Michael Shannon's Closet Picks

The award-winning actor highlights performances he admires, including John Hurt in THE ELEPHANT MAN, Peter Sellers in BEING THERE, and Catherine Keener in BEING JOHN MALKOVICH.
Shop Michael's Closet Picks! www.criterion.com/shop/collec...

[@m1thun27]

He sounds like he's in character for a yet to be released film.

[@kesagatame]

“In the Movie Closet” is yet another incredible vehicle for Shannon’s intense presence on screen. 10/10

[@MatiPryjomko]

Live action Trevor from GTA V.

[@schumanhuman]

He's playing an over the hill surfer in a belated follow up to Point break.

[@TheJonasx8]

@@MatiPryjomko only steven ogg himself could be live action trevor

[@genghisgalahad8465]

Yeah, like a nice guy who's dangerous, no?

[@bluerev]

"This makes up for all the Christmases where I didn't get much of anything" Love this guy

[@zooropa5722]

🥲

[@tech_nog4520]

That one kinda hurt to hear, but it was nice knowing he had it in him to appreciate where he is

[@aylemarshland5609]

His mom married 5 times probably a stressful childhood

[@samuelshaw3058]

that was incredibly sad.

[@soanywayistartedblastin8463]

​@@aylemarshland5609 damn she ran through ☠️

[@UU320WN]

Haven't really seen much footage of this guy in real life. He always plays such intimidating characters that its almost uncanny seeing him be all chill and soft-spoken.

[@casieropski]

If you really wanna delight, look up the stir crazy interview with him and Josh Horowitz - the man is UNHINGED

[@hossbeki9266]

Most artists, artists,are shy

[@pete49327]

He was great in Knives Out, really. He had a somewhat smallish role in the film but was simply stellar.

[@jamessherlock6912]

There were flashes of this personality in "Knives out".

[@zanfear]

@@hossbeki9266 And yet Hollywood loves their hook ups and sex parties. Must be all the drugs and alcohol.

[@flrnce]

He has that old Hollywood feel to him. Like he could’ve played a man of the law in a 40s noir film, or been a successful character actor in the 1950s that had an underrated 60s run. What an actor

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Boris Karloff.

[@ComedyBros5]

Funny you mention this. Have you seen The Boardwalk Empire series? He plays a very intimidating and motivated law man during the 1920s in the first season, and he couldn’t be anymore perfect for it!

[@gussstavo]

🙄

[@Theomite]

Funny thought: he could play an outlaw of the 40s who becomes a man of the law in the 50s and the movie jumps back and forth between decades to see how he got from one to the other. I think that'd be a damn good movie Jeff Nichols could make.

[@kyleplatz3751]

Damn, imagine if he starred in a season of True Detective set in the 40s. One of my favorite actors ever.... Take Shelter is an incredible performance. Perhaps his best.

[@alfsmith7210]

"God bless God for making Peter Sellers" is one of the best quotes ever 🤣

[@marknewbold2583]

It didn't really work well for Sellers

[@Yavin4]

@@marknewbold2583 "If you ask me to play myself, I will not know what to do. I do not know who or what I am" - Peter Sellers

[@enterthebruce91]

​@@Yavin4Michael Shannon will always be Agent Van Alden for me. Absolutely love that show-My favourite series of all time next to The Wire.

[@Cadinho93]

"God bless, God for making Peter Sellers." -Michael Shannon It's great to see everyone from all generations coming into the Criterion closet and seeing their tastes. The beauty of it all is knowing they're the ones who understand you when majority of people don't, especially when it comes to film history. Excellent picks!

[@drumbum3.142]

That was... .....Absolutely Beautifully Stated.. .

[@benjaminstevens4568]

Yes Ben..... One of my favorite films.

[@ThatsWhatSheSaid702]

That's my favorite criterion closet quote yet.

[@Rubin4749]

Michael Shannon is so underrated. One of the few guys I will pick up a DVD just because he is in the film.

[@obscure.reference]

“they’re the ones who understand you when majority of people don’t” i don’t follow. you feel these celebrities understand you?

[@stevemuzak8526]

Probably one of most intimidating actors ever. Intimidating on screen but super friendly in real life. There is something unique, mysterious and sometimes damn scary about his acting.

[@Theomite]

His comic chops are completely underused. He was a surprise kick in the pants in THEY CAME TOGETHER.

