Michael Shannon talks ‘Shotgun Stories’ and Nichol’s upcoming ‘Shelter’

I ran into a pretty cool article/interview with Michael Shannon today over at /Film that I’d like to share with you. Shannon was brilliant in Revolutionary Road, and lifted the film up from what could have been a very dull trip through suburban American life. But the article is particularly noteworthy for me because Shannon mentions a friend of mine in the interview. I briefly mentioned Shotgun Stories (which Shannon starred in) and writer/director Jeff Nichols very briefly here, but the film was so much more than a footnote on a blog. Shotgun Stories opened to huge successes at film festivals across the globe, and has opened the door for Nichols’ future projects. I suggest you check Shotgun Stories out on Netflix, and watch for Nichols’ upcoming film Shelter (which should start shooting this summer), and an as yet unnamed mini-series he is writing for HBO. Come to think of it, I need to review Shotgun Stories and get Jeff on here for a little Q & A. I’ll get to work on that.

Until then, check out the full article/interview over at /Film. 

‘Kooky Returns’: foreign film trailer

My interest in foreign film shows no signs of abating, and I hope that the trailer presented below illustrates why. I don’t know what they’re saying, but it looks awesome! Hopefully a feature with subtitles will find its way tot the states eventually. I found this over at /Film, if you want to check out the full article.

What did you think? Would you give this film a chance, if it made it to theaters here in the US?

Kirk out.

Spring arrives, SXSW departs. Life goes on.

Well, kids, SXSW and Spring Break are winding down to a close. Some of you may be saying to yourself, “BFD! I had to work all week!”. Or, “Spring Break? Pfff! It’s still snowing where I live!”. Or you might be really PO’d that you don’t live somewhere as cool as Austin (heh heh) and cannot enjoy the music and films being presented here at SXSW. In any case, whether you worked all week (like me) or were off to enjoy snow or green or music and film, it doesn’t matter. It all ends this Sunday, and we go back to the humdrum that is normal life.

And even though I was unable to take the week off and completely enjoy SXSW this year, I did take a conscious step back from the blog. It was nice to take a break, get some perspective, and consider my focus going forward. Metaphorically speaking, Springtime is a terrific barometer for life right now. There are changes afoot, and new growth that has lain dormant for far too long. For now, though, I’m going to keep those possibilities for change secret. Because sometimes a secret loses it’s since of importance when shared too generously.

If it seems like I’m speaking in riddles, then perhaps I am. But I think the bulk of the people reading this blog are creators in some sense of the word. And being thus, you know what it is like to stagnate for too long, to procrastinate, to doubt one’s own vision, or to put off dreams in favor of following the course of daily life. I promise not to disappear into the woods on some fool’s errand, but do forgive me if I am absent from the blogosphere for a day or two out of the week. And allow me the right to change my mind tomorrow if I so decide. Creative people are, after all, sometimes impatient and fickle creatures.

For now, though, I have tons of stuff in the hopper that I need to write about. Stay tuned. And thanks for your loyal readership.

Kirk in.