Picture of the month: January '13

The Paramount Building, Surry Hills – Newsfront

The women behind The Sapphires movie to feature at AACTA Awards

The original Sapphires. photographed in their St Kilda apartment 1966. From left: Laurel Robinson, Naomi Mayers(lead singer) and Beverley Briggs Source: Supplied

Holly Byrnes, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Hollywood is about to turn on its bright lights for the March 22 US premiere of The Sapphires, but first the AACTAs spotlight will be turned this week on the real women behind the acclaimed movie's success.

Set to share Wednesday night's red carpet with A-listers like Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett, Laurel Robinson and Beverly Briggs admit there are nerves ahead of taking a well-deserved bow for their role in inspiring the smash hit movie.

It was Laurel's son Tony Briggs who retold the true story of his mother and three aunts who were transformed into the first indigenous all-girl singing group, fashioned to rival The Supremes and who would later tour Vietnam to entertain the troops.

With 12 AACTA nominations, including best film, the foursome (which also included Naomi Mayers and Lois Peeler) The Sapphires is poised to continue the sweep which saw it bank $14.3 million at the box office.

Earning their own applause, the women will join Jessica Mauboy and a choir of soul singers on stage at the end of the Australian Idol star's performance of one of the sound track's hits, I'll Take You There.

Robinson said: "they asked us to sing with Jessica and the choir but we said no..." with Briggs adding, "we'd be drowned out anyway."

A humble Robinson, who is preparing to fly to Los Angeles for the movie's US debut, said: "we'll just come out and take a bow, we're happy with that."

Instead the elders sang the praises of Mauboy, who affirmed her movie star potential in the comedy drama.

"She's amazing...she's just a little bundle of dynamite. Always cheerful, always smiling," Robinson said.

Oscar-winner Russell Crowe will host the AACTAs (formerly the AFIs) to be telecast on Channel 10 from 9.30pm.

Legends lend valuable muscle to Aussie awards

Robert DeNiro and Russell Crowe attend the Australian Academy Of Cinema And Television Arts' 2nd AACTA International Awards at Soho House. Picture: Getty Images Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph reports

Living legend Robert DeNiro and director du jour Quentin Tarantino last night lent some valuable Hollywood muscle to the first round of the 2013 "Aussie Oscars", the second annual AACTA awards.

While the Sydney festivities will start at a luncheon today and culminate with a red carpet ball on Wednesday night, it was LA's turn to kick off the proceedings at the weekend, hosting a gala at Soho House that recognised international films and their cast and crew.

Hosted by Russell Crowe, the gongs were well-attended, with Natalie Imbruglia, Jacki Weaver and Grant Bowler and his girlfriend Kate Buckwald all frocking up for the event.

Hugh Sheridan was also a surprise show-up, after supposedly pulling out of hosting the Sydney awards, for which Rusty then miraculously put his hand up.

Weaver, who stars alongside DeNiro playing Bradley Cooper's parents in drama The Silver Linings Playbook, accepted the best actress accolade on behalf of her co-star Jennifer Lawrence, who has pneumonia.

"Poor Jen is really sick. She really is sick," Weaver said at the podium.

Both Weaver and DeNiro won in the best supporting actress/actor categories.

Tarantino too, of course, walked away with a statuette for Django Unchained.

Crowe is due to head home to join Nicole Kidman, Geoffrey Rush and Cate Blanchett at Wednesday's extravaganza at The Star casino.

McCune's Teddy is taking it on the toe

Lisa McCune with her South Pacific co-star Teddy Tahu Rhodes. Picture: Snapper Media Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph reports

Could Australia's most beguiling love affair be coming to an end?

That's the talk in theatre circles at the moment when it comes to steamy South Pacific co-stars Lisa McCune and Teddy Tahu Rhodes.

Confidential hears the Pacific is about to become between the curious couple, literally, with Tahu Rhodes set to move overseas once the production finishes in Brisbane on February 3.

The New Zealand-born baritone, one of Australia's most in-demand opera singers, will be based in the US for most of the year, where he will perform for the Washington Opera.

In March he will make his debut for the Lyric Opera of Chicago in A Streetcar Named Desire.

Tahu Rhodes isn't due back in the country until late October, when he starts a multi-date national tour with David Hobson.

With three children, it's unlikely McCune will be able to relocate Stateside with her squeeze.

Grohl sounds out Aussie trip

Rocker Dave Grohl is heading to Australia. Source: Supplied

Kathy McCabe, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Dave Grohl has confirmed he is heading to Australia in March in time for the release of the soundtrack to his documentary directorial debut, Sound City.

