BRITISH BLOCKBUSTERS

Is this a contradiction in terms? Is there such a thing as a British "blockbuster"?

Certainly there is an argument for the case given the phenomenal popularity of British films like Harry Potter.

However, even this quintessentially British tale depends on the financial and marketing clout of "over there" to steamroll around the world the way it does. So perhaps Britain not only doesn't have its own "blockbusters" but shouldn't even hope to have one.

Let it focus on what it does best, intimate quirky films like The Queen.

Yes, fine. But that should not prevent anyone from enjoying what promises to be a summer of very big budget movies featuring a wealth of British talent. ... to be continued ...