Sling Blade isn’t just the most perfect Southern Gothic movie ever made, it’s absolutely one of the most perfect movies ever made. Glad y’all were able to see it.
@@Kristen_kiki Billy bob has a kinda clairvoyance power. The hillfolk would gather and drink like shamans of the forest. Theyd call it moonshining, or shining for short.
Great singer & actor! I actually drove to Nashville, TN from Indiana to see him live in concert about 10 years ago. My buddy and I were about 15 ft. away from him. It was awesome!
The first time I saw this movie, I didn’t realize that Doyle was played by Dwight Yoakam. He has such a natural talent for acting in this, that I didn’t even recognize him.
I can't speak for the rest of the US, but in the southern states, this movie was promoted by word of mouth. I had co- workers in 1996 telling me, "You have to see this movie". They weren't wrong.
That's how my wife and I heard about it. And at first I thought the person who told me about it was wrong another Billy Bob Thornton starring in it, because he's unrecognizable in it! A classic.
@@joeblow8206 Forrest Gump made 25 million on it's opening weekend alone. And that was in 1994. It's the 4th highest right behind ET. That word of mouth travelled lightning fast.
Yep, though they had to categorize it as BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY as Thornton had already written a one-man play on it and a short film called SOME CALL IT A SLING BLADE (even though both only were the first twenty minutes where Karl's telling his backstory; the film follows the events after he's released). Apparently, Karl was based off both a boy Billy Bob'd known in childhood and his mannerisms were based off a patient where Billy Bob used to work as a janitor.
I moved out to Los Angeles the year this came out to pursue my career as an actor. The first regular job I got was working as a messenger delivering items all over the city and mostly for the entertainment industry. One of our major customers was Miramax Pictures. About a month after I saw this movie I had a package to deliver to Billy Bob Thornton at one of their offices. A secretary pointed at a door and when I knocked on it BBT opened the door. I just looked at him and said "You". I told him I saw this film and loved it. When he found out I was an actor he told me to bring my headshot to him next time I came by. I pulled a headshot out from my clipboard and handed it to him. He was impressed and my resume impressed him further. We ran into each other several times after that, once when he was with Laura Dern, and he was always very nice.
@@johnmaynardableStrange coincidence for me to see the name Laura Dern. Earlier today, I was listening to an old Western Radio drama for the first time called, "Have Gun Will Travel". The voice of a featured character sounded like Bruce Dern to me. Whom I only really know from the classic John Wayne film "The Cowboys". I was googling him earlier today, and also saw that he was Laura Dern's father. I vaguely think I remember reading comments about that on reaction videos to the Cowboys, but I must've forgot. I didn't know her by name, and didn't know her outside of Jurassic Park.
Thank you for watching this film. My best friend had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and he loved movies more than anyone I've ever known, and it was the last one we watched together before he passed. He was a hell of a guy.
During the time when Miramax bought the movie, Thornton was battling with studio heads over his cut of the film, which he was getting tons of notes over. Frustrated, he actually was given Martin Scorsese's number and called to ask him to watch SLING BLADE and suggest any cuts. Two weeks later, Scorsese called Thornton back and said, "Don't make any cuts. Your cut is fine, but there's another reason. Nobody knows who you are yet, and once they find out you know what you're doing, they'll never stop giving you notes. This will be your ONE time you will get to make your movie EXACTLY how you want it." Thornton was depressed by the advice, but after directing three more films since SLING BLADE, he said Scorsese was exactly right.
Maybe I just don't see the obvious, but I've always had a hard time seeing Billy Bob in this film because Carl was such an authentic and original character. He truly brought him to life.
The best actors are actors who can 'disappear' into characters so you don't even see the actors anymore. Some very respected actors are, in my opinion, highly overrated because they basically always play variations of themselves and they never challenge themselves.
This one has stayed with me ever since I first watched it in 1998. It really shows you that Billy Bob has range as an actor and the story is amazing. Also Dwight Yokum showed here he has some acting chops.
BBT is also great in A Simple Plan, another underrated thriller. Also has Bill Paxton, Bridget Fonda, Gary Cole and Brent Briscoe (who was also with him in Sling Blade and a few other movies).
The fact that Karl was happy and had a good life for the first time was so wonderful to see. But to know he was willing to give it all up for Frank to have a good life was incredible and showed who he really was.
Love, hate, sacrifice, and ultimately redemption. This movie is an absolute masterpiece. And I think it’s because it feels so grounded in reality that it resonates so profoundly. The hero is quiet and flawed, the bully is loud but ultimately a coward, and the innocent simply exist best they can.
I adore everything about this beautiful film, but Jim Jarmusch's cameo as the Frostee Cream employee with that ridiculous paper hat is one of my favorite cameos in a film 😂 Also, ain't Dwight Yoakam great in this? He's pretty undervalued as an actor, I think.
@@DonRoccoRicardo One fabulous indie writer/director. DOWN BY LAW DEAD MAN GHOST DOG: THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI NIGHT ON EARTH MYSTERY TRAIN All amazing movies, and only a few listed. He's directed several more in recent years.
I joined a band in the early 2000s. They all spoke like Carl to each other. I hadn’t seen the movie so that was my first assignment! This movie is a gem. The characters are diverse and cool. RIP to Col. Bruce Hampton.
Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us. I used to watch this A LOT back in the day. I haven't seen it in years, and even though this was edited (duh), you still provided those scenes that made me tear up all those years ago, and it happened again today lol 😢. It's a CLASSIC. I'm so happy you both got to see this and let us join you ❤ Keep up the great work on the channel and in life 😉 ❤
Billy Bob steals the show, but Dwight Yoakam is good, too. Billy Bob stars in Sling Blade with Lucas Black and a country music star. Eight years later, Billy Bob stars in Friday Night Lights with Lucas Black and a country music star.
Along with The Sixth Sense, one of my all time favorite child performances. And Dwight Yoakam?... amazing! That's exactly what guys like that are really like. One of the best films of the '90s. Billy Bob was unbelievable. Iconic.
The 90s was filled with hundreds of small movies like this. It was a great decade for films. Check out all the good films that came out in 1994 alone. The great Daniel Lanois should get credit for setting the mood with his music.
So glad you guys watched this amazing film, so many reactors on here do the same movies over and over when there so many amazing movies that are never covered, thank y'all for this.
Carl's Priorities: Funds < Freedom < Family < Flowers < Fixing Things < Friends < French Fried Potaters < Frank Edit: Sorry Melinda! I originally forgot flowers 🌺
Thanks for reacting to this, I don’t know if anyone else has covered this movie. The actor playing Doyle is Dwight Yoakum who is also a country singer and songwriter. And Robert Duvall is great in everything. I watched the commentary and most of the actors aren’t “professional” actors, but they were actual residents of the town this was shot in.
It was nominated for 4 Oscar’s! It’s not underrated at all. Would everybody please stop throwing “underrated” around mindlessly so much, it’s annoying as hell
"The most emotionally evolved person in the movie." Yes, that seems right. Probably in part thanks to being locked away for years and for having time for reflection on what he did and what happened in his life. Many people don't get a chance to think about things, properly assess their lives, and see the situation they are in objectively. Many people are at least a little trapped in their own existence. He had developed some distance to life and was the only one able to know and see what's really happening around him and who's who and what's what in the new world he found himself in. He understood everyone, including himself, better than anyone else did, and better than some of them even knew themselves.
I saw this when it came out in the theater. I had no idea what it was about or who was in it. My friend and I didn't realize it was John Ritter until halfway through the movie. Still one of the best movies I've ever seen.
22:07 my husband got called to drive 15 miles to help my best friend's husband who claimed his mower "just stopped" in the middle of mowing. He drove all the way over there and he had indeed ran out of gas. Luckily my husband knew the guy had no common sense and went to the gas station with his gas can to bring gas with him before he went over there.
Chinatown, The Elephant Man, and now Sling Blade. You guys choose some great movies to react to. I wish others would follow your lead and cast their nets a little wider.
If you wanna watch another movie with a similar vibe, and even some same cast members. That was filmed in the same time by Robert Duvall. He directed and wrote a movie called the apostle. As you saw, he made a cameo in sling blade and Billy Bob made a cameo in his movie. But it has that similar southern sweet town vibe. The apostle Robert Duvall says it’s his favorite movie that he ever made really good movie. If not for the channel for you guys if you like that sweet vibe, it’s the same thing and accepting southern town. Like you said just sweet.
I live in Arkansas.... This whole film was filmed in Benton (And Haskell) Arkansas..... Almost every scene I can take you exactly where it was filmed...... Which is kinda neat ....
@@GastonBoykins The scenes were most likely in Haskell at the State Hospital grounds.... I have fished in the "nuthouse ponds " years ago........In 1929, the Arkansas State Hospital purchased 3,000 acres of land between Haskell and Benton, where it built the Benton Unit beginning in 1931. Workers for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) completed more buildings for the unit in 1934 and 1935. The facility is now known as the Arkansas Health Center.
@@garychambers6848 CZcams didn't notify me of your reply, but I appreciate it. I would love to visit the grounds of these pond scenes before I die, whenever that may be. Thank you.
*Trivia tidbit* Billy Wilder once told Billy Bob Thornton that he was "too ugly" to be an actor, and that he should write a screenplay for himself, where he could exploit his "less than perfect" features. After this movie launched Thornton's career, he publicly discussed his conversation with Wilder, which was at a cocktail party where he was working as a waiter. He got a call from Wilder, who invited him over to his house. Wilder said he didn't recall their conversation, but was glad that he heeded his advice. As a gift, Wilder gave Thornton a paperback copy of this movie's script with his autograph, and a personal message inscribed on it.
I'm straight as the day is long, but I don't think Billy Bob is "ugly"... He bagged Angelina Jolie in her prime.... He's either laying mad pipe, or has an award winning personality if he is ugly.
@@DonRoccoRicardo He's had a very difficult personality, due to mental health issues, and so has she. I had a friend who was their EA and weed dealer back in those days. From everything he told me, it was a very tough job.
@@DonRoccoRicardo They way you or I "think" isn't the way a great elite Hollywood Director of the golden age of Hollywood would think. They saw great faces as MONEY, like Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, and Clark Gable. So, in his honest opinion, he didn't have a leading man face, so he did not say you can't make it, he said you need to find "your niche. Does he have a Robert Redford, Brad Pit type face? No, of course not, it matters not who he had on his arm, hell many ugly men get pretty ladies. That can be money, or animal magnetism or just bad taste, who knows. But a great Hollywood director told him the truth, get yourself your own "Hunchback of Notre Dame type roll, after you become famous them you can "make it big" but he does not have a leading man face.