Grohl told me last week he is not sure whether he will conduct some director screenings and Q&As or bring some of his Sound City Players with him for a gig. The Players, with the Foo Fighters as backing band, include Rick Springfield, Stevie Nicks and John Fogerty, and recently played at the film's premiere at Sundance Festival.

"One way or another I'll be there," Grohl said.

We'll take the gig, please - and you can catch the film in screenings on Thursday.

Trio's idol Gibb wants their support

X Factor contestants and siblings Audio Vixen sent a demo tape to Barry Gibb who has since asked them to be his support act for his National tour in February (L to R) Christine, Ria and Ross Pirrelli of Audio Vixen. Picture: Justin Lloyd Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph reports

They may not have the falsetto of Barry Gibb but the Bee Gees great reckons Audio Vixen can give him a run for his money.

Gibb has asked for Audio Vixen - made up of Pirrelli siblings Ria , 29, Christine, 27, and Ross, 21 - to be his support act when he tours Australia next month.The Sydney-based trio who rocked their way into the top nine on hit show The X Factor, recorded Morning Of My Life in an attempt to capture the attention of their idol - and it worked.

"When we set out to try and get Barry to listen to our music, we just presumed we'd get a note back saying thanks but no thanks," Ria Pirrelli said.

"A few weeks later we got a phone call from the promoters to say Barry had requested that Audio Vixen be his support act for his tour in February.

"We've been told that he listened to the CD and watched our clip on YouTube and it all happened from there."

She said the trio had based their sounds around the Bee Gees' signature vocal style.

"Barry Gibb and the Bee Gees are idols of ours and we love the fact they are a family group," she said. "We are beyond ecstatic."Father and Manager Jay Pirrelli said he is grateful Gibb is giving his family a chance to showcase their work.

"When I told the kids about the phone call they jumped up and down for about ten minutes then burst into tears," Mr Pirelli said.

"They are excited not just because of who Barry is but to think the acknowledgment would come from someone they idolise - they are lost for words.

"It is a testament to Barry Gibb who has taken the time to give an opportunity like this to a virtually unknown group."

It's Daniel first and daylight second

Actors Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at The Shrine Auditorium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Holly Byrnes, The Daily Telegraph, reports

It’s the consolation prize Hugh Jackman fans might have to get used to come Oscars time next month - the lyrical wonder that is a Daniel Day-Lewis acceptance speech.

The Lincoln star turned the Screen Actors Guild stage in Hollywood into a presidential podium yesterday, thanking his peers for the award most Australians wanted to be handed to "our" Jackman for his role in Les Miserables.

Day-Lewis captivated the audience when he collected the Best Actor gong for his role as Abraham Lincoln.

"It was an actor that murdered Abraham Lincoln and therefore it's only fitting, every so often, that an actor tries to bring him back to life," he said. "I've been terribly proud to carry the baton." Unfortunately for Jackman, Day-Lewis is now a near certainty to claim his third Academy Award next month.

Meanwhile, The Sapphires looks set to shine at tomorrow night's AACTA awards after dominating the technical categories presented at The Star yesterday. The hit collected five of the six feature film gongs, including Best Cinematography and Best Costume.

Down Under on top of the ratings with home-grown hit TV shows

Boom time: Asher Keddie led the charge of Australian television successes in 2012 with roles in Paper Giants, Offspring and Hawke. Source: Supplied

Colin Vickery, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Every day is Australia Day on television. Last year 16 of the Top 20 regular programs were locally made and there is no reason to think this will change in 2013.

Aussie-produced TV series including The Voice, My Kitchen Rules, The X Factor, The Block, and Packed to the Rafters rule the ratings roost.

Last year viewers were blessed with terrific telemovies on the commercial stations including Beaconsfield and Underground, the ABC kept rolling out quality local dramas such as Redfern Now and Jack Irish while SBS won plaudits with the second series of Go Back To Where You Came From.

This year looks like another bottler. Ten is promising historical shipwreck drama Batavia, based on the Peter Fitzsimons bestseller. Seven has Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of INXS. Nine will unleash Power Games: The Packer-Murdoch Story.

And the ABC has Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo follow-up Magazine Wars, with Rachel Griffiths and Mandy McElhinney as women's magazine editors Nene King and Dulcie Boling.

"The great news is that all the broadcasters are investing more in local content," Shine Network president Mark Fennessy says.

