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Capturing the essence of rock ‘n’ roll on film is often difficult. It’s not just about the music; it’s about the attitude, urges, style, and passion to get to the heart of a form of expression that conjures inner demons and lets them out to play. Movies like Airheads, This is Spinal Tap, Detroit Rock City, Metalhead, School of Rock, Heavy Metal, and Rock ‘n’ Roll High School stand tall as some of the best of what cinema has to offer regarding the raw, inspirational power of rock ‘n’ roll. This year, we have Deaner ’89, an exploratory and nostalgia-tinged comedy about Dean Murdoch, a headbanger on the verge of emerging from his heavy metal cocoon in the small town of Haylen, Manitoba, Canada.

We recently had the pleasure of raising our horns alongside actor, musician, and writer Paul Spence and versatile comedic actor Will Sasso during an...

Plot: A hilarious headbanger finally makes it after struggling for decades, revealing it was all because of a childhood incident when the dark forces of rock ‘n’ roll reached out from the grave.

Review: I was only eight years old in 1989. Still, I remember this pivotal year that brought the industrial power and angst of Nine Inch Nails‘s “Pretty Hate Machine,” the birth of the internet, and a tectonic shift in the music landscape, paving the way for bands like Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, and Hole to unseat rock ‘n’ roll as the dominant way to headbang and piss off your parents. Before the ’90s became a fashion crisis of drooping Jnco jeans, Sharpie marker skin tattoos, and bathroom sinks stained with Manic Panic, there were people like Dean Murdoch, a headbanger on the verge of emerging from his heavy metal cocoon in the small town of Haylen, Manitoba,...

Deaner ‘89

Screenshot: YouTube

Update: Deaner ‘89 is technically not part of the Fubar franchise. In 2019, Paul Spence sold his shares of the Fubar IP to Dave Lawrence. Lawrence retained the rights to Fubar and is continuing the series through TNT Fubar. Deaner ‘89 is a new continuity unrelated to Fubar.

Canadian rockers, your favorite headbanger is coming back in the comedy Deaner ‘89! As you can tell from the title, this one is set in 1989, and it stars Paul Spence (Fubar and Fubar 2) as his legendary character Dean Murdoch – who, in ’89, was a teenager growing up in suburban Manitoba. A press release lets us know that Deaner is “Captain of the hockey team, with a pretty girlfriend and a great adoptive family – he’s got it all… until a gnarly trunk of his recently deceased birth father’s belongings arrives. Deaner’s life changes when he learns about his heritage and identity in one fell swoop.“ Deaner ’89 will be reaching theatres across Canada on September 6th – and today, we here at JoBlo are proud to premiere the new trailer for the film! You can check it out in the embed above.

Directed by Sam McGlynn from a screenplay by Spence,...

Here it is, the final wave of titles for this year's edtion of the Fantasia International Film Festival. Combined with the other two waves this makes up a total of 125 feature films and over 200 short films.    It is a staggering amount of information to take in but down below you will find the festival scored the World Premiere of Steve Kostanski's Frankie Freako, Pedro Kos' In Our Blood, Eugene Kotlyarenko's The Code, Jeffrey St. Jules' The Silent Planet, Scooter McCrae's Black Eyed Susan, and Paul Spence's return of his rocking Fubar charcter, Dean Murdoch, in Deaner '89.   Mike Flanagan will be presented with the Career Achievement Award while late Quebecois director Érik Canuel will be awarded Denis-Héroux Award posthumously, recognizing an exceptional...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Will Sasso, Kevin McDonald (The Kids in the Hall) and Paul Spence are set to star in Deaner ’89, an action comedy from director Sam McGlynn that has started production in Winnipeg.

Sasso recently starred in the comedy Loudermilk from creators Peter Farrelly and Bobby Mort. He has also starred in MADtv, TV’s $#*! My Dad Says and Less Than Perfect. Star Slade, Maddy Foley and Mary Walsh are part of the ensemble cast for the feature that has Spence, who also wrote the film, reprising his original character, Dean “Deaner” Murdoch from two Fubar movies and a TV series.

Michael Dowse’s 2002 headbanger movie Fubar, about two beer-loving heavy metal musicians, Dean and Terry, played by Spence and Dave Lawrence, debuted at Sundance and was followed by the Fubar TV series and the 2010 movie sequel, Fubar 2.

Indigenous film and TV producer Eagle Vision, a co-producer on Capote, and PSA Productions...

Keith Johnstone, a pioneer in improvisation who trained a generation of actors and comedians in impromptu performance and creativity, on and off the stage, has died. He was 90.

Johnstone died at Rockyview Hospital in Calgary on Saturday, according to his personal website, with no cause of death specified. The creator of Theatresports and co-founder of The Loose Moose Theatre Company was born in Devon, England, on Feb. 21, 1933.

