Katie Couric's Notebook: Avatar

Take "Avatar," now the highest grossest film ever after seven weeks of record sales. James Cameron's 3D epic has already grossed nearly $600 million…and is poised to earn much more.

But as blogger Nikki Finke points out, much of Avatar's financial dominance is due to astronomical ticket prices - as high as $18 in some cities. Adjusted for ticket cost, the film sinks to 21st in sales, far behind classics like Gone with the Wind and Star Wars.

Critics have hailed Avatar as a visual masterpiece with the potential to change film-making forever. But let's hope it doesn't change ticket prices, too.

Going to a movie has always been a way to escape reality, travel the world or fall in love… Having a wonderful life at the movies should always be within our reach.

That's a page from my notebook.

I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.