Isn’t it amazing how using a nickname can totally change your perception of someone? You hear the name William Robert Thornton and you think he must be some kind of English aristocrat, maybe the 43rd earl of some place. But then you hear the name Billy Bob Thornton and you start imagining a character out of The Hills Have Eyes.
This is one of those movies where every actor played their parts so perfectly, it made the authenticity that much more real and it really is one of the big strengths off this movie.
The 'water's cold/water's deep' gag was one my dad used to tell with his brother on fishing trips. Basically one guy's bragging that he's so long it reaches the water, and the other one-ups it by saying how deep it goes down.
Speaking of Robert Duvall, "The Great Santini" and "Tender Mercies" which are not on the radar for many, but great films, where he plays two very different characters.
The "You Will Be Happy" bookmark, with the "Y" in a colored block, like the beginning of a chapter in a fairytale, is for me, the most poignant moment in the film. (among many great poignant moments) It speaks to Karl's inner kindness and decency. He is willing to sacrifice his freedom, for his new "little brother"....he was not old enough to save his first little brother, but he can save Frank, from the cruelty and abuse he himself suffered.
It’s an emotional movie because it’s so real and it’s so sweet. And it’s actually how we wish we treated each other. Like the song lyrics says darling you’re so damn sweet don’t forget the milk. Great soundtrack for this movie too. So glad you enjoyed it. This movie isn’t for idiots.
Daniel Lanois provided the soundtrack. He's a much respected producer in the music business over the last few decades, having also released is own works as well.
I'm sure others have said it, but if you can find the clip of Billy Bob Thornton appearing on "Inside the Actor's Studio" he talks about this; the way he had to position his jaw - and at one point transforms into Carl for a few seconds. I saw it many years ago and it remains one of the most striking things I have ever seen.
You two are awesome. For some reason this movie isn't as popular as I feel it should be and it says a lot about you folks who not only gave it a chance, but were also moved by the thoughtfulness and understated beauty of this film. Great job as usual.
Billy Bob got the idea for the screenplay when he mugged at himself in the mirror. He had changed his face just by flexing his facial muscles and the result was so amazing to him that he thought, "I've got to write a movie for this character". Slingblade was the result. It's still hard to believe Carl is actually Billy Bob Thornton.
I didn’t know what time you guys were uploading this and have been checking CZcams since lunch 😅😅😅 Such a great movie film. The characters are fantastic - especially Doyle and the way he’s portrayed. Thanks for doing this one!
fantastic tour de force performance by Billy Bob, won him an academy award for adapted screenplay, and was nominated for best actor, well deserved. Billy and John Ritter were good friends, they worked together on several projects, this film, Bad Santa (my favorite Christmas movie) and the TV series Hearts Afire.
This is a great picture. My favorite Billy Bob Thornton film. Love you guys. Keep em coming. Shoutout from East Tennessee.. Peace and love, guys. See you on the next. Later..
Sling Blade is a fantastic southern gothic story with great natural performances and a wonderful score by Daniel Lanois. The reason it's hard to get ahold of is because it was a Miramax/Weinstein production, and he's withholding lots of films rights from prison cuz he's the worst. Billy Bob Thonrton would direct a three and half hour adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's All The Pretty Horses a few years later. Everyone that saw it said it was incredible and had another even better score by Lanois. Harvey freaked out about the length and demanded he cut it down to under 2 hours with a completely new score, which devastated Thornton. That version is still not available to this day, the film that came out is still decent but messy and you can tell it was cut to shreds.
My favorite Sling Blade behind the scenes story: Billy Bob Thornton is good friends with Hank Azaria (of The Simpsons fame). Azaria was playing the heavily-accented Guatemalan houseboy Agador in "The Birdcage," which was filming around the same time as Sling Blade. Supposedly Thorton and Azaria would drive around LA in character, speaking like their respective characters to practice their mannerisms and accents. That would have been fun to see!
My name in navy basic training was Slingblade or Carl Childers. We wore blue utilities, a light blue button up shirt and dark blue pants. I was also balding just like Billy Bob, and we had to have a "high and tight" haircut. My hair looked just like his. And the clothes. And my southern accent.
This movie is truly timeless. I would HIGHLY recommend another film called 'Daddy and Them', filmed in 1998 right after Sling Blade, and was written, directed by, and starring Billy Bob Thornton. It was not released until 2001 after Billy had some bad beef with Miramax and they shelved it for a few years. At any rate, it is one of the best southern humor films you'll ever see and the stellar cast (many who worked for little or nothing because they loved the script so much) is amazing: John Prine, Laura Dern (whom Thornton was engaged to at the time), Andy Griffith, Ben Affleck, Kelly Preston, Diane Ladd, Brenda Blethyn, Tuesday Knight, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jim Varney. I doubt you'll find it on any streaming service because it kind of fell thru the cracks and most have never heard of it, so you might have to get it some other way. It would be fantastic to finally see a Reaction channel experience this hilarious movie.