[@gregbors8364]

“I WILL FIND HIM!” - Sting No, wait… - Michael Shannon

[@lhooq27]

I once resided in the same Brooklyn neighborhood he did (and perhaps still does). All of the local shop proprietors/employees I knew who had encountered or had spoken with Mr. Shannon said the same thing about him: He was down-to-earth, very nice, easygoing, and nothing like some of the characters he's most famous for.

[@kkbb2588]

Classic & one of the few old school Alpha Males; love him.

[@brittscott4673]

M.Shannon was really good in the night before that movie with Seth Rogan where he played a cool pot dealer on Christmas Eve.

[@TxxT33]

Werner Herzog called Michael Shannon the greatest of his generation....that's a heck of an endorsement and it is well deserved.

[@ZEU9092]

Oh yes, you should watch "My son, my son, what have ye done" !! I bought the dvd and it was great !!

[@Sam_T2000]

he’s a very lucky boy 👍

[@distractiblejeff1285]

I wonder if Michael Shannon's intense performances of characters barely suppressing a dangerous rage and even a slight physical resemblance reminded Herzog of his work with Klaus Kinski. And then finding out that Michael, unlike Klaus, is NOT a psychopath off camera, would be the cherry on top.

[@John-mf1sz]

Holy hell, I never saw that quote. Coming from one of the greatest directors of our generation that’s…wild. Herzog and Shannon would be an incredible team.

[@ZEU9092]

@@John-mf1sz So, I repeat : watch "My son, my son, what have ye done"

[@Segkee]

"I'm such a lucky boy."

[@dlphinzwlazerz978]

Such a genuine man, doesn’t put on airs or come across as egotistical whatsoever. They don’t make em like Shannon anymore. Love his love of great cinema and trying something new

[@FredBloggsTheThird]

... something new, as long as it's in English language, made in the last few decades in the USA.

[@Jacksirrom]

bro this guy is the king of putting on an air, it's like his whole thing

[@gregbors8364]

@@FredBloggsTheThird Yeah he totally skipped over early-twentieth-century Latvian films

[@richardcahill1234]

He is a genuine psycho who wants 80 million people death, all right.

[@gokhanersan8561]

They don’t make ‘em like this actor anymore. Well said.

[@denjo1828]

The way he slides the dvds into the bag, its like Michael Shannon is stealing the dvds☺ How sympathetic he is. I loved "The Iceman"

[@Theomite]

I was pleasantly surprised at how good that was. He even managed to out-menace Robert Davi, no small feat.

[@naturesquad9174]

he was good in it but i thought it was funny that it was basically a copy-paste of one of the Iceman documentaries with nothing new added, kinda like 'My Friend Dahmer'

[@CrustyDonutts]

Michael Shannon is a certified 🐐 . "Take Shelter" was like driving a bulldozer into my brain and excavating my soul. Truly worthy of boundless recognition and praise.

[@jasonjones3694]

Agreed, awesome movie

[@kyleplatz3751]

One of my favorite performances of all time.

[@HarryDuBois616]

Absolute gem of a film

[@shoWbitz]

Agreed. Love Take Shelter. Did Criterion release it?

[@innerpull]

iii was juuust thinking about that film three days ago

[@VictorGarciaFilms]

Down by Law Being John Malkovich Seconds The Elephant Man Being There Five Easy Pieces America Lost and Found: The BBS Story

[@Pancrasio-it9qd]

😎

[@kiasant]

Thanks for the titles.

[@ryancols]

*returned the single copy of Five Easy Pieces because it's in BBS

[@Lastochka292]

Thank you!

[@magicknight13]

Thank you!

[@arturorobles4900]

Love his reaction to finding 'Being There'

[@tommunist10]

I love how often David Lynch films are spoken of or picked. Absolute art.

[@nicklager1666]

Nothing but respect for his roles in movies. And him picking the elephant man just makes him more respectable.

[@Theomite]

Game recognize game.

[@kafka0622]

One of the best actors on the planet.

[@drumbum3.142]

And Only Seems to get Better as time goes on.. 👏👏👏

[@tiananesbitt7156]

😁 📣 My day is made!

[@rifatbobos]

3:57 Michael after getting The Flash's paycheck, ignoring all the multiverse shenanigans

[@griffinh21]

Hadn’t thought about till now but Shannon would be PERFECT in a Lynch project. Sad we’ve never seen that collaboration

[@RunningOnFull]

Well, he did star in a project *produced* by Lynch and directed by Herzog :)

[@ihatekillerclowns]

Who is this generations Lynch anyway?