Things weren't always this good. Three decades ago, Aussie dramas including Number 96, Homicide and The Sullivans had to fight against a tidal wave of American and British shows.

Leading Aussie producer Susan Bower (A Country Practice, Neighbours), has witnessed the shift. "Back then we were fed a diet of American sitcoms and dramas," Bower says. "To get an Australian voice was quite extraordinary. Now we have a smorgasbord of Aussie shows that should account for everyone's taste - from The Slap to Offspring to House Husbands."

Australia has developed its own star system with actors including Asher Keddie, Lisa McCune and Rebecca Gibney commanding loyal followings among TV viewers.

Gibney, for example, has two new shows in development at Seven while McCune is producing as well as starring in the family drama Reef Doctors for Ten.

"These actors bring a ratings boost to any show they star in," media analyst Steve Allen says.

Keddie - star of Offspring, Hawke and Paper Giants - has stamped herself as one of Australia's most prodigious acting talents - and she has done it without fleeing Australia to 'try her luck' in America.

"The opportunities are here in Australia," Keddie says. "I'm in a very lucky place."

Australian content has become more important, in part, because smash American and British shows are so rare in Australia these days.

Last year, only Revenge and Downton Abbey were breakout hits.

Networks used to base their programming year around their overseas shows - stitched up in output deals with the major US studios - but now they know they're better off creating home-grown Aussie hits. "If you look at it, there have only been a few big hit shows since the year of Desperate Housewives, Lost and Grey's Anatomy," Channel 7 CEO Tim Worner says.

Not everything works. Ten hit a brick wall last year when Breakfast, Everybody Dance Now, I Will Survive and The Shire failed.

The world is taking notice of Australian acting and production talent as well as our formats. Chris Lilley's Angry Boys was co-financed by America's HBO network.

In the US, Griffiths had a big success with Brothers & Sisters and Toni Collette won an Emmy for The United States of Tara. Rafters' Jessica Marais snagged a major role in Magic City.

An American version of Wilfred, starring Elijah Wood, is a cult smash. Its creator, Adam Zwar, is now busy fielding offers for international versions of his shows Agony Aunts and Lowdown.

"We (Australian comedians) are getting confident - and that is a big step," Zwar says. "There's a group of comic writers, directors and performers that's coming of age."

Kylie Minogue content with a devil she knows

Aussie pop sensation Kylie Minogue. Source: Getty Images

The Daily Telegraph reports

Long before Jennifer Aniston came along there was our very own Kylie Minogue: an attractive, wealthy and hugely successful woman who, despite her many blessings, is invariably painted as being unlucky in love. In the latter's case it's a situation not helped by the title of a certain song.

If you break into your most important market - in her case the UK - courtesy of a song named I Should Be So Lucky then it's a catchphrase destined to haunt you for the rest of your life.

No amount of assurances from the 44-year-old that she is perfectly content with her life manages to assuage concerns she is destined to end up an old maid.

And yes, people really do still use that label.

But for those seemingly determined to agonise over her recurring singleton status, there's a pretty obvious theory as to why none of Minogue's relationships have survived the long haul.

She goes out with absolute prats.

From famed "love rat" Olivier Martinez to serial cheater James Gooding (who charmingly once noted of his ex "I fear she's going to end up a lonely spinster with only a cat for company"), Minogue has proven to be a magnet for every two-timing gold digger in town.

Now she's involved with Spaniard Andres Velencoso, 34, a five-year relationship the actress-turned-singer-apparently-turning-actress-again has described as the most fulfilling of her life.

And unlike the commitment-phobes who toyed with her throughout her 20s and 30s, Velencoso appears to be devoted to Minogue, recently professing his love in an interview with Spanish Vanity Fair.

But even fans eager to believe Minogue has finally found her perfect match must be wondering what to make of his curious remarks regarding the perils of fidelity.

"They are on their knees," he said of the beautiful women who apparently throw themselves at him at every available opportunity.

"I'm going to Miami next week and they will be waiting for me at the airport, in bikinis," he continued. "(But) if you know what you want and who you are, then nothing will distract you."

Huh?

As difficult as it must be to stay faithful when you are forced to navigate a crowd of swimsuit-clad beauties as you make your way through the arrivals gate, must he really share this dilemma with the world?

Even if it's true - and that's a pretty big if - surely it's a complaint he might have kept to himself.

Despite the pitying headlines that have now dogged her for years, it is highly plausible Minogue is comfortable with never getting married.

