Amanda Ware (WireImage)

BRISBANE, Australia — In what was perhaps one of the most awkward moments of Australian television history, Australia’s Next Top Model host Sarah Murdoch announced the wrong winner at Tuesday night’s grand finale.

To make matters infinitely worse the whole debacle was broadcast live, thanks to an ill-fated decision to allow viewers to vote for their favorite model during the show.

The most cringe-worthy moment came just minutes after Sydney’s Kelsey Martinovich was named winner of the 2010 season.

Hurrah for Kelsey! Cue fireworks, cheering, air kissing and speeches from both contestants.

The only problem: the real winner was Gold Coast model Amanda Ware.

(Silence. Tumble weed rolls past)

Murdoch — former model and daughter-in-law of Fox overlord, Rupert Murdoch, looked visibly ill when she was informed of the mistake, stammering out a few "oh my God’s" before whispering "it’s Amanda, I’m so sorry."

To their credit both Amanda and Kelsey handled the announcement with considerable grace, an amazing feat considering their hyperventilating host and a crowd of stunned onlookers.

Amanda will now receive a modeling contract with Priscilla’s, a $25,000 contract with Levi’s, a trip to New York, a Ford Fiesta Zetec, $20,000 in cash and an eight-page spread in Harpers Bazaar Australia.

It wasn’t all bad for Kelsey either. Thanks to the stuff up (that someone will surely be lynched for) she will also receive $25,000 cash and trip to New York.

As for the producers of Australia’s Next Top Model?

With such amateurish efforts, perhaps they will be forced to recite the mantra "what would Tyra do?" before filming begins on the 2011 season!

BRISBANE, Australia — After more than 60 years, the wreck of the doomed hospital ship AHS Centaur has been located.

The wreck, which was found by Bluewater Recoveries on December 20, lies due east of Moreton Island on a seabed approximately a mile and a half under water.

It is a grave to 268 medics and sailors who lost their lives when the Centaur was sunk without warning by a torpedo from a Japanese submarine on May 14, 1943, about 50 miles north-east of Brisbane.

Only 64 people survived the attack.

Acting Prime Minister, Julia Gillard said the sinking of the AHS Centaur was a sad day in the nation’s history, which should always be remembered.

"The photographs of the Centaur resting peacefully on the ocean’s floor will help ensure the lives of the brave crew and nurses who died so tragically are never forgotten," she said. "I hope by locating the final resting place of the AHS Centaur, the family and friends of those men and women … find some resolution."

A commemorative plaque (which was laid at the starboard side of the fore deck) honors those who lost their lives in the service of the nation.

David Mearns, the principal director of Bluewater Recoveries, led the search for the wreck on board the Australian Defence Maritime Services support vessel, the Seahorse Spirit.

An approximate location, calculated by the Centaur’s navigator 40 minutes before the vessel was torpedoed, was used as a guide by the search team.

"While the wreck is intact, Centaur’s hull appears to be partially broken in at least one and possibly two locations. No doubt the torpedo strike would have caused one of these breaks," Mearns said. "Remarkably (the wreck) is less than one nautical mile from the dead reckoning position I calculated from (navigator) Gordon Rippon’s track. I can’t remember finding a wreck as close to the position reported by a primary source witness."

Mearns, whose team also helped lay the AHS Centaur’s commemorative plaque, said the wreck was approximately 30 miles due east of the southern tip of Moreton Island.

"Following the plaque laying we spent four hours filming individual pieces of wreckage found in the small debris field immediately adjacent to the wreck," he said. "Personal items were found including ankle boots (with the laces intact), a trunk of personal belongings and a felt slouch hat."

"I consider it one of the great privileges in my life to have led this important project,” he added.

The AHS Centaur has since been declared an historic shipwreck under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976, meaning that the vessel cannot be interfered with in any way

BRISBANE, Australia — An Australian Special Forces Explosives Detection Dog named Sabi has been found alive and well almost 14 months after being declared missing in action in Afghanistan.

The black Labrador retriever, who was trained to detect improvised explosive devices in the Oruzgan province, was recovered by a US soldier at an isolated patrol base recently.

