SXSW keeps cooking for fans, customers

Joss Whedon's horror pic 'The Cabin inside the Woods' will open SXSW on Friday.SXSW pre-buys include Strand's acquisition of Adam Sherman's 'Crazy Eyes.'Young talent, multi-tasking brainiacs and freaks within the underworld converge onscreen in Austin Friday in world-preeming South by Southwest opener "The Cabin inside the Forest."A year ago, TWC acquired Oscar-winning gridiron docu "Undefeated" right after its SXSW world preem, stimulating action that saw several docus, evening time chiller "Kill List" and gay romance "Weekend" ink deals through the fest. Saturday morning's world preem of Jacob Rosenberg's skateboard docu "Waiting for Lightning," within the "Enter Liquid" producers, could spur buying action even earlier.Attracted by digital deals ready fans, a wider number of U.S. and foreign merchants and customers are riding in to the city this year for your nine-day SXSW Film, which overlaps its Interactive and Music compadres.Pre-fest pick-ups are the just-scooped Jay and Mark Duplass comedy "Do-Deca-Pentathalon" (Danger SignalOrSibel Searchlight), Adam Sherman's "Crazy Eyes" (Strand) and midnighters "The Aggression Scale" (Anchor Bay) and "Iron Sky" (eOne)."It strikes me there's more available films this year together with a better industry attendance overall,Inch mentioned Arianna Bocco, Sundance Selects/IFC Films senior V . p . of purchases and productions together with a fest vet.Customers obtain hitlists but showed up at SXSW ready for unforeseen gems. " 'Weekend' showed up in this area of left area for people, and I have have a feeling that will happen this year,In . she added.SXSW remains an important launchpad for photos with distribution. Furthermore to Came Goddard's "Cabin" (Lionsgate), Columbia/MGM world preems "21 Jump Street" Monday and Pantelion provides Will Ferrell-starrer "Casa p mi padre" Tuesday, both opening wide March 16.Auds can catch U.S. preems of William Friedkin's "Killer Joe," Willem Dafoe-starrer "The Hunter" and Eduardo Sanchez's "Lovely Molly."Magnet has reggae docu "Marley," the earth preem of midnighter "Rec 3 Genesis," horror omnibus "V/H/S" and Bobcat Goldthwaite's "God Bless America." Local hero Richard Linklater presents his dark comedy "Bernie," starring Jack Black. And SXSW discovery Lena Dunham (2010 narrative champion and IFC pickup "Small Furniture") reveals her Cinemax comedy "Women."Merchants and customers agree SXSW's youth-skewed tech and culture-savvy audience is a crucial litmus test for product. The fest will hands out aud honours in many program groups the first time this year.InchSomebody who was simply 13 five years ago is becoming 18 and part of a period of clients taught to watch and respond to movies diversely,In . mentioned Preferred Content founder Kevin Iwashina, whose photos are saved to buyer rader including U.K. chiller "Black Pond," docu "Charles Bradley: Soul of America" and John Slattery-starring father-boy drama "Inside Our Character.""(Film fest producer) Jesse Pierson and her team try to program for market, not for your business, and identify films you wouldn't see elsewhere."Welsh-born heartthrob Aneurin Barnard stars by 50 percent photos using the Southby vibe -- Irish helmer Ciaran Foy's world-preeming feral-kids midnighter "Citadel" and Marc Evans' seventies-set coming-of-age musical "Hunky Dory," screening inside the narrative spotlight alongside Matthew Lillard's "Body body fat Kid Rules the planetInch and Jordan Roberts' "Frankie Go Boom," which begins Charlie Hunnam and Chris O'Dowd against Ron Perlman in dragThe Emerging Visions program seems to own major buyer awareness this year, with "Black Pond," Kirsten Sheridan's Dublin teen rampage "Toy house," Rebecca Thomas' edgy Mormon girl tale "Electrick Children," and world preems of Andrew Neel's camera-footage mashup "King Kelly," Matthew A. Cherry's "The Ultimate Fall" (Lance Gross just like a washed-up ex-professional footballer) and Bill and Turner Ross's rambling New Orleans-set docu "Tchoupitoulas."Narrative competish photos getting in purchases interest include Jonathan Lisecki's babymaking comedy "Gayby," Mark Jarrett's ex-pat journey "The Taiwan Oyster," additionally to newcomer Adam Leon's graffiti revenge drama "Gimme the Loot" (also developed in New Company company directors New Films) and unlikely friendship story "Celebrity," from "Prince of Broadway" helmer Sean Baker.Submarine's Josh Braun, who just closed an unspecified deal for Ron Alverson's Sundance-preeming laffer "The Comedy" (screening at SXSW), always finds success along with his focussed slate."Southby rarely has investing in an offer wars and, personally, it's where discussions start nevertheless it wouldn't surprise me whenever we sell a title through the festival this year,In . mentioned Braun, which has "Loot" and "Celebrity," competish docu "Rob" (a chiller about Jeffrey Dahmer), and arty docus "Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters" and "Central Park Effect.""Entrepreneurs are becoming an even more direct dialogue with audiences," mentioned Elizabeth Sheldon, vice-prexy of Kino Lorber. "The festival's convergence of tech and film is different, because it brings that online audience -- the passionate people associated with Kickstarter campaigns and other initiatives -- into theaters," Sheldon states. "Which is great to fulfill that core audience because, today, it's your most effective marketing strategy.In . Contact Pat Saperstein at pat.saperstein@variety.com