If, like many suburban girls, she grew up with dreams of a lavish white wedding then surely they were realised when she donned a lacy meringue to tie the knot with her then real-life beau Jason Donovan on Neighbours?

From her apricot-attired bridesmaids to the tear-jerking accompaniment of Angry Anderson, the 1987 nuptials provided the bride with all the frivolity of a ceremony without the responsibility of "till death do us part".

So let's not feel sorry for Minogue - all signs are she's at peace with her life choices.

But on the off chance she is holding out for a relationship that sees out the decade, then a man who gloats about having difficulty locating the baggage carousel because of all the suntanned bodies blocking his view is probably not her best prospect.

Kidman flying to rescue as Pattinson pulls plug

Robert Pattinson departs Melbourne airport for Adelaide. Picture: Splash New Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph reports

R-Patz may be out but N-Kid is in ... hopefully.

Despite rumours that Adelaide's newest resident Robert Pattinson was to be the star guest at Wednesday's AACTA Awards, the trip to Sydney conflicts with the British babe's filming schedule on futuristic western The Rover, for which cameras are about to start rolling.

However, Nicole Kidman has emerged as the Twilight star's likely red carpet successor, with organisers hoping she will join Russell Crowe on Wednesday's ruby pile.

"It's looking more on than off," an insider said.

"She's attending the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards on Sunday in LA, so it all just depends on whether she can get here in time."

Kidman is currently promoting gothic drama Stoker with fellow Aussie Mia Wasikowska and Matthew Goode.

Adding to the "on", Kidman's hubby Keith Urban kicks off his latest Aussie tour in Brisbane tonight and the Paperboy actress is expected to bring their daughters Sunday and Faith Down Under at some point soon.

Meanwhile Urban, who jumped from The Voice to American Idol last year, said he never planned to do a second season on the spinning chair Channel 9 series.

"The reason I couldn't is because I am making the record I had to put on the backburner when I was doing the first season," he told News Ltd.

Joel's secret wedding plans

Aussie actor Joel Edgerton. Source: News Limited

The Daily Telegraph reports

One of Australia's most eligible bachelors is believed to have become a groom.

Joel Edgerton, currently appearing alongside "it" actress Jessica Chastain in Bin Laden capture-and-kill blockbuster Zero Dark Thirty, has proposed to his girlfriend Alexis Blake.

Friends excitedly shared that the super-private pair became engaged before Christmas but have kept the happy news quiet.

While there was no official comment from camp Edgerton yesterday, the 38-year-old Great Gatsby actor is said to have easily decided he wanted Blake to be his bride.

"They haven't been together too long, but they are so into this," a pal told us.

The couple were introduced by friends in August while Edgerton was holidaying in Bali, where Blake is from.

Blake, who lives in Denpasar, came to Sydney not long after their meeting and, along with her young daughter, was photographed with Edgerton at Bondi looking very lovey dovey.

We hear she has also visited her man in LA.

It's unclear how the Blacktown boy popped the question, but he does seem like the romantic type.

It's just another positive step in Edgerton's trajectory, with Zero peaking at No.1 at the US box office and now sitting at No.2. Director Kathryn Bigelow said she had wanted to work with Edgerton since seeing him in David Michod's Aussie crime drama Animal Kingdom.

Bigelow has had to constantly defend her film's accuracy: "It's 10 years compressed into 2 1/2 hours ... It's accurate in the way a movie can be accurate."

Happy Australia Day!

 

 

HAPPY STRAYA DAY, EVERYONE!

HAVE A FUN AND SAFE LONG WEEKEND YOUSE ALL…

CHEERS, LUKE & MICHAEL

Hunt is on for Sandy and Danny as Grease the musical returns

John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the film version of Grease. Source: Supplied

Sally Bennett, The Herald Sun, reports

The search has begun for the next Sandy and Danny to star in a remake of hit musical Grease.

Producer John Frost today announced a new multi-million dollar show would be staged in Australia later this year.

Venues and dates are yet to be announced, but a spokesman confirmed the production would run in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane theatres in the second half of the year.

The call to casting agents went out today and auditions will be held in all three cities from late February.

"I am constantly asked when I'll be producing Grease again," Frost said. "It's possibly the most requested musical in the back catalogue."

The musical was last seen in Australia in 2005, but that was an arena production.

The new theatre show will be an all-Australian remount of the most recent Broadway and West End productions and co-produced by London theatre giant David Ian.

The musical includes all the smash hits from the movie including You're the One That I Want, Grease is the Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted To You and Greased Lightnin'.

