Like it did at Sundance, Beasts of the Southern Wild is taking Cannes by the heartstrings. Reminding us yet again that we don't get to see the movie until July,  film critics on the Riviera de-arched their eyebrows long enough to applaud the movie, and they even stood up. Another cried. Since Fox Searchlight already picked up the movie, which features a place called Bathtub and is centered on a 6-year-old named Hushpuppy, all that's left to do is crank up the hype machine. So, to make the wait seem even longer, read some reviews here, here and, if you like your unequviocal praise in 140 characters, here.

Full-length feature films are great and everything, but some people can really put together a trailer these days. Beasts of the Southern Wild, which was shot on the Bayou and stars the baker responsible the 7th Ward's favorite Buttermilk Drops, offers a heck of a tease this week in advance of its July 4 local release. What's the movie about? When you've got a tattoo of cave paintings, giant pigs with horns, and lots and lots of sparklers, does it really matter? And, anyway, Sundance already gave their blessing. Click through to view.

Hollywood South is all around us, but like the superheroes it seeks to portray, the local film industry remains just out of sight. Those who wondered if Quentin Tarantino was indeed  filming a movie set in New Orleans had more to add to the conspriacy theory yesterday. What could be a promotional tool for Django Unchained (right) surfaced on many a film crazy news outlet, but, as others immediatly noticed, the name of the movie was not written on the supposed "teaser poster." It simply says, "The New Movie From Quentin Tarantino."

Earlier this week, Russell Brand became the latest celeb to show up on a NOPD police report as a result of his temper. Now, the British actor is the latest to get arrested. On Monday, Brand flipped out on a paparazzoid who was taking a picture of the lewd, rude funnyman on his iPhone. He smashed the photog's camera phone against a building. Today, he ended up in OPP for his troubles. 

From Bacchus to Bam Margera to Brad Pitt's bash, the stars of screen haven't shied away from New Orleans. But with the Oscars looming, we're reminded that our local film culture still has a few mountains to climb. The closest we get to a nomination is NOLA native Michael Lewis, who wrote Moneyball, but had nothing to do with the move.  This week, the mayor's office announced the projects that are filming here here now or in the future. Let's see if there's a potential winner among them:

It's not often that New Orleans is the talk of Utah, or even mentioned in the state that Mormons built. But such is the rarified air way up above the Earth in Park City, home to this week's Sundance Film Festival. Beasts of the Southern Wild, which was shot down da bayou, made by a NOLA-based filmmaker and stars the man responsible for those soul-cleansing Buttermilk Drops in the 7th Ward, is the talk of the ski town-turned-indie film polestar. The New York Times even called the movie "the standout of this year’s Sundance and among the best films to play at the festival in two decades." When do we get to see it, guys? (UPDATE: The film took home the fest's top prize) Coverage from Utah: NYT LAT The Atlantic

Around this time of year, we have no problem eating too much and then dressing up. After all, you'll walk (or drink) off the calories on the parade route. But the bountiful food offerings in New Orleans apparently offer yet another roadblock in the tireless struggle of being a film actress. Kate Beckinsale's recent schedule required her to film the Wahlberg shoot-em-up Contraband here, then don a catsuit for Underworld: Awakening.

La seems more and more like LA everyday. Filming movies alone does not qualify NOLA for the title of Hollywood South; no, any self respecting Hollywood needs glitz and gawkers. We've always had beads to fill the glitz, but now we have the gawkers as well. Enter (stage left) New Orleans Movie Tours.

by Shay Sokol

The Mortician, written and directed by Gareth Maxwell Roberts, will depend on two factors to make a profit after its indie $6 million budget: Method Man and 3D. With overt metaphors, a simple plot, and a lead role played by a Wu-Tang Clan member that cannot act, this film will be tossed in the dustbins quickly. In a desolate city in Tennessee, a boy named Kane (Cruz Santiago) witnesses the murder of his prostitute mother (Judy Marte).

The Silicon Bayou has been buzzing with news. SBN announced a call for nominations for the Silicon Bayou 100, a list of the “coolest people in tech and entrepreneurship.” The public is encouraged to nominate active participants and leaders in the local tech, entrepreneurship, and digital and social media world by October 15, 2011. Click through for the weekly roundup of developments from Silicon Bayou News in the past seven days: