I had a strong hunch that I would get into Lars and the Real Girl, a quixotic tale of the mysterys of love, and even greater mystery that is the human coping mechanism. But I had equally strong reservations of how the filmmakers would deal with such an off-beat, somewhat provocative, concept with...

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The world, naturally enough, sees America through the prism of its entertainment exports. Which is pretty scary when you consider what is out there in record stores, and theaters from Durban to Dortmund, and everywhere in between. It was quite a surprise then, to find a normal, functional fami...

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The essence of drama is conflict. Welcome to Filmmaking: 101. Sadly though, this definition of drama has become a one-size-fits-all justification for the on-screen atrocities that are the majority of movies today. How else can we see real drama played out without language to make a teamster blu...

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We all know the movie business is a numbers game, and that the studio execs just dont get it execs can be like that from time to time. But youd think the stars would understand where their bread is buttered. But alas, it seems they dont. Finding a genuine good guy in Hollywood these days see...

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One day, my daughter will be of an age that boys come a-knockin. And, if she looks anything like her mother, the line will likely extend way out onto the street! So I expect that will be about the time we have the love vs. lust talk. Its not one I look forward to, to be honest. Im the sort of ...

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Great family-friendly drama, especially in today's market, is not just about the absence of S-E-X and its heavy thematic presence, violent splatter, and language. It is the treatment of the conflicts that go on in our lives. Anything less than realistic drama, and the story quickly becomes a schm...

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Someone once said, "if you can conceive it, you can achieve it!" Which really means that dreams are a meaningful and important part of our lives, and often, the precursors to action, and achievement. It is this notion that has kept our world turning... advancing, if you like. And, with the imp...

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I have always loved the notion that a single, passionate, person can make a positive difference. To their communities, countries, and ultimately their world. Numerous examples from history spring to mind. After watching the 2006 Indie, Amazing Grace, William Wilberforce, an English parliamentaria...

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If youll indulge me for just a few sentences, Ill try to make my point. Now I warn you, I may drop into my fair dinkum (genuine) Aussie lingo (language), but if you read on, youll understand why. As an outsider looking in on America, for all of the myriad things there is to love doughnuts, t...

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If youre wondering about toddling off to the local theater to catch Hancock, Will Smiths latest piece of silver screen mastery(?), then let me save you a trip. Dont go! Invest your hard-earned cash somewhere anywhere just dont waste it on this movie. Seems harsh, but if you had just lo...

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I love my food. No surprises there, most of us do. And despite a sweet-tooth of sabre-like proportions, I have to grudgingly accept that a hearty pot-roast wins over my wifes Lemon Meringue Pie, every time. I guess, despite our brains desire for the quick surge of energy and pleasure contained...

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Marvel Studios latest independent release, The Incredible Hulk, and second for the Summer season (Iron Man) landed with a thud in theaters around the world on June 13, adding the massive green mans almighty strength to an already burgeoning Summer season. Close to eclipsing Ang Lees tepid 03 ...

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Its taken me almost 24 hours to absorb the experience that is The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolans latest addition to the Batman canon. And, Ill be the first to say it, it was different. Even unexpected. I think I have probably been gorging on the shock and awe approaches of the other Super ...

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I cant explain why I have wrestled with my review of Kung Fu Panda so much. Normally, I write the first draft straight after watching, which I did last Tuesday. Then I let it percolate until my deadline, or some great bolt-of-an-idea, comes along. But this week has been a real struggle. Silly, real...

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Movies are such a common passion, for so many people. But have you noticed how mch rubbish is out there? If you like your movies clean, inspiring, uplifting, like the movies you or your parents grew up on, don't worry, they are still out there. In the B-List Blog, I bring you some of the best ...

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