"I knew the time was right to bring Grease back to Australia," Frost said.

"The TV series Glee celebrated the music of Grease on one of their recent episodes and Olivia Newton John and John Travolta (the original film stars) reunited for a Christmas album."

Aussie winners to head to LA

These two Aussies were picked to fly to LA for the Ellen Show. Picture: Katrina Tepper Source: The Daily Telegraph

Gibb to unveil Qld Bee Gees tributes

Singer Barry Gibb will unveil a tribute to the Bee Gees in the Queensland town where they grew up. Source: AAP

The Daily Telegraph reports

Barry Gibb will return to the Queensland town where he and his late brothers grew up to unveil two tributes to the staggering global success of the Bee Gees.

Gibb will unveil a bronze statue of the three brothers at Redcliffe, north of Brisbane, on February 14.

The brothers have been depicted as boys aged nine to 12 - the ages they were when they lived in the area and spent days fishing and diving for pennies from the old Redcliffe jetty.

Gibb will also officially open Bee Gees Way, a walkway that will be dotted with photos, anecdotes and other items donated by the musician.

The unveiling of the tributes has been timed to coincide with Barry's Mythology concert tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb spent time growing up around Redcliffe and lived in a number of houses in the area before going on to sell more than 200 million albums world wide.

Maurice Gibb died in 2003 while his twin, Robin, died last year.

It was in Redcliffe, in the late 1950s, that the three brothers gathered around a microphone and for the first time performed using a name now famous around the globe.

"It is therefore extremely fitting that a themed walkway be named after the brothers to mark Moreton Bay region's place in the remarkable story of the Bee Gees," Moreton Bay Region Mayor Allan Sutherland said in a statement on Tuesday.

He said Barry had curated the walkway, selecting the photos that will be displayed and penning accompanying captions.

Bee Gees Way runs between Redcliffe Parade and Sutton Street, Redcliffe.

Last month, a piece of Bee Gees' history went up in smoke when a fire gutted a house where the brothers once lived.

Kidman left black and blue by sex scenes

Nicole Kidman shows off her figure in a sexy minidress in new stills from upcoming movie The Paperboy. Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Sun / The Daily Telegraph report

Nicole Kidman has been left battered and bruised by the violent sex scenes in her latest movie.

Worried director Lee Daniels even offered to stop filming after fearing she had been hurt during the graphic action, The Sun reports.

But the Oscar-winner, 45, insisted they carry on although she needed make-up the next day to cover her bruises.

Co-star John Cusack - who plays a prisoner on Death Row - revealed that some shots were too explicit for harrowing drama The Paperboy.

He said: “There’s a lot more s*** in there that was cut out, believe me. I was afraid I was hurting her, but she was more fearless than me.

“We shot the rough sex scene on day one, and I barely knew her. Next day, Nic showed up with bruises all over her legs.”

TV talk show queen Ellen DeGeneres to fly Aussies to LA

Ellen DeGeneres fans wait on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. Picture: Bill Hearne Source: The Daily Telegraph

 

Leigh van den Broeke, Holly Byrnes and Ian Walker, The Daily Telegraph, report

If the early bird catches the worm two of these fans are a good chance of jet-setting off to Los Angeles for The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Dozens of Ellen fans massed on the steps of the Sydney Opera House overnight after the talk show host announced two lucky people will win a free trip to see her show in the US.

In typical Ellen fashion, there was plenty of singing and dancing to pass the time until the winners are announced during a live cross about 10am this morning.

"There was nobody here when I first got here (at 5pm yesterday),'' Christian Burke, 22, from Liverpool said. "I thought I was the only idiot, (however) some people started showing up about 10.30pm.''

Mr Burke rushed to the Opera House after a job interview, but if he's not lucky enough to win a ticket to LA he has a plan to introduce Ellen to some culture Down Under.

"I've started a Facebook page for an Aussie Backyard Barbecue for Ellen DeGeneres,'' he said. "If she won't give me tickets to her show she can at least come around for a barbecue.''

DeGeneres is set to go one better than former TV rival Oprah Winfrey's Australian adventure - by today surprising two lucky Australian fans with a free trip back to see her US chat show.

"(Tuesday's) a big day, Australia. If you're near the Sydney Opera House you may wanna pack a bag and get your passport ready. Seriously," she teased her Twitter followers.

Upping the stakes, ahead of nte Ahead of her first visit to the birth country of her wife, Portia De Rossi, DeGeneres teased her Twitter followers with the prize.

