Hollywood on the Hudson Blog presents its Golden Lady Liberty Film Award for the "Best Documentary Film 2008" to Bill Maher's "Religulous" for best expression of truth, liberty and freedom of speech in film, combined with excellence in film making, directing, editing, sound track and film production.

Congratulations Bill and thank you for bringing us your intensely thought provoking film "Religulous" - it's everything you always wanted to know about religion but were afraid to ask and a masterpiece film. I sense that Our Creator God would want us to ask questions as we are given free will to choose what to believe (or to not believe). I am grateful that Bill Maher asks people and religious leaders the most challenging questions about their religious beliefs in a very amusing way.

I found myself laughing at that which I could never imagine myself finding hysterically funny.

On a whirlwind spiritual journey, a few of the places that "Religulous" and Bill Maher takes us to are the real Holy Land in Jerusalem, the "Holyland Experience" theme park in Orlando, FL and the Vatican in Rome, Italy. Surprisingly, a Vatican Priest that Bill Maher speaks with was in agreement with most everything that Bill talked about. Maher not only speaks to the religiously inclined but also interviews a neuroscientist for his views on the religious mind.

"Religulous" makes it clear that we don't have to wait for the Armegeddon at the "End Times" that Scripture speaks about because mankind has developed the ability to annihilate civilization as we know it with nuclear weapons.

"Religulous" is a highly entertaining and informative film not to be missed, but it's not for the religiously faint of heart. Run to see it now!

Marla LaRue, Hollywood on the Hudson Blogzine, editor

October 1 - 5, 2008: The 9th Annual Woodstock Film Festival Has Landed!

Beginning today, the Woodstock Nation plays host to the 9th Annual Woodstock Film Festival, October 1-5, 2008 blending film, music, and art-related activities that promote film artists, film culture, and diversity. We are told that on October 1st, tickets are only available at the box office in Woodstock.

The film fest will feature concerts and more than 150 films --- and you get a chance to see new films by Colin Farrell (Pride and Glory) - and Kevin Smith (Zack and Miri). Living Legend folk singer and song writer Donovan Leitch performs LIVE in concert at the Colony Cafe on Oct. 04, 2008 @ 8:00PM, details on the website. And if you hurry, you might be able to catch the WFF Silent Auction, bid on some fun items and support the fest: http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/auction/auction.php

This year the Woodstock Film Festival Awards Ceremony is open to the public and will take place Saturday, October 4th, 9:00 PM, at Backstage Productions in Kingston.

Special Honorary Awards will be presented to legendary cinematographer Haskell Wexler, renowned writer / producer / studio executive James Schamus, and maverick filmmaker Kevin Smith (Clerks and Dogma). Smith's latest movie (Zack and Miri Make a Porno starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, about two friends who produce their own porn film) will be shown on the closing night of the festival.

The awards will be presented in the categories of Feature Narrative, Documentary Narrative, Best Cinematography, Best Editing in Documentary and Best Editing in Feature Narrative, Animation Shorts, Short Documentary, Short Film, Student Shorts. The awards will be presented and juried by Actors, Directors, Film Critics, Producers, and distinguished members of the industry. A party follows the ceremony, sponsored by 120db Films Beverages and provided by Barefoot Wines. All details at the Woodstock Film Festival website.