'Saw' through 'HSM 3'

Could be a bloody battle at the boxoffice this weekend, but the smart allowance money could be on "High School Musical 3." Go ahead and give fresh-faced Zac Efron the crown.

Estimates range from $25 million more than $45 million (depending on which boxoffice trackers have tweens at home) for the song-and-dance extravaganza, which sprung from the Emmy-winning TV franchise. Predictions are slightly less for "Saw V," the annual Halloween fright of passage. Either or both could surprise.

Their timing couldn't be better -- escapism, anyone? Theater owners have to be salivating right about now, as are Disney and Lionsgate. Tip of the hat to both for providing some much-needed distractions from the news o' the day.