“Avengers: Infinity War” just went through the roof with Thursday previews and a Friday that was Marvel-ous. The total is $106 million so far, with a $240 million weekend looking likely.

Remember, $39 million was plunked down on Thursday, but that means Friday still did $71 mil last night.

It’s the second biggest opening day in history, behind “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

With a worldwide take outside the US of more than $100 million through Thursday night, “Infinity War” is poised for huge huge huge reports.  At this rate, “Infinity War” could possibly give “Black Panther” a run for its money as the biggest Marvel movie and maybe on the all time list as well.

The good news is that audiences are coming back, and spreading good word even after the film’s earth shaking ending.

RECORD BREAKING “Avengers: Infinity War” opened to $39 million last night in previews, the biggest ever for a superhero movie.

Since last night will be counted with tonight, it’s possible Marvel will declare a $100 million opening night when all is said and done.

It was also the second highest Thursday ever posted, behind “Revenge of the Sith.” (Only it won’t be counted as a Thursday, even though…don’t get me started).

The movie also made $95 million from international markets from Wednesday and Thursday showings. Add that to the $39 mil US. We’re off and running!

Will “Infinity War” sustain itself to beat “Black Panther”? Hard to say, but I’d wager ‘no.’ But who knows? We’ll see.

Mary Kay Place became an overnight TV star as wannabe country singer Loretta Haggers over forty years ago on “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.” She won an Emmy award and never looked back, working all the time without interruption in “The Big Chill,” lots of movies and lots of quality TV including a recent two parter on “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Writer director Kent Jones remembered her in a 1997 Francis Ford Coppola movie called “The Rainmaker” and decided she’d be perfect to play the part of his mother in a semi-autobiographical movie that opened this week at the Tribeca Film Festival. Mary Kay plays “Diane,” the lead character in a beautifully understated, subtle indie film that should earn her a lot of awards attention this fall. “Diane” just needs the right distributor, like Sony Picture Classics, to push it along.

What a little gem “Diane” is and so is the character. Diane and her extended family live around Pittsfield, Mass. Her husband is dead– we think from cancer, after working in factory. Her grown son is battling drug addiction. Her family is quickly dying off. And there’s Diane, who does for everyone else, beats herself up over one life mistake made 20 years ago. She’s kind of an everywoman but she’s not sentimental and she’s not looking for sympathy.

Jones surrounds Mary Kay with a great group of friends including Andrea Martin, Estelle Parsons, Joyce van Patten, Phyllis Somerville, and Deirdre O’Connell (who must get her name added to the IMDB page for this movie). Jake Lacy is a standout as Mary Kay’s son who may or not make it after trying to self-destruct in so many ways.

Women of a certain age (baby boomers) who are caught between their aging children and parents will identify strongly with Diane’s life. Mary Kay doesn’t wear her as an obvious warrior, but a survivor– a do-er– who is dedicated to making it to the finish line. Diane is noble, but not overtly, and there’s a scene of her dancing to a jukebox in a bar that is really one of the triumphs of acting– you’ll never forget it. Bravo!

Ryan Gosling and Damian Chazelle were robbed two years ago when the actor and the movie “La La Land” failed to win their Oscars– big time.

But today the pair have returned at Cinema Con in Las Vegas with the trailer for “First Man,” their new movie. And look out– according to reports, they may yet get their revenge.

“First Man” concerns Gosling as Neil Armstrong taking the first walk on the moon. Tweets from Cinema Con are glowing with enthusiasm.

The movie will be released this fall by Universal. And value added: Claire Foy, aka The Queen from the Crown, plays Mrs. Armstrong. Bryan D’Arcy James, Corey Stoll, Jason Clarke are also featured.

We can’t wait to see this trailer! Or to hear the soundtrack! Justin Hurwitz, who wrote all that great “La La Land” music with Pasek and Paul, is the composer.

Is this the new odds-on Oscar favorite? You betcha. Chazelle is gifted. And everyone loves NASA movies. “Apollo 13” won Best Picture. “Capricorn One” was so good that people in red states think it was real!