Movie Projector

A light source within the projector illuminates images contained on the film as it passes by. The film pauses before the light for a fraction of a second, then advances to display the next frame. It spools into the projector from a device called the feed platter and returns to the platter after it moves through the projector. Movie Screen A screen's material and shape affects how a film will be seen and even heard. Most screens are made of a heavy white vinyl; some have a reflective coating.

"The Avengers"will take a big bite out of the opening of"Dark Shadows,"as the superhero blockbuster is set to dominate the box office for the second consecutive weekend. After launching with a record-breaking $207.4 million - the biggest opening weekend ever, not adjusting for inflation - "The Avengers" isn't likely to lose steam at the box office any time soon. In its second weekend, the film featuring beloved comic book characters such as Iron Man, Captain America and the Hulk is expected to collect an additional $90 million, according to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys.

"Rio," a 3-D animated film about tropical birds, should soar to the top of the box office this weekend. The movie, with feathered protagonists voiced by Jesse Eisenberg and Anne Hathaway, is expected to gross $35 million to $40 million in its first weekend, according to people who have seen pre-release audience surveys. The weekend's other new wide release, the horror film "Scream 4," is likely to collect about $27million. "Rio," the latest release from 20th Century Fox-owned animation company Blue Sky Studios, cost about $90 million to produce after tax incentives.

There's only one rival that may be able to trip up the seemingly unstoppable "The Hunger Games" at the box office this weekend: a trio of out-of-shape goofballs. Although the fantasy epic starring Jennifer Lawrence looks primed to claim the No. 1 spot for the fourth consecutive weekend, it may face some competition from a new spin on "The Three Stooges. " After 21 days in release, the adaptation of Suzanne Collins' bestselling novel has already grossed more than $300 million domestically and could take in $18 million to $20 million more this weekend, according to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys.

Nicolas Cage plays with fire in "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance," but it's the competition at the box office that is likely to get burned this weekend. The 3-D sequel, featuring Cage as a demonic motorcycle-riding superhero, is expected to be the No. 1 film over Presidents Day weekend. According to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys, the movie will debut with around $30 million in sales from Friday through Monday. The tear-jerker "The Vow" and the action film "Safe House," which each opened to more than $40 million last weekend, probably will fight for the runner-up position with around $20 million in sales.

Dell Computer Corp., the second-largest personal-computer maker, has introduced a portable movie projector and an improved line of network servers to combat falling PC sales. Chief Executive Michael Dell told analysts in April that the projector market may be valued at $6billion a year. The company is broadening its product mix after industrywide PC sales fell in 2001 for the first time in 15 years. Projectors and servers sell for more than the average $1,675 cost of a Dell computer.

"Dr. Seuss' the Lorax" is primed to rake in lots of green at the box office this weekend. The 3-D animated film, based on a popular 1971 book by Dr. Seuss, could debut with as much as $50 million, according to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys. The weekend's only other new release, the low-cost, R-rated party movie"Project X,"will probably start off with a healthy sum of about $20 million. "The Lorax,"about an environmentally friendly creature who works to save trees, features the voices of Danny DeVito, Zac Efron and Taylor Swift.

The new romantic drama"The Vow"is poised to steal the hearts of moviegoers this weekend. The tear-jerker starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams could gross $35 million to $40 million in its debut, according to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys. Sony Pictures, whose Screen Gems label produced the film, is projecting a more conservative domestic opening of $28 million to $30 million. It should be a strong weekend at the multiplex, as three other new movies are also expected to bring in healthy ticket sales.

"21 Jump Street"is set to school the competition at the box office this weekend. The comedy, starring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill as two inept cops on an undercover mission to bust a high school drug ring, is expected to open with $30 million to $35 million in ticket sales, according to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys. Sony Pictures, the studio distributing the film, is predicting a softer opening of around $25 million. No other new movies are hitting theaters in wide national release this weekend, though the Jason Segel-Ed Helms dramedy "Jeff, Who Lives at Home" and Will Ferrell's Spanish-language "Casa de Mi Padre" will play in roughly 60 of the country's top markets.

The fourth movie in Sony Pictures' "Underworld" vampire series should lead the box office this weekend as Hollywood hopes to continue what has been a strong January in theaters. People who have seen prerelease audience surveys are confident that"Underworld: Awakening"will debut with between $20 million and $25 million. There's less certainty around another new entry,"Red Tails. " The George Lucas-produced movie about the World War II Tuskegee Airmen is tracking for an opening of around $15 million, gaining momentum recently among African American audiences.

