Can't import photos into iPhoto-- it sees them but won't import

I've been using iPhoto with my Mac Mini for almost a year now without a single issue (that's the main reason I bought a mac). I believe I have iPhoto 08 (I bought the computer 1 year ago). I have a newer Canon point-and-shoot that I've been using. About 1 month ago I did a software update to iPhoto, so it's pretty much up to date.
Everything has been fine for almost a year, then all the sudden, iPhoto hangs when I try to import my latest batch of photos. It will pull them into the import preview window (I can see all of them), but when I try to "Import All" it just hangs. I have to turn off the camera just to get the program to unfreeze (after patiently waiting a few minutes). For some odd reason, just 1 of the 70 photos makes it in (there are a few videos, but they won't import either).
Here's the error message:
Unreadable Files: 69
The following files could not be imported (they may be an unrecognized file type or the files may not contain valid data).
MVI_2498.AVI
IMG_2501.JPG
IMG_2502.JPG
IMG_2602.JPG
MVI_2603.AVI
MVI_2604.AVI
MVI_2610.AVI
Any ideas? I'm desperate because there's some wonderful picks of our kids on there that I don't want to lose.
Thanks a bunch

It’s part of the basic install of OS X. So unless you deleted it then it’s there in your apps folder. If you have deleted it, it’s on the System Restore disks that came with your Mac. You will be able to extract the installation package using Pacifist.
Alternatively, if you’re using almost any camera +apart from a Canon+ then the camera card is visible on the desktop and you can drag the movie to the desktop using the Finder and import from there.
No matter what camera you use, if you pop the card from it into a USB Card Reader then it will be accessible via the Finder. Card Readers are inexpensive and all round a better idea.
Why use a Card Reader?
Because it’s safer: Less risk of your images being lost if your camera shuts down during transfer.
Because it saves the battery on your camera
Because it saves wear and tear on your camera ports
Because it’s almost always faster.
Regards
TD

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