Seriously? Is it possible that Avatar is still pulling opening weekend numbers five weekends in? Yes, I guess it is possible. Seeing what Avatar is doing, the across the board appeal, the sold-out shows five weeks deep, it is nothing short of amazing. I am sure that you are all tired of hearing about it, but it is still big news, and its Golden Globe wins (Best Picture: Drama, Best Director) all but guarantee it is going to be around for awhile longer. Just wait for the Oscars. Wouldn't that be something if it were to become the first science fiction film to win best picture! It is not nearly my favorite of the year, but it is an amazing film and I do not think I would be disappointed.
Now, there are many arguments that help put its success in perspective. IMAX and 3D tickets cost more than regular tickets. If you adjust the dollars it is only about 30th on the all time list. Fanboys keep going to see it, which inflates the numbers. You get the picture. There is some credence to that, but then factor in the increased competition in the entertainment sector from television, video games, the Internet, and the decreased window from big screen to home video. There is no denying the movie is very successful and it is not the fanboys. People from all walks of life are going to see this, in some cases more than once, and this includes those who do not go to many films at all. James Cameron knows how to make movies that everybody likes. It will be fun to see where it ultimately ends up. This is a historic ride.
Oh, yes, let's not forget that it is indeed a good movie and one that has taken the technology of film to the next level.
Coming in second place is the new Denzel Washington film from the Hughes Brothers. The Book of Eli is an apocalyptic thriller that is deceptively simple on the surface yet possesses a good deal of nuance. That nuance is helped in no small part by the work of Washington and Gary Oldman, two of the world's finest actors. The film is visually stunning and proved to be much more than I was expecting. I must recommend this as the finest of the young 2010 class of films.
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