The US soldier, known only by his first name John, was aware his Australian Special Forces colleagues were missing one of their explosive detection dogs.

John said it was immediately obvious that Sabi was no ordinary canine.

"I took the dog and gave it some commands which it understood," he said.

At the time of her disappearance Sabi was coming to the end of her second tour of duty in Afghanistan, having previously deployed to Oruzgan in 2007.

Sabi was declared MIA in September 2008 after the combined Australian, US and Afghan National Army convoy was ambushed by an insurgent force.

Nine Australian soldiers including Sabi’s handler were injured during the attack After the engagement Trooper Mark Donaldson earned the Victoria Cross, Australia’s highest military honor for bravery.

After more than a year in South Afghanistan, Sabi was flown to Tarin Kowt to be reunited with one of her Australian Special Forces handlers, who knew instantly it was the team’s missing dog.

"I nudged a tennis ball to her with my foot and she took it straight away. It’s a game we used to play over and over during her training," the trainer said.

"It’s amazing, just incredible to have her back."

Every once in a while a film comes along that makes you think, “Damn it why didn’t I grow up in the (insert era other than late 90s here).”

It happened with Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous “ “" a film which not only made a road trip across the USA look fun but also made me long for the flared jeans and excessive facial hair of the 1970s.

There was also “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” by eighties God John Hughes, who made leg warmers, ditching school and impersonating Chicago’s “Sausage King” seem like the height of cool.

But after seeing “The Boat That Rocked” I whole heartedly wish I grew up in the 1960s. Preferably on a boat, with a group of eccentric hippies, running a pirate radio station in the UK.

Alas, my formative years were spent travelling Australia not gallivanting in the North Sea, but for two hours I got to imagine how great it would have been.

And trust me it would have been bloody fantastic.

Director Richard Curtis delivers a fun and entertaining look at the sort-of-true story of UK’s pirate radio stations, in a film that is thankfully sans Hugh Grant.

A colourful collection of characters and a kicking 60′s soundtrack just make up for the film’s lengthy running time and helps disguise the fact that plot wise, not too much is happening.

In short, innocent newbie Carl (Tom Sturridge) is sent to live with his godfather (Bill Nighy) on board “Radio Rock” with a group of DJ’s responsible for disseminating rock music to Great Britain, in a time when BBC Radio broadcast less than two hours of popular music a week.

Of course there is a stiff-upper lip British hack determined to shut the pirates down and the film chronicles the government’s attempts to discredit “Radio Rock” and their supposedly loose morals.

That, boys and girls is pretty much the story of “The Boat That Rocked” just add a dash of “coming-of-age” to the plot.

But really, there is no need to be too disappointed by the central story (or lack there-of).

“The Boat That Rocked” a.k.a a Richard Curtis film (think “Notting Hill” and “Love Actually”) was never going to have a great deal of narrative complexity and the movie is well compensated by the number of laughs it generates.

Bill Nighy who, let’s face it gets cooler the older he gets, is on fine form as Quentin, the eccentric proprietor who is tricked into dropping the first “f-bomb” on air.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman gets to channel his “Lester Bangs- laid back- muso cool” as the American DJ The Count who is slightly threatened by the arrival of serial “"Lothario and DJ extraordinaire, Gavin (Rhys Ifans).

Tom Sturridge as young Carl (think a cross between Jim Sturgess and Robert Pattinson) wins over the audience with his youthful naivety and shares a hilarious scene with Nick Frost’s Dave, who tries desperately to help Carl lose his virginity.

Rhys Darby from Flight of the Conchords is a stand out as the self-proclaimed nut Angus, who totally flips at the film’s ending telling fellow DJ Mark “to try and fuck his way out of this.”

As the aforementioned hack, the deliciously smarmy Kenneth Branagh delivers one-liner gold, telling a junior team member that his hair cut is so bad that “I’m sure even blind people would be able to sense its profound ugliness.”

Bond girl Gemma Arterton, “Mad Men”s January Jones, and Talulah Riley break up the testosterone fest, as the female fans ready to party with the Radio Rock lads but their appearances are all too brief in what is essentially a male ensemble comedy.

