Rating: 
Summary: Some Folks Call it an Acting Reel
Review: Director George Hickenlooper shows us his all, including a short film entitled Some Folks Call it a Sling Blade.The film is a dark black & white depiction of Billy Bob Thorton's "Karl" whom Thorton developed while looking at his reflection with time on his hands, then later brought to life on stage with one-man shows. In collaboration with Billy, Hickenlooper hoped to use this film as a springboard to making a feature film (which of course happened - Sling Blade). But that's where the off-stage drama begins. Besides being a great short film and a "hoot," if you will, being the first incarnation of our beloved "Karl" (those whom have seen Sling Blade know what I mean, those whom haven't, order both films), This DVD contains an extensive director-ography of Hickenlooper, and the reason he ultimately declined to work on the feature film Sling Blade. It shows a different side of Thorton - albeit hearsay, but interesting at any rate. I still love the man because he has a band. But one thing struck me as quite ironic - while filming Some Folks Call it a Sling Blade, Hickenlooper didn't like the idea of doing Thorton doing his monologue as a close-up, and felt Thorton wanted it that way so he could use the film as an 'acting reel' to get more film parts. But amidst the DVD segment where he says this - "The Evolution of Sling Blade," Hickenlooper showcases his own material, citing every film he's directed (involving Billy Bob or not), with very extensive clips. Who's acting reel? But ironic or not, this is a great short film that stands on its own. I just wish I saw it before I saw Sling Blade. Not so much the same impact, I reckon.
Rating:
Summary: Some Folks Call it an Acting Reel
Review: Director George Hickenlooper shows us his all, including a short film entitled Some Folks Call it a Sling Blade. The film is a dark black & white depiction of Billy Bob Thorton's "Karl" whom Thorton developed while looking at his reflection with time on his hands, then later brought to life on stage with one-man shows. In collaboration with Billy, Hickenlooper hoped to use this film as a springboard to making a feature film (which of course happened - Sling Blade). But that's where the off-stage drama begins. Besides being a great short film and a "hoot," if you will, being the first incarnation of our beloved "Karl" (those whom have seen Sling Blade know what I mean, those whom haven't, order both films), this DVD contains an extensive director-ography of Hickenlooper, and the reason he ultimately declined to work on the feature film Sling Blade. It shows a different side of Thorton - albeit hearsay, but interesting at any rate. I still love the man because he has a band. But one thing struck me as quite ironic - while filming Some Folks Call it a Sling Blade, Hickenlooper didn't like the idea of Thorton doing his monologue as a close-up, and felt Thorton wanted it that way so he could use the film as an 'acting reel' to get more film parts. But amidst the DVD segment where he says this - "The Evolution of Sling Blade," Hickenlooper showcases his own material, citing every film he's directed (involving Billy Bob or not), with very extensive clips. Who's acting reel? But ironic or not, this is a great short film that stands on its own. I just wish I saw it before I saw Sling Blade. Not so much the same impact, I reckon.
Rating: 
Summary: a real thinker with a great twist at the end
Review: i love this movie if you like any of billy bobs work this is one you have got to see. billy goes beyond acting in this role. youll be surprised by at how many celebs make an apperance in this film. all of them in roles you will not believe! its a strange and almost comical drama. i think you will enjoy this movie over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: Should have been an added bonus to the movie DVD
Review: Should have been an added bonus to the movie DVD, not a seperate DVD. Not really worth buying as it is almost the identical dialogue from the movie, except in black and white. This original short is interesting, maybe worth renting, but I think it should have been put on the movie's DVD as a bonus feature...
Rating:
Summary: Should have been an added bonus to the movie DVD
Review: Should have been an added bonus to the movie DVD, not a seperate DVD. Not really worth buying as it is almost the identical dialogue from the movie, except in black and white. This original short is interesting, maybe worth renting, but I think it should have been put on the movie's DVD as a bonus feature...
Rating:
Summary: Short but Expensive
Review: This independent short is essentially a b&w of the opening sequence of Sling Blade. The late JT Walsh is here, and Molly Ringwold will be recognized as the reporter interviewing Billy Bob Thorton's Karl in this version. Very good except for the price. Director George Hickenlooper takes potshots at Thorton in the Bonus Features. Recommended for people who really like Sling Blade, but again, they are selling it at full price.
Rating:
Summary: Short but Expensive
Review: This independent short is essentially a b&w of the opening sequence of Sling Blade. The late JT Walsh is here, and Molly Ringwold will be recognized as the reporter interviewing Billy Bob Thorton's Karl in this version. Very good except for the price. Director George Hickenlooper takes potshots at Thorton in the Bonus Features. Recommended for people who really like Sling Blade, but again, they are selling it at full price.
Rating:
Summary: A movie in it's own !!!
Review: This is a must for any Independent film maker. This is a great way to see how you can have a great story and do a Low budget short and show how much of an impact even a short can be. If you like Sling Blade or not I recomend this to all just to see how movies are started and then made into a blockbuster hit !
Rating:
Summary: great short film of karl(billy bob thorton)
Review: this is a very good short film i really like'd it. all though its not as good as the sling blad film its'self but its still a good film no doubt. i have seen this film only once and do not own it myself. but i reckon i own it soon. to me billy bob thorton made karl childers come to life in both these films. we see a darker side to karl on the some folks call it a sling blade film. then we do on sling blade its'self- and billy bob sure did do a great job on these films- perfectly done.i hope to see someday hopefuly soon a slindblade part2. now that needs to be done to take up where sling blade left off.
Rating:
Summary: Exquisitely dark...
Review: This original version is far superior to the full length release. Thornton is exceptional in both...but the real suprise in this release is the exceptional performance by Molly Ringwald...someone I had written off as just so much fluff. A dark room...and Karl Childers...will scare the hell out of you. You just know he is out there...
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