Prior to this weekend Avatar was #30 on the adjusted for inflation list which is where she got that number. But what she neglicted to mention is that Dark Knight was #27 and also benefited from IMAX though obviously not 3D. Her column is heavy on bias and light on facts.
I'm still amazed though by how many comparisons are being made between Avatar and Dark Knight or Titanic. As recently as a couple of weeks ago there where still doomsayers saying Avatar's box office would stumble once the holidays were over and kids were back in school. That obviously has not happened. As to whether Avatar will have the staying power of Titanic (relatively) or if a 3D film will translate into DVD sales I think is futile. In the end we'll still be looking at a film with a worldwide box office of $2 BILLION dollars. No matter how you cut it that's an impressive feat, but it also shouldn't be seen as diminishing the success of other films.