It is indeed "raul' from Panic Room. He's also successful country music legend, Dwight Yoakam. Not a fan of country music but the man's acting talent is undeniable. Wish he'd get more opportunities.
Billy Bob was best known for being a regular on a Burt Reynolds sitcom, Evening Shade. Nothing in Thornton's career up to that point had shown he could do something like Sling Blade, but it became one of those 90's indie phenomena, carrying pretty much that whole cast to accolades and him into the Oscar conversation. It's been thought the only reason he missed out on the statue was because it was same year Jeffrey Rush blew people away with SHINE, another one to recommend.
I used to occasionally do a good Karl impression during "cuddle time" and my wife could not stop laughing. Nearly 30 years since this came out and it never gets old.
Sling Blade isn’t just the most perfect Southern Gothic movie ever made, it’s absolutely one of the most perfect movies ever made. Glad y’all were able to see it.
Billy Bob is an incredible actor in this. John Ritter was an absolute sweetheart and is sadly missed.
Supposedly Billy bob modeled his character on Angelina Jolie's dour moods when they were together
@@fredfinksthis movie is years before they met.
@@Kristen_kiki Billy bob has a kinda clairvoyance power. The hillfolk would gather and drink like shamans of the forest. Theyd call it moonshining, or shining for short.
Billy Bob Thornton is an incredible actor. Period.
Billy Bob created the character "Karl" based off of two men with mental disabilities that he knew growing up.
Give Dwight Yoakam (big county music singer) some love! What a fantastic "bad guy"! GREAT CAST, underrated movie!
Great singer & actor! I actually drove to Nashville, TN from Indiana to see him live in concert about 10 years ago. My buddy and I were about 15 ft. away from him. It was awesome!
The movie was popular and won at least one Oscar and was nominated for others. Not underrated.
"Dating Dwight Yoakam is like eating a dirt sandwich!" - Sharon Stone LOL!
This is probably the only film I have warmed up to Yoakam as an actor. He just doesn't seem to have much range. He was great in this though.
You're high on crack, he's outstanding!!!!!!! @@t0dd000
The first time I saw this movie, I didn’t realize that Doyle was played by Dwight Yoakam. He has such a natural talent for acting in this, that I didn’t even recognize him.
I did. And even though I love his music, I hated his character and was happy when Carl ended him.
His character was a horrible person but also had some of the most hilarious and memorable one liners ever.
@@paullanier3597 Like midgets and antique furniture.
Dwight Yokum is a very good actor, and John Ritter did a terrific job in this as well
@@konowdI personally think Dwight was a better actor in panic room than whatever the hell his name is Jared leto?
I can't speak for the rest of the US, but in the southern states, this movie was promoted by word of mouth. I had co- workers in 1996 telling me, "You have to see this movie". They weren't wrong.
Yep. My cousins were always sayin "what you kill Jessie fer" and "french fried potaters"
That's how my wife and I heard about it. And at first I thought the person who told me about it was wrong another Billy Bob Thornton starring in it, because he's unrecognizable in it! A classic.
Forrest Gump started the same way
@@joeblow8206 Forrest Gump made 25 million on it's opening weekend alone. And that was in 1994. It's the 4th highest right behind ET. That word of mouth travelled lightning fast.
1st time I ever heard of this movie was listening to John boy and Billy on the radio
Yes Billy Bob wrote it and won an Oscar for it!!!!
Yep, though they had to categorize it as BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY as Thornton had already written a one-man play on it and a short film called SOME CALL IT A SLING BLADE (even though both only were the first twenty minutes where Karl's telling his backstory; the film follows the events after he's released).
Apparently, Karl was based off both a boy Billy Bob'd known in childhood and his mannerisms were based off a patient where Billy Bob used to work as a janitor.
RIP, John Ritter, 1948-2003
RIP, JT Walsh, 1943-1998
RIP, Mickey Jones, 1941-2018
RIP, Brent Briscoe, 1961-2017.
JT Walsh was a hell of an actor. His performance in Breakdown is an all time great villain role.
Also RIP to the great Col. Bruce Hampton and the great Vic Chestnut.
Vic Chestnutt was a talented artist. He was the guy in the wheelchair.
RIP Vic Chesnutt too.
Karl's boss Rick Dial died as well. He was a furniture store manager when Thornton cast him.
If it makes you feel better, EVERYONE was doing the Sling Blade impression haha
Still do, mmmph.🤨
@@caseymoe816Hahaha yep every time I have biscuits of french fries my friends and I do it.
@@johnglue1744
'I'd like some biscuits and mustard'.....mmm-mmmph!
You shouldn't have done that. He's just a boy, poor little feller....
Who doesn't "likes 'taters" ?😄
I moved out to Los Angeles the year this came out to pursue my career as an actor. The first regular job I got was working as a messenger delivering items all over the city and mostly for the entertainment industry. One of our major customers was Miramax Pictures. About a month after I saw this movie I had a package to deliver to Billy Bob Thornton at one of their offices. A secretary pointed at a door and when I knocked on it BBT opened the door. I just looked at him and said "You". I told him I saw this film and loved it. When he found out I was an actor he told me to bring my headshot to him next time I came by. I pulled a headshot out from my clipboard and handed it to him. He was impressed and my resume impressed him further. We ran into each other several times after that, once when he was with Laura Dern, and he was always very nice.
Headshots sure is purdy. I always thought that.
