"RocknRolla" grabs top spot at box office

By Anna Legge

LONDON (Reuters) - Director Guy Ritchie has grabbed the top spot of the box office with his gritty Brit gangster flick "RocknRolla", Screen International said on Tuesday.

Despite being a hit with cinema fans, taking 1.6 million pounds in its first three days, "RocknRolla" has been slated by the critics, described by one as "a standard issue Ritchie thug movie".

Some reviews said Ritchie, married to singer Madonna, had failed to live up to his previous gangster films "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch".

Staying strong after nine weeks on the chart was the Abba-themed musical "Mamma Mia!" at number two.

"The Duchess", an 18th costume drama starring Keira Knightly as an independent, aristocratic fashion icon trapped in a tempestuous marriage, was a new entry at number three.

"Step Brothers", starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, slipped to fourth after being at pole position last week.

New at number five was "Disaster Movie", a comedy spoof created by the team behind "Scary Movie" and "Meet the Spartans".

Last week's newcomer "The Strangers", a nail-biting thriller starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, fell three places to six.