The line on 'Indy 4'

Actually, there are several kinds. You have the lines of folks waiting outside theaters today and through the long weekend to see "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Plus, there’s the unofficial betting line on how much money the Spielberg-directed blockbuster will make over the five days ending on Monday night. The box office gurus tell Nikki Finke that the record of $172.8 million for 2005's "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of the Sith" will probably hold up. Their guesstimates range from $142 million to $175 million; Finke figures it will be around $160 million. I know I should stick to the experts, but my completely uneducated bet is $185 million. That’s right, a total avalanche.

Now, the handicappers keep pointing out that kidlettes under 25 will have little interest in watching an old fart like Harrison Ford swinging from trees (or whatever). They have a point - I mean, how cool can it be if your parents want to see it? Of course, that's precisely why it will do so well – even discounting the snot-nose crowd, the movie covers lots of demographic lines. Besides, it'll be on more than 4,200 screens, which in distribution terms is the Super Bowl of movies. You’ll almost have to try not buying a ticket. And the reviews have been positive (if not sensational).