Torchwood Star Cast In ABCs Gilded Lilys

Torchwood star John Barrowman has landed the last series regular role on KJ Steinberg and Shonda Rhimes ABC period drama pilot Gilded Lilys. Set in 1895, it centers on the Lilys, who are looking to revive their familys fortunes by opening the most lavish hotel in NY history. Barrowman, best known for her role as Captain Jack Harness on Torchwood, will play their playboy son Julius Lily.

Telefilm Canada bows fund

By BRENDAN KELLY MONTREAL Canuck film funding agency Telefilm Canada introduced Friday a completely new private donation fund designed to finance homegrown filmmaking. The completely new fund uses gold gold coin from private Canadian companies considering supporting local film. As a swap for your possibilities, the companies can get either regulations and tax breaks or credits. The non-public donation fund might have two streams -Body for promising youthful filmmakers and also the other to help established filmmakers achieve their potential in Canada and worldwide. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, one of the country's leading business associations, is probably the supporters in the project. "The services we held inside the a year ago states there is a genuine requirement of this new fund," mentioned Telefilm executive director Carolle Brabant. Telefilm estimations the fund may be endowed by getting a yearly budget near to $5 million once it's fully all set to go. It'll administer the fund and estimations that management expenses will probably be under 5%. The completely new fund makes effect immediately. Also Friday, Telefilm topper Brabant introduced an plane pilot program to produce and market micro-allotted features. These photos uses innovative production techniques and may goal to attain auds over different media platforms. This program is ideal for a completely new generation of filmmakers who've made shorts and you will need to increase the risk for go to features. This program could have a yearly budget of $millions of and Telefilm will back between eight and 10 films yearly. Each project can get between $100,000 and $120,000 from Telefilm, as well as the maximum arrange for all the films will probably be $250,000. The Telefilm gold gold coin enables the producers to leverage this to discover other traders, mentioned Brabant. Brabant made the bulletins throughout the optimum time industry conference in Ottawa. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

New John Carter Trailer Lands

'Let's see what he's in a position to...'We're roughly each week away now within the launch of John Carter, as well as the real test for director Andrew Stanton and also the crew: can the film flourish in this area office? Well, while using buzz-o-meter swinging a healthy diet plan for your "positive" side in the scale, Disney's marketing bots are mounting one of the last large pushes, delivering a completely new trailer at Apple.For those who have seen the prior trailers or clips, you'll most likely known what you're looking for here: Taylor Kitsch's hero jumping a good deal, shouting a good deal and swinging weapons a good deal, while Lynn Collins looks hot in a number of clothes and Mark Strong getting his best baldy scowl for the table.Of course while using Disney team's promotions, there's a little jerk to story, with Carter for the reason that one being informed when he doesn't stop your dream on Barsoom, "Earth will probably be next." But mostly we have seen while he fights crooks as well as a rock with a White-colored Ape inside an arena, which we wager suggests the American Humane Association will not give that certain their stamp of approval. White-colored Apes are people too! Just really large. And hairy. And toothy.With Willem Dafoe (he's the avocado-hued, four-armed Tars Tarkas), Samantha Morton, Thomas Haden Chapel, Ciaran Hinds, Dominic West, Bryan Cranston and James Purefoy also inside the mix, John Carter will leap into cinemas on March 9.