[@calorieboots]

@@RunningOnFull yes!! I love my son, my son 😂 just rewatched it a week ago

[@TommygunnTyler]

I cant explain it but there’s something very genuine and down to earth feeling about him choosing the DVDs over the blu-rays

[@SierraRift]

Yeah I was screaming through the screen! Really tells you about a person.

[@RudieObias]

He probably doesn’t own a Blu-ray player

[@McGregor43]

He probably doesn't know what Blu-ray is.

[@isacsalustinonascimentonas2933]

Hello

[@Keith_from_LBC]

I can't explain it but there's something very genuine and down to earth feeling about him choosing a horse-drawn carriage over an internal combustion engine car. 😊

[@ralphintheshadowrealm7002]

“I’ll do your fucking Flash movie but I’m not gonna praise it and the only promotional thing im doing is a Criterion closet”

[@davy_K]

Hurt's eyes in The Elephant Man convey everything - it's a stunning performance.

[@DJProjexion]

Michael Shannon is like that wise uncle that's done it all and been through it all, a little off, a little out there, but always dropping gems. Would love to sit and have a beer with this man!

[@MerrickTall]

3:57 why you probably came

[@jstn.9887]

Thanks lol

[@tgirard123]

He's one of those actors where I will check out any movie that he's in simply because he's in it. He usually has solid choices and his performances are always on point. I have to say, his choices and videos were very close to mine. Being there is one of my favorite funny movies with Peter Sellers

[@mickymodo11]

God bless God 😏

[@ConorEdgar]

how can you not love this guy? so insanely genuine

[@themothermarkos]

I full on gasped at seeing that he finally did a criterion closet video. He will go down in history as one of the best actors - every time he absolutely aces it.

[@Theomite]

Definitely an actor of the century.

[@StillWeRide]

Yeah he is incredible. His performances have moved me so many times. This guy is another level.

[@John-mf1sz]

So modest too. Some guys come in with a damn cart even though they’re millionaires 😂 Dude just grabs a couple picks and says thank you. What a guy.

[@nickfalletta661]

Michael Shannon in Revolutionary Road...One of the great performances.

[@TheBigCheeseTP]

The most calming and soothing thing I've ever seen. Shannon is a gift to humanity

[@chaospoet]

The Elephant Man is one of those movies that every time I revisit it years after my last viewing it blows me away even more. I mean, there's whole scenes where he either doesn't speak, or just barely speaks in whispers, and using only his eyes to act has 100 percent of your attention in an iron grip that's not letting you go until that scene is over. Unreal.

[@cameronharrington6813]

Michael Shannon is one of the greatest actors working today, and perhaps the greatest that is currently still underrated. Seriously. This guy deserves to win a couple more Oscars, I'll definitely be praying for him any time he pops up in a movie. I mean he basically steals Nocturnal Animals and that cast was already stacked, Revolutionary Road gave me chills. He elevated a comic book film with Man of Steel into legend status imho. Give this man his flowers while he's still here!

[@Fishdogpigsquirrel]

Oof I love Michael Shannon but Man of Steel was fucking garbage. He and Henry were the only good part of that shitshow of a movie.

[@user-so9lu9eq8c]

​@I'm Fishdogpigsquirrel you are 100% right but he was so perfect as General Zod.

[@Fishdogpigsquirrel]

@@user-so9lu9eq8c They had perfect everything. They just fucked up when they hired Snyder.

[@kyorikusagami84]

Man of steel?? Legend??? 🤣🤣🤣

[@jesseowenvillamor6348]

​@@kyorikusagami84Nah it's a good movie

[@blacknapalm2131]

*Years ago I saw a pretty crappy comedy film called 'Lets go to prison' but one character in the film called 'Leonard' REALLY stood out and I told my friends 'this actor is going to be huge'

[@StillWeRide]

That movie is hilarious!!! I loved it 😂😂

[@LSmith1]

omfg this is my comfort “bad” movie and it’s basically because of Leonard lol

[@blacknapalm2131]

@@LSmith1 You remind me of my father....I killed him! You...didn't kill him with KINDNESS I suppose? *With a HAMMER* hahahaha

[@ryanmartin6580]

Gosh he seems like such a wonderful man. So talented yet seems so humble. The way he speaks so delicately and carefully about these films just makes him that much more awesome to me.

[@richardcahill1234]

Wishing death on millions of people is a trait of wonderful people?

