None of the six films which were released in Italylast weekend managed to dethrone the top three films at the local box office.

UIP's animation feature Shark Tale held firmlyon to the top spot for the second week running, grossing $7,939,095 from 422screens for a strong average of $7,204.

However,the weekend's sweetest surprise was Million Dollar Baby, whose earningsjumped 61% on the back of the boxing film's multiple Academy Awards. The ClintEastwood picture, currently at number two, has now earned a total of $5,150,597for 01 Distribution after three weeks.

Elsewhere, at number 4, Eagle Pictures's Blade:Trinity was the highest-grossing new release, with $1,344,941 from 292screens.

Jude Law vehicle Alfie posted a solid ifunspectacular $459,280, which landed the UIP picture in seventh place.

However, BVI's The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou- which shot at Rome's Cinecitta Studios - flopped, grossing $185,610 from 128screens for an average of just $1,919 per screen.