Slumdog beats Cruise in UK chart

Slumdog's hero faces a stern TV quiz show test

Oscar tip Slumdog Millionaire has beaten Tom Cruise movie Valkyrie to remain at number one in the UK and Ireland box office chart.

The British film, nominated for 10 Academy Awards, galvanised its command of the box office with takings of �2.8m, an increase on last weekend.

Fantasy flick Underworld: Rise of The Lycans opened at five, with Oscar hopeful Frost/Nixon new at nine.

With a limited release, best picture nominee Milk made its debut at 14.

The Wrestler, which stars Oscar-nominated actor Mickey Rourke, slid outside the top 10, while The Reader, which has earned Kate Winslet a best actress nod, is at number 15 after four weeks of release.

UK BOX OFFICE TOP FIVE 1 Slumdog Millionaire - �2.8m 2 Valkyrie - �1.8m 3 My Bloody Valentine 3D - �1.1m 4 Seven Pounds - �1m 5 Underworld: Rise of The Lycans - �990,285 Source: Screen International

Will Smith film Seven Pounds, comedy caper Role Models and Bride Wars also fell in the chart.

The film about brides-to-be in conflict stars Anne Hathaway, who has scooped an Oscar nomination for her weightier role in Rachel Getting Married.

Slumdog Millionaire continued to build up momentum for the Oscars with further award wins in the US earlier this week.

It won the ensemble cast prize at the Screen Actors Guild awards, and picked up the chief award from the Producers Guild of America.

Last year's PGA winner, No Country For Old Men, went on to win best picture at the Oscars.

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