The Playlist

Exclusive: Jeff Nichols Talks John Carpenter-Esque 'Midnight Special,' Wants To Make 'Tremors'-Style Film & More

By Drew Taylor
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April 23, 2013 3:00 PM
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7 Comments

Interviews

Yesterday we sat down with Jeff Nichols, the talented indie filmmaker behind "Shotgun Stories," "Take Shelter," and this week's "Mud" which stars Matthew McConaughey in another great post-career resurgence performance (more from our interview later this week). While we had him, we couldn't help but ask about an upcoming project he's already teased – a John Carpenter-esque chase movie called "Midnight Special." Nichols talked at length about the movie, its tone and mood, and what is compelling him to make it as well. The director also discussed "Mud" and a laundry list of projects and genres he'd like to tackle. And given his output thus far, there's little reason to doubt he'll achieve them all.

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Jeff Nichols Talks About His Trust In Sony Pictures Classics & 'Take Shelter''s Memorable Ending

By Christopher Bell
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September 29, 2011 5:04 AM
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And More From The Cast & Filmmaker Of The Apocalyptic DramaLady luck is currently showing Arkansas filmmaker Jeff Nichols her pearly whites. Though his strong debut feature "Shotgun Stories" took years to complete and be unleashed into the world, his sophomore effort "Take Shelter" was picked up by Sony Pictures Classics before they even saw a cut. In addition to that, its two principal players, Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain, are having a banner year and are quickly rising to household name-status. To top it all off, the filmmaker is already lensing his next feature, "Mud," in addition to writing yet another movie. Needless to say, Nichols is very busy and in demand.

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'Take Shelter' Soundtrack Written By Ola Podrida's David Wingo Is Moody, Chilling & Unnerving

By Edward Davis
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September 26, 2011 8:22 AM
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1 Comment

Just recently when discussing composer Mychael Danna's excellent score for the humanist sports drama, "Moneyball," we lamented the fact that writing about soundtracks isn't always easy, as often they're not the sexiest topic in the world. However, maybe we'll be putting that theory to the test in the fall of 2011.

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Michael Shannon Talks Madness, Working On A Budget & 'Take Shelter' Director Jeff Nichols

By Oliver Lyttelton
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September 15, 2011 5:46 AM
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1 Comment

Michael Shannon may have missed out on an Emmy nomination for his role on HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire,” but his anguished turn as Curtis LaForche in Jeff Nichols’ stunning “Take Shelter” should put the star squarely in the midst of Best Actor Oscar talk. (It should do the same for co-star Jessica Chastain.)

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'Take Shelter' Director Jeff Nichols Talks 'Mud,' Hopes To Have Michael Shannon In Supporting Role

By Christopher Bell
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September 13, 2011 7:55 AM
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3 Comments

Shannon Studying Ulysses S. Grant And Other Generals For His Zod Role In 'Superman'Things are looking pretty good for Arkansas filmmaker Jeff Nichols. A quick summer shoot for his sophomore offering "Take Shelter" (starring Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain) lead to it being sold to Sony Picture Classics before even playing the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. The quiet, occasionally startling meditation on marriage and fatherhood received rave reviews during its time at both the former festival and Cannes, picking up two prizes from the Croisette on its way out. But Nichols didn't bask in the glory for too long, as he was already busy setting up his third feature, the Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon-lead "Mud."

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Matthew McConaughey & Reese Witherspoon Will Get Dirty In 'Mud' For Director Jeff Nichols

By Kevin Jagernauth
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August 5, 2011 8:53 AM
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5 Comments

Are we witnessing the renaissance of Matthew McConaughey? That would certainly appear to be the case. The actor seemed to be stuck in a rut of terrible rom-coms (see every movie he did with Kate Hudson) and failed tentpoles ("Sahara"), and we wondered what happened to the actor who charmed us in "Dazed & Confused" and impressed in "A Time To Kill." Well, the actor woke up one morning and decided to line up an array of solid film projects. This year has already seen "The Lincoln Lawyer" become a sleeper hit and favorite with critics and he's been busy lining up auteur-driven projects with Richard Linklater's "Bernie," William Friedkin's "Killer Joe" and Lee Daniels' "The Paperboy" all coming. And now he's throwing his weight behind one of the best young American directors working right now.

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'Take Shelter' Takes Top Prize At Cannes' Critic's Week

By Oliver Lyttelton
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May 20, 2011 1:16 AM
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Australian Serial Killer Flick 'Snowtown' Gets Special MentionThe 2011 Cannes Film Festival is just stumbling on its last legs, with the final big film of the festival, Sean Penn starrer "This Must Be The Place," bowing this morning (watch for our review in a few hours). The festival's main awards won't be revealed until Sunday, but a select few awards have already been given out, focusing on films in the Critic's Week, the sidebar which highlights first and second films from directors, and celebrates its 50th year in 2011.

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Chris Pine Could Star In 'Take Shelter' Director Jeff Nichols's Next Film, Coming-Of-Age Tale 'Mud'

By Catherine Scott
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May 16, 2011 3:15 AM
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A film that made a splash at Sundance is now getting its due at Cannes, with "Take Shelter," the widely-praised sophomore feature from "Shotgun Stories" director Jeff Nichols, aired as part of the Critic's Week strand of the festival. And hot on its heels, the LA Times reports that the helmer is working on a new project, entitled "Mud." The paper's source indicates that Aaron Ryder, a producer of "Memento," will also be involved as the film moves forward. Sarah Green, a long-time producer of Terrence Malick's movies, including "The Tree of Life," will also produce.

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Sundance '11 Review: 'Take Shelter' A Naturalistic, Novelistic Portrayal Of Madness & Apocalypse

By Kevin Jagernauth
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January 27, 2011 9:46 AM
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4 Comments

From our reviews correspondent over at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, James Rocchi.

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Sony Pictures Classics Picks Up 'Take Shelter' Starring Michael Shannon & Jessica Chastain

By Kevin Jagernauth
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January 18, 2011 6:04 AM
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2 Comments

After making a strong debut with his riveting and powerful debut film "Shotgun Stories," director Jeff Nichols is looking to break out in a huge way with his sophomore effort.

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