Remember when we still liked Nicole Kidman? No, I'm not running for a VHS of BMX Bandits, and I'm not talking about Moulin Rouge. I mean the Nicole Kidman that was tempted to cool, interesting genre scripts like The Others and The Invasion? Apparently Keri Russell has started intercepting her mail.

South by Southwest's favorite cat lands a movie deal, a University of Texas alumnus wins a huge award, and much more are in this edition of Film Flam.

Generous news from the folks at ATX Television Festival: They'll be making some of their biggest events open to the public. Fans of Friday Night Lights, Boy Meets World and everything AMC screens, start RSVPing now.

Can't tell your local gaming news from gaming news birthed in other, less important locales? Here's a few things that have happened or will happen.

There was little question in 2008 of what image belonged on the Chronicle cover of the March 7 issue which previewed that year's South by Southwest Film Festival: Greta Gerwig. Gerwig, the star of the widely praised Frances Ha (opening in Austin today), was the obvious choice. She starred in no fewer than three festival films.

At least Mike Leigh waits until the end of his director’s commentary to confide that Life Is Sweet is his least favorite film. Even Leigh admits it’s “curious” that he has so little love for a movie that is so very, very lovely.

Some people make films for money. Some make films for laughs. Writer/director Carley Marissa made A Kiss Before You Go to explore deep-seated emotional trauma.

Drafthouse Films has done it again.

Erica Beneke is no stranger to cooking competitions. She won the local round of Chefs Under Fire 2010 and was a fan favorite in the statewide finals. But did that experience and her years of turning out "gourmet comfort food" at Max's Wine Dive prepare her to win $10,000 on Chopped? Find out Sunday.