Johnstone trained at the Royal Court Theatre in London and was a teacher at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. According to Theresa Robbins Dudeck, co-director of the docu-series On Keith: Artists Speak on Johnstone and Impro, Johnstone developed his Impro System, or his improvisation theories, while at the Royal Court Theatre over 10 years to 1966. He eventually became associate director and head of the Rct Studio for professional actors.

“The Rct Studio, for Keith, was a ‘scientific laboratory,’ where he could investigate the nature of spontaneous creation,...

Sandra Oh to star in sci-fi thriller Can I Get A Witness.

Toronto-based Mongrel International arrives at AFM with four sales titles led by Ann-Marie Fleming’s sci-fi thriller Can I Get A Witness to star Sandra Oh, and Kyle Armstrong’s horror thriller Hands That Bind.

Can I Get a Witness takes place in the near future when 50-year-olds are expected to die in order to save the planet while teenage artists are ordered to document their demise. Eric Mussolum and Jayme Pfahl are producing the project, which is in development.

Hands That Bind follows a farmer who struggles...

Killing Eve star Sandra Oh is reuniting with award-winning Canadian director Ann Marie Fleming on sci-fi thriller Can I Get a Witness.

The project, which is in development, is among four new features being launched at the American Film Market this week by Canadian sales outfit Mongrel International, a division of Toronto-based independent film distributor Mongrel Media.

Set in the near future, the film unfolds in a reality where, in order to save the planet, “death is everyone’s job”, with 50-year-olds making the sacrifice, while teenage artists have to document it.

Fleming and Oh previously collaborated on the award-winning 2016 animated feature Window Horses. Producers on the new project are Eric Mussolum and Jayme Pfahl.

Mongrel will also launch sales on two other projects in development: Jason Lapeyre’s crime thriller Stealing Is Bad starring Nick Stahl (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines) and Kevin Pollak (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel...

The pain Keith Edmonds has endured is written on his scarred face, giving him street cred with the abused and neglected kids he’s trying to reach.

“There are people who wear their scars all on the inside and you pass them every day,” Edmonds, 40, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee says. “I just happen to wear my scars on the inside and the outside.”

On Nov. 18, 1978, while living in Flint, Michigan, his mother’s boyfriend got angry one night when the then-14-month-old toddler wouldn’t stop crying in his crib. He held Edmonds’ face to an electric heater, horrifically scorching...

It's the semi-final! After the hopefuls had to prove their ability with a solo skate, it was rugby hunk Kyran Bracken who left the competition last week. Now the skaters are down to just four.

The awesome foursome are hoping to win a place in next week's final and be named the champion of champions. Just to add to the pressure, the remaining skaters will also be flying this week. So who will succeed and who will fail? Join Digital Spy at 6.15pm to find out.

20:57So that's all from us this week. See you back here next week for the last ever Dancing on Ice!

20:55Totally forgot Emma Bunton was once a judge!

20:54After battling it out in five skate-offs, Sam is going home.

20:54So Ray is going through to the final.

20:54Jason predictably saves Ray.

20:53Ashley also saves Ray.

20:53Karen votes to save Ray.

Shooting movies and selling hit records are some of the things that these stars do for a living. But there is one thing they love more than their job — charity.

Celebrity status comes with great power — power to influence and make a difference. Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, and Demi Lovato are just a few celebs who raise their voice to make a difference.

Kristen Stewart:

Kristen is one of the most down to earth celebs, which makes her cool in our book. But what really makes us love Kristen is her willingness to help. Kristen recently appeared at the 12-12-12 concert at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 12, where she asked fans to donate towards Hurricane Sandy relief. She took it a step further for Sandy relief by donating her Zuhair Murad dress, which she wore to The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 Los Angeles premiere,...

Though Dave Lawrence will likely always be best known in these parts for his work in the Fubar movies the writer-performer is now adding director to his resume as well with comedy western A Legend Of Whitey.It's 1885. Wild bison are scarce in the North West Territories. Luther Giddings (Paul Spence), a scout of mixed blood returns to the buffalo ranch where he was born to reunite with his half brother, William Turner (Dave Lawrence). Greeted by a rag tag posse of racists, homophobes and gossips, the only kindness Luther receives is from the rancher's effeminate son. Whiskey floats more trouble than it drowns and before long, he is on the run, the bison rancher's inept outfit on his tail. When Luther discovers that...

Best known as hard drinking, hard rocking Terry from the Michael Dowse directed Fubar movies Dave Lawrence has got a few other tricks up his sleeve. He co-wrote those films, for one thing, and he's now making his directorial debut with comedy western A Legend Of Whitey.It's 1885. Wild bison are scarce in the North West Territories. Luther Giddings (Paul Spence), a scout of mixed blood returns to the buffalo ranch where he was born to reunite with his half brother, William Turner (Dave Lawrence). Greeted by a rag tag posse of racists, homophobes and gossips, the only kindness Luther receives is from the rancher's effeminate son. Whiskey floats more trouble than it drowns and before long, he is on the run, the bison...