Those expecting typical Curtis fare (romantic comedy) will most likely be disappointed by the film’s lack of romance and perhaps the distinct absence of Hugh Grant.

However for those looking for a laugh or two, “The Boat That Rocked” will certainly deliver and old school rock fans should definitely check out the soundtrack “" the film’s ending montage of music’s greats should be sure to please.

Remember NBC’s reality show Fame?

You do? Wow good memory. It was really just a hypothetical question.

Well remember the blonde, Californian girl who made the Top Twelve?

No? Well, that’s okay. Who can possibly keep track of the thousands upon thousands of reality stars that grace/contaminate our TV screens?

Now in keeping with reality television tradition most contestants usually fade back into the relative obscurity from whence they came, except on the rare occasion that the contestant shows a modicum of talent.

Such is the case with Lauren Hildebrandt, that blond Californian girl who lost out in Fame but has been kicking ass on the dance music scene with a little bit more than just a modicum of talent.

Lauren or “Hildy” has already achieved success beyond that of the usual reality television ex-pat with her singles “Burnin’ Out,” “Dance With You” and “My Life Again” making the Billboard club chart Top 20.

Now she is back with her new single “Boyshorts” from the soon to be released album Not Really a Waitress.

While this is her first foray into mainstream pop music, Lauren is ready to reinvent her musical style and what better way to do it than with a song about sexy women who know how to get what they want.

“I suppose the new track is a bit more daring and sassy for me, but hey, that makes it fun!” she said recently.

She is also in the good hands of acclaimed producers The Senate – the Grammy award winning team who have worked on songs for both Britney Spears and Mary J Blige.

“Working on this new single with The Senate was probably the best experience I have yet to have in the studio,” she said. “I love the new vibe so much I recorded my entire debut album with them. ‚ We just clicked and worked magic together!”

Her album “Not Really a Waitress” is set to debut mid-March and features 5 tracks Hildebrandt co-wrote.

PARIS –‚ A trip to Paris is not complete without a visit to the Palais Garnier, the beautiful and historic theater once home to the Paris Opera.

Located in the heart of Paris’ aptly named opera district, the Palais Garnier is the perfect destination for those travelers keen to avoid tourist-magnets like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Moulin Rouge.

Not only is the theater removed from the crowds but tours and unaccompanied visits run daily for as little as 4-8 Euro, making the Palais Garnier one of the cheapest attractions in Paris.

Commissioned by Napoleon III and designed by Charles Garnier, the theater is an excellent example of neo-baroque design with an opulence that rivals that of the Chateau de Versailles.

Since its official opening in 1875, the Palais Garnier has hosted some of the world’s most famous opera productions including‚ La Traviat‚ and‚ Tristan and Isolde.

However you do not need to be a fan of the opera to enjoy the awe inspiring architecture and rich decadence of the theater itself.‚ The red velvet and gold embellishment of the main auditorium coupled with the elegance and Gothic beauty of the Grand Foyer is simply staggering.‚ 

The giant chandeliers illuminate the beautiful artistry of the ceilings whilst casting a golden light over the lavish baroque settings.‚ A giant marble staircase leading to the upper levels is flanked by intricate bronze statues, carved in the likeness of ethereal female deities.

Beneath the Grand Staircase is the member’s rotunda, a sumptuous but somewhat eerie room filled with elaborate floor mosaics and dimmed wall lights, which bath the room in a gloomy shadow.‚ Everything about the Palais Garnier is excessive, making a simple walk around the theater an absolute feast for the eyes.

For those visitors keen to learn a little more about the theater and the productions it has played host to, the library-museum houses an extensive collection, documenting the three-century long history of the Paris Opera.

Specialized exhibits are held throughout the year but the permanent display includes stage designs, scale models and drawings used in past opera and ballet performances.

The most intriguing feature of the Palais Garnier, however, is not locked away in the library-museum but lies beneath the theater floors.‚ Located deep within the foundations is a subterranean lake, which inspired (in part) Gaston Leroux’s Gothic novel‚ The Phantom of the Opera, the story of a disfigured musical genius who haunts the Parisian opera house.

