Scores of properties are under extreme fire threat as a huge blaze continues to advance through Sydney's north-western suburbs. Fires have also shut down the major road and rail links between Sydney and Gosford.

The promotional stop in Sydney was everything to be expected for a Hollywood blockbuster - phalanxes of photographers, a stretch limo to a hotel across the Quay - but with one difference. A line-up of masseurs was waiting to take the media in hand. Never has the term "massaging the media" seemed so accurate.

People can butter their bread with a knife.

I can almost always tell when movies use fake dinosaurs.

it's all about the quality of the grammar and when my dog likes to shake his stuffed chickadee toy.