Fubar: Balls To The Wall

Blu-ray | DVD | On Demand

Directed by Michael Dowse

Starring: David Lawrence, Paul J. Spence, Andrew Sparacino, Terra Hazelton

Screen Media Films

Release date: April 20, 2011

The sequel to the Canadian mockumentary comedy, Fubar, has arrived. Screen Media Films have been marketing this film as "Spinal Tap meets The Trailer Park Boys" - but it's got a bit of Jackass in there too, as well as a touch of Tenacious D, Bill and Ted, and Wayne's World thrown in for good measure. And while there is truth to the comparisons above, there's something about the sequel, Fubar: Balls to the Wall that stands on its own. If you're a metalhead, and enjoy any of the films mentioned above, then this is a movie you will most likely enjoy.

And there's metal and hard rock spread nicely throughout this film, with songs from and references to bands such as Dio,...

Aggressively stoopid, yet too polite to be offensively mean-spirited, Fubar: Balls to the Wall is the rare sequel that doesn't require seeing the original. And, counter-intuitively for a mock doc style comedy, the Blu-ray features stunningly gorgeous shots of the Frozen North, almost to the point that I wanted to throw on six layers of clothing and and follow Terry and Dean as they seek work on an oil pipeline. Terry (David Lawrence) and Dean (Paul J. Spence) are rather dim dudes with a zest for living, which, in this movie, means they love bashing into things and drinking beer and smoking weed. They'd rather not work, thank you very much, but Dean especially is feeling the pressure of not being able to provide...

Festivals are truly a special portion of the overall film world.

While many may play home to otherwise bigger pictures (look at Cannes, who this year will premiere films like Kung Fu Panda 2), but there is truly nothing quite like seeing a film that you ultimately had no idea about going into the screening.

One of those films, showing at this past SXSW Film Festival, happens to be a sequel to a cult hit, and is now available on VOD and on Blu-ray/DVD.

Fubar: Balls To The Wall is a sequel to the 2002 cult hit, which introduced the world to the loveable loser duo of Terry Cahill and Dean Murdoch. Played by David Lawrence and Paul Spence respectively, Fubar II continues the story of Terry and Dean, who are now on their way north to start work in an oil patch, after getting hooked up with the gigs by their friend,...

Because guys who won’t grow up never ever ever cease to be hilarious. From the film’s Facebook page: Headbanger relics, Terry (Dave Lawrence) and Dean (Paul Spence), are tired of trying to give'r while barely scraping by, so when their old buddy and party leader, Tron (Andrew Sparacino), hooks them up with jobs they head up North to make sweet cash working on the pipelines during the holidays. Flush with money and confidence, Terry starts dating Trish (Terra Hazelton), a local waitress, and things get serious in a hurry. Meanwhile, Dean is playing up the part of 'cancer survivor', and upon hearing about the glories of Worker's Compensation, purposely injures himself in an attempt to qualify. When Terry moves in with Trish, Dean does his best to save his buddy from swapping the banger life for domestic captivity, but it’s a lost cause. When the Workers’ Compensation Board denies Dean,...

By Christopher Stipp

The Archives, Right Here

Check out my other column, This Week In Trailers, at SlashFilm.com and follow me on Twitter under the name: Stipp

Interview- Michael Dowse

Make no mistake about Fubar: Balls to the Wall, it is hilarious. It is downright funny in a way that Jackass 3 was funny with the exception that the talent of David Lawrence and Paul Spence, who play Terry and Dean, respectively, are comedic actors who are so in tune to these characters that they feel like second skin that’s easily gotten into. They sell their performances by leaning on their abilities and it’s not really the story that’s compelling about this film, it’s them.

When director Michael Dowse (Take Me Home Tonight, It’s All Gone Pete Tong, the upcoming Goon) sat down to flesh out the second installment he knew what he wanted to...

Deaner and Terry are back in this hilarious new sequel, on Blu-ray and DVD April 19th

One of the funniest Canadian movies of last year is finally making its way to the States, as Fubar: Balls to the Wall gets released on Blu-ray and DVD this Tuesday, April 19th. Following the further adventures of Terry (David Lawrence) and Deaner (Paul Spence), two head bangers who managed to get jobs and finally pay their own rent, director Michael Dowse (Take Me Home Tonight) has crafted a superb follow-up to the 2002 cult hit Fubar that will actually make you care deeply about these two wayward, lovable dipshits.

We recently caught up with Michael to chat with him about the movie. Here is our conversation.

A lot of us comedy fans living in the States have not seen the original Fubar. How did you go about constructing a story for Balls to the...

What’s Fubar: Balls to the Wall, you ask? The film is a sequel to the cult hit from 2002, which marked Michael Dowse’s debut, who would later on direct Take Me Home Tonight and the upcoming Goon adaptation.

