And my #1 movie of 2011 is Take Shelter. I gave this one an A+ with a gold star & a smiley face, but here’s another good reason to see it. Writer/Director Jeff Nichols lives in Austin, so when you see it, you’re supporting a Texas boy!  Here is my review:

“Take Shelter” stars Michael Shannon as a man whose apocalyptic visions signal either the end of the world, or the onset of his own mental illness. Look, I’m going to tell you right off the bat, that I LOVED this movie and am giving it an A+. I left the theater out of breath, with a lump in my throat & goose bumps on my arms. That’s how good it is.

I’m telling you this because I know you have no interest in seeing “Take Shelter.” For one, there are no big stars in it. Fans of “Boardwalk Empire” will recognize Michael Shannon as the wide-eyed Agent Nelson Van Alden, but he’s certainly not a matinee idol. Jessica Chastain also stars in “Take Shelter” & is so effortlessly wonderful, she shows us why she’s been getting all the best roles this year. However, only the movie nerds will recognize Jessica.

“Take Shelter” is also a big commitment, of time & emotion. It’s 2 solid hours of watching a perfectly nice guy fall down the rabbit hole, taking his wife & sweet little deaf daughter along with him. It’s not an easy thing to witness. Despite all of this, “Take Shelter” is glorious to behold. I wanted a Thesaurus to express how much I love “Take Shelter,” but there are only 4 words you need to hear: Go see this movie.

Go see “Take Shelter” because Michael Shannon at the very least will probably be nominated for a Best Actor Oscar.

Go see it because it deserves to be seen on the big screen.

Go see “Take Shelter” because I gave it an A+ with a gold star & a smiley face.

And in case you missed it the first however many times I said it, go see “Take Shelter.”