Not only does the presence of the lake give credence to the Phantom’s myth but amazingly enough the water level also acts as ballast, supporting the weight of the stage above.‚ Visitors are free to wander through the foyers and auditorium of the Palais Garnier, however entrance to the underground lake is strictly forbidden to tourists.

Luckily, the theater’s upper levels are so amazing there is very little need to venture into the lake’s murky depths.‚ If there truly is a Phantom of the Opera he would be a fool to waste his time underground when he could explore the majesty and opulence of the Palais Garnier above.

The Palais Garnier is open for tours everyday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed January 1‚ and May 1.

This is an exclusive special report from Blast Magazine

BRISBANE, Australia — At least 181 people have been confirmed dead and thousands of homes have been destroyed in Victoria’s worst bushfire disaster.

According to ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) online, Victorian police are prepared for the death toll to reach 300 pending formal identification and retrieval of the dead.

Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon has warned the public to be prepared for more fatalities.

“We are going house by house and street by street to search for bodies … and we have some cause to believe there are clearly more people who have died in this fire” she said.

Many of the deceased died in their cars whilst trying to escape the fires but were quickly overcome by the flames.

Over 4200 calls were made to the state’s emergency hotline as fires approached residential areas.

According to the Herald Sun, emergency hotline operators (000) were forced to listen “to terrified Victorians dying over the phone” when help could not reach them in time.

Police forensic experts have the grim and time consuming job of identifying the dead, a nearly impossible feat considering the extreme heat of the fire.

Police are also looking for a man suspected of starting two fires on the outskirts of Melbourne (the capital city of Victoria.)

Although the blazes were quickly extinguished, the Country Fire Authority warns that they had the potential to become major fires.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has angrily condemned any arsonists responsible for lighting fires while speaking with Channel 9 reporters, saying that there are no other words to describe the arson than “mass murder.”

Survivors of the bushfire disaster have taken refuge in hastily erected centers and continue to wait for funds and supplies.

Australians have rallied for the bushfire victims raising $21.5 million for the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal, which aired on the Nine Network last night.

Several A-list stars such as Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Anthony LaPaglia, Miranda Kerr, Orlando Bloom, Ellen DeGeneres, Hugh Jackman and Rachel Griffiths, lent their support to the cause.

Australian Olympians as well as NRL (National Rugby League) and AFL (Australian Football League) players worked in the call center, as people from all over Australia phoned in to donate money.

This is an exclusive special report from Blast Magazine.

BRISBANE, Australia — As bush fires continue to devastate the southern state of Victoria, residents in far north Queensland are still battling floodwaters resulting from ex- Cyclone Ellie’s torrential rainfall.

The cyclone, which was downgraded to a tropical low after crossing the coast on Feb. 2, has dumped rain continuously for the past week, causing massive flood damage to the state’s roads and infrastructure.

According to ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) online, the Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts has declared more than 62 percent of Queensland a “disaster zone.”

“Rainfall of between 200-300 millimeters (8-12 inches) has fallen in the Cairns to Mackay region since tropical cyclone Ellie crossed the coast and it has recharged already flooded rivers,” he said.

Over 330 millimeters (13 inches) of rain has been recorded in the town of Ingham alone, which has been cut off for the past eight days as flood waters hit record levels. At least 3000 properties have been affected by the floodwaters, the town only recognizable from the roofs visible above the water.

More than 50 percent of Ingham residents have been forced to seek accommodation at the evacuation center, as food and water supplies begin to run low.

Not only have schools and businesses been closed but local authorities are also urging citizens not to go into the water after several reports of crocodile sightings close to residential areas.

In Cairns it is already feared that a five year old boy is dead, following a suspected crocodile attack.

The Army and the Red Cross have been called in to help with the relief effort in the far north and other affected areas, with weather forecasts suggesting that the waters will finally begin to recede.

However the damage bill is estimated to cost Queensland $109 million, with that number expected to rise once the full extent of the destruction is ascertained.

Even though you can expect the traditional summer blockbusters, and romantic chick flicks this Valentine’s Day, the Blast staff is excited for these releases. From comedy to sci-fi and star filled casts these are the movies you should look out for.‚ 

Adventureland
After delivering comic gold and commercial success with‚ Superbad, Greg Mottola follows up his directorial debut with the drama/comedy‚ Adventureland. Set in 1987, ‚ Adventureland is‚ about the summer we all wish we had after finishing college.