Screen Media Films sent us a press release for the film, which will be hitting Blu-ray, DVD, VOD April 19th.

In Fubar: Balls to the Wall, headbanger relics, Terry (Dave Lawrence) and Dean (Paul J. Spence), are tired of trying to give’r while barely scraping by, so when their old buddy, Tron (Andrew Sparacino), hooks them up with jobs they head up North to make sweet cash working on the pipelines during the holidays.

Flush with money and confidence, Terry starts dating Trish (Terra Hazelton), a local waitress, and things get serious in a hurry. Meanwhile, Dean is playing up the part of ‘cancer survivor,’ and upon hearing about the glories of Worker’s Compensation,...

Rating: 4/5

Director: Michael Dowse

Writers: David Lawrence, Paul Spence, Michael Dowse

Cast: David Lawrence, Paul Spence, Rose Martin

Dean (“Deaner”) and Terry don’t ask for a lot in life. All they want is a trunk load of beer, heavy metal music, and an occasional acid trip vacation. They live day to day doing the most idiotic things an 18 year old headbanger from the 1980s without any direction in life would do (see above photo). There are no rules in Dean and Terry’s world, and anarchy to them means slumming it without all of the violence. As a viewer, it’s attractive watching these two comedically destroy their lives all the while trying to better themselves.

Read more on SXSW 2011 Review: Fubar: Balls To The Wall…...

Reviewed by Elliot V. Kotek

(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)

Directed by: Michael Dowse

Written by: David Lawrence, Paul J. Spence and Michael Dowse

Starring: David Lawrence, Paul J. Spence, Tracey Lawrence, Terra Hazelton and Andrew Sparacino

In this Canadian stoner comedy, director Michael Dowse attempts a combination of “Wayne’s World” and “This Is Spinal Tap,” mixing comedy and mockumentary styles fairly flawlessly. Our heroes, Dean (Paul J. Spence) and Terry (David Lawrence), are two loser, drug-addled metalheads whose lives are going nowhere, slowly.

Still, these failures are lovable in their sheer ineptitude, and they’re acutely aware of their lack of skills, declaring, “Knowledge of no knowledge is power.” This is a place where “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Bon Jovi is the ultimate love ballad and where all there is to lovin’ life is exploiting workers’ compensation, grinding guitars and blowing through cash at strip clubs.

Reviewed by Elliot V. Kotek

(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)

Directed by: Michael Dowse

Written by: David Lawrence, Paul J. Spence and Michael Dowse

Starring: David Lawrence, Paul J. Spence, Tracey Lawrence, Terra Hazelton and Andrew Sparacino

In this Canadian stoner comedy, director Michael Dowse attempts a combination of “Wayne’s World” and “This Is Spinal Tap,” mixing comedy and mockumentary styles fairly flawlessly. Our heroes, Dean (Paul J. Spence) and Terry (David Lawrence), are two loser, drug-addled metalheads whose lives are going nowhere, slowly.

Still, these failures are lovable in their sheer ineptitude, and they’re acutely aware of their lack of skills, declaring, “Knowledge of no knowledge is power.” This is a place where “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Bon Jovi is the ultimate love ballad and where all there is to lovin’ life is exploiting workers’ compensation, grinding guitars and blowing through cash at strip clubs.

Yesterday I interviewed Canadian (crucial to note he’s Canadian) actor David Lawrence, who came to SXSW dressed as his Fubar character, metalhead Terry Cahill. This is the first of two interviews I did with Lawrence (one as Terry, one as himself). In this interview (that I think is hilarious), we talk about why Dean (Paul Spence) wasn’t able to cross the border to make it to SXSW and what they’ve been up to post Balls To The Wall. Check out the video after the break!

Read more on SXSW 2011 Video Interview: Fubar: Balls To The Wall actor David Lawrence as Terry Cahill…...

It's been a big South by Southwest for me and fictional characters. A few days ago I interviewed Elmo and yesterday I met Terry Cahill, one of the two "subjects" of the "documentary" "Fubar: Balls to the Wall." In reality, Cahill is Canadian comedian and actor David Lawrence, and "Fubar" is a mockumentary sequel to the cult comedy "Fubar" from 2002. "Balls to the Wall" finds metalheads Terry and his buddy Dean (Paul Spence) years after the first film, still partying, still getting wasted. After Dean drops acid and accidentally burns down his house, the duo decide to look for jobs working the oil sands of Northern Alberta, where partying and getting wasted are not considered severe roadblocks to employment.

I was supposed to interview "Fubar" director Michael Dowse with Terry and Dean, but Dean never made it to SXSW. You'll have to watch the interview to find out why.

(Note:...

