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Summary: I wish Carl lived in my town!
Review: A beautiful movie...
I loved his voice too! I loved his relationship with the boy!Watching this movie is like rain drops on roses and warm woolen mittens!
Rating:
Summary: Pure Poetry
Review: Out of the 100 or so newer movies I've seen over the last 10 years, I loathed about 95 of them, as most movies made today stink. I rented Sling Blade expecting it to be average at best. From the beginning of the film, I was enthralled. Billy Bob Thorntons "Carl" is one of the most memorable, heartbreaking characters ever portrayed on film. If B.B.T. never makes another film, he should be revered as a brilliant artist.His portrayal of Carl is a gift to the human race.I am not one who is easily moved, but, even after repeated viewings, the final scene still makes me choke up. Nothing clever or witty to say to recommend this movie, just rent it, darken the room, preferably by yourself, and be taken in by the spell of the beauty of this film.A masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Simple Beauty
Review: The depth of this film cannot be measured in mere words; it must be experienced in a single viewing for one to fully appreciate what can be done simply in film these days ... without movie stars with box office clout ... without computer-enhanced special effects. Carl, played brilliantly by Billy Bob Thornton, is a mentally-challenged adult trying to come to grips with his past, his present, and his future. Perhaps the best description for the film comes from one line of his dialogue, referencing the youngster that he paternally adopts as his own: "That boy lives in his heart, and that's a mighty big place."
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: I've never been so moved by a story such as this before. My sister kept raving about it after she watched it and now I know the reason. This is a brilliant piece of work by Billy Bob Thorton. The man did a masterful job of writing, directing and playing the main character in this movie. He made us get inside the head of a metally retarded man who has been through all sorts of emotional wrecks. Even though this man killed his mother we could not but help feel for him and admire his simple wisdom in trying to give the fatherly love he never received to a young boy with whom he made friends. This is a movie worth collecting.
Rating: 
Summary: If only....
Review: I wish I could rate this DVD a 5. I really do! This movie is incredible. The DVD overall is not though. Admittedly it was released a while ago and since then the concept of Special Features has become a bit more of a standard, but for the price on this disc I personally would like a little bit more. If you can find a deal (used, etc.) this DVD for the movie alone is one that everyone should have. Enjoy!
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Summary: 1 OF THE FIVE BEST FILMS IN THE 1900'S
Review: NOTHING CAN DESCRIBE THE BRILLIANCE OF NOT ONLY THE ACTING IN THIS MOVIE BUT OF THE WAY BILLY BOB THORNTON, WROTE, DIRECTED AND STARRED IN THIS PICTURE.WILL GO DOWN AS AN AMERICAN MOVIE CLASSIC. GROUPED IN THE SAME COMPANY WITH TO KILL A MOCKINBIRD, OF MICE AND MEN, AND ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST. THE CASTING DIRECTOR SHOULD BE GIVEN A LOT OF THE CREDIT, BECAUSE EVERYONE OF THIS CHARACTERS COULD HAVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR AN ACADEMY AWARD.
Rating:
Summary: "Some folks call it a keiser blade"
Review: I'll keep this short and sweet. Slingblade is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Period. The relationship between Billy Bob's character and the little boy is so touching. You find yourself engrossed in the way they relate to each other and ESPECIALLY their unique voices. I loved the kid's accent! There are so many endearing scenes that will stick in your mind for further recollections. The movie draws so many emotions from watching. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll get angry, you'll sigh. Slingblade is a must see. A true masterpiece. Peace. CLB.
Rating:
Summary: Potent story - excellent writing / directing / acting
Review: I have rented this moview on VHS twice, and will be buying it on DVD. I will not attempt to explain the plot line, as numerous other reviews aleady have provided that for you. What I would like to share is how impressed I was with the way the story is told, and the outstanding portrayal of the two main characters. I have seen far too few scenes in films, when we forget that we are watching actors, and begin to feel that we are watching actual people involved in actual events. Billy Bob Thornton did an outstanding job directing and acting, and was deserving of an Oscar in portraying Karl so believably. A moving film that teaches us that intellectual skills are less important than moral skills, and that judgement of an action or a condition can often be far from the truth. Those who prefer exploding cars, lots of gunfire and special effects may want to pass on this, but if you like depth and look at films as art, you will love it!
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Summary: I guess you have to have been mistreated to enjoy this film.
Review: I am REALLY SURPRISED at some of the negitive reviews about this movie.As a writer of many books ("Orphan, A true story of Abandonment, Abuse and Redemption") and stories about child abuse (The Sad Orphan Website) I could not wait to purchase this movie. It is the only movie that I have ever purchased in my life. I guess you have to have been mistreated, somewhere along the line, to really understand the important message that this movie sets out to tell. The enjoyment in this film is when a tear fills your eye, your neck and throat become tight and you have to grit your teeth to stop the never-ending flow of emotion.I guess this is a "to each his own" kind of film. However, in my opinion, if someone views this moive and is not moved to some type of emotion. Then they are really missing "something very important" inside themselves. Maybe even compassion.This film really has nothing to do with "Being country", "The South", "Retarded" or "Gay." It does have something to do with being a simple, knowing what is right type of person. It displays what is missing in our lives and what is necessary in our lives, both as children and as adults.I give this film a SIX star rating on a scale from 1 to 5.Author, Roger Dean Kiser
Rating:
Summary: Mesmerizing
Review: Thornton has created an American classic that can send viewers in many different directions. After my 20th or so time enjoying Sling Blade, I became not so sure Karl is slow after all. He watches a dad brag about his son's football skills, so then goes out of his way to make Frank a star when they play sandlot. He fixes like an expert lawnmowers and other things with small engines. He understands and appreciates kindness given to him ("that boy has a big heart and lives inside it"). Then he seems to realize that killing again is a solution to not only Frank's troubles but it will return Karl to a world in which he is a little more comfortable. He seems to understand that he risks very little in doing so because he will be seen as crazy and not a murderer. It is also ironic that every character in the movie talks of killing someone as a solution to a problem. Is that another lesson Karl learns about the outside world? Any slowness in Karl arguably stems from his treatment by his father, who raised him in a shed in the family back yard (where he learned to fix small engines), the effects of seeing his mother and a friend having sex, and his experiences in a mental hospital. This is a man who picks things us quickly when given a chance. I think the test of a great movie is that it gets better each time you watch it and that you learn different things each time you watch it. I'm sure others will disagree with my take because I myself have just come around to feeling that way about it. I'm sure Karl would be able to figure it out.
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