I did the messenger thing too but mine was mostly legal. Met Johnnie Cochran.
How is the acting career going? 🤔
It went fine. I have since retired.
@@johnmaynardableStrange coincidence for me to see the name Laura Dern. Earlier today, I was listening to an old Western Radio drama for the first time called, "Have Gun Will Travel". The voice of a featured character sounded like Bruce Dern to me. Whom I only really know from the classic John Wayne film "The Cowboys".
I was googling him earlier today, and also saw that he was Laura Dern's father. I vaguely think I remember reading comments about that on reaction videos to the Cowboys, but I must've forgot. I didn't know her by name, and didn't know her outside of Jurassic Park.
Doyle was played by country singer Dwight Yoakum. At the time this came out, apart from John Ritter, he was the most famous cast member.
Don't forget about Robert Duvall even though he only had one scene
@@owen1213 Right. I always forget his cameo!
Robert Duvall is definitely the most famous person in this film... ❤
Thank you for watching this film. My best friend had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and he loved movies more than anyone I've ever known, and it was the last one we watched together before he passed. He was a hell of a guy.
Sorry for your loss!
John Ritter was one of my favorite actors from childhood until adulthood. RIP
Karl was so close to having a good life, but he sacrificed it for that boy. this movie rules.
I know!! He gave up everything for Frank and his mom!
Don't worry TBR, everyone in the country was doing this impression for a year after the film came out.
I still do it. I'm pretty good at it too. Always gets a good reaction.
Even on South Park! 🤣
@@StCerberusEngelme too..mmm hmmm...
During the time when Miramax bought the movie, Thornton was battling with studio heads over his cut of the film, which he was getting tons of notes over. Frustrated, he actually was given Martin Scorsese's number and called to ask him to watch SLING BLADE and suggest any cuts.
Two weeks later, Scorsese called Thornton back and said, "Don't make any cuts. Your cut is fine, but there's another reason. Nobody knows who you are yet, and once they find out you know what you're doing, they'll never stop giving you notes. This will be your ONE time you will get to make your movie EXACTLY how you want it."
Thornton was depressed by the advice, but after directing three more films since SLING BLADE, he said Scorsese was exactly right.
The Film that made Billy Bob.
Brilliance.
that's exactly what I was about to say.
don't need it anymore but what a great drug it is⚛😀
Seen an interview where Dwight Yoakam said that his mom hated him playing that character. Dwight is a great musician and actor
This film hits different, been one of my all time favorites for many years and so many people don't even know it exists.
Maybe I just don't see the obvious, but I've always had a hard time seeing Billy Bob in this film because Carl was such an authentic and original character. He truly brought him to life.
You don't watch the movie and see Billy Bob. You see KARL.
@@laraq07 There you go. That's it exactly.
Facts 100
The best actors are actors who can 'disappear' into characters so you don't even see the actors anymore.
Some very respected actors are, in my opinion, highly overrated because they basically always play variations of themselves and they never challenge themselves.
Me too. It took me years to see it. He transformed into that character
This is the first reaction I've come across of Sling Blade...........you two hit it out of the park, as always. Thanks for sharing.
There is only about 5 reactions on CZcams for it.
Finally! Someone reacting to Sling Blade!
This one has stayed with me ever since I first watched it in 1998. It really shows you that Billy Bob has range as an actor and the story is amazing. Also Dwight Yokum showed here he has some acting chops.
Dwight Yokum acted in the series Goliath with Billy Bob Thornton
Billy Bob was amazing in "A Simple Plan"
Dwight Yoakam blew me away when I first saw this. I'm not sure I've seen more organic acting and you absolutely hate him by the end. Great film!
Thank you David for picking this one !!
BBT is also great in A Simple Plan, another underrated thriller. Also has Bill Paxton, Bridget Fonda, Gary Cole and Brent Briscoe (who was also with him in Sling Blade and a few other movies).
The fact that Karl was happy and had a good life for the first time was so wonderful to see. But to know he was willing to give it all up for Frank to have a good life was incredible and showed who he really was.
Love, hate, sacrifice, and ultimately redemption. This movie is an absolute masterpiece. And I think it’s because it feels so grounded in reality that it resonates so profoundly. The hero is quiet and flawed, the bully is loud but ultimately a coward, and the innocent simply exist best they can.
Good choice David Wilkins.
I adore everything about this beautiful film, but Jim Jarmusch's cameo as the Frostee Cream employee with that ridiculous paper hat is one of my favorite cameos in a film 😂
Also, ain't Dwight Yoakam great in this? He's pretty undervalued as an actor, I think.
I never knew that was Jim Jarmusch.
Right up there with Tom Waits in Mystery Men
@@devlinallistair-zx5by Tom Waits in ANYTHING is great haha
What is a Jim Jarmusch? I didn't know it was a cameo...
@@DonRoccoRicardo One fabulous indie writer/director.
DOWN BY LAW
DEAD MAN
GHOST DOG: THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI
NIGHT ON EARTH
MYSTERY TRAIN
All amazing movies, and only a few listed. He's directed several more in recent years.
I joined a band in the early 2000s. They all spoke like Carl to each other. I hadn’t seen the movie so that was my first assignment!
This movie is a gem. The characters are diverse and cool. RIP to Col. Bruce Hampton.
Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us. I used to watch this A LOT back in the day. I haven't seen it in years, and even though this was edited (duh), you still provided those scenes that made me tear up all those years ago, and it happened again today lol 😢. It's a CLASSIC. I'm so happy you both got to see this and let us join you ❤ Keep up the great work on the channel and in life 😉 ❤
Billy Bob steals the show, but Dwight Yoakam is good, too. Billy Bob stars in Sling Blade with Lucas Black and a country music star. Eight years later, Billy Bob stars in Friday Night Lights with Lucas Black and a country music star.
Yoakam is great, a world class jerk in this
Absolutely that's what makes his performance so great.
@@jh5131 But Linda know not to talk to him, when he is _hurting._
My favorite movie of all time. The scene where Carl says goodbye to Frank always gets me. I agree that Carl doesn't even look like Billy Bob Thornton.
Along with The Sixth Sense, one of my all time favorite child performances. And Dwight Yoakam?... amazing! That's exactly what guys like that are really like. One of the best films of the '90s. Billy Bob was unbelievable. Iconic.
Dwight Yokam should have won and academy award for his role.
"an"
Damn right he shoulda.
Thornton has amazing range. This, his role on Fargo season 1 and his role in A Simple Plan….fantastic in all.
A Simple plan is another great movie that gets no respect
The 90s was filled with hundreds of small movies like this. It was a great decade for films. Check out all the good films that came out in 1994 alone. The great Daniel Lanois should get credit for setting the mood with his music.
So glad you guys watched this amazing film, so many reactors on here do the same movies over and over when there so many amazing movies that are never covered, thank y'all for this.
Carl's Priorities: Funds < Freedom < Family < Flowers < Fixing Things < Friends < French Fried Potaters < Frank
Edit: Sorry Melinda! I originally forgot flowers 🌺
Ah, the alliteration! 😊
So happy someone finally reacted to this one...thank you!
Seeing old videos of Billy Bob slipping in and out of Karl during interviews is stunning. He is a genuine genius actor.
He's not so good at it anymore. Apparently getting old makes it harder to shift into 'Karl face'.
This was filmed near my hometown in Benton, Arkansas. This movie made some of the places featured very popular. There is even a “Slingblades Diner”.
Thanks for reacting to this, I don’t know if anyone else has covered this movie.
The actor playing Doyle is Dwight Yoakum who is also a country singer and songwriter. And Robert Duvall is great in everything.
I watched the commentary and most of the actors aren’t “professional” actors, but they were actual residents of the town this was shot in.
It’s an absolute masterwork of cinema. Incredible emotion without manipulation of the audience. Glad you guys enjoyed it!
SO thrilled you watched this movie. Talk about a under rated movie. I have no idea how it is not far more well known. I Love this movie!!!!!!
It was nominated for 4 Oscar’s! It’s not underrated at all. Would everybody please stop throwing “underrated” around mindlessly so much, it’s annoying as hell
"The most emotionally evolved person in the movie." Yes, that seems right. Probably in part thanks to being locked away for years and for having time for reflection on what he did and what happened in his life. Many people don't get a chance to think about things, properly assess their lives, and see the situation they are in objectively. Many people are at least a little trapped in their own existence. He had developed some distance to life and was the only one able to know and see what's really happening around him and who's who and what's what in the new world he found himself in. He understood everyone, including himself, better than anyone else did, and better than some of them even knew themselves.
Great reaction to an underrated and forgotten film. You two are the cutest! ❤
Saw the thumbnail and I think I audibly said "F yes!" Top reactors doing a top movie thank you for making my Thursday much better!
I saw this when it came out in the theater. I had no idea what it was about or who was in it. My friend and I didn't realize it was John Ritter until halfway through the movie. Still one of the best movies I've ever seen.
22:07 my husband got called to drive 15 miles to help my best friend's husband who claimed his mower "just stopped" in the middle of mowing. He drove all the way over there and he had indeed ran out of gas. Luckily my husband knew the guy had no common sense and went to the gas station with his gas can to bring gas with him before he went over there.
In an outtake blooper from Armageddon, Billy does the SLing Blade impression talking about the meteor
There’s an outtake/interview from Mr. Woodcock where Billy Bob does the Carl voice and Jon Heder does Napoleon Dynamite and they have a conversation 😂
Chinatown, The Elephant Man, and now Sling Blade. You guys choose some great movies to react to. I wish others would follow your lead and cast their nets a little wider.
Agreed. Keep up the good work guys!
this movie is a hidden Masterpiece and to me it is the number one most underrated movie in the history of Cinema
If you wanna watch another movie with a similar vibe, and even some same cast members. That was filmed in the same time by Robert Duvall. He directed and wrote a movie called the apostle. As you saw, he made a cameo in sling blade and Billy Bob made a cameo in his movie. But it has that similar southern sweet town vibe. The apostle Robert Duvall says it’s his favorite movie that he ever made really good movie. If not for the channel for you guys if you like that sweet vibe, it’s the same thing and accepting southern town. Like you said just sweet.
I live in Arkansas.... This whole film was filmed in Benton (And Haskell) Arkansas..... Almost every scene I can take you exactly where it was filmed...... Which is kinda neat ....
I would love to visit the pond location. Those scenes are special to me.