Dean "Deaner" Murdock (Paul J. Spence), the Canadian star of Fubar: Balls To The Wall has been denied entry into the Us for SXSW, where the film is having its Us premiere Monday at 9:30 pm. He is one half of the head-banging duo profiled in the film. The other half, Terry Cahill (David Lawrence) was allowed to cross the border. Murdock says, “I aint gonna take this personally; the f@#kin’ border guy who searched me was just doin’ his job, but f@#k why did he have to have such thick fingers? Giv'r to yer liv'r in my honor tonight, and fer f@#k's sakes, wash yer denim before you cross the border.” Cahill says, “It will be a total bummer partying without Dean here but ...

...Or we should say "Cheat Sheets" since this year's SXSW Film Festival boasts over 140 films, requiring more than just one page to cover every single one of the narrative and documentary features that will be playing in Austin from March 11th through 19th. While the festival has already provided a very helpful schedule to flip through and Pdf of the screening grid online, consider this your quick hit guide to all the features at the festival - every title leads to its corresponding festival page in addition to links to trailers, official sites, filmmakers' Facebook pages and Twitter accounts so you can follow the action from the festival or from home.

Meanwhile, there will be plenty of action during these next two weeks on IFC.com where, in addition to our live video page, Matt Singer (@mattsinger) and I (@mfrushmore) will be filing reviews and interviews throughout the film festival.

“Fubar” is an amazing movie. The first time I saw it I laughed so hard I nearly did some permanent damage to my inside bits. For those of you unfamiliar with the film, it is a 2002 mocumentary directed by Michael Dowse (“Take Me Home Tonight”) that follows Terry (David Lawrence) and Deaner (Paul Spence), a pair of roustabout Canadian metal heads who party their way through life without a care in the world. If you haven’t seen “Fubar”, drop what you’re doing (whatever you’re up to, it’s not really all that important) and take any and all necessary measures to watch is as soon as humanly possible. You’ll spend the next few weeks confusing all of your little buddies by yelling things like, “I suggest you take up another sport, like knitting” and “just get in there and give’r”. The sequel, “Fubar: Balls to the Wall...

Here is the first trailer for Fubar: Balls to the Wall. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year and it's set to premiere at this year's SXSW.

The film is the sequel to the 2002 Canadian mockumentary Fubar, "about two dimwitted metal heads. Fubar: Balls To The Wall catches up with them almost a decade later, and they’re no smarter."

Here is the synopsis for the film:

"Headbanger relics, Terry (Dave Lawrence) and Dean (Paul J. Spence), are tired of trying to give’r while barely scraping by, so when their old buddy, Tron (Andrew Sparacino), hooks them up with jobs they head up North to make sweet cash working on the pipelines during the holidays.

Flush with money and confidence, Terry starts dating Trish (Terra Hazelton), a local waitress, and things get serious in a hurry. Meanwhile, Dean is playing up the part of ‘cancer survivor,...

Fresh from the Canadian border is the hilarious sequel Fubar: Balls to the Wall, which reunites stars David Lawrence and Paul Spence from 2002's original cult hit Fubar. This time out, headbanger relics Terry (David Lawrence) and Dean (Paul J. Spence head north to work on the oil pipelines. This newfound job brings them unexpected wealth and unexpected problems. We have the trailer for Fubar: Balls to the Wall, as well as the new State-side version of the theatrical poster and stills from the upcoming comedy, which you can check out below:

Click to watch Fubar: Balls to the Wall Trailer!

Fubar: Balls to the Wall comes to theaters April 20th, 2011 and stars David Lawrence, Paul Spence, Rose Martin, Matthew Brennan, Andrew Sparacino, Lori D'Amour Heidt, Tracey Lawrence, Hanna Lawrence. The film is directed by Michael Dowse.

Fubar was released December 2001 and stars Paul Spence, David Lawrence, Gordon Skilling, Andrew Sparacino,...

Screen Media Films has acquired North American rights to the headbanger tale "Fubar: Balls to the Wall," the company announced Thursday. Michael Dowse's movie stars Paul J. Spence and David Lawrence. Its U.S. premiere is scheduled for the SXSW Film Festival in March. The movie, a sequel to 2002's "Fubar," is about Terry and Dean, Canadian friends who head north for the holidays to make it rich working on oil pipelines. “I am thrilled to be slapping Fubar’s ball to American walls this spring, a partridge will be shotgunning beers in a pear...

The nominees for the 31st Annual Genie Awards, Canada’s answer to the Oscars, were unveiled at simultaneous press conferences in Montreal and Toronto yeseterday. After being snubbed by the major Hollywood awards, only receiving 1 nomination and win for Paul Giamatti at the Golden Globes, Barney’s Version has been highly recognized by Canadian audiences. This is no surprise as its source material is a novel from beloved Canadian treasure Mordecai Richler and the film was partially shot in Montreal. Barney’s VersionIncendies leads the pack with 11 nominations including Best Motion Picture and populating most of the acting categories including one for Paul Giamatti for a Performace by an Actor in a Leading Role and Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Dustin Hoffman. Following closely is the other Canadian darling this year, Incendies , which garnered 10 nominations such as Adapted Screenplay (Denis Villeneuve) and Performance by an Actress...

