Michael Shannon: King of Strange Movies and Movie Roles

[splendica]

This guy has got to be, truly, one of the strangest, one-of-a-kind actors to ever grace the silver screen. And his filmography is like something from some back ally Hollywood or Las Vegas production circuit that only the cool and eclectics like Tarantino know about.

Anyway, the first movie that Shannon starred in that I remember was Bug. I mean if that movie doesn't say "Michael Shannon Filmography" I don't know what does.

Now, I've seen most of his earlier roles, but because they were more often than not bit parts, I don't recall him in them so much.

But I'll go ahead and highlight the movies of his I've seen where he plays a major role and rate them (with a few comments).

1. Bug - Strange, strange movie with Ashley Judd where they do nudes. His persuasive, borderline psychopathic personality shines to the point you're sure this is the way the guy is in real life. 6/10

Trailer:

Spoiler

2. Shotgun Stories - Actually a good story shot with low budget filters etc (I'm not camera buff). Actually a decent film with a very rural Arkansas feel to it. Again Shannon nails the role and he seems exactly like the character he plays. 7.5/10

Trailer:

Spoiler

3. My Son, My Son, What Have You Done? - Classic bizarre weirdness from a Shannon movie. I don't remember it much but as per usual, you kind of watch Shannon movies for Shannon. It's like watching Charles Manson and expecting something bad and weird to happen. 6.5/10

Trailer:

Spoiler

4. 13 - This is probably my favorite of Shannon's, though his role wasn't major. He's basically the director/MC to an underground death game. Interesting movie though, with a good cast including Mickey Rourke and Jason Statham. 8/10

Trailer:

Spoiler

5. Take Shelter - Another Michael Shannon off-kilter feature, about an apocalyptic bomb shelter. Michael Shannon's screen presence shines in all it's uncomfortable glory. 7/10

Trailer:

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[splendica]

6. The Iceman - Okay, I said 13 was my favorite of Shannon's, but in fact, I think this was his most non-weird, cool role. He was badass in a mafia kind of way. Decent watch. 8/10

Spoiler

7. Young Ones - Post apocalyptic tale about Shannon protecting his family and running water in an arid wasteland (typical eastern California/Nevada/Arizona setting). 8/10

Trailer:

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7. 99 Homes - I didn't care for it, but it was something different. 6/10

Trailer:

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8. Midnight Special - Classic Michael Shannon Strangeness. It felt like it borrowed from Stranger Things with a touch of Branch Davidian. Starring Joel Edgerton and Kirsten Dunst too. 7/10

Trailer:

Spoiler

9. Nocturnal Animals - Actually I think this one might have been my favorite. A touch of Shannon oddness with a cool Arizona/Nevada wilderness strangness ala Uturn and Breakdown. Pretty good flick with Jake Gyllenhaal and Amy Adams. 8/10

Trailer:

Spoiler

Anyway, that's a smattering of strange though usually entertaining cinema from Michael Shannon. I guess in the end I quite like him as an actor. He's definitely got the most wacked of filmographies in my opinion; and it matches his screen persona perfectly. Somehow I even see Homer Simpson in him when his eyes go off center and he gets that blank look lol.

Thoughts on this strange cat and his films?

 

[jkthenatural]

Very interesting

 

[splendica]

Is Michael Shannon oddly alpha? What do you guys think of this actor and his roles?

@Cint @Zer @Agent Mulder's Hair @shadow_priest_x @BisexualMMA @chickenluver @iThrillhouse @jeicex @europe1

 

[splendica]

Very interesting

Exactly. Well said.

 

[Guestx]

Is Michael Shannon oddly alpha? What do you guys think of this actor and his roles?

@Cint @Zer @Agent Mulder's Hair @shadow_priest_x @BisexualMMA

I'm down with Michael Shannon. He's definitely a great performer.

I think the first time I really noticed him was in Take Shelter, a few years ago. That's a strange movie, but also an interesting one.

I did not know at that time that he was on the verge of blowing up, but he definitely has.

 

[blitzk]

don't forget Shape of Water, which is about a blind girl who falls in love and fucks a fish-man.

 

[blitzk]

great actor, I love watching his movies. He brings something eerie or fresh, I think.

 

[HARRISON_3]

Dude can play any role.

Case in point - sorority sister.

 

[splendica]

I'm down with Michael Shannon. He's definitely a great performer.

I think the first time I really noticed him was in Take Shelter, a few years ago. That's a strange movie, but also an interesting one.

I did not know at that time that he was on the verge of blowing up, but he definitely has.

For sure. And he's one of those actors that can go in and out of the B movie and back into A movies without really hurting his cache.

Actually Take Shelter was probably one I saw 3 movies of his ago. It, like most if his movies, is as you say different/weird, but interesting too. Like there are CT and odd concepts that get highlighted and somehow ring true in the recesses of our minds.

 

[TheLastSpartan]

He made a great Zod

 

[splendica]

don't forget Shape of Water, which is about a blind girl who falls in love and fucks a fish-man.

I haven't seen that. Sounds weird!

 

[CrimsonFan]

Hes the shit

Take Shelter and Bug

He shines in these.

Iceman imo is a 7/10. Good movie

 

[TribalDrumz]

They need to make a Frankenstein remake!! he is like the perfect Frankenstein with that giant Cro Magnon skull.

 

[Agent Mulder's Hair]

Is Michael Shannon oddly alpha? What do you guys think of this actor and his roles?

@Cint @Zer @Agent Mulder's Hair @shadow_priest_x @BisexualMMA @chickenluver @iThrillhouse @jeicex @europe1

He was badass in Nocturnal Animals

and I thought his character in Pearl Harbor was hilarious

 

[Guestx]

For sure. And he's one of those actors that can go in and out of the B movie and back into A movies without really hurting his cache.

Actually Take Shelter was probably one I saw 3 movies of his ago. It, like most if his movies, is as you say different/weird, but interesting too. Like there are CT and odd concepts that get highlighted and somehow ring true in the recesses of our minds.

Looking back, I saw Bug, Revolutionary Road and probably also The Runaways before I saw Take Shelter, but it was take Shelter that really made me go, "Wait. . . Who is this guy?"

These days it seems like the guy is just fucking everywhere. Right now I'm watching him in Paramount's Waco mini-series.

 

[splendica]

Dude can play any role.

Case in point - sorority sister.

Ahhhhhahahaha I laughed my ass off . . . Priceless and perfect!

 

[HenryFlower]

I love me some Michael Shannon. extremely talented & one of the most overlooked actors out there (but hopefully not for much longer). first time I took notice was when he stole the show in Revolutionary Road.

not sure I’d consider him the “king of strange movies” though.

 

[splendica]

He was badass in Nocturnal Animals

and I thought his character in Pearl Harbor was hilarious

Yeah it was odd. It felt like he could go either way in that one. Was awesome.

 

[Cubo de Sangre]

Looks like some interesting films I've yet to see. Thanks TS!

When I think of someone who takes on strange roles I always think Crispin Glover. Even in non-oddball flicks like Back to the Future he plays an oddball.