LOS ANGELES (AP) — The sci-fi fantasy "Alita: Battle Angel" topped the charts and beat out a number of newcomers including the meta romantic comedy "Isn't It Romantic" and the horror sequel "Happy Death Day 2U" in its first weekend in theaters, but it is a victory with a few caveats. It's leading the slowest Presidents Day weekend at the box office in almost 20 years and has a ways to go to make up its costly budget.

NEW YORK (AP) — Barbra Streisand says sexism cost her multiple Oscar nominations over the years.

Variety reports Streisand told director Robert Rodriguez during an interview Saturday at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York that "there were a lot of older people" who didn't want to see a woman director. She tells Rodriguez that even some female critics targeted her because of her gender.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Herschell Gordon Lewis, the horror filmmaker known as the "godfather of gore," died Monday at 87.

The director of such films as "Blood Feast" and "Two Thousand Maniacs" died in his sleep at his home in Pompano Beach, Florida, his spokesman James Saito said.

Lewis pioneered the horror genre in the 1960s known as the "splatter film," which intentionally focused on gore and gruesomeness.

His low-cost, envelope-pushing films unabashedly featured blood, violence and nudity.

NEW YORK (AP) — Celebrities from music, film, fashion, sport and academia — including Samuel L. Jackson, Kenneth Cole, Jason Collins, America Ferrera, Salma Hayek, Quincy Jones, and Emilio and Gloria Estefan — have signed up to co-chair a two-day convention to celebrate diversity and unity.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper are starring in a remake of "A Star is Born."

Warner Bros announced Tuesday that the film will mark the singer-actress' first leading role in a movie and the directorial debut of the "American Sniper" actor-producer. Gaga will compose and perform new songs for the musical drama.