Yesterday, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (Acct) announced the nominees for the 31rst Genie Awards, Canada's own Oscars.

Best Motion picture:

* 10 1/2

* Les amours imaginaires

* Barney's Version

* Incendies

* Splice

Best Actor in a Leading Role:

* Jay Baruchel in The Trotsky

* Paul Giamatti in Barney's Version

* Robert Naylor in 10 1/2

* Timothy Olyphant in High Life

* François Papineau in Route 132

Best Actor in a Supporting Role:

* Martin Dubreuil in 10 1/2

* Dustin Hoffman in Barney's Version

* Alexis Martin in Route 132

* Callum Keith Rennie in Gunless

* Rossif Sutherland in High Life

Best Actress in a Leading Role:

* Lubna Azabal in Incendies

* Tatiana Maslany in Grown Up Movie Star

* Molly Parker in Trigger

* Rosamund Pike in Barney's Version

* Tracy Wright in Trigger

Best Actress In a Supporting Role:

* Sonja Bennett in Cole

* Anne-Élizabeth Bossé in Les amours imaginaires

* Minnie Driver in Barney's Version

* Terra Hazelton in Fubar 2

* Mary Walsh in Crackie

Best Adapted Screenplay:

* Michael Konyves...

The South by Southwest Film Festival announced its feature film line-up Wednesday, piling heaps of cinematic goodness on an already stellar program that includes Jodie Foster’s The Beaver, Duncan Jones’ Source Code, Ti West’s The Innkeepers, Conan O’Brien’s tour documentary, and the latest Simon Pegg-Nick Frost comedy, Paul, with Seth Rogen.

Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight) returns to the festival with her latest film, Red Riding Hood starring Amanda Seyfried, after the writer-director spoke on a screenwriting panel in 2009.

Plus a few favorites from the Sundance Film Festival last month, like Tom McCarthy’s Win Win, Morgan Spurlock’s The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, and Max Winkler’s Ceremony.

I’m extremely excited, even if I’m already having flashbacks to intense sleep deprivation. Like the last two years, I’ll be on the ground covering as much of the festival as I can within the packed 9 days of screenings,...

‘Tapping into the cultural zeitgeist,’ at SXSW 2011

Austin, Texas – The SXSW 2011 Feature Film Lineup was unveiled Wednesday afternoon. The festival lineup will consist of 130 features, in nine full days of programming, promising to deliver a film-going experience unlike previous years.

With a reputation for taking chances on relatively unknown filmmakers, the SXSW panel of judges carefully picked 130 films from 1,792 feature-length film submissions, (1,323 U.S. and 469 international). The program consists of 60 World Premieres, 12 North American Premieres and 16 U.S. Premieres.

The main competition categories return with eight Narrative Features, and eight Documentary Features, both competing for their respective Grand Jury Prize. New for films in competition this year, are awards for screenplay, editing, cinematography, music, and acting.

(The Midnighters and SXFantastic feature sections, along with the short film program, will be announced next week.)

Here are a few of the Features to be screened, among many others.

Narratives:

The Beaver (World Premiere)

Dir.

Readers of Sound On Sight can be sure that we will indeed be covering the SXSW Film Festival once again. As previously reported, Duncan Jones’ latest film Source Code is opening the festival and there will also be premieres for the documentary Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop, Greg Mottola’s Paul, and Jodie Foster’s The Beaver. Now the full line-up has been announced it is incredible.

Hit the jump to check out the line-up, and be sure to visit our site during the event.

The 2011 SXSW Film Festival runs from March 11 – 19th in Austin, Texas.

SXSW Film Announces 2011 Features Lineup

Austin, Texas – February 2, 2011 – The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival is thrilled to announce the features lineup for this year’s Festival, March 11 – 19, 2011 in Austin, Texas. The 2011 lineup continues the SXSW tradition of tapping into the cultural zeitgeist, highlighting emerging talent and breakthrough performances and supporting first-time filmmakers.

"Win Win," starring Paul Giamatti, left, and Alex Shaffer, will screen at SXSW

Aimée Lagos’ thriller “96 Minutes,” starring Brittany Snow; Chris Eyre’s “A Year in Mooring” and “American Animal” from writer-director Matt D’Elia are among the films that will screen in competition at next month’s South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.

These films will be joined in the Headliners section by Paul Giamatti and Amy Ryan in Tom McCarthy’s “Win Win,” Takashi Miike’s “13 Assassins,” Rainn Wilson in “Super” and others previously announced including Jodie Foster’s “The Beaver,” Greg Mottola’s “Paul,” the documentary “Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop” from director Rodman Flender, and the opening-night world premiere of Duncan Jones’ “Source Code.”