The Entire Pilot Report: ABC's Got Mandy Moore, Reba McEntire and Natalie Portman!

The autumn TV months are materializing. Systems have purchased a large number of new aircraft pilots starring familiar faces including Zachary Levi, Mindy Kaling, Mandy Moore and Sarah Silverman, and from proven producers like Josh Schwartz, J.J. Abrams, Greg Berlanti and Kevin Williamson. Also creating a comeback this season: Legendary figures including Eco-friendly Arrow, Barbara Bradshaw, A Virtual Detective and sweetness and also the Animal. To keep an eye on who's doing what, read our complete list of all of the series projects in contention and appearance back for updates on their own status. Listed here are the Fox aircraft pilots: (Get more information at ABC, CBS, CW and NBC.) Find Out More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Ali LarterJames PurefoyMandy MooreSarah SilvermanMichael DinnerKevin WilliamsonGreg BerlantiZachary LeviJ.J. AbramsJosh BermanJosh SchwartzMarc GuggenheimRob WrightBrothers & SistersHeroesTerminator: The Sarah Connor ChroniclesJosh FriedmanDrop Dead DivaMcGMindy KalingJustified

Thornton Directing And Then We Drove

Autobiographical relationship road movieA decade or so ago, Billy Bob Thornton was juggling his acting gigs with a burgeoning career as a director, helmingSling Blade,All The Pretty Horses and Daddy And Them.He then seemed to retreat back to acting, but apparently these projects come in threes, since Thornton-as-director has just made the Willie Nelson documentary The King Of Luck and the drama Jayne Mansfield's Car, and is now talking about his next idea: a road movie based on personal experience, called And Then We Drove.Thornton says the story is "ethereal", and is about "a guy who's on a road trip and picks up this girl along the way, and what happens to them. It's about the question of life: 'What is this? Where do I fit in?'"Deep stuff, but most interest in the film this morning has been of a more prurient sort, since an unnamed Variety inside-source has suggested that it's partly based on Thornton's infamously intense relationship with Angelina Jolie."It's based on his personal experiences in many ways," producer Alexander Rodnyansky sort of confirms. Rodnyansky is also behind Jayne Mansfield's Car, and heard the pitch for Drove during that film's production: "I found the story amazing. It's a pretty new combination of genres to put into one movie."Thornton is aiming to have his screenplay written by the end of March, before hitting the road to shoot in LA, New Mexico and Arizona.Jayne Mansfield's Car, starring John Hurt, Ray Stevenson, Kevin Bacon, Robert Duvall, Robert Patrick, Shawnee Smith, Tippi Hedren and Thornton himself, has just premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival. There's no word on a general release date yet, or one for The King Of Luck. Thornton has received offers, but he's holding out for the one that guarantees a theatrical release.

The Civil Wars' Pleasure Williams Expecting Her First Child

Pleasure Williams and John Paul White-colored Grammy champion Pleasure Williams is pregnant along with her first child, The Civil Wars singer introduced on Twitter Friday. "Beyond elated to discuss that [husband] Nate [Yetton] & I expect our first child in the finish of June!!! My baby bump & I'll assist you to round the red-colored-colored carpet," she written. Grammys: The most effective and worst performances Though she'll need to hang about until June to produce home her baby, she and bandmate John Paul White-colored introduced home twins on Sunday evening: Two shiny gold Grammys for top Country Duo/Group Performance and greatest Folk Album.

Netflix stock increases by 22%

Shares of Netflix leaped by over 20% Thursday following the organization reported upbeat quarterly amounts yesterday and traders appear to become lately enamored despite significant challenges ahead that Boss and founder Reed Hastings acknowledged, including elevated competition from Amazon . com . com. The stock was purchasing and selling up 22%, or $20 a share, at $116 in heavy volume. While Netflix is not prone to determine soon the $300-plus level the stock accomplished at its height, it's retrieved significant ground in the 52-week low of $62 within the finish of November. Experts at Citigroup, Barclays and JPMorgan Opportunities have elevated their cost targets for Netflix. Customer rise in the fourth quarter restored confidence in the restored upward trajectory after stumbles in 2011's third quarter introduced with a customer dip the first time inside the company's history. Nevertheless the reaction to proper flubs that angered clients may have been overplayed, similar to the shares were likely overvalued at their previous sky-greater level. Netflix mentioned it elevated its domestic customer count by 610,000 inside the fourth quarter. Revenue for your period elevated 47% to $876 million. The business ended the season with 21.67 million domestic subs. Searching ahead, Hastings noted the pending insufficient Disney films that have been part of Netflix's deal with Starz that expired a year ago. Also, the exclusivity amount of a five-year deal with Epix finishes this fall, meaning people films may be licensed to rivals too. But he mentioned Netflix is flush together with other content deals and may pursue completely new ones, despite the fact that it might dial back trading just a little in coming quarters in contrast having its huge fourth-quarter outlay, which bending in the prior year. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

Aretha Franklin Calls Off Wedding

Aretha Franklin Aretha Franklin has called off her engagement to William "Willie" Wilkerson. "Will and I have decided we were moving a little too fast, and there were a number of things that had not been thought through thoroughly," Franklin said in a statement. "There will be no wedding at this time." Aretha Franklin engaged to longtime friend Franklin, 69, announced earlier this month that she and her longtime friend were planning to walk down the aisle. "We're looking at June or July for our date and no, I'm not pregnant, LOL!" Franklin said at the time. "We will not comment on it any further because of the very personal and sensitive nature of it," the pair added. "We appreciate all of the many well wishes from friends."

The Brand New Yorker's David Denby: Works Out the film Critic Loved 'We Purchased a Zoo'

Recently, NYer critic David Denby, released his overview of "The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo" 1 week prior to the embargo date. This came the ire of both studio and director David Fincher, developing a terse back-and-forth between Denby and "Tattoo" producer Scott Rudin. However, caught within the crossfire of the film-critic hullabaloo was poor old Cameron Crowe's new movie, 'We Purchased a Zoo.' Within the emails to Rudin, Denby defended his actions, worrying concerning the many movies being released around Christmas. "What to set up playboy on December 5? Definitely not 'We Bought the Zoo,' or whatever it's known as," he stated. Crowe and Damon later considered in on Denby's dis themselves, using the director stating, "He should begin to see the movie. I am really anxious for him to determine the film. ... It is a time full of cynicism, and there's lots of movies about this, and that one is a touch bit about hope and deficiencies in cynicism." For Damon, he directed his comments toward experts in general: "It most likely takes more guts for any critic to confess this movie reaches them of computer will to allow them to party it." It works out that Cameron and Matt were right! Within the latest problem from the NYer, Denby compliments -- a little backhandedly -- Crowe's script, and just how "moving" it's. (Indicate Damon.) After his misadventures with 'Vanilla Sky' and 'Elizabethtown,' Crowe has retrieved the sure commercial hands he shown in 'Jerry Maguire.' Nothing that occurs within this movie is incorporated in the least surprising, but it is all quite enjoyable as well as, sometimes, moving. McKenna and Crowe have created the type of industrious script by which everybody includes a problem to beat.Inch See, some movie experts could be (kind of) non-cynical. Denby even takes time to recognize the truly amazing romance in 'Zoo' and Damon's performance. (Another indicate Damon.) Together with Tom Hanks, [Damon] is among the most pleasant stars in contemporary movies. It requires forever for Benjamin to see the pretty, lower-to-earth lady using the secrets is looking at him in in a certain way. Crowe gives Johansson enough yearning closeups to ignite a pile of moist leaves, and, finally, Damon responds. You will find so couple of good examples within the movies of normal romantic behavior --when the heart of Hollywood filmmaking -- the slow, hesitant, unremarkable but warming courtship of Damon and Johansson feels as though a thought. And thus ended the finest headline-getting movie critic debate previously year approximately. Read Denby's full overview of "We Purchased a Zoo" -- plus his ideas on "Very Noisy and extremely Close" -- at the NYer. [via NYer] [Photo: twentieth century Fox] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Pills, cell phones spur trading

