
If you’re looking for a movie to see, but the idea of teenage vampires, talking tabby cats or dancing penguins isn’t really doing it for you, consider taking a different approach this weekend.
Take Shelter, the latest film from Jeff Nichols, opens at AMC Fiesta Square 16 today in Fayetteville.
The film, which took the Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival’s 50th Critics’ Week, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and is currently generating Oscar buzz.

Director Jeff Nichols
It follows a working class husband and father, as he deals with the panic that arises from a series of terrifying dreams. Plagued the apocalyptic visions in those dreams, he questions whether to shelter his family from a coming storm, or from himself.
If the festival buzz and storyline aren’t enough, there are plenty of other reasons to check it out.
For starters, Jeff Nichols is a Little Rock native whose brother, Ben, is the frontman of the band Lucero. There’s even a Ben Nichols song on the film’s soundtrack. Local brothers getting famous=awesome.
If the Arkansas ties aren’t enough, consider the following.
Take Shelter is the second Nichols film starring Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire), who was himself made famous in Nichols’ previous film, Shotgun Stories. Jeff’s next film, Mud, stars Reese Witherspoon and Matthew McConaughey.
And the reviews:
“A dazzling piece of filmmaking.” – Wall Street Journal
“Stunning! Already being called an American masterpiece.” – Vanity Fair
“This is the movie M. Night Shyamalan wishes he could make.” – St. Petersburg Times
“We should see it!” – Fayetteville Flyer
OK, so that last quote wasn’t really a review. It was, however, an honest statement that will produce an office field trip to Fiesta Square sometime in the next few days.
Delay at your own risk.