Variety

Film News: Disney pic wins weekend over trio of new releases -- For a third week in a row, Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" is tops at the box office.

Weekly: Gag order on politics has partisans piqued in run-up to election -- With just a week to go, Italy's regional elections can't come soon enough for Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Weekly: Incentives, film commission try to smooth way for easier filming -- For generations, helmers like Mel Gibson have fallen in love with Mexico as a backdrop, perhaps starting the day John Huston jumped off a boat at the Port of Veracruz in 1925.

International News: Pics nab jury grand prizes at 25th annual event -- The 25th edition of the Guadalajara International Film Festival feted Colombian helmer Carlos Gaviria's "Portraits in a Sea of Lies" (Retratos en un mar de Mentiras) and Nicolas Pereda's "Perpetuum Mobile" with jury grand prizes .

Weekend B.O.: Firms launch futures trading on movie grosses --
Guessing the weekend box office is a game played by everyone from the people who actually made the movies to the auds lining up at the local multiplex.

Animation: Artists work black magic on new Dreamworks critter --
When designing CG characters, "the two things you want to stay away from are pure white and pure black," says surfacing supervisor Sabrina Riegel.

Weekly First Look: Concession stands may offer alternatives --
Despite a recent call for healthier food in theaters from Sony topper Michael Lynton at ShoWest, such snacks may be too hard for some exhibs to digest.

Technology News: Broadcasters face spectrum battle -- Broadcast spectrum has long been a scarce and precious resource.

Europe: German regulator rules out 'Ultimate Fighter' -- The Bavarian media regulatory commission (DLM) has struck a knock-out blow against a trio of "ultimate fighting" broadcasts on German sports web DSF, ruling they unacceptably glorify violence and must be pulled off the air.

Front Page Breaking Story: Shareholder will challenge poison pill defense -- Carl Icahn has launched a hostile takeover bid for Lionsgate, racheting up his battle with the minimajor over spending and strategy.