Avatar was absolutely incredible - definitely seeing it again but bringing earplugs. Does the dB level have to be directly proportionate to the budget? Are the post guys losing their hearing? No wait, let me guess - it's the individual theaters that crank it up so loud? Either way, turn it down, please! I do production sound on feature films (albeit, not in the league with Avatar... yet) but I value and need my hearing to make a living. The low-end is fine but PLEASE take the high to mid-high frequency peaks and knock them down a good 12 to 15 dB. You're already compressing the heck out of the M&E, so it should be no problem to just set your ceiling a little lower.