Guy takes crap job at an amusement park, meets and befriends all the weird employees, falls for the cute girl and ends up having the best time of his life. Starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart as well as Ryan Reynolds, Bill Hader (the funniest guy on SNL) and Kristen Wiig (the funniest girl on SNL),‚ Adventureland‚ looks like quality fun – and lots of it.

Although the tag line to this film is, “it was the worst job they ever imagined and the best time of their lives,” the amusement park job itself actually looks kind of fun. I would love to have Bill Hader and his ridiculous moustache as my boss. Who wouldn’t?‚ ‚ 

New York, I Love You
New York, I Love You, is a collection of short films set in New York that, as the title suggests, all revolve around the concept of love in the Big Apple. Based on the successful formula of “Paris, je t’aime,” this NY version seems to find middle ground between art house cinema and the mainstream.

A stellar cast including, Shia LaBeouf, Natalie Portman, Kevin Bacon, Orlando Bloom, Julie Christie, James Caan, Chris Cooper, Hayden Christensen, Ethan Hawke, John Hurt, Blake Lively and many more, ensures that there will be enough variety to please all – at least in theory.‚  Here’s hoping the film will also be able to change the city’s somewhat “crime infested” image – largely the result of the Law and Order franchise.

Everyone who watches that program knows that the longer you spend in NY, the more likely it is that you will die a gruesome death; your body will be found in Central Park; your murder investigation will be carried out by wise cracking yet world weary detectives, who, after kicking their way through A LOT of poorly made front doors will eventually catch the “perp.” Of course in true Law and Order fashion your killer will then get off on a legal technicality because the D.A prosecuting your case is an incompetent fool.

I’m sure NY is a lot nicer than Law and Order would lead me to believe. That’s why there are so many I Heart NY t-shirts. Presumably. ‚ This film will hopefully support my argument.‚ 

Star Trek
Now, I’m going to be brutally honest. I am not a‚ Star Trek‚ fan. I have never seen a‚ Star Trek‚ film/TV show and I have never had the slightest interest in doing so. Until now. As soon as I saw the trailer for J.J Abrams latest‚ Star Trek‚ adventure, a part of me (the nerdy part) went “hey, that actually doesn’t look too bad.”

Whilst this may not sound like a ringing endorsement (I have to see the film before I can do that), the trailer suggests that some kick ass visual effects and an impressive cast might be enough to sway the average non-Trekkie. The film, like most of the recent comic book adaptations, goes back to the origins of the “trek” so that‚ Star Trek‚ newbies (i.e me) will know what the hell is going on.

Also I assume this will allow the filmmakers to atone for the cinematic crimes of previous instalments and will of course establish the tone/characters/plot for any possible sequels. Starring Chris Pine, Zachary “Sylar” Quinto, Eric Bana, Karl Urban and Simon Pegg (star of one of the funniest films I have ever seen, Hot Fuzz, see it now and thank me later),‚ Star Trek‚ looks set to impress both fans and the clueless alike.‚ ‚ ‚ 

Sherlock Holmes
Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes + Jude Law as Watson + Guy Ritchie as The Director = Awesome.

What more can I say? No trailer as of yet.‚ 

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Finally! Ever since Warner Brothers (in its infinite and flawed wisdom) bumped‚ Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince‚ off its late 2008 release, fans have been impatiently waiting for the boy wizard’s next adventure to hit the screen. The sixth instalment of the Harry Potter series looks set to be just as successful as its predecessors and the trailer suggests that the film is worth the wait.

As the films get progressively darker -another beloved character will meet its demise – Harry and his friends battle against dark forces in their quest to destroy Voldemort again… and yeah you all know the story. As usual fans of the books will flock to the cinema, whilst the Harry Potter haters will avoid it like the plague. Cast regulars return and Jim Broadbent joins the Hogwart’s staff as the new potions master Professor Slughorn.‚ ‚ 

Other films to look out for in 2009

• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
• The Lovely Bones
• Shutter Island
• The Road
• Where the Wild Things Are
• Bruno
• The Boat That Rocked

But c’mon Blast readers, tell us what you think. What films are you excited to see in 2009?

