His father, an actor and opera singer, had encouraged his son to act in films from the age of six.

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Ben Affleck and Matt Damon write, produce and act in films together because their style is vastly different, but still equally human.

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But getting women to act in the films remains an uphill task, and more ambitious filmmakers are now scouring neighbouring Tajikistan and Uzbekistan for heroines.

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The 2-D film can act as counter programming to the bigger films slated to hit theaters in the coming weeks like Green Lantern and the third Transformers movie.

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And about one-third of the musicals appearing on Broadway this season are based on films, including Catch Me If You Can, Sister Act and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which opened this year.

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The UK's controversial Digital Economy Act makes provisions for tough action against those who downloading pirated music and films - initially sanctioning a letter-writing campaign asking them to desist.

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The comic star, who formed a popular double act with comedian and singer Dean martin, is best-known for films such as The Bellboy, The Errand Boy and The Nutty Professor.

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