Clooney and Bullock's Gravity rockets to top of film chart

Space film Gravity, starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, has shot straight to the top of the US box office in its opening weekend. According to early estimates, the movie took $55.55m (£34.62m) over the weekend, making it the biggest October opening since records began. The figure also ensured it was the biggest opening for a film starring Bullock or Clooney. The film, set almost entirely in space, is directed by Alfonso Cuaron. Clooney and Bullock play an astronaut and a medical engineer who work together to survive after an accident leaves them adrift in space. Last week's number one, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, dropped into second slot with $21.5m (£13.4m). Based on a children's book, the first film - Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs - was a breakout hit for Sony Animation in 2009.