By Steven Schwankert

Despite disappearing from most 2D screens, “Avatar” continued its record run in China, becoming the first film ever in that country to earn more than US$100 million.

A Fox representative confirmed by e-mail that as of January 24, the film’s take stood at $103 million. The previous boxoffice king, “2012,” took in $68 million during its run. With “Avatar” poised to stay in theaters at least up to the Chinese New Year holiday February 14, it could at least double that mark, with lines still long and 3D ticket prices averaging 100 yuan (US$14.60) each.


In another mark of the film’s popularity in China, the Zhangjiajie scenic area of western Hunan province renamed one well-known mountain “Avatar Hallelujah Peak,” replacing its earlier traditional name, “Heaven and Earth Pillar.” The local government said it believes the peak may have inspired the floating mountains that are one of the film’s hallmark landscapes.

James Cameron may have mastered all sorts of new technology for “Avatar,” but the self-proclaimed “king of the world” still hasn’t harnessed the weather. Better get on that, Jimbo. “Avatar” did nice business domestically - $73 million over the weekend - but one wonders what heights it could have ascended to if it weren’t for the foot-deep blanket of snow that covered the East Coast. According to Variety, the eye-numbing pic boasts the second-highest December opening ever after “I Am Legend.”"”Avatar” may have had cat people, epic battles, and 3D technology, but apparently it needed zombies and Will Smith to break that record.

The film’s $21,000+ per screen average bodes well, though it was certainly bolstered by the higher ticket prices for the 3D-enabled screens. With great, glowing reviews (with the exception of our “B” assessment) and near-unanimously positive audience response, the Cameron film should have legs (long, blue ones, of course). We’re predicting repeat business for the innovative film for fans who need another look at the impressive FX - and another migraine from two-and-a-half hours of 3D glory. The tech-obsessed auteur should also be pleased with its worldwide total of $220 -230 million, which puts the film well on its way to making back its massive production and marketing budget.

The weekend’s other wide opener “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” came in fourth and matched lead actress Sarah Jessica Parker’s slimness with a svelte $7 million weekend - and just $2,575 per screen. But it wasn’t just the snow that kept East Coasters (and apparently everyone else) away; blame has to fall on the tired fish-out-of-water concept, awful trailers, and even worse reviews. With a reported budget of $58 million, the future basic-cable mainstay isn’t likely to make its budget back. Hopefully, this won’t damn co-star Elisabeth Moss’s chances for a post-”Mad Men” movie career.

‘Avatar’ Earns $27 million at box office on Friday

 by Claudine Zap

There probably isn’t a metaphor big enough to express the enormous anticipation around James Cameron’s 3-D space epic, ”Avatar.” Let’s just say it’s big. But without an actual film to see (opening day in the U.S. isn’t until next week), the crowds are going wild for, wait for it, “Avatar,” the review.

The alien love story starring Sam Worthington as the human and Zoe Saldana as the alien previewed in London. Although the press was supposedly barred from discussing it, word filtered out that a review had posted on “The Hollywood Reporter.” The stampede of interest that followed overwhelmed the website, and caused it to crash. And here’s the thing. The review was good. The Hollywood Reporter practically gushed, “Movie magic is back!”

News of this single review quickly spread on the Web, with one-day searches on Yahoo! for “avatar review” surging 194%.

But there are more early reviews coming in. FlickFilosopher wrote the movie “is a gift to anyone who takes science fiction seriously.” IGN called it “a triumph.” Even the Telegraph opined, “In terms of sheer technical wizardry, it is light years beyond anything we have seen before.” ScreenRant asked, then answered its own question: “Does ‘Avatar’ live up to its hype? In a word, yes.”

OK, aside from those unmoved by blue CGI aliens, did anyone have a doubtful word, or should we just be prepared to head for the theaters on opening day? Well, there does seem to be a weak link: the plot. As the AP tells it : While the effects “wow,” the story “is limp” and “feels unsatisfying.”

Right, but if it’s plot you’re looking for, there’s always “Titanic.”