BRISBANE, Australia — Top Five Films Of 2008

1. Wall-E

One of the most beautiful and charming films of 2008 would have to be Pixar’s latest offering, “Wall-E.” Not only is the animation spectacular – just watch as Wall-E first enters outer space – but the story is so engaging it’s hard to believe that there is barely any dialog. With only a few beeps and bops, sound designer Ben Burtt was able to infuse Wall-E with more charisma and personality than most of Hollywood’s leading men. He is a little robot with a heart of gold, cleaning up Earth and dreaming of the day when he can hold the hand of his true love. Enter Eve, a new robot sent to the human-devoid Earth to search for signs of life on the dying planet. The resulting courtship between Wall-E and Eve is affecting and very funny (for adults and children alike). Wall-E is a bumbling fool, awkwardly trying to impress the object of his infatuation. Even as the film moves into the faster second act, Wall-E and Eve’s misadventures on the human controlled Axiom spaceship continue to amuse, especially when they join forces with other charismatic robots in the repair shop. On a serious note the film also creates a very real dystopia, in which mass consumerism has forced all humans to abandon Earth, leaving the clean up job to little robots like Wall-E. The human characters are depicted as fat and lazy, almost completely oblivious to their state of denial, in what is a very pointed commentary about society today. But “Wall-E” is ultimately a kid’s film, with absolutely beautiful animation, endearing protagonists and a third act which has one of the most heart- breaking and tear inducing scenes I have ever seen. Relax though – it’s a Disney film so you can be sure of a happy ending.

Best Scene: Wall-E and Eve share an intimate moment while floating in the star-studded abyss of outer space.

2. The Dark Knight

“Why so serious?” Heath Ledger’s tour de force performance as The Joker is truly the icing on a cake layered with many levels of cinematic spectacle. Beautifully orchestrated by director and screen writer Christopher Nolan, “The Dark Knight” starts where prequel “Batman Begins” left off – Batman has joined forces with Commissioner Gordon in order to deal with the escalation of crime in Gotham. But neither are prepared for what criminal mastermind, The Joker has in store. Ledger’s Joker is every bit an “agent of chaos,” laughing manically as he pushes Batman to his extremes and (violently) questions society’s moral code. Rather than humanize The Joker via a heart-breaking Anakin/Darth Vader back story, Nolan keeps his arch villain unsympathetic and totally unpredictable, allowing the narrative arc to depict the tragic demise of Harvey Dent. But to focus purely on the late Heath Ledger’s performance would be to ignore a stellar cast, notably Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader, Aaron Eckhart as Gotham D.A Harvey Dent and a top-of-his-game Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon. Amazing visuals, a bone chilling score and one of the most suspenseful scenes ever seen on film, all work together to make “The Dark Knight” one of the best films of 2008.

Best Scene: Batman interrogates The Joker only to be blindsided by a new revelation. “You’re going to have to play my little game if you want to save one of…them.” Scary.

3. Iron Man

The success of “Iron Man” can be summed up in three words – Robert Downey Jr. “Iron Man” might have crashed and burned had it not been for Downey’s arrogant yet oddly endearing performance as millionaire industrialist Tony Stark. He pulls off what could have been a cheesy change-of-heart scene to really make the audience believe that a weapons manufacturer could develop a conscience – all while munching down on a cheeseburger! Downey’s non-stop banter adds to the character’s charm and Jon Favreau’s keen direction keeps the film from dragging. An impressive cast, including Jeff Bridges and the soon-to-be-replaced Terrence Howard, give the comic book adaptation a much needed plausibility factor, supported in part by the superb special effects. Gwyneth Paltrow as Stark’s assistant Pepper Potts is of course excellent, delivering one of the best put downs to a recently bedded and scathing Vanity Fair journalist, “I do everything and anything Mr Stark requires, including on occasion, taking out the trash.” But this really is Downey’s film – from riding in the “funvee,” and enjoying a lap dance in his private airplane, to blowing up terrorist training camps, Tony Stark is truly the anti-hero. We can’t wait for him to get back into the iron suit.

