As of Thursday afternoon, the score was 28-4. That is the number of positive (28) reviews compared to lukewarm (4) of Unstoppable, the new Denzel Washington film that opens Friday.

There is an out-of-control train, lots of action and a satisfying plot. I'm thinking this movie is going to open stronger than either Megamind or Due Date, two movies that we are starting their second week here.

I am probably alone in that view. Our friends at boxoffice.com are projecting a modest $23 million opening weekend which compares to the Megamind opening box of $46 million and the Due Date box of $33 million.

I won't argue with their national projections, but I have a feeling/hunch/wild guess that Unstoppable will do better locally than 50 percent of the Megamind total.

We'll track this on Facebook and comment on it on Monday if you want to see what happened...

****

The big news is NEXT Thursday. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows opens next Thursday night at midnight (12:05 a.m. Friday, technically). Students, get your homework done in advance for that first period you will likely miss on Friday.

We're hoping that Muggle Flu will keep people away from work and academia, touched by the magic the wizards from Hogwarts. I ran into some folks today that had never read any of the books or seen any of the movies. To this I say - doesn't matter. The movies stand alone pretty well, and I encourage you to give it a try.

****

This is likely the last week of Secretariat. That movie has been a thoroughbred for us, but in another week it is off to the glue factory, as even the best films eventually become nags.

Red is also on its final lap around Langley, as the ex-CIA spies find a way to turn the tables on the Agency.

Both of these movies were outstanding; plan your schedule to see them if you missed them.