Michael Shannon

THE BIKERIDERS: An Inspired, Understated Look at Early Bike Culture
London Film Festival 2023: THE BIKERIDERS

The Bikeriders film evokes an interesting time and place in US history, in which Nichols’ ensemble cast take big swings – and get big enough hits.

https://www.filminquiry.com/abandoned-2022-review/ ‎
ABANDONED: A Horror That Needs To Be Abandoned

Lacking horror and empathy, Abandoned is film that should be just that – abandoned.

Interview with Michael Shannon, Star of NINE PERFECT STRANGERS
Interview with Michael Shannon, Star of NINE PERFECT STRANGERS

Fim Inquiry spoke with Michael Shannon, star of Nine Perfect Strangers.

A drifter (Shea Whigham) kills a traveling preacher and takes his place at a small-town church, but the police chief (Michael Shannon) suspects foul play.
THE QUARRY Trailer

In The Quarry, a drifter (Shea Whigham) kills a traveling preacher and takes his place at a small-town church, but the police chief (Michael Shannon) suspects foul play.

THE CURRENT WAR: DIRECTOR'S CUT: Gomez-Rejon's Visually Masterful Biopic Analyzes The Cost Of Progress
THE CURRENT WAR: DIRECTOR’S CUT: Gomez-Rejon’s Visually Masterful Biopic Analyzes The Cost Of Progress

The Current War builds upon a solid narrative foundation by richly transporting the viewer to a pivotal and prescient time for humankind.

STATE LIKE SLEEP: Slick But Ultimately Flat Noir
STATE LIKE SLEEP: Slick But Ultimately Flat Noir

As a narrative dive into the complexities of grief, State Like Sleep grazes the surface but doesn’t commit.

WHAT THEY HAD: A Resounding Family Drama
WHAT THEY HAD: A Resounding Family Drama

What They Had is an honest snapshot of a family during crisis, in all its inevitably chaotic shades – it’s exactly what you’d hope a movie about Alzheimer’s would be.

FAHRENHEIT 451: Smolders But Doesn't Ignite
FAHRENHEIT 451: Smolders But Doesn’t Ignite

With the inclusion of a MacGuffin and the eventual predictable narrative that follows, Fahrenheit 451 misses out on a golden opportunity to connect with a modern audience.

12 STRONG: True Story Of Green Berets On Horseback Lacks Horsepower
12 STRONG: True Story Of Green Berets On Horseback Lacks Horsepower

12 Strong feels on a par with the cringeworthy, overly patriotic action films made during the significant wars of America’s past, with nothing to say about the nature of war itself.

THE SHAPE OF WATER: A Wondrous Fantasy Romance That Falls Short Of Greatness
THE SHAPE OF WATER: Del Toro’s Wondrous Fantasy Romance Falls Short Of Greatness

The Shape of Water, Guillermo del Toro’s 10th feature, is loaded with qualities to praise, including beautifully-lit cinematography, a haunting score, and exceptional performances, but as a whole it’s not quite as impactful as it could’ve been.

SALT AND FIRE: An Enthralling Treatise On The Environment & Truth
SALT AND FIRE: An Enthralling Treatise On The Environment & Truth

Salt and Fire is an alluringly ambiguous environmental thriller by Werner Herzog, featuring purposefully stilted and brilliant performances.

Actors As Auteurs: Making Room For Other Collaborators In Film Authorship
Actors As Auteurs: Making Room For Other Collaborators In Film Authorship

It’s time we opened up auteur theory to include more than the director; actors leave unique marks on their films, and deserve our critical attention.

The Beginner’s Guide: Jeff Nichols, Director & Writer

I first discovered Jeff Nichols back in 2013, when I happened to catch Mud in theaters. Not knowing what to expect, I still remember distinctly how I felt walking out of the theater – I absolutely loved everything about the film. I was stunned by its raw, understated beauty, with characters that lived and breathed, and a coming-of-age story that was uniquely captivating.

FRANK & LOLA: Soul Affirming Neon Noir
FRANK & LOLA: Soul Affirming Neon Noir

Frank & Lola is an original look at a romantic relationship affected by past sexual abuse, and is presented in a mezmorizing noir tone.

MIDNIGHT SPECIAL: Jeff Nichols Shines His Ever-Loving Light

With only four movies to his name so far, and with features ranging in genre from coming-of-age dramas (Mud) to quasi-science fiction (Take Shelter), Jeff Nichols’ films have at least one thing in common (other than that they all star Michael Shannon): they are all intimate productions, both in style and in their focus on the tight-knit relationships around us. Often set in the American South where Nichols himself grew up, his films deal with familial struggles and upsets in usually uneventful communities.