Inside Movies

• Still riding high on praise for their Austin-made feature debut 'Dear Pillow,' writer-director Bryan Poyser and producer Jacob Vaughan have made a deal with the University of Texas Film Institute and its production arm Burnt Orange Productions to make the feature 'The Cassidy Kids,' an offbeat mystery with comic shades. Poyser is collaborating on the script with UT alums Tasca Shadix and Tom Willett, and Vaughan is set to direct the under-$1 million picture in July. Poyser, who will also co-produce, calls it a 'cool, fun project.' Poyser and Vaughan head to Los Angeles next week for the Independent Spirit Awards, where Poyser is nominated for a Someone to Watch award for 'Dear Pillow.' -- Chris Garcia

• The Arbor Reel Talks series rolls on with a screening and post-show discussion of 'The Merchant of Venice' at 7 tonight at the Arbor theater (9828 Great Hills Trail). The well-received Shakespeare adaptation stars Al Pacino as Shylock and Jeremy Irons as Antonio. University of Texas associate professors Eric S. Mallin and Robert Twombly will talk about the play and its author at about 9:15 p.m. 231-0427. -- C.G.

• Oscar-winning German director Volker Schlöndorff will be at UT on Wednesday to screen his new drama 'The Ninth Day' and conduct a post-show Q-and-A. The screening, at 2:40 p.m. in the Texas Union Theater, is free and open to the public. Schlöndorff's best-known films are 'The Tin Drum,' 'The Handmaid's Tale' and 'Voyager.' -- C.G.

• Everyone is invited to the ribbon-cutting at the all-new Alamo South Lamar at 5:30 p.m. March 8 at the 1120 S. Lamar Ave. spot, formerly Fiesta market. Mayor Will Wynn, Richard Linklater and Harry Knowles will join owners Tim and Karrie League for the ribbon-snipping ceremony, followed by wine and cheese in the lobby and tours of the venue. The 'newest, most modern Alamo to date' has six screens and stadium seating, plus a new full menu. Linklater's 'Waking Life' and 'Dazed and Confused' screen after the event (tickets required), with animator Bob Sabiston and actor Wiley Wiggins in attendance. www.drafthouse.com. -- C.G.