Take ShelterMovie Reviews

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Written October 1, 2011
Ridiculously overrated. Assinine ending.

by Toby Dammit

Like many films today, Take Shelter is exquisitely CRAFTED, yet utterly meaningless. The filmmaker is also obnoxiously coy about clarifying his intentions when talking about it. If its intent was only about the marital relationship (as the filmmaker suggests), then it despicably conveys that people with mental disorders can fight their way out the illness if they only have the guts. If it is a symbolic allegory to the dangers of global warming/climate change, then it makes no sense that the protagonist would be the only person in the world to notice what is falling from the sky. We make zee art film, no? No!
- 10 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written December 7, 2011
What a shame, but I suggest renting this one.

by Nacho Baggo

Powerful scripting and performances. Shannon's lead character slowly simmers to a boil and tears at your heart. The direction keeps you guessing about what you thought you were certain about. All the elements are there and work.........until the end! The last 30 seconds cheapened the whole effort!
30 seconds from a perfect film and an award winning performance.

Rent it.
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written January 10, 2013
Take Shelter Works

by giosea11

Intense character study of a man on the brink of prognostic revelation or shear insanity. Michael Shannon gives another of his truly extreme compelling, yet somehow, sympathetic performances in this allegory of a man torn between following his visions or succumbing to his fears. Are his nightmares and visions real or is he becoming a victim of his mother's legacy. Jessica Chastain's performance is equally as powerful and resilient as his wife battling her own anxieties. Should she stand by and watch the man she loves come unhinged, help him face his demons or just take their daughter and leave. I hope I am not the only one who sees the dramatic symbolism of his visions and what ultimately happens.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written November 25, 2011
Intense, well-acted film.

by

This was an well-executed film about someone who becomes obsessed with a possible oncoming disaster to his family and starts building a storm shelter for his family. The visuals are excellent, especially the scenes where Michael Shannon's character sees these ostensible threats.

Shannon does a fine job covering the various stages of what could be a mental breakdown (not giving away what is real in the film and what isn't) and seeing this in addition to his role as Nelson Van Alden gives a good idea of his range. The supporting actors are also good, especially Jessica Chastain as the wife.
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Go
Written November 7, 2011
Gripping and Suspenseful, An Effort Worthy Of An Audience.

by Alon Patterson

Sometimes small films with even smaller budgets find it hard to get a toe hold among the big studio productions exhibited across our nation. That could be said of this film. In fairness, a lot of theaters still have only a few screens and therefore must choose those movies they believe will net the most cash. Simple math. So, films like this one are relegated to the limited release circuit where they either prove themselves, or fail to go wide. Last year's ?Hurt Locker? is one such example, not going wide until after its Oscar win. Anyway, like a lot of movies in this group, "Take Shelter" is very good, but wide release is anybody's guess. If you get a chance to see it you should. The performances are excellent, the story's unique and entertaining, and the visuals are excellent as well. There's not much here that would interest children. Except for some sudden sounds, there's nothing objectionable though. It's worth the price of a ticket. See it. You won't be disappointed.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written November 6, 2011
Illustrates the destruction and contagion of collective fear

by key grip

An incredible movie. Michael Shannon deserves Best Actor for this. It's the scariest movie I've seen in a long time, with no paranormal, no skeletons or axe murderers....just plan ol' everyone-has-felt-it fear of things happening beyond our control (and the self-fulfilling prophecy of things that happen because of one's inability to modulate fear and emotion). Shot beautifully with images that won't leave you for a long time.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written November 14, 2011
Fantastic!

by dannypants

Slow-paced but riveting, this movie really knocked my socks off. No big stars, big guns, nude scenes, gratuitous violence, gore, or outrageous special effects (yet some really excellent f/x), but still one of the best films I've seen in a long, long time. Very haunting and imaginative. I'd give it FIVE stars!
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Go
Written November 21, 2011
Well Worth It...

by Sinjin Van Hook Stratton

Very out-of-the ordinary and atmospheric thriller- they could have shaved 15-20 minutes and not lost anything. I understood the need for build up but there were some obvious choices for the cutting room floor. The ambiguous nature of the ending was gutsy, though I can see how it might leave some feeling frustrated.

The more I think about the techniques used to ratchet up the tension the more I appreciate them- very clever and subtle and it will keep you guessing until the end and then talking [or debating] the ending on the way home. Great performances from Shannon and Chastain [Where DID this woman come from? She must have signed a deal with the devil to do this, The Debt and The Tree of Life after seemingly coming from nowhere].
- 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written November 10, 2011
Excellent Film

by dart800

The pacing may be slow for some people but I personally enjoyed this movie immensely and would suggest it to anyone who enjoys a good psychological drama.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Oh No!
Written July 10, 2012
Movie could have been saved

by moviesandstuffinnc523

How disappointing to see an "artful" (as another reviewer said) film and have such a lame and unimaginative ending that truthfully, doesn't even lend itself to discussion. Yeah, the actors were good and the plot was interesting albeit slow. The story definitely had potential but was completely ruined by the ending. Completely.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written October 30, 2011
Great acting, thoughtful subjet

by DGA_member

The whole cast is great in roles that any actor would cherish. The descent into mental illness by Michael Shannon is convincing and you really feel his fear, not just of the calamities he envisions, but the fact that his mind is betraying him. The resulting strain on his marriage is so real and aching painful that at times you want to yell advice at the screen.
The camerawork is basic, nothing fancy, and at times you wish for a more sure visual hand from the director. Some of the shots just don't deliver. There's a feeling that the director, while great with story and acting, didn't have much experience with camera.
Overall, it's a unnerving movie about a subject that is often poorly dealt with in cinema. There is certainly some wisdom in this movie.
- 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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No
Written November 15, 2011
Run from the storm...well walk slowly to the exit

by seandrewett

There are movie the critics describe as "masterful movie making" and most other people describe as "two hours of my life I won't get back." Well Take Shelter is exactly 120 minutes and you won't be seeing any of them again if you make the same mistake I did.

Micheal Shannon is a great actor if this movie is any indication, but that is the movies only positive. The theme is familiar and movie is very realistic, and there in lies its weakness. The movie is too much like every day life to make it worth paying to see.

There is a "twist" at the end which you can discuss with your friends for another 5 or 10 minutes afterwards if you feel so inclined but if you keep any conversation about this movie going for more than 5 minutes I will be very impressed.
- 5 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written October 23, 2011
Just plain awful

by ktarapata

What starts as a promising small film becomes a big mess at the end. So annoying.
- 5 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written November 3, 2011
fantastic movie you must see

by ipatrick

I saw this movie at the Sundance film festival last January and this was one of the best movies at the festival. This is an amazing story and the last 60 seconds will leave you speechless. It is supenseful and emotional and will have you glued to the screen. The acting is excellent. I am going back to see it again now that it is in theaters!
- 5 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Oh No!
Written November 10, 2011
Slooooow

by riodealer

Terrible plot and even worse ending.
- 4 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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