Box Office: Pixar’s Brave Shoots Down Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Jialin Liu - Beautiful Chinese Model

by Kate Stanhope

Brave

Pixar's first female heroine kicked some serious butt at the weekend box office, beating out new releases Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Seeking a Friends for the End of the World.

Brave, featuring the voices of Kelly McDonald and Emma Thompson, grossed an estimated $ 66.7 million to take the top spot, Box Office Mojo reports.

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After two weeks at No. 1, Madagascar 3 fell to second place, taking in $ 20.2 million. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, based on the popular book of the same name, debuted at No. 3 with $ 16.5 million.

At No. 4, Prometheus snatched $ 10 million. Completing the top 5, Rock of Ages grabbed $ 8 million. Snow White and the Huntsman and That's My Boy ranked sixth and seventh, drawing $ 8 million and $ 7.9 million, respectively.

Rounding out the top 10: The Avengers (No. 8, $ 7 million), Men in Black 3 (No. 9, $ 5.6 million) and Steve Carell's latest, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (No. 10, $ 3.8 million).

Age 30 marks new start for Lang Lang

Having justed celebrated his 30th birthday with a spectacular piano concert in Berlin, Chinese pianist Lang Lang said he is now at a brand-new start.

In future, he would assume more social obligations and responsibilities, the one-time child prodigy pianist, said in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua.

He would continue to keep his promise of promoting world peace and harmony with music, he said after the concert in the O2 World Stadium, where he was joined by U.S. Jazz legend Hebrie Hancock and some 50 children pianists between 7 to 14 years old from all around the world.

Lang Lang said he would also work to train and mentor future music talents, which will make his life more meaningful.

Rocketing to world fame when he won the first place in an international youth piano contest in Berlin at the age of 11, Lang Lang said he chose to celebrate his birthday here not only because of the special memory but also for the popularity of classical music in the city.

He hoped "to influence the young generation with classical music and provide a chance for children to realize their music dream," he said.

Talking of the children playing at the concert, Lang Lang said, "The children are full of passion, energy and creativity. Quite often I do get some inspiration from them."

"Music makes life better. It heals, inspires and unites people and makes all of us better. I believe in the power of music to me and I wish that every child gains access to music," Lang Lang said.

Looking ahead into his life beyond 30, he said besides striving for greater achievements in piano playing, he wanted to do something more creative and meaningful for the society, such as opening a piano school of his own, holding more international activities for public benefit, finding and fostering more piano talents.

Launching the Lang Lang international music foundation is one of his goals.

"I got unselfish and generous support from so many people when I was still a kid, and now it's time for me to do something in return for the society," said the Chinese pianist.

"Through the foundation, hopefully I can influence more young people by bringing classical music into their lives and enriching their lives," he said.

Asked about his key to success, Lang Lang said you have to keep the passion towards music and dedicate yourself to the cause.