At the box office

The top 10 films at North American cinemas 1 (1) US$24.3M Gladiator. Beefy Russell Crowe shines in director Ridley Scott's classy sword and sandals epic.

2 (*) US$12.3M Battlefield Earth. Big-budget sci-fi starring John Travolta as the nasty alien who has taken over Earth.

3 (2) US$5.8M U-571. High drama under high seas during World War II as US navy submarine crew steals a U-boat.

4 (*) US$4.8M Centre Stage. The ups and downs of life of a dancer.

4 (4) US$4.8M The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas. None of the original cast, but lots of bedlam in Bedrock.

4 (3) US$4.8M Frequency. Spooky goings-on as man talks to dead dad via ham radio.