Best Scene: Tony Stark’s first outing as the Iron Man.

4. Twilight

If ever a film were to be characterized as a guilty pleasure than it is “Twilight.” Its shortcomings are obvious and mostly budget dependent (lackluster special effects and an over reliance on wire work) but it’s hardly the reason fans have been lining up to see the film over and over again. Come on – it’s a Gothic and impossible love story between a human girl and a vampire! What more could you want. The relationship between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, beautifully depicted by so-hot-right-now Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, is really the heart of “Twilight.” While some critics have judged the film harshly for its high level of teen angst and brooding stares, to fans that is what it’s all about. “Twilight” is no cinematic masterpiece but it doesn’t intend to be. Rather, it attempts to capture the underlying sexual tension and euphoria of first love, and boy does it deliver. The young cast are impressive with Peter Facinelli a stand out as the calm and always gentle Dr Carlisle Cullen. It is a pity however that you don’t see more of Cam Gigandet, the menacing vampire/ tracker/ resident bad ass James. He gives the “Twilight” vampires some much needed – forgive the pun – bite. But at least we can be sure that his fiery mate Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre) will be back in future films to help with the body count. Her cameo at the prom was both sinister and exciting – come on “New Moon!”

Best Scene: Bella joins the Cullen’s for a game of baseball, vampire style.

5. Australia

Ok, this entry is likely to divide readers, but as an Aussie, I just couldn’t overlook Baz Luhrmann’s epic film, “Australia.” A visually stunning and highly emotive film, “Australia” has been subjected to a high degree of scrutiny, especially from Australian film critics. Debates concerning culture and national identity follow nearly every film which purports to be quintessentially Australian and this film was, of course, no exception. National cinema in Australia has always been pre-occupied with discovering and identifying who we are as a nation – a nearly impossible feat for a two hour film. Luckily Baz Luhrmann doesn’t seem to let such considerations plague the screenplay. I for one see no reason why the love story and underlying themes of the film should not resonate with an international audience. After all, it really is a fairly simple story of the English rose, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) who moves to Australia and ends up on a cattle drove (don’t ask), where she meets and eventually falls in love with The Drover (Hugh Jackman, aka sexiest man alive). On a more serious note, the film also deals with plight of indigenous Australian’s in the 1940s with particular reference to the Stolen Generation – the Aboriginal children who were taken from their parents and put into White controlled missions, in accordance with the horrific government policy of the time. Much has been said of Kidman and Jackman’s performances but the true star of this film is newcomer Brandon Walters as the half caste Nullah and the always reliable David Wenham, as the uber bastard Fletcher, who is able to take the somewhat ridiculous Australian slang and make it believable. That said there are some colloquialisms I have NEVER heard of – particularly The Drover’s retort, “shut your damper hole.” But it is easy to overlook some of the more cringy moments when you consider Luhrmann’s beautiful re-creation of life in the 1940s Northern Territory and the cinematic spectacle, which the film delivers.

Best Scene: Lady Sarah Ashley gets a shock after seeing her first kangaroo.
Other great films of 2008 (in no particular order)

* “Son of Rambow”
* “Frost/Nixon”
* “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”
* “Quantum of Solace”
* “The Orphanage”
* “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”

Despite the many weeks, months, that‚ Twilight‚ mania has engulfed the media it seems a countless number of people are still oblivious to this latest teen craze.‚ How is this possible?

Twilight ‚ is EVERYWHERE – there are posters at bus stops, book stores, cinemas and even on the back of public toilet doors (I kid you not).‚ Every day I see more and more hardcore “Twilighter’s” obsessively scanning the pages of one of the four books, sighing wistfully as they dream of being saved from a sadistic vampire by Edward Cullen.

Flick through any entertainment/film/teen magazine and chances are you’ll find a‚ Twilight‚ article more often than not accompanied by a photograph of Robert Pattinson doing what he does best – brooding.

So how can anyone truthfully say,‚ “Twilight? Never heard of it.”