The '90s may be back at the multiplex this weekend, but that decade's comeback could be thwarted by a more of-the-moment movie event:"The Hunger Games. " For the third consecutive weekend, the blockbuster based on Suzanne Collins' popular novel is expected to top the box office. The film starring Jennifer Lawrence has already raked in more than $260 million domestically and could collect an additional $30 million this weekend, according to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys.

"21 Jump Street"is set to school the competition at the box office this weekend. The comedy, starring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill as two inept cops on an undercover mission to bust a high school drug ring, is expected to open with $30 million to $35 million in ticket sales, according to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys. Sony Pictures, the studio distributing the film, is predicting a softer opening of around $25 million. No other new movies are hitting theaters in wide national release this weekend, though the Jason Segel-Ed Helms dramedy "Jeff, Who Lives at Home" and Will Ferrell's Spanish-language "Casa de Mi Padre" will play in roughly 60 of the country's top markets.

"Dr. Seuss' the Lorax" is primed to rake in lots of green at the box office this weekend. The 3-D animated film, based on a popular 1971 book by Dr. Seuss, could debut with as much as $50 million, according to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys. The weekend's only other new release, the low-cost, R-rated party movie"Project X,"will probably start off with a healthy sum of about $20 million. "The Lorax,"about an environmentally friendly creature who works to save trees, features the voices of Danny DeVito, Zac Efron and Taylor Swift.

Heading into this weekend's box-office battle,"Act of Valor"has the competition in its cross hairs. The action film featuring about a dozen active-duty Navy SEALs is poised to pick off its rivals at the multiplex, claiming the No. 1 position with roughly $23 million in ticket sales, according to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys. The film's distributor, Relativity Media, is projecting a softer opening of no more than $17 million. Tyler Perry's latest film, the romantic drama "Good Deeds," is likely to be the runner-up with about $17 million.

Nicolas Cage plays with fire in "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance," but it's the competition at the box office that is likely to get burned this weekend. The 3-D sequel, featuring Cage as a demonic motorcycle-riding superhero, is expected to be the No. 1 film over Presidents Day weekend. According to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys, the movie will debut with around $30 million in sales from Friday through Monday. The tear-jerker "The Vow" and the action film "Safe House," which each opened to more than $40 million last weekend, probably will fight for the runner-up position with around $20 million in sales.

The new romantic drama"The Vow"is poised to steal the hearts of moviegoers this weekend. The tear-jerker starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams could gross $35 million to $40 million in its debut, according to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys. Sony Pictures, whose Screen Gems label produced the film, is projecting a more conservative domestic opening of $28 million to $30 million. It should be a strong weekend at the multiplex, as three other new movies are also expected to bring in healthy ticket sales.

Heading into this weekend's box-office battle,"Act of Valor"has the competition in its cross hairs. The action film featuring about a dozen active-duty Navy SEALs is poised to pick off its rivals at the multiplex, claiming the No. 1 position with roughly $23 million in ticket sales, according to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys. The film's distributor, Relativity Media, is projecting a softer opening of no more than $17 million. Tyler Perry's latest film, the romantic drama "Good Deeds," is likely to be the runner-up with about $17 million.

Liam Neeson's new action-adventure thriller looks to have the edge on what is likely to be a crowded movie weekend without a breakout hit. "The Grey,"starring Neeson, probably will take in $12 million to $14 million, according to people who have seen pre-release audience surveys. That should be good enough to beat two other new offerings, crime comedy "One for the Money,"starring Katherine Heigl, and thriller "Man on a Ledge," headlined by Sam Worthington. Both are expected to have soft openings of less than $10 million.

Tom Brady and Eli Manning are expected to light up the scoreboard at the Super Bowl, but don't look for equally big numbers at the box office this weekend. Three new movies will scramble for ticket sales as tens of millions of Americans will be tuning in Sunday to the biggest television event of the year. The found-footage teen adventure film "Chronicle"is expected to edge out the competition with about $15 million, according to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys.

Liam Neeson's new action-adventure thriller looks to have the edge on what is likely to be a crowded movie weekend without a breakout hit. "The Grey,"starring Neeson, probably will take in $12 million to $14 million, according to people who have seen pre-release audience surveys. That should be good enough to beat two other new offerings, crime comedy "One for the Money,"starring Katherine Heigl, and thriller "Man on a Ledge," headlined by Sam Worthington. Both are expected to have soft openings of less than $10 million.