[@tomasquiroga947]

Not one Bluray did he pick, all DVD. True artist! *chef's kiss* 😗🤌

[@PatrickSilent]

This has been the least enthusiastic and energetic Closet Picks episode I've ever seen. I loved it. Michael Shannon is fascinating.

[@MrDisposable420]

This might be my favorite closet video yet. Dude is just so genuine

[@HolyBlowhole]

“God bless god for making Peter sellers” “This makes up for all those Christmases I didn’t get much of anything” The man is a quote machine 😂

[@reecewg2009]

This has to be one of the best Closet Picks ever. Michael Shannon is always 10/10

[@glyph2011]

LOVE Michael. When he’s on screen he just dominates it. “MIDNIGHT SPECIAL” , great movie and you can’t take your eyes off him. Btw, his comments about John Hurt..couldn’t agree more. Superb choices off the shelf 👍

[@GizmoBeach]

Joel Edgerton rocked it in Midnight Special, then again in Loving. Shannon was aces in Nichols’ first two films, but both he and Edgerton were upstaged by that young man playing Alton.

[@ArthurKnight1899]

I feel exactly same about John Hurt in The Elephant Man! I was CRYING watching that movie. It was incredible performance and movie!

[@LeMnISc4tA]

Performers like you give the depth that this art needs. With affection, from an enthusiast. Thanks, Michael.

[@JAllanKelley]

"Seconds" is an often overlooked work of inarguable genius and I feel very happy for Mr. Shannon's discovery there. (With the great James Wong Howe behind the lense, you're always in for something special).

[@shiven513]

Michael Shannon is a phenomenal actor, no wonder he chose the three finest method's actor's greatest roles in the collection.

[@CeeLoGreen666]

What a fantastic actor, and what seems like a fantastic guy. Can't wait to see him breakdown more blockbuster roles

[@theDgrader]

or Act ?

[@CeeLoGreen666]

@@theDgrader huh

[@richardcahill1234]

He wished death on 80 million people - yeah what a fantastic guy!

[@CeeLoGreen666]

@@richardcahill1234 huh?

[@alexandermichaud957]

2:23 nearly sent me out of my chair

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

Great actor and, from what I hear, a great dude! I have friends in the industry who've worked with him and he's very well-liked... another great addition to the Closet collection.

[@zziggy14]

Wow, this has just been such a pleasure. I’m such a lucky boy

[@LukeScott74]

One of the best editions of Closet Picks. Thanks so much.

[@jonapello245]

Michael Shannon is my favorite actor!! Thank you so much for putting this out : )

[@uberbabeINC]

I just rewatched the astonishing “Seconds” again, not more than 20 hours ago! What a great, shattering selection for you, Mr. Shannon.

[@KenwoodAnderson]

Holy joy and passion! His natural enthusiasm for those selections, says it all. Add to my shopping list!!

[@icelandicbanks6473]

I feel lucky to exist in a time when I get to watch Michael Shannon perform. I've seen a lot of his picks, and I'll be sure to see the others I haven't, because this man puts on some resonant and profound performances and I have to see where that inspiration comes from!

[@jrkinnard1]

I'm not shocked to see his preferences for Ashby and Rafelson. He's always struck me as an actor whose spirit belonged in the '70s. He would have been a God back then.

[@Gabriel-gv1mx]

Great pics, Mr Shannon. Genuine, unaffected and refreshingly honest. Thanks, love every film selected.

[@Iker122]

"God bless.. God, for making Peter Sellers".. hahah.. this was one of my favourite Closet videos

[@zantigar]

Goddarn, I had NO idea Michael Shannon is such a ridiculously witty feller! I'm fallin' off my chair laughing!

[@RoxieHuszar]

He is so understated as a comedic actor

[@Theomite]

Apparently he ad-libbed the line "I am not eating ONE IOTA of shit!" in KNIVES OUT. Apparently Chris Evans' cracking up isn't acting, it's him actually losing it to Shannon's delivery both on and off camera.

[@zantigar]

@@Theomite Hilarious! Thanx for sharing that!

[@brittscott4673]

Yes he kind of became typecast after Man of Steel and Iceman. He was funny in The Night Before that Seth Rogan comedy. Shannon played a cool pot dealer. He had some decent screen time in that he was significant to the overall plot.