@@GastonBoykins The scenes were most likely in Haskell at the State Hospital grounds.... I have fished in the "nuthouse ponds " years ago........In 1929, the Arkansas State Hospital purchased 3,000 acres of land between Haskell and Benton, where it built the Benton Unit beginning in 1931. Workers for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) completed more buildings for the unit in 1934 and 1935. The facility is now known as the Arkansas Health Center.
@@garychambers6848 CZcams didn't notify me of your reply, but I appreciate it. I would love to visit the grounds of these pond scenes before I die, whenever that may be. Thank you.
*Trivia tidbit* Billy Wilder once told Billy Bob Thornton that he was "too ugly" to be an actor, and that he should write a screenplay for himself, where he could exploit his "less than perfect" features. After this movie launched Thornton's career, he publicly discussed his conversation with Wilder, which was at a cocktail party where he was working as a waiter. He got a call from Wilder, who invited him over to his house. Wilder said he didn't recall their conversation, but was glad that he heeded his advice. As a gift, Wilder gave Thornton a paperback copy of this movie's script with his autograph, and a personal message inscribed on it.
Well if the acting thing didn't work out, he could get work as a mall Santa.😄
I'm straight as the day is long, but I don't think Billy Bob is "ugly"... He bagged Angelina Jolie in her prime.... He's either laying mad pipe, or has an award winning personality if he is ugly.
@@DonRoccoRicardo He's had a very difficult personality, due to mental health issues, and so has she. I had a friend who was their EA and weed dealer back in those days. From everything he told me, it was a very tough job.
@@DonRoccoRicardo They way you or I "think" isn't the way a great elite Hollywood Director of the golden age of Hollywood would think. They saw great faces as MONEY, like Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, and Clark Gable. So, in his honest opinion, he didn't have a leading man face, so he did not say you can't make it, he said you need to find "your niche. Does he have a Robert Redford, Brad Pit type face? No, of course not, it matters not who he had on his arm, hell many ugly men get pretty ladies. That can be money, or animal magnetism or just bad taste, who knows. But a great Hollywood director told him the truth, get yourself your own "Hunchback of Notre Dame type roll, after you become famous them you can "make it big" but he does not have a leading man face.
If you're going to copy/paste from IMDb you should give credit.
Isn’t it amazing how using a nickname can totally change your perception of someone? You hear the name William Robert Thornton and you think he must be some kind of English aristocrat, maybe the 43rd earl of some place. But then you hear the name Billy Bob Thornton and you start imagining a character out of The Hills Have Eyes.
This is one of those movies where every actor played their parts so perfectly, it made the authenticity that much more real and it really is one of the big strengths off this movie.
Thanks so much for watching this amazing film. Please watch Billy Bob Thornton in the Coen Brothers film noir, The Man Who Wasn’t There.
Finally, someone reacting to this great flick. Thank you.
The 'water's cold/water's deep' gag was one my dad used to tell with his brother on fishing trips. Basically one guy's bragging that he's so long it reaches the water, and the other one-ups it by saying how deep it goes down.
I cant say it enough, watching the best reacting to the best, then realizing that theres still almost twenty minutes of amazing discussion. 🎉
The wheel spin was a great idea. Bound to reveal some great films that would probably otherwise go unappreciated. Nice job, as usual.
Speaking of Robert Duvall, "The Great Santini" and "Tender Mercies" which are not on the radar for many, but great films, where he plays two very different characters.
You're the only react channel I follow that has done this one, so happy you did. Love this movie.
The original short Billy Bob made was just the interview at the beginning. Molly Ringwald was in it and you can still find it on CZcams
The "You Will Be Happy" bookmark, with the "Y" in a colored block, like the beginning of a chapter in a fairytale, is for me, the most poignant moment in the film. (among many great poignant moments)
It speaks to Karl's inner kindness and decency. He is willing to sacrifice his freedom, for his new "little brother"....he was not old enough to save his first little brother, but he can save Frank, from the cruelty and abuse he himself suffered.
Every main character, says Carl's name outloud the last time they see him
Oh rearry???? Wow... Such an astute observation.
I was just about to post that!
@@DonRoccoRicardowell..these reactors didn't react to it you rude little twt
So correct
It’s an emotional movie because it’s so real and it’s so sweet. And it’s actually how we wish we treated each other. Like the song lyrics says darling you’re so damn sweet don’t forget the milk. Great soundtrack for this movie too. So glad you enjoyed it. This movie isn’t for idiots.
Thornton and Ritter had worked on a Sitcom together 1992-95. The worked again on Bad Santa in 2003.
Daniel Lanois provided the soundtrack.
He's a much respected producer in the music business over the last few decades, having also released is own works as well.
Love this soundtrack and I think it added a lot to the movie. Daniel Lanois is as brilliant as Billy Bob Thornton.
Oh I’m So Glad You Loved It!!!!
Yes Billy won a well deserved Oscar for this!!!
I agree. Well deserved. And I haven't looked up the answer to their question; did he actually write it as well?
Yes Billy Bob Thornton wrote it and directed it himself he was nominated for best actor but only won for best original screenplay
I'm sure others have said it, but if you can find the clip of Billy Bob Thornton appearing on "Inside the Actor's Studio" he talks about this; the way he had to position his jaw - and at one point transforms into Carl for a few seconds. I saw it many years ago and it remains one of the most striking things I have ever seen.
