Wild things are here

In theaters Friday: Deadfall, Hyde Park on the Hudson, Playing for Keeps

New on Blu-ray: Beasts of the Southern Wild, Butter, The Dark Knight Rises, Hope Springs

I’ve never had so many friends ask me to inform them when a certain indie film was going to be available for rent or download. But then, Louisiana has never produced a movie quite New Orleanian Benh Zeitlin’s Sundance-winning epic Beasts of the Southern Wild. So here it is, friends, the much-lauded film, and essential viewing for anyone from or with ties to the Bayou State, arrives on Blu-ray tomorrow. Watch it as soon as you can.

A resounding work of dramatic storytelling, Beasts gives birth to an unforgettable new folklore for the Information Age, a satisfying legend for the modern head and the old-fashioned heart. I spoke to Zeitlin about his remarkable debut film earlier this year, and you can read that interview and original review here.

As the awards mount, a heap of positive attention from the Academy seems a lock at this point. I’m predicting Best Picture and Best Actress nominations—the latter for young star Quvenzhane Wallis—as well as a win for Best Original Screenplay. What’s more, Beasts is a film the whole family can enjoy. Though it is not light-hearted in the least, its themes of redemption and perseverance have the makings for a memorable holiday pick for the entire clan.

So what’s next for this crew? Zeitlin is currently writing and prepping his second feature film in New Orleans with a projected release date in 2014. Wallis will star opposite Brad Pitt in next year’s Louisiana-filmed period drama Twelve Years a Slave from acclaimed director Steve McQueen. Watch Zeitlin and Wallis discuss how she was cast for Beasts’ lead role in this clip from Flicks and the City.