Trading on electronic products items worldwide is predicted to top $1 trillion in 2012, driven largely by pills and cell phones, according to research released Sunday with the Electronic Products Assn. Televisions, extended a powerful category, are losing momentum. Sales of Televisions were up 2% this season and for that reason could be up another 1% in 2012, to 262 million models. However, that growth is specific in emerging areas the developed areas from the U . s . States, The Eu, Korea and japan are nearly saturated. Tablet sales, however, are forecasted for explosive growth: 96 million-100 million models worldwide. This can be a rate of development of 65% year-on-year, and they're expected to become full 5% in the worldwide CE market. "Because (tablet sales have) grown so rapidly within the U . s . States, it's practically peaked already," mentioned Steve Bambridge of GfK Boutique Research, which labored with CEA to compile the data. "But there are many other growth later on in other areas." The motive pressure in the CE market in 2012 is predicted being the smartphone, repping 22% of CE trading, up from 18% this season. Really, other product groups are advancing off or really beginning to contract. Hi fi systems, digital still camera and tv sales shown small increases this season, nevertheless the energy is within cell phones and pills. The Eu particularly can be a strong industry for high-finish cell phones. Really, mentioned Bambridge, "The hurry into cell phones has squashed other portable device groups: vehicle navigation, camcorders, portable media players A number of these are losing their relevance since the smartphone will get control their benefits." Inside the camera market, he noted, compact cameras are lowering, but high-finish digital SLRs are holding their ground. Consumer trading on electronic products ongoing to rebound within the 2008-09 economic crash, but European figures remain depressed as several economic climates there stay with shaky ground. Meanwhile, the emerging areas -- Central and Eastern Europe, developing Asia Off-shoreline (including India and China), South Usa and Middle East/Africa have grown to be to 46% around the world market and so are the key center of growth. Curiosity about LCD Televisions is especially strong inside the emerging areas. CEA presenters known to emerging areas roaring ahead while developed areas are plateauing. The BRIC areas (South usa, Russia, India, China) are leading this trend, with growth rates around 50%. "These emerging economic climates really would be the primary focus of growth," mentioned Steve Koenig, director of industry analysis for CEA. Overall consumer trading on CE products was up 8% this season worldwide, and was up in every single region: In developed areas The U . s . States 10%, The Eu 2%, and developed APAC 2%. In emerging areas, Central/Eastern Europe was up 18%, emerging APAC 17%, South Usa 11%, Mideast/Africa 8%. Television purchases elevated 5% this season but were lower 3% in Eastern Europe. 3d TV does a lot better than some reviews have indicated, Koenig and Bambridge mentioned, with steady rise in the U.S. market. So far, they mentioned, that growth is linear, as opposed to the typical "S" curve of slow initial sales, rapid adoption after which it advancing off. However, industry while using finest 3d TV transmission is China, where passive glasses were placed on affordable sets. "Exactly what are they doing with people 3d Televisions?," mentioned Bambridge. "Because of there being hardly any 3d content in China, which proves in the event you drive the price low enough, people will proceed and take product." Contact David S. Cohen at david.cohen@variety.com

Ratings: Modern Family Comes Back Big

Modern Family ABC's reigning Emmy-winning sitcom Modern Family returned from its holiday hiatus to its usual perch atop Wednesday's prime-time ratings, Nielsen overnights show. The show improved by some 10 percent over its last first-run on Dec. 7; the network's other sitcoms also were all up compared with their last fresh outings on that date. I Get That a Lot, CBS' recurring special on celebrities snookering regular people by posing in regular jobs, was up an astounding 130 percent vs. the last time it was on (Dec. 17, 2010). Check out the rest of the day's news on TVGuide.com 8 p.m.CBS: I Get That a Lot 8.32 million viewers (2.3 demo rating)ABC: The Middle 9.95 million (3.0); Suburgatory 8.73 million (2.9)Fox: Glee [rerun] 2.35 million (0.8)NBC: Up All Night [rerun] 3.52 million (1.0); Whitney [rerun] 3.14 million (1.0)CW: The Secret Circle [rerun] 971,000 (0.3) 9 p.m.CBS: Criminal Minds [rerun] 8.21 million viewers (2.3 demo rating)ABC: Modern Family 13.98 million (5.6); Happy Endings 7.73 million (3.3)Fox: Mobbed 3.02 million (1.2)NBC: Harry's Law [rerun] 4.46 million (0.8)CW: The Secret Circle [rerun] 838,000 (0.3) 10 p.m.CBS: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation [rerun] 8.06 million viewers (1.7 demo rating)ABC: Revenge 7.96 million (2.5)NBC: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit [rerun] 3.72 million (1.1)