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Max Braden: What's also telling to me is that Avatar is earning at a slightly slower pace than The Dark Knight (twice as many days to reach $200 million, five more days than Dark Knight took to reach $300 million, and five more to reach $400 million) but we're talking seriously about Avatar overtaking The Dark Knight's total domestic box office gross. If the 3-D were just a cheap gimmick I would have expected the box office to start dropping off significantly by now - which is what happened to Transformers 2. Transformers 2 was faster than Avatar to every box office milestone up to $300 million, but shortly after that Avatar reached box office milestones earlier. (According to EW, 3D screenings account for approximately 75% of Avatar's total grosses).

George Rose: Yes, there is something new to say. Something I could only say after its first few weeks, where Avatar's success could have been just the result of great holiday timing. Everyone listen, because I will only say this once and will deny having said it forever afterwards. James Cameron, I'm sorry for doubting you. While I still think the plot is too simple for an almost three hour runtime, is too predictable, and doesn't have a good enough story to buy and rewatch on 2D-DVD, it was still enjoyable as a 3D IMAX experience. And I suppose the world seems to think so as well. I'm not sure why the masses chose Cameron as their savior, but I don't get the hype behind Jesus either. Regardless, he is the chosen one. Though it pains me to say, I suppose a movie doesn't need to be the best movie ever to be one of the biggest movies ever. If only good movies made good money, then Up In The Air would earn over $200 million and Transformers 2 would have made... well... nothing, and last time I checked it made over $400 million. I also think it's silly people are claiming James Cameron has the two biggest movies of all time, since the box office numbers being used don't count inflation and 3D price increases, but I guess the media can't kiss his ass enough. Saying he has the two biggest movies ever is just another marketing tool to get the few who haven't seen Avatar into the theaters. As for me, the day might never come when I kiss Cameron's butt way up there on that pedestal, but I sure won't be kicking it anymore. From this day forward, I will not assume the worst of his work as a box office analyst. He's a good director who has made some amazing movies. I don't necessarily need to understand the success of his last two movies in order to appreciate them, and it's not his fault the world is so devoted. They weren't all there for Terminator 2 or True Lies, but they are there now and this sort of unpredictable success is what makes analyzing movies so much fun in the first place. It's a new year and there are new releases to make fun of anyway. This week alone produced three new ones worth poking fun at.

Tom Macy: Finally! First of all, again, wow. Okay, I think my head has stopped spinning somewhat and I'm beginning to believe what I'm seeing a bit more. I can now rationally identify two tangible factors that have led to this runaway success that don't involve James Cameron using voodoo. The inflated 3D and IMAX ticket prices and Cameron's ability to once again induce repeat viewings by giving audiences something they truly feel they can never experience unless in a movie theatre. I know I plan on going a -gulp- fourth time, if the IMAX isn't sold out AGAIN. I fully believe this will eclipse Titanic, in today's dollars anyway, an important distinction. However, Avatar does have that all important sequel/franchise potential. First $200 million opening weekend?

Shalimar Sahota: Battle Angel Alita next, please, Mr Cameron? Just don't make us wait over a decade for it!

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