Father Geek here, marking the return of our Aussie editor Tamsin, and her AICN Downunder Column. She's got a "Downunder Top 10 List" and of course an unavoidible (this time of year) Sundance Report. Soooo dig in, and check it all out right here...

DOWUNDER REPORT #16

Happy New Year!!

I've finally returned from working on a film in Thailand and am now able to bring you my latest report.

Awards

Aussie Actor Judy Davis was awarded an American Film Institute Award for best actress in a TV mini-series or film for her portrayal of Judy Garland in LFIE WITH JUDY GARLAND: MY AND MY SHADOWS.

LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGS was voted best film.

MOULIN ROUGE won two AFI awards. Craig Armstrong was voted best composer and Aussie Jill Bilcock won film editor of the year.

At the National Society of Film Critics awards, Naomi Watts won the best actress award for her role in MULHOLLAND DRIVE.

For the third year in a row, New Zealander Russell Crowe has won best actor at the Broadcast Film Critics Association awards for his work in Ron Howard's BEAUTIFUL MIND. Aussie Baz Luhrmann, director of MOULIN ROUGE, tied with Howard for best director.

And in New Zealand, director Peter Jackson, has been named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the country's honours list for LORD OF THE RINGS. Jackson's co-scriptwriter Fran Walsh was also named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Gee, are there enough awards for The Film Industry or what?!!!??

Nic News

Nicole Kidman seems to have a zillion movies coming up with roles as diverse as Virginia Woolf, in THE HOURS, where she donned a false nose, Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of English King Richard the Lionheart in COURT AND SPARK, but first will be appearing alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins in THE HUMAN STAIN and Jim Carrey in the comedy DOG DAYS. Busy girl.

Australian newspaper critics and readers from The Age, were invited to list their Top Ten Films of 2001 and following is final selections:

• 1 LANTANA
• 2 ALMOST FAMOUS
• 3 YOU CAN COUNT ON ME
• 4 SEXY BEAST
• 5 MOULIN ROUGE
• 6 MEMENTO
• 7 AMELIE
• 8 ROSETTA
• 9 BEAU TRAVAIL
• 10 TRAFFIC

ERIC BANA NEWS

Our boy Bana is currently promoting his first Hollywood film, BLACK HAWK DOWN and will start work on THE INCREDIBLE HULK in March. In BLACK HAWK DOWN, Bana plays Sergeant First Class Hoot Gibson.

"AUSTRALIAN RULES" IN SUNDANCE

Director Paul Goldman's AUSTRALIAN RULES, is garnering rave reviews at its sold-out screenings in Sundance. Based on Paul Gwynne's novel, DEADLY, UNNA?, AUSTRALIAN RULES has been described as a "richly layered rural WEST SIDE STORY that takes audiences through unexpected twists to unexpected destinations." Director Goldman has said, "I planned the film to be an emotional hijack - light and frothy, laid-back and joyous, but with some dark seeds sown in. I didn't set out to make a political film. But it does urge people to take a stand. It's a postcard home about the state of the nation."

Keep an eye out for this one.

NEWS FROM CLINT AT MOVIE-HOLE... INSPECTOR GADGET 2

The Herald Sun reports that one of Brisbane's big-ass bridges will be shut down this weekend all in the name of Inspector Gadget 2. Scenes from the movie have already been shot at several Brisbane locations including an abandoned sugar mill and the state's parliament house and now the inner-city bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic from 6am (AEST) to 6pm on Saturday, January 12, and from 6am to 6pm on Saturday, January 19.

Pedestrians and emergency services vehicles will still be able to use the bridge and traffic controllers will redirect traffic while the film is being shot on the bridge - but please do not touch Mr Gadget!

The film's producer Peter Green said action and chase scenes would be shot on the bridge - some of the movie's big adventure moments among them, featuring our hero Gadget (French Stewart). Also filming their scenes at present are Sigrid Thornton (See picture taken from set), Elaine Hendrix, Bruce Spence and Mark Mitchell. Tony Martin is playing Dr Claw (the Rupert Everett role) and Caitlin Wachs is Penny (the Michelle Tratchenberg role).

The film - rumoured to be now getting a theatrical release in 2003 - is expected to add to boost the state's economy by $117 million.

Thanks Clint.

That's all from this week. Will definitely be back next week with lots more Downunder news.

Tamsin