Filmmaker and actress Katie Aselton (The Puffy Chair) had a little fun on the red carpet for the SXSW premiere of her husband Mark Duplass's warm-hearted comedy Cyrus, in which she had a small role. Katie also directed and starred with Dax Shepard in the romantic drama The Freebie, which played SXSW Film this year. More photos from the Cyrus red carpet feature Jay and Mark hamming it up for the camera, and can be seen on the Slackerwood Flickr page.

If you want to find out more about Aselton, read Steph Beasley's interview with her at Austinist, where they discuss moviemaking and marriage and exchange mutual compliments.

[Photo credit: "Katie Aselton Credentialed", by Debbie Cerda for Slackerwood on Flickr]

So far, SXSW Film has been a whirlwind of panels, red-carpet premieres, films, interviews and celebrity sightings, with barely enough time to breathe and eat before the next "can't miss" event on my schedule. What's been most amazing is how comfortable and relaxed major stars and filmmakers have been at SXSW premieres, including Jean Pierre-Jeunet (Micmacs à tire-larigot) and Jay and Mark Duplass (Cyrus) hamming it up for the cameras. The biggest highlight by far has been Edward Norton, who I've seen several times over the weekend. He and Tim Blake Nelson were busy with the premiere of their film Leaves of Grass on Friday night at the Alamo South Lamar -- you can see him below on the red carpet for that film.

At our interview on Saturday afternoon Edward stated that he was looking forward to catching a movie while at the festival. Therefore, it was not a surprise to see him make a quiet and subdued entrance into the premiere of Cyrus on Saturday evening (pictured above).

Some actors and filmmakers just walk on stage for a Q&A like any ordinary person. But John C. Reilly, after the SXSW  Cyrus screening at the Paramount on Saturday night, added a little flourish and style, doffing his hat for the audience. It was a charming moment.

Reilly was joined in the Cyrus Q&A by filmmakers Jay and Mark Duplass, former Austinites, and actor Jonah Hill. In the film, Reilly's character falls for Marisa Tomei's single mom, a lovely woman with a son who Has Issues, played by Hill. The movie played to a full house at the Paramount. The Duplasses mentioned that they used to go to the Paramount a lot for the Summer Classic Film Series back in the day, and would never have imagined they'd be the ones on stage to a packed, excited audience.

"We've been waiting almost 20 years to show a movie on a Saturday night at the Paramount," Mark said.

Contributor Rod Paddock was lucky enough to get into a "first look" at Predators during SXSW and wrote up the following account of the event. The film is being produced and co-written by Austin filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and was shot in part at local Troublemaker Studios.

On Friday night I was in possession of what has to one of the "golden tickets" of SXSW. This golden ticket was the combination of a SXSW Express pass and a red Predators ticket (see image). The combination of these two items gave me the chance be a part of the sneak preview of the Robert Rodriguez and Nimrod Antal reboot of the Predator franchise: Predators.

After hours of waiting the house lights dimmed, and out came the master of ceremonies, Austin's native son Robert Rodriguez. He started the evening showing us the trailer for Predators. I don't think I have ever been so pumped after seeing a trailer. By every indication this movie is going to be off the hook and will satisfy Predator fans worldwide. The trailer introduces our protagonists, who find themselves transported to a Predator hunting planet. There are some heavy hitters in this cast: Lawrence Fishburne, Adrien Brody and Topher Grace. We also have one of my favorite actors, Walton Goggins (who you might remember from the FX show The Shield).

Despite my wishes, I was felled by a migraine overnight. I had hoped to make it to some panels, a press conference and 4-5 screenings.

Thankfully, I didn't miss out on Wake or Micmacs, as I'd seen them earlier. I hope you had a chance to see Micmacs, because Jeunet was here in town, and he's such a great, distinctive director.  My review of Micmacs has to wait, but the one for Wake should be up soon. Wake is one of those films that's a bit frustrating while proving the director is one to watch. 

I also missed the world premiere of Mars, by Austin's own Geoff Marslett. Jette and I talked with Marslett a few weeks ago, and I was really hoping to be there for the panel and the premiere. I did hear the line was already to 7th Street an hour before the screening was scheduled to start, so I can safely say it was a sold-out crowd.  And thankfully, Mars screens twice at the Alamo Lamar. 

