Shrek

LOS ANGELES -- It's a humongous "happily ever after" for "Shrek 2. " The computer-animated fairy tale satire collected an estimated $104.3 million at the weekend box office, the second-biggest tally in history behind 2002's "Spider-Man," which took in $114.8 million. "Shrek 2" also scored the biggest opening ever for an animated film, easily topping "Finding Nemo's" $70.2 million. "Shrek" earned $42.3 million in its first weekend in 2001 -- but went on to collect $267.6 million and win an Oscar.

ON WGBH Greater Boston 7 p.m. WGBH (Channel 2) Travel New England's Bob Weiss on the Boeing 787 stop in Boston to announce Boston to Tokyo service. ON CHRONICLE Food Journal 7:30 p.m. WCVB-TV (Channel 5) An upscale comfort food in South Boston and a craft cocktail bar in Kenmore Square. RADIO HIGHLIGHTS The Emily Rooney Show noon WGBH-FM (89.7) Monday's political periscope with James Aloisi. The Callie Crossley Show 1 p.m. WGBH-FM (89.7) Affirmative Action in higher education.

LOS ANGELES -- Shares of DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. jumped 38 percent on the first day of trading yesterday as investors anticipated Shrek-sized profits from the computer animation film studio. Shares in DreamWorks' initial public offering were priced at $28 at the start of trading but closed at $38.75 on the New York Stock Exchange. Analysts touted the company's short-term profit potential while cautioning about long-term risks, including its aggressive plan to release two animated films a year.

PICK OF THE DAY Frank talk During his long career, US Representative Barney Frank has been nothing if not outspoken. We imagine his impending exit from Washington won't change that. See for yourself at Truth, Lies and Politics, a panel discussion featuring Frank, journalist Robert Kuttner, and Father J. Bryan Hehir. Author Leonard Fein moderates the program exploring the relationship (or lack thereof) between politicians and truth-telling. Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m. $15, $12 students and seniors.

When the names of the stars doing the voices for "Shrek the Third" appear merrily at the end, some cheer is in order. Mike Myers as Shrek , Eddie Murphy as Donkey , Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots : They're good and hammy at what they do. But obviously the real stars are the hundreds of artists and technicians who get this story told with so much visual accuracy and wit. People like Guillaume Aretos , who oversaw the production design; Tim Cheung...

Having no inherent reason to exist, second films must struggle to convince us otherwise. That said, I don't think I've ever seen a movie plunge so far over the cliff before pulling out of its nosedive and soaring into the air (motor spluttering) as "Shrek 2. " The new computer-animated green machine turns out to be a frenetic and very enjoyable 93 minutes at the movies for child and parent alike, but you watch the first half through your fingers. It has taken four writers and three directors -- not all the king's horses and all the king's men, but still -- to craft scenes of the lovable title...

*** PUSS IN BOOTS Directed by: Chris Miller Written by: Brian Lynch, David H. Steinberg, Jon Zack, Tom Wheeler Starring the voices of: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton, Amy Sedaris At: Boston Common, Fenway, suburbs, and Jordan"s Furniture IMAX in Reading and Natick Running time: 90 minutes Rated: PG (adventure action and mild rude humor; hairballs) Just as the 3-D revolution is sailing over the edge of the cliff to overpriced, under-produced ruin, here comes "Puss in Boots.

SHREK FOREVER AFTER ** (HBO on Comcast) The fourth and supposedly final installment of the series brings back all your favorites for another round of medieval adventure filled with twisted pop-culture references. Even in 3-D, the franchise is as tired as its slime-green star (Mike Myers), who ditches fatherhood to regain his ogre mojo for a day. If this really is the final chapter, may the witty Shrek we once loved finally rest in peace. (PG; runs through Nov. 27) JANICE PAGE INCEPTION *** (HBO on Comcast)

Dec. 15 A Classic Irish Christmas at Mechanics Hall in Worcester. www.centerstageticketing.com/sites/mechanicshall Dec. 16 and 17 The Conservatory at Shakespeare & Company's "Cymbaline" in Lenox. www.shakespeare.org "Twelve Dancers Dancing … A Christmas in Cambridge" at the Dance Complex in Cambridge. www.honeyblonderdance.com Dec. 17 Illuminations Tour in Somerville. www.somervilleartscouncil.org Dec. 18 The Boston Pops with Keith Lockhart at Lowell Memorial Auditorium.