The following are highlights from the lineup announced Wednesday, with descriptions provided by the festival.

Narrative Feature Competition “96 Minutes”

Director, Writer: Aimée Lagos

Four young lives. One night. One terrifying event.

"Win Win," starring Paul Giamatti, left, and Alex Shaffer, will screen at SXSW

Aimée Lagos’ thriller “96 Minutes,” starring Brittany Snow; Chris Eyre’s “A Year in Mooring” and “American Animal” from writer-director Matt D’Elia are among the films that will screen in competition at next month’s South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.

These films will be joined in the Headliners section by Paul Giamatti and Amy Ryan in Tom McCarthy’s “Win Win,” Takashi Miike’s “13 Assassins,” Rainn Wilson in “Super” and others previously announced including Jodie Foster’s “The Beaver,” Greg Mottola’s “Paul,” the documentary “Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop” from director Rodman Flender, and the opening-night world premiere of Duncan Jones’ “Source Code.”

The following are highlights from the lineup announced Wednesday, with descriptions provided by the festival.

Narrative Feature Competition “96 Minutes”

Director, Writer: Aimée Lagos

Four young lives. One night. One terrifying event.

The South By Southwest Film Conference and Festival announced this year's features lineup. The festival takes place March 11-19 in Austin, Texas.

There are a total of 130 features screening this year including 60 world premieres, 12 North American premieres and 16 U.S. premieres! This year the a total of 1,792 feature-length films were submitted, which is the most ever.

There are going to be some amazing films shown this yea. Opening night kicks off with Duncan Jones' Source Code (Moon). The fest rolls on with Jodie Foster‘s The Beaver, Greg Mottola‘s Paul, Sundance Grand Prize doc winner How to Die in Oregon, Errol Morris‘ Tabloid, Victoria Mahoney‘s Yelling to the Sky, Azazel Jacob‘s Terri. There will also be a special screening of Catherine Hardwicke‘s Red Riding Hood.

The Midnight and SXFantastic sections will be announced with the shorts program next week.

See the complete lineup below via...

The South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW) just announced their entire 2011 feature film lineup, and there’s isn’t a lot of note, with regards to this blog’s focus.

Titles you should be aware of – all of which we’ve previously profiled on Shadow And Act – include, Victoria Mahoney’s feature film debut, Yelling To The Sky (which will actually make its world debut at the Berlin Film Festival later this month); plus Blacktino, the first feature film from writer/director Aaron Burns, a self-described “blacktino nerd from Austin, Texas,” who got his start at Robert Rodriguez’s Troublemaker Studios doing visual effects; Benda Bilili, a documentary about a band of homeless, disabled Congolese; and last, but not least, Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey, a documentary about the black man that happens to be the man behind the puppet (which also played at Sundance).

There might be...

The South by Southwest Film Festival has announced their features lineup for the 2011’s Festival, which will take place March 11th to the 19th in Austin Texas. Read the full press release after the jump. SXSW Film Announces 2011 Features Lineup Austin, Texas – February 2, 2011 – The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival is thrilled to announce the features lineup for this year’s Festival, March 11 – 19, 2011 in Austin, Texas. The 2011 lineup continues the SXSW tradition of tapping into the cultural zeitgeist, highlighting emerging talent and breakthrough performances and supporting first-time filmmakers. The Midnighters and SXFantastic feature sections, along with the short film program, will be announced next week. “This is the most exciting moment for us. After a fantastic festival of discovery in 2010, we can finally unveil the line up for this year’s event,” says Film Conference and Festival Producer Janet Pierson. “SXSW prides itself on taking chances, sifting for...

The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival is thrilled to announce the features lineup for this year's Festival, March 11 - 19, 2011 in Austin, Texas. The 2011 lineup continues the SXSW tradition of tapping into the cultural zeitgeist, highlighting emerging talent and breakthrough performances and supporting first-time filmmakers. The Midnighters and SXFantastic feature sections, along with the short film program, will be announced next week.

"This is the most exciting moment for us. After a fantastic festival of discovery in 2010, we can finally unveil the line up for this year's event," says Film Conference and Festival Producer Janet Pierson. "SXSW prides itself on taking chances, sifting for films that are the seedlings of the next generation of must-see artists. This year's line up is full of emerging voices and filmmakers who transcended the resources they had on hand, often with an alchemist's touch."

Over the course of nine days, 130 features will...

David Fincher's "The Social Network" was the big winner at the Vancouver Film Critics' Circle winning three trophies including Best Film, Best Director for Fincher, and Best Screenplay for Aaron Sorkin.

