered. “If I’m a game show host, will I get an offer to do a dramatic role in a movie?”

His worries so far have proven unfounded, so Mandel was happily promoting NBC’s “Deal or No Deal” on Sunday. The show, on which contestants can win a million dollars but also leave with one dollar if they make a bad bet, will return to NBC’s schedule in March.

“Deal or No Deal” did well in the ratings during a one-week run in December, although rivals said it faced little competition against reruns shortly before Christmas.

Moss to talk to police

London – Supermodel Kate Moss will speak to British police investigating allegations of cocaine use – but no timetable has been set for her interview by officers, her spokesman said.

Moss, 31, lost valuable contracts with H&M, Burberry and Chanel after the Daily Mirror tabloid in September published pictures of her apparently using cocaine in a west London music studio where her then-boyfriend, rock musician Pete Doherty, was recording.

The model’s spokesman, Stuart Higgins, said Saturday that discussions have been held between police and the model’s lawyers over the past two weeks.

“Kate has made it absolutely clear all along that she will cooperate with any police investigation when the necessary arrangements can be made,” he said.

Since the newspaper revelations, Moss has been outside Britain, visiting a rehab clinic in Arizona and working on international assignments.

Abramoff vs. Clooney

Palm Springs, Calif.- The father of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff says George Clooney’s off-color joke about his son’s name during the Golden Globe Awards made the lobbyist’s 12-year-old daughter cry.

In a letter to Clooney posted on the Web site of The Desert Sun newspaper in Palm Springs, Frank Abramoff said he was astonished by the actor’s “glib and ridiculous attack” during Monday’s televised program.

Clooney took a jab at Abramoff after accepting a supporting actor trophy for the thriller “Syriana.”

“Your words were deeply hurtful to many innocent and decent people,” Abramoff wrote. “One day the truth about my son will come out and there will be a lot of people in your industry and others lined up to apologize for their efforts to destroy him and our family.”

He said the lobbyist’s daughter, who was watching the show, was in “a fit of tears” after hearing Clooney’s remarks. “Are you proud of that?” Abramoff wrote. “Shame on you.”

Clooney’s father, Nick Clooney, told the newspaper: “I understand what it is like to have one’s son criticized in a very public way. It’s very painful and it’s very difficult.”

He added, “The difference here, and it must be said, is Mr. Abramoff’s son, instead of pursuing some positive efforts to do what he hoped would change the climate of the American politics, has confessed and has been convicted by that confession of subverting the political process.”

The lobbyist has pleaded guilty to three felony counts, acknowledging he provided lavish trips, golf outings, meals and more to public officials “in exchange for a series of official acts.”