Batman sequel with Heath Ledger shatters opening weekend record...

Wow!

I had predicted that the Batman sequel "The Dark Knight" would achieve the second or third-highest opening in movie history. Whaddaya know, it did even better by grossing an estimated $155.3 million over the weekend to surpass the record set last year by "Spider-Man 3" ($151.1 million) to achieve the biggest three-day opeing ever.

The movie, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale as Batman, has been getting race reviews and none have been stronger than those for the late Heath Ledger's Joker. It is being hailed as the best performance of Heath's too-short career and is already surrounded by Oscar buzz. I'm seeing the movie this week. Until then, "Brokeback Mountain" remains his career high point.

The terrific musical "Mammia Mia" starring Meryl Streep was a distant but very-respectable second with estimated ticket sales of $27.6 million.