I have become so used to declaring my allegiance to Team Edward and having friends automatically a) nod in agreement or b) hiss, pronounce me mentally unwell and then expound upon the virtues of Team Jacob, that to have others employ the hitherto unknown option c) stare back at me blankly, has come as quite a shock.

What is most frustrating, are those people who are completely unaware of the‚ Twilight‚ phenomenon but automatically hate it, simply because it is both popular and mainstream. (See Exhibit A).‚ ‚ 

EXHIBIT A:
The following conversation I had with two of my anti-Twilight‚ friends who, I can only assume, have been living under a rock for the past couple of months.

Friend 1: Have you heard about these‚ Twilight‚ books?

Me: Oh my god, yes I love them.

Friend 1: Urghh, my sister keeps going on and on about them. What are they even about?

Friend 2: (Interjects) I think they’re supposed to be kids’ books like Harry Potter.

Me: Geez, you guys know nothing! They’re a young adult series about….umm…well

Friend 1 &2:‚ ‚ Speculative glances

Me: Okay look the important thing is not to judge the books when I tell you the premise. I thought it sounded lame too until I actually read them. They’re really addictive.

Friend 1: Okay…

Me: Well,‚ Twilight‚ is sort of a romance story about a teenage girl….and a vampire…..

Friend 1:‚ Groans

Friend 2:‚ Snickers

Me: And it’s set in high school.

Friend 1 & 2:‚ Exchange a glance that indicates both extreme incredulity and concerns for my sanity.

Me: No, hear me out!‚ Twilight‚ is not like other vampire novels. These vampires don’t have fangs or anything.‚ ‚ So basically the girl, Bella, falls in love with Edward Cullen, who is pretty much the perfect guy. He also just happens to be a vampire. But even though he loves her too, a part of him always wants to drink her blood and so…

Friend 2: (Cuts me off) Don’t bother. You lost me at “vampires.”

Friend 1: You lost me at “romance.”

Me: (sulkily) You should probably know this though. When the film is released it’s going to be big*. And every teenage girl will be going nuts for Edward. They already are in the US.

Friend 2: Oh god no! Please tell me they’re not making a film! I hate those pissweak film franchises.

Friend 1: Who’s in it?

Me: Well, Robert Pattinson is playing Edward.

Friend 1: Who?

Me: The hot guy who played Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter film.

Friend 1& 2: ………..

Me: Okay, never mind.

What have I learnt from this experience? I need to trade these two friends in for a new pair that are more‚ Twilight-friendly.

*Twilight is released in Australia on Dec 11. Like nearly everything made in Hollywood it takes anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months to reach Australian shores. Maybe films are transported from Los Angeles to Sydney via carrier pigeon!

Thanks to YouTube, anyone with a digital camera, Internet connection and a modicum of talent can become a filmmaker.

But back in the 1980s, making your own film required perseverance, creativity and a lot of hard work.

Many of today’s aspiring filmmakers would find it hard to beat the work of Chris Strompolos, Eric Zala and Jayson Lamb — three boys from Mississippi who set the precedent for the ultimate homemade movie.

Together, they created a shot by shot remake of the 1981 Indiana Jones film Raiders of the Lost Ark, complete with a rolling boulder, ballsy leading lady and the infamous Nazi face-melting scene.

The trio of 12-year-olds were so inspired by Steven Spielberg’s original film that they designed storyboards, props and costumes and began production on their own adaptation in 1982.

Seven years, $5,000 and three sets of presumably frazzled parents later, their film was complete.

Their version, aptly entitled Raiders of the Lost Ark: An Adaptation, is a heartfelt tribute to Spielberg’s original, made all the more impressive by the obvious amount of effort the lads invested in the project.

Using only household objects and simulated stubble, and conning friends and family into joining the cast and crew, Eric, Chris and Jayson brought the whip-cracking adventures of Indiana Jones to life, albeit with noticeable pubescent voice-breaking.

The adaptation received its first official screening in 2003 at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Texas, more than 22 years after the boys began the pre-production process.

Since then, the film has screened to sold out audiences all over the world and has even gained the approval of Spielberg and George Lucas.

Blast recently caught up with Eric and Chris (now in their 30s), who fessed up about truck stunts, deals with Paramount and meeting the master himself.