U.S. Box office earnings over the weekend following the Christmas holiday reached $169.9 million – up 120% over the prior weekend ($77.4 million), but down by 27% compared to the same weekend a year ago ($232.9 million), Nielsen reported Monday.
Twentieth Century Fox’s “Marley & Me” took over the top spot, with earnings of almost $36.5 million between Dec. 26 and 28.  Last weekend’s number one movie, Warner’s Brothers’ “Yes Man,” fell to fifth place — though its weekend gross fell only slightly: from $18.2 million during the weekend of Dec. 19-21, …