In the Canadian film categories, "Incendies" won Best Canadian Film, Best Director for Denis Villeneuve, and Best Actress for Lubna Azabal. I'm glad that Delphine Chaneac won Best Supporting Actress in a Canadian Film for "Splice." (Check out my interview with Delphine Chaneac for "Splice" right here)

Here's the complete list of winners (bolded) and nominees (Check our Awards Avenue for complete winners/nominees for all award-giving bodies):

Best Film

The Social Network

True Grit

Black Swan

Best Actor

Colin Firth, The King.s Speech

James Franco, 127 Hours

Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network

Best Actress

Jennifer Lawrence, Winter.s Bone

Natalie Portman, Black Swan

Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right

Best Supporting Actor

Christian Bale,...

Terry and Deaner are back baby! The original Fubar was a Canadian mockumentary about two mullet-sporting metalheads that achieved cult status back in 2002. Now Paul Spence, David Lawrence and director Michael Dowse are returning to these "iconic" characters to see where they are at some eight years later. From the looks of the first trailer, not much has changed at all. They're still shotgunning beers and partying with their pal Tron, but maybe (just maybe) they're being forced to grow up a little bit. With Deaner having beaten testicular cancer five years ago, the two friends are slowly starting to realize that they want something more out of life. When Tron offers to get them jobs on the pipelines in Fort McMurray, they jump on the opportunity, but money and a new girl threaten to drive the duo apart. With their new lifestyle can they still give'r while finding a way to remain friends?...

One of the most badass parts about the Toronto International Film Festival is its Midnight Madness programming line-up of ten genre-themed films spread out over ten maniacal nights. The full line-up has been announced, and horror is looking to heat up the Great White North!

The Midnight Madness Package is $157 and available to students and seniors for $100 (prices exclude taxes and fees). Other ticket packages for the Festival are also available for purchase by cash, debit or Visa. Purchase online here, by phone at 416-968-film or 1-877-968-film (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.,) or in person at the Tiff Box Office at 2 Carlton Street, West Mezzanine (Monday to Friday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. The 35th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 9 to 19, 2010.

For more information follow Midnight Madness on Twitter.

Insidious; James Wan, USA; World Premiere

"When proud parents take possession of an old house,...

What made the cut for the 2010 edition of Midnight Madness at the Toronto International Film Festival? Gotta say I'm particularly pleased to see Jim Mickle's Stake Land in there while I'm sure fans will be all over the return of John Carpenter with The Ward. Here's the complete list:

Bunraku Guy Moshe, USA World Premiere

In a world with no guns, a mysterious drifter (Josh Hartnett), a young samurai and a bartender (Woody Harrelson) plot revenge against a ruthless leader (Ron Perlman) and his army of thugs, headed by nine diverse and deadly assassins. This visually stunning film is filled with uniquely choreographed action sequences of a new style that melds east with west and old school with new. The film also stars Demi Moore.

The Butcher, The Chef and the Swordsman Wuershan, Hong Kong, China/USA World Premiere

A group of misfits become mixed up in the struggle...

In 2002, well before the current wave of verite style comedy had hit around the world, director Michael Dowse and writer-stars David Lawrence and Paul Spence created a cult sensation with Fubar. The foul mouthed, moc doc style comedy about a pair of Canadian headbangers - one of whom is afflicted with 'nut cancer' - premiered at Sundance before becoming a true cult hit at home and around the globe. And now they're back.

Fubar II will open the Midnight Madness program at the Toronto International Film Festival and here's an excerpt of  programmer Colin Geddes' description:

It is time to once again "Turn up the good, turn down the suck," as headbanger relics and lifelong friends Dean (Paul Spence) and Terry (Dave Lawrence) are re-united for more mullet mayhem in Fubar II. Director Michael Dowse has returned to the world of his 2002 instant cult hit to check in on...

Get ready to shotgun more brew and grow back your mullet because your favourite headbangers are back in action for Fubar II and we have an Exclusive look at the new poster!

Terry (Dave Lawrence) and Dean (Paul J. Spence) are ready to give'r again in the Christmas-themed sequel to the 2002 cult classic directed by Michael Dowse (Fubar, It's all Gone Pete Tong) that finds the hapless duo back in their '86 Cutlass Supreme, en route to Fort McMurray for a sweet payday thanks to some pipeline work hooked up by their old pal Tron (Andrew Sparacino).

Check out the full poster now!

Once again, Peepers, a film I saw on Sunday at the Just for Laughs Film Festival, is a proof that in Canadian cinema, there are no taboo topics. As a matter of fact, Peepers adds itself to the growing list of smartly written Canadian comedies that deal with sexual desire.

A group of peeping toms led by Steve Sherman (Joe Cobden), a loser who lives in his mom's basement, enjoys taking Montreal's chilly rooftops during the night. Through the unshuttered windows, they want to have a glimpse at a “hottie hookup,” a “panty party” or a “big booty buffet”. However, the peeping toms' life is about to change when Annette Fulvish (Janine Theriault), an academic interested by "male gaze", enters the domain of peeping, which is dominated by men.

At the same time, some members in the group begin to question their interest for peeping. Bobby (Ricky Mabe), the youngest member of the group,...