You two are awesome. For some reason this movie isn't as popular as I feel it should be and it says a lot about you folks who not only gave it a chance, but were also moved by the thoughtfulness and understated beauty of this film. Great job as usual.
Billy Bob got the idea for the screenplay when he mugged at himself in the mirror. He had changed his face just by flexing his facial muscles and the result was so amazing to him that he thought, "I've got to write a movie for this character". Slingblade was the result. It's still hard to believe Carl is actually Billy Bob Thornton.
YES!!!! FINALLY SOMEONE REACTS TO SLING BLADE!!!!!!!
I didn’t know what time you guys were uploading this and have been checking CZcams since lunch 😅😅😅
Such a great movie film. The characters are fantastic - especially Doyle and the way he’s portrayed. Thanks for doing this one!
Billy Bob's first movie has john Ritter and john critters last movie was bad santa with Billy bob
fantastic tour de force performance by Billy Bob, won him an academy award for adapted screenplay, and was nominated for best actor, well deserved. Billy and John Ritter were good friends, they worked together on several projects, this film, Bad Santa (my favorite Christmas movie) and the TV series Hearts Afire.
Another great classic. Billy bob kills it in this role.. Great reaction as usual y'all.
This is a great picture. My favorite Billy Bob Thornton film. Love you guys. Keep em coming. Shoutout from East Tennessee.. Peace and love, guys. See you on the next. Later..
This started out as a short film with many of the same actors with the addition of Molly Ringwald and Ron Livingston.
This film won an oscar for best screenplay. Another great film that was written, directed, and produced was Citizen Kane by Orson Welles.
In the South, “getting hit by a train” didn’t always mean one was actually hit by a train.
That's f*cking terrible AF 😢 condolences
Sling Blade is a fantastic southern gothic story with great natural performances and a wonderful score by Daniel Lanois. The reason it's hard to get ahold of is because it was a Miramax/Weinstein production, and he's withholding lots of films rights from prison cuz he's the worst. Billy Bob Thonrton would direct a three and half hour adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's All The Pretty Horses a few years later. Everyone that saw it said it was incredible and had another even better score by Lanois. Harvey freaked out about the length and demanded he cut it down to under 2 hours with a completely new score, which devastated Thornton. That version is still not available to this day, the film that came out is still decent but messy and you can tell it was cut to shreds.
This movie is a masterpiece.
The musician who kept reciting poetry? That is Colonel Bruce Hampton. Wonderful musician along with his band.
Another interesting fact, Doyle was played by Dwight Yoakum, the country music star. Great acting by everyone.
This movie is so powerful, emotional and good. In my top 10 for sure
John Ritter and Dwight Yoakem were friends of Thornton's and they had a blast making this, Dwight was great in Billy Bob's show Goliath as well!!!!!!!
My favorite Sling Blade behind the scenes story: Billy Bob Thornton is good friends with Hank Azaria (of The Simpsons fame). Azaria was playing the heavily-accented Guatemalan houseboy Agador in "The Birdcage," which was filming around the same time as Sling Blade. Supposedly Thorton and Azaria would drive around LA in character, speaking like their respective characters to practice their mannerisms and accents. That would have been fun to see!
My name in navy basic training was Slingblade or Carl Childers. We wore blue utilities, a light blue button up shirt and dark blue pants. I was also balding just like Billy Bob, and we had to have a "high and tight" haircut. My hair looked just like his. And the clothes. And my southern accent.
This movie is truly timeless. I would HIGHLY recommend another film called 'Daddy and Them', filmed in 1998 right after Sling Blade, and was written, directed by, and starring Billy Bob Thornton. It was not released until 2001 after Billy had some bad beef with Miramax and they shelved it for a few years.
At any rate, it is one of the best southern humor films you'll ever see and the stellar cast (many who worked for little or nothing because they loved the script so much) is amazing: John Prine, Laura Dern (whom Thornton was engaged to at the time), Andy Griffith, Ben Affleck, Kelly Preston, Diane Ladd, Brenda Blethyn, Tuesday Knight, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jim Varney. I doubt you'll find it on any streaming service because it kind of fell thru the cracks and most have never heard of it, so you might have to get it some other way. It would be fantastic to finally see a Reaction channel experience this hilarious movie.
Sling Blade is in my Top 5. Perhaps #1. Thank you for reacting to it.
Rest In Peace To All That Passed Great Those Men Were
It is indeed "raul' from Panic Room. He's also successful country music legend, Dwight Yoakam. Not a fan of country music but the man's acting talent is undeniable. Wish he'd get more opportunities.
25:42 - Oh, they've watched Panic Room together! Can't wait!
A Simple Plan is also a very good film with Billy Bob.
Billy Bob was best known for being a regular on a Burt Reynolds sitcom, Evening Shade. Nothing in Thornton's career up to that point had shown he could do something like Sling Blade, but it became one of those 90's indie phenomena, carrying pretty much that whole cast to accolades and him into the Oscar conversation. It's been thought the only reason he missed out on the statue was because it was same year Jeffrey Rush blew people away with SHINE, another one to recommend.
I used to occasionally do a good Karl impression during "cuddle time" and my wife could not stop laughing. Nearly 30 years since this came out and it never gets old.