South by Southwest

After seeing the just-announced lineup of films showing at the South by Southwest festival this year, I'm salivating. There are some movies premiering at SXSW that I've been patiently awaiting for what feels like forever, like Run, Fat Boy, Run with Simon Pegg and Hank Azaria. Then there are others that I'd just love to see before they are actually released, like Forgetting Sarah Marshall (later opening April 18), the Kevin Spacey casino movie 21 (opening March 28) and Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (April 25).

What's really putting me over the edge is that there are Sundance titles here that I never got into and desperately wanted to see, like the adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's Choke, the high school noir film The Assassination of a High School President and the documentary Young@Heart.

The festival takes place March 7-15 in Austin, Texas. What about you? Do you live close enough — or are you willing to make a trek — to see some of these films at SXSW? And are you chomping at the bit as much as I am?

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Most of us weren't lucky enough to get down to Austin for Southwest by Southwest, but that doesn't mean we can't relive the experience through good music and very cool photos. (Combine the two, and it's almost like being at a concert!)

Looking through some of the best shots from SXSW, I was struck by what a British Invasion there was this year, from keynote speaker Pete Townsend to much-discussed performances by Lily Allen, Bloc Party, Amy Winehouse, and The Pipettes (above). I've got photos from all of those shows and more, so check out my SXSW gallery when you read more

I'm not even in Austin for the South by Southwest Music Festival this year (but oh how I wish I were), and I'm still overwhelmed by the surplus of amazing bands taking the stage at any given moment.

Today marks the kickoff of the music (and most major) portion of this multimedia bonanza, which is known for breaking new indie acts. On day one alone, there'll be performances by Cyann & Ben, Rosie Thomas, Loney Dear, The Mountain Goats, Blonde Redhead, The Pipettes, The Rapture, and Peter Bjorn & John. Whoa. Then, of course, there is everything else, including the Iggy and the Stooges reunion and hotly anticipated performances from Mika and Amy Winehouse.

But don't worry: There are plenty of ways to get a handle on this musical madness, so read more

• The Springfields of the United States will battle for the right to hold The Simpsons Movie premiere, according to the Associated Press.
• Piz — er, Chris Lowell from "Veronica Mars" — has been cast in the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff, TV Guide reports.
• Genesis will kick off their first tour in 15 years in September, says Variety.
• The "Nip/Tuck" creator has promised 10 big guest stars this season, including Nicole Kidman, says Access Hollywood.
• Dreamworks has committed to produce a movie based on the Belgian cartoon Tintin, the AP reports.
• NBC is planning its own download store, according to Media Post.
• The weirdest reality TV news this week: The BBC says it's developing a show where contestants will live in a garbage dump.
• "The L Word" is getting a fifth season, Variety reports.
• The South by Southwest independent film festival kicked off on Friday in Austin, Texas, says the Hollywood Reporter.
• The AP reports that John Mayer has joined the lineup of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Yeah, "Your Body is a Wonderland" totally swings.

Photo courtesy of Fox

• Tim Gunn is leaving Parsons for Liz Claiborne, but the New York Post says "Project Runway" is staying put.
• In irrelevant reunion news, Billboard says the Eagles are recording a new album and David Lee Roth is rejoining Van Halen, says MTV.
• "The Black Donnellys" gets a March 5 premiere and "Andy Richter P.I." will start March 15, while "The Bachelor" will be back April 2, says the Futon Critic.
• Guerilla marketing for the Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie prompts Boston to consider banning the practice, reports the Boston Herald.
• Billboard is reporting that indie radio stalwart KCRW is shilling a covers compilation at Starbucks.
• Variety says that Viacom is asking YouTube to remove the media company's clips.
• Woody Allen picks Penelope Cruz to be his latest muse, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
• Rob Corddry to join the cast of Will Farrell's sports comedy, Semi-Pro, says Reuters.
• According to the AP, J.K. Rowling left a message on a statue in the hotel where she recently completed the final Harry Potter story.
• An Inconvenient Truth will be shown to children in British schools, reports the AP.
• Justin on "Ugly Betty" gives hope to unconventional kids, the Los Angeles Times reports.
• Pitchfork finds out more about this year's South By Southwest music festival lineup.