I’m absolutely cheering over this news, because I not only saw "Anvil! The Story of Anvil" at the Traverse City Film Festival last year, but the band also played after the screening. Talk about fun! I’ve been waiting for a good opportunity to interview these guys, and this is definitely it.

It’s a documentary about a real-life heavy metal band that’s basically been playing and striving their whole lives to get somewhere, but in the meantime working at dead-end jobs and doing measly European tours. It’s a little bit like "This is Spinal Tap," only these guys are the real deal. It’s not a mockumentary.

Directed by Sacha Gervasi, "Anvil!" follows the band from a 1980s stadium tour with Scorpions and Bon Jovi to more recent gigs playing in bars. Parts of it are funny, but it’s also poignant and uplifting, too. It’s picked up several festival awards, and VH1 plans an April 10 release in 18 cities.

More after the jump, including the UK Trailer…

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Alec Baldwin is venturing off his “30 Rock” set to star in a movie about the American Dream – or lack thereof.

“Lymelife” played at Sundance in January and opens in limited theater release April 8, 2009. Set in the 1970s, it centers on a 15-year-old boy (Rory Culkin) and his take on divorce, family and a country in turmoil.

I haven’t heard much buzz about this movie, but it features a slew of stars, including Emma Roberts, Cynthia Nixon, Timothy Hutton, and Jill Hennessy. Take a peek: 

The Sundance Film Festival is in full swing this week (Jan. 15-25, 2009), and Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor were an item at the premiere of their gay romance "I Love You Phillip Morris."

In fact, Carrey and McGregor steam up the screen with some hot and heavy necking. What was it like for Carrey to lock lips with McGregor? He responds with his usual sense of humor.

"A dream come true. I mean, look at the guy," Carrey said in a Q&A session with the audience after the film’s Sundance premiere Sunday night.

Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa , "I Love You Phillip Morris" is based on the true story of a con man (Carrey) who meets the love of his life (McGregor) in prison, then conjures up elaborate escapes to free himself and his man.

So, is it awkward kissing and cuddling with another guy? Nah, all in a day’s work for these pros. "It’s the same as playing any other kind of man, any other kind of character," said McGregor. Really? Seems like it’d be a little weird to me.

Image: Newscom

Baghead is making the rounds at film festivals and stirring up plenty of interest. I had a chance to talk with Ross Partridge, who plays Matt in the film. Read on for his thoughts on film distribution, simple movies about humanity, and why it’s good to have a lot of irons in the fire. 

Jane: I haven’t had a chance to see Baghead, but it looks really cool.

Ross: I hadn’t had a chance to get it to anybody because of the piracy issues with distribution. So they don’t really allow many copies to go around, but it’s been making its way around the festivals.

Jane: So it was picked up by Sony Pictures?

Ross: Sony Pictures Classics, yes.

Jane: So, how does that work? I know it got rave reviews at Sundance, so then do the companies screen films there and decide which ones they’re going to pick up?

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