MovieChat Forums > Shotgun Stories (2008) Discussion > Finally a realistic film without the usu...

Finally a realistic film without the usual crap.

posted 13 years ago by standrkm
9 replies | jump to latest

Finally one of those films that realistically portray how sh%%%y life is at times and the situations you gotta deal with. In most films everything other than what the director specifically wants the viewer to see is "artificial". You know the films where the eldest brother comes by to see his brothers in their middle class suburbia and he's wearing a loose tie while complaining about how long his day was and blah blah freakin blah. Then he starts telling his brothers wow guys you really need to get your acts together and grow up. Then the camera zooms in on the dirty dishes in the sink as if to tell the duncehat viewer "look they're poor and they're daddy didn't love them". Nothing seemed choreographed, the brothers understood eachother without all the fake conversations and unneeded pep talks.
We need more films like this because most people in America don't wear business suits and find love at 35 years old, or marry wedding crashing 40 year old virgins. Most people from what I have seen are just trying to get by and that in itself is interesting and relative. Sorry if this doesn't seem to make much sense, it's late and I'm tired. But yeah, great movie, right up there with slingblade, winters bone, beautiful girls, etc. If you haven't seen those films, check them out as well.

If reincarnated,I'd return to Earth as a killer virus to lower population levels.
-Prince Phillip

[–] seanspike 13 years ago

Amazing film. It's entered my list of best films of the last ten years.

I went in expecting a bit more action (the trailer made me believe there was a lot more action scenes). So naturally i was disappointed in how everything happened in the film. But after some time and letting the whole story sink in my mind for a couple days after viewing it, i watched it again and and then listened to the commentary, and came to a realization that it truly is a super and well made film.
Everything that happens in it, had to happen, and it all works so freaking perfectly. Love it.

[–] denise1234 11 years ago

I love this film (for many of the reasons other posters have already mentioned).

I am glad that I didn't watch the horrible trailer for it before seeing the movie -- had I watched that misleading trailer, I wouldn't have given this film one watch.

And, I can understand how someone would have expected more of an 'action' film, given the pitiful trailer for this film.

Too many trailers are NOT representative of what the movies they are supposed to be advertising are really about and that's a crying shame, IMHO.

Instead, whoever puts out shoddy trailers seeks to try to draw people in the gate based on *whatever* -- many times the trailers are packed with all the action and/or sex scenes and totally omit any promise of anything more substantial than that, even though a movie may very well have a lot more meat on the bone.

So, people who like thoughtful movies might pass the movie up due to a misleading trailer, while, conversely, people who are expecting a total action/sex flick will be sorely disappointed if the movie does not pan out that way.

I think that is why many times there can be so many disparate comments about a movie on forums such as this.

Movies often don't rise (or fall) to the expectations of an intentionally misled public.

"I'm here because I believe in a free Narnia."

[–] ken2903 13 years ago

I agree with you pretty much although I still think the "artificial" movies have their place.

I love this movie and the 3 others you mentioned are all awesome movies as well.

------------------------------------------
"Cunnilingus and Psychiatry brought us to this"

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] standrkm 12 years ago

Yeah I agree. Too many films have that thing they do where everything has to have some significant meaning. Like you see a guy wearing a hard rock cafe shirt and the actor was told to wear that shirt because he's supposed to be a hip guy who's been around the world or something which actually backfires in reality because people wear those shirts and they've never even been to any of those places lol.
That recent Will Farrel film "everything must go" had that artificial feeling too. But you see some films and it's like man their world really exists. I watched "three burials for marquies estrada" the other day and that was something special, see that if ya get a chance. Thanks for the reply

When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads.
-Ron Paul

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] standrkm 12 years ago

Nice list, I feel bad since I still haven't finished Paris Texas yet. I've seen most of those and good to see someone else also appreciated "be here to love me".

When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads.
-Ron Paul

[–] franzkabuki 12 years ago

Yeah, a rare movie for its time and its kind that is patient, understated, quietly observant instead of having to forcing itself onto some eye catchingly volatile paths in order to sustain interest. Everything the people do makes sense and grows naturally out of the circumstance dictated by the character´s nature. And, last but not least, Michael Shannon provides a compelling - compellingly troubled - center of gravity for the film. Never seen a lacklustre performance from the lad yet. Overall a very thoughtful, and well thought out 86 minutes, all full of narrative tension despite there being very little action. Plus, there is the ending that thankfully refuses to go down the path of a all-too-expected, typical bloodbath and offers a rather more interesting note to depart on. 8/10. I´d never even heard of either the film or the director Jeff Nichols before yesterday.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] jname96 11 years ago

OP, don't worry--you make perfect sense.

I know. Life is like this. I totally agree.