Ridley Scott's gangster epic hits US top spot

A new movie from Alien and Blade Runner director Ridley Scott has topped the US box office in its first week of release.

American Gangster, starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, took more than $43.5 million (£20.8 million) in receipts over the weekend, according to AC Nielsen.

In second place was another new entry, Bee Movie, an animated comedy written by and starring Jerry Seinfeld.

Horror sequel Saw IV occupied third place, suggesting that post-Halloween audiences are still in the mood for a good scare, while Steve Carrell's Dan in Real Life took fourth place.

The Game Plan, starring The Rock, followed at number five, now having spent six weeks on release, with vampire thriller 30 Days Of Night next and new entry Martian Child at number seven.

George Clooney in Michael Clayton was placed eighth this week, while Why Did I Get Married? and Ben Affleck's directorial debut Gone Baby Gone rounded off the top ten.

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