She urged local fans to bring their passports and luggage to a live cross with her producers from the Opera House.

About a dozen Ellen show crew flew into Melbourne on Saturday night, then on to Sydney on Sunday, after a day in Melbourne, to begin scouting for locations for the host's Oz odyssey.

The producers and the show's "street reporter" Jeannie yesterday toured Circular Quay, took a Sydney BridgeClimb and enjoyed lunch at Cafe Sydney before settling on the upper level of the Opera House for today's 11am live cross.

The "surprise" will see two fans join the production crew on their flight home to Hollywood the same day, with co-sponsor Qantas helping to fast-track any visa requirements with the help of immigration officials.

DeGeneres later added last night on Twitter: "Before I go Down Under, someone in Sydney's gonna have a chance to come up over. I hope you're free tomorrow at 9:30am." Ellen tweeted.

The TV trek is part of the US market launch of Australian wellness company, Swisse, with global brand ambassador Nicole Kidman helping announce the special giveaway to studio guests during a taping earlier this month.

Each of the 400 audience members won holidays to Australia which they can choose to take at their leisure or when DeGeneres visits.

The popular presenter and her Melbourne-born actor wife Portia are expected in Australia from March 17, when DeGeneres says they will "do tape pieces and meet the fans and hang out."

NSW tourism officials are also hoping to capitalise on the opportunity to promote local destinations to the show's international audience.

Local fans keen to try their luck during the live cross are advised to be at the western boardwalk of the Opera House no later than 10am today.

Eleanor Harrison, 30, from Quakers Hill will be armed with a packed suitcase and her passport.

She said she was devoted to the show since becoming a stay-at-home mum.

"I love her. Her show makes me laugh and smile every day and it keeps me sane with three toddlers," Eleanor said.

"It would be life changing if I won, it would be amazing."

Getting into the spirit of things, Ellen fans did The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph's Down Under Dance on top of one of the most iconic Aussie landmarks - the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Sydney BridgeClimb staff, clad in blonde wigs, and celebrity choreographer Adam Williams showed off the exclusive dance designed for boogie-loving Ellen for when she arrives in Australia.

Organised by the Sunday Telegraph and put together by choreographer to the stars Adam Williams, the dance includes moves that mimic boxing kangaroos and walking on hot sand at Bondi beach.

"We dived right in and did our best moves on top of The Bridge and it was so much fun. The wind was ideal for the Ellen hair," Williams said.

Manly Sea Life Sanctuary staff have been filmed doing the dance underwater while TV host Kerri-Anne Kennerley turned out with a troupe of 150 young dancers and celebrities like Justice Crew to urge Ellen to do the Down Under Dance, especially created for her.

The episode featuring the Sydney cross is expected to air locally on Channel 9 and Foxtel tomorrow.

Naomi Watts' steamy new film Two Mothers grabs attention at Sundance Film Festival

Two Mothers, which was shot in NSW, features Naomi Watts and Robyn Wright. Picture: Hopscotch Films Source: Supplied

The Daily Telegraph reports

Academy Award nominee Naomi Watts was flanked by her fellow Aussie co-stars James Frecheville and Xavier Samuel in Utah yesterday as their steamy new flick Two Mothers got its big unveiling at the Sundance Film Festival.

Shot at Seal Rocks on the north coast last year the film, about two mothers who have affairs with each other's sons, seems to have attracted some controversy over its racy subject matter.

While Watts said yesterday that: "There is sex in it but it's not really about sex," the Sutherland Institute - a conservative group based in Utah - feels otherwise, and has proposed that state funding for the festival should be cut on the grounds that its content is at odds with the state's "family values".

Rebel Wilson turns on family

Rebel Wilson as Fat Amy and Brittany Snow as Chloe in Pitch Perfect. Source: The Sunday Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph reports

Fearless comedienne Rebel Wilson recently made W magazine's list of best performances thanks to her turn as Fat Amy in Pitch Perfect.

However, the Sydney gal has said that while her career may be flourishing, her family life is not.

"I grew up in Australia with two sisters, Liberty and Anarchy, and a brother named Riot," Wilson said.

"All of my family thinks they are funnier than I am. I say to them, 'When have you done professional comedy? What movies have you been in?' Um, never and none.

"In Australia, I've been in 13 TV shows, and I also did stand-up. I would tell family secrets onstage. And sometimes I would lie: I said that my father was in prison. That didn't go down too well with my actual father."

Aah, understandably.