By Chris Kavan - 02/06/10 at 06:35 PM CT
Whether you love it or hate it, there's no denying that Avatar is monster. I truly thought Titanic record was going to be #1 for a much longer time, but Cameron proved that he's no one-hit wonder.
I was sure it would take someone else involved with Titanic - Leonard DiCaprio, and a master filmmaker: Martin Scorsese, to finally topple Avatar. However, it appears all that was needed was a weepy, romantic drama based on a Nicholas Sparks novel.
Dear John (at least on opening day) bested Avatar - propelled by a largely young female audience (and, apparently, any guy unlucky enough to be dragged along) who are tired of watching blue aliens get down with each other.
I'm not sure whether to be glad or not. I think Avatar is a great film - over $1 billion great? Not so sure. Still, to be brought down by such a cliche romance - and one with such lackluster reviews - is criminal.
Can Avatar pullout the weekend? We'll see on Monday. But just as Titanic, and even Avatar, appealed to the female audience, Dear John has reeled in a sizable chunk of the market - and they know what they want to see.
