Film Illiterate, wherein the proprietor records movies seen, and sporadic progress through assorted lists of the "best". Originally started after regretfully renting something forgettable for the third time. I've forgotten what, but never again! A tedious endeavour since 2005. Hello. 🙂
In anticipation of Take Shelter at the upcoming Canberra International Film Festival, I thought it was time to finally see Jeff Nichols' debut, Shotgun Stories, also starring Michael Shannon.
It's thoroughly unpleasant portrayal of two American families -- two sets of half-brothers who feud following the death of their (shared) father. Son Hayes (Shannon) is the eldest, and shares with his two full brothers a deep loathing for the bastard who abandoned them to their harridan of a mother. To their half-brothers he was a beloved father.
A punch turns to threats turns to a beating turns to a death, and then they are in a contest which no-one can win. Ultimately it's more of a character study than anything else, but it's a convincing and engrossing one.