ON WGBH Greater Boston 7 p.m. WGBH (Channel 2) Travel New England's Bob Weiss on the Boeing 787 stop in Boston to announce Boston to Tokyo service. ON CHRONICLE Food Journal 7:30 p.m. WCVB-TV (Channel 5) An upscale comfort food in South Boston and a craft cocktail bar in Kenmore Square. RADIO HIGHLIGHTS The Emily Rooney Show noon WGBH-FM (89.7) Monday's political periscope with James Aloisi. The Callie Crossley Show 1 p.m. WGBH-FM (89.7) Affirmative Action in higher education.

Dec. 24 JBall Holiday Party at the Estate Boston. www.tjcboston.com Dec. 31 The Resolution Ball at the Seaport Hotel. www.bostoneventguide.com Jan. 1 "Seafarers' Island Holiday" to Spectacle Island . www.fbhi.org Jan. 3 "Shrek the Musical" (pictured) opens at Providence Performing Arts Center. www.ppacri.org Jan. 5 Andris Nelsons conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra through Jan. 7. www.bso.org Jan. 6 Speak Easy Stage Company's "Red" starts at Calderwood Pavilion.

SHREK FOREVER AFTER ** (HBO on Comcast) The fourth and supposedly final installment of the series brings back all your favorites for another round of medieval adventure filled with twisted pop-culture references. Even in 3-D, the franchise is as tired as its slime-green star (Mike Myers), who ditches fatherhood to regain his ogre mojo for a day. If this really is the final chapter, may the witty Shrek we once loved finally rest in peace. (PG; runs through Nov. 27) JANICE PAGE INCEPTION *** (HBO on Comcast)

The "Shrek" spinoff "Puss in Boots" landed on all fours, opening with an estimated $34 million to lead the box office. The DreamWorks 3-D animated film, distributed by Paramount Pictures, proved the popular character voiced by Antonio Banderas was a big enough draw outside the "Shrek" franchise. The PG-rated "Puss in Boots" scored with family audiences on the weekend before Halloween and also drew a large Hispanic crowd, which made up 35 percent of its audience. Though the box office for the top 12 movies was up 7.8 percent from the corresponding weekend last year,...

*** PUSS IN BOOTS Directed by: Chris Miller Written by: Brian Lynch, David H. Steinberg, Jon Zack, Tom Wheeler Starring the voices of: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton, Amy Sedaris At: Boston Common, Fenway, suburbs, and Jordan"s Furniture IMAX in Reading and Natick Running time: 90 minutes Rated: PG (adventure action and mild rude humor; hairballs) Just as the 3-D revolution is sailing over the edge of the cliff to overpriced, under-produced ruin, here comes "Puss in Boots.

DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. said Tuesday that its net income fell by half in the third quarter as its early summer release, "Kung Fu Panda 2," did not haul in as much at the box office as last year's "Shrek Forever After. " The company also said it had hired former Disney movie distribution head Chuck Viane to give DreamWorks advice on possibly distributing its own films. DreamWorks' deal with Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures expires at the end of 2012 but the two sides haven't agreed to renew it. CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg said Viane will help...

LOS ANGELES — Movie audiences are showing more appetite for Shrek than for sex over Memorial Day weekend. DreamWorks Animation’s sequel “Shrek Forever After’’ remained the No. 1 movie for a second weekend with $43.3 million from Friday to yesterday. The film raised its domestic total to $133.1 million. That easily topped the Warner Bros. sequel “Sex and the City 2,’’ which was No. 2 with a $32.1 million debut that came in far below the $56.8 million opening weekend of its predecessor two years ago....

FOXBOROUGH -- Interesting that Dan Klecko watched the movies "Shrek" and "Big" instead of the NFL Draft when he might have been a first-day pick in 2003. Shrek would make one heck of a nose tackle (see Vince Wilfork). And "Big"? Well, Klecko isn't, not for a nose tackle, anyway. But after stops at linebacker and fullback, on the nose is where Klecko finds himself during the bulk of practices at Patriots training camp. Klecko has made a way for himself in the NFL the hard way: by playing any position the coach asks.

They say it’s the end. They say the Shrek empire is done making movies, if not lunchboxes and Pez dispensers. “Shrek Forever After’’ is being billed as the last of four big-screen romps featuring the lovable slime-green ogre with the cheesy Scottish accent. And to see this final installment is to know: It’s time. When “Shrek’’ debuted in 2001, it captivated audiences with its sly sendups of conventional fairy tales. Inspired by William Steig’s illustrated children’s book, the spirited animated comedy delivered a Happy Meal-ready title character (voiced by Mike Myers)