All my life I’ve been going to the movie...

All my life I’ve been going to the movies. And for me – movies have been so much. Best friend, lover, teacher, guide – even at times – enemy.

I can map out the important moments in my life, my stages of growth, through the movies.

You know how for certain people a special song will bring up memories of a person or a time or an event – something important in their lives. Well that’s the same for me – but it’s not songs. It’s movies.

I’m never more comfortable than when I’m sitting in the dark watching images on a screen. Whether it’s a church hall in Scoresby or the latest cinemaplex in Chadstone.

Movies have been my parents, siblings, husband, wife. And they taught me all about life.

It began with Ghostbusters – that taught me about fear. Robocop gave me an understanding of violence, a friend’s porno taught me about sex and Moulin Rouge about love. Okay – it wasn’t a great education.

But there were moments – Good Will Hunting taught me not to give up, Raging Bull taught me about acting and Amadeus taught me to listen to my own instincts. So much given, so much gained from people so far away who I’ve never met and probably never will.

So many of the big lessons in life – I’ve learned from them.