Every film festival wants its Opening Night Film to make a statement that sets the tone for the rest of the festival, and SXSW 2010 opened with the aptly titled Kick-Ass.

The anticipation was high; the crowds enormous. To put it into perspective, someone tweeted that there were 7,000 film bags prepared, meaning 7,000 potential people in line for Opening Night. The line was so long it circled the entire block, and not all badges got in. That's a first in my experience at the Paramount, with 1,200 seats. Even the 2004 special screening of Hellboy did not encircle the block. I suspect the extremely positive reaction from us BNAT11 attendees helped. Or perhaps it was the balls-out promotional work the Lionsgate people are doing, with taxis and SUVs covered in Kick-Ass branding.  There was even a Kick-Ass inspired floodlight making a rather amusing statement on the side of a downtown building (pictured above).

I feel sorry for the folks that didn't get in, but know this: Many of the reserved seats were for guests who were also badgeholders. I admit, I line leeched, but I also got to say hello to friends I hadn't seen in a while.

Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino (Kill Bill, Inglourious Basterds) was at Austin Studios last night to receive an "honorary Texan" award at the 10th annual Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards last night at Austin Studios. This event, hosted by Austin Film Society, is held every year the night before SXSW opens. The 2010 honorees included Michael Nesmith, Quentin Tarantino, Catherine O'Hara, Lukas Haas and Bruce McGill. Proceeds from the Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards benefit the educational and artistic programs of the Austin Film Society, a 501(c)3 organization.

Check out more photos from the event on our Flickr site. And Anne Thompson has posted a video to IndieWire of Tarantino's great acceptance speech.

[Photo credit: Quentin Tarantino, by Debbie Cerda, on Flickr]

Tomorrow at Birds Barbershop, two of the stars of the new film She's Out of My League are expected to make an appearance. So guys, if you need a haircut, you might want to head down there around lunchtime.

Alice Eve (Crossing Over) and Krysten Ritter (Confessions of a Shopaholic) will provide male grooming tips to four lucky Austin gentlemen on Thursday from 1-2 pm at the Birds Barbershop on 1902 South Congress to promote the romantic comedy, which also stars ubergeek Jay Baruchel.  It's only an hour, guys, so I recommend getting there early. And perfect timing if you need to de-scruff before SXSW.

The plot centers around Baruchel as Kirk, stuck in a dead-end security job when the gorgeous Molly (Alice Eve, pictured above) falls for him, stunning Kirk and everyone he knows.

She’s Out of My League opens in Austin on March 12.

On Thursday, HBO and Austin Film Festival (AFF) teamed up for a special regional premiere of the locally shot HBO's new docudrama, Temple Grandin, the story of a woman who pioneered changes in cattle management and turned into a powerful advocate for understanding autism. 

The reception was held in the same exhibit hall as SXSW at the Austin Convention Center, but used the entire space, with one half a reception area with open bar and several food stations. The stations included some film-specific themed concoctions, including Jello shots (shown above) and sliders. The sliders were tasty, and I hate to admit it, but so was the Jello.

The red carpet was very casual, with Grandin frequently approached by people thanking her for her work, making it less of a spectacle than normal, especially since it was an indoor red carpet. All were grateful for that, as it was a rainy night. Despite the rain, there was a high turnout; the reservation list was closed a week early as the response was so strong. Several groups were invited, not just AFF members and those associated with the production, but a local autism group and cattle association as well.

I receive updates every few months from photographer and filmmaker Phil Mucci, whom I met in 2006. Phil's short horror film The Listening Dead took the Best of Show award for short films at Fantastic Fest that year. Four years after its initial release, this short film has been translated into eight different languages. Phil has just announced that a "behind the scenes" short film on The Listening Dead is now available and can be viewed on his website. You can also watch his videos and short films, including Far Out, which screened at Fantastic Fest 2007.

That's Phil on the left with Alamo Drafthouse impresario Tim League at a filmmakers brunch during Fantastic Fest 2007. Note that Phil is sporting my "Last Night at the Alamo" hard hat that was given out to the audience for the special screening of Earthquake in Sensurround.

[Photo Credit: Phil Mucci and Tim League of the Alamo Drafthouse, courtesy of Debbie Cerda]