Brow Beat

Back in November of 2011, we hailed Michael Shannon and Jeff Nichols, who have collaborated on the somewhat under-sung films Shotgun Stories and Take Shelter, as among the most promising actor-director pairings of the last several years. Shannon is also in the next Nichols movie, Mud, but for the lead, the director opted for someone else: Matthew McConaughey. Obviously, we approve. And we are very excited for this movie, which will get a limited release in April.

Now, if only it can do for Reese Witherspoon what Bernie and Magic Mike did for McConaughey—that is, revive a once very promising actorly career. Fingers crossed.