[@MagosYCONJUROS]

excellent taste. Can´t believe he got all that and particularly SECONDS. What a masterpiece

[@DGoodhart]

One of my favorite actors! Would love to be a fly on the wall when he’s watching Seconds…

[@zindabyne]

Five Easy Pieces is my favourite Nicholson performance... Shiver ran down my spine when he picked that! It's a performance, and a time, I think of quite often even now, 20 odd years since watching it for the first time. I have an old copy of it on DVD but I really want the bluray cover as a poster. That performance alone elevated Nicholson on another level above the likes of Pacino and Deniro.

[@artirony410]

Five Easy Pieces is a really great performance from him for sure, but I think my favorite of his is in The King of Marvin Gardens

[@markheithorn3905]

Five Easy Pieces is one of my favorite films. Also love Jack in "The Last Detail"

[@kurtrambus2728]

God bless god for making Peter Sellers!! Micheal Shannon is the truth!

[@johnoconnor4616]

Michael is truly one of the best upcoming actors of my generation

[@SwiftSloth]

I am so happy to have sound this channel. There’s something about hard copy movies that hold a special place in my heart. I’m turning 26 in a month and I grew up on vcr and vhs, and then the world shifted into dvd movies in the mid 2000s. I miss it bc streaming feels too easy.

[@magicknight13]

Excellent picks!!! He is such a gem, truly one of the greats

[@gildacosta3185]

Michael Shannon is just amazing. I love everything that he does

[@shiven513]

Take Shelter is a masterpiece of acting, great picks.

[@richarddicarlo3389]

I would love to meet actors, as well actors who are directors, and just talk about movies they enjoy, or directors they admire. Just talk to them like normal people and discuss the art of film.

[@neal.karn-jones]

Michael Shannon as the iceman. One of the best performances of all time, imo.

[@edkiely2712]

Shannon is a stud! Love some of the roles he's played, especially in 'Take Shelter' and 'The Iceman.' It's always interesting to listen to some of the actors you respect give some of their insights into film and filmmaking! Also, you can tell Shannon is someone who has a tragic sense of the world and man's role in it! He'd be great to kick-back with, have some good homemade beers, and discuss everything under-the-sun!

[@dertodesking.]

All of this was amazing!

[@porshiapierce6253]

This man is everything he said nice about these movies and or actors times 10. Its sad he doesn't realize how good he is. His performance in pearl harbor and BUG were enough to warn anyone what this man is capable of. His demeanor is that of bored because he can be anything at anytime he wants. A true masterpiece and also i forgot because i cant bring myself to watch it again. If you watch REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, you will understand how he needs very little screen time to leave such a massive impact. Deranged, intriguing, thought provoking.

[@scratchadams]

I actually just finished two nights ago "Take Shelter" Really solid acting by Shannon. Highly reccomend. Gave me great Bug vibes as well as Stir of Echo's. Shannon is one of my favorite actors.

[@Sektion9]

He's special.

[@edkiely2712]

'Take Shelter' and Shannon's role as Curtis are exemplary! I could see an actor reading that screenplay and overdoing it, but Shannon nails it!

[@Shel.Will9]

This is pure art and I can’t get enough of the passion he exudes for all these finds 😂

[@blainewilliams2151]

Right up there with Richard E. Grant and the Safdie brothers on my list of favorite Closet videos.

[@Missjunebugfreak]

Michael is obviously a fantastic actor but i love how genuine he comes across in this. It's very endearing.

[@RobbKong999]

His joy is OUR joy. He has an appreciation for the classics and I love that he likes black-and-white film photography. This man is a treasure and there are some films of Shannon's that I am dying to see in the Collection someday!

[@123rockfan]

I love how Michael Shannon is so intimidating in every one of his movies but in real life he seems like the most approachable person ever

[@MrBrianSalinas]

His pure joy and love for cinema comes out in this, it's like we get a peak behind the curtain. great

[@lastdaysonearth4375]

Love the way Michael is still picking up the DVD version :)

[@Ben-O25]

"God Bless... God, for making Peter Sellers." -Michael Shannon (2023)

[@isaacmartinez6904]

It’s amazing to see a talented man like Michael Shannon. From Groundhog Day to Man Of Steel, he’s done it all.

[@ThomB1031]

He's in Groundhog Day?

[@isaacmartinez6904]

@@ThomB1031 Yes, it was his first role.

[@ThomB1031]

@@isaacmartinez6904 i just looked him up... had no idea that was him!

[@danielbarrero2815]

I’m obsessed with him omg

[@punkinhicktown]

I really enjoy Shannons work. Just such a pro, really hope to see more from him.

[@DyingWater]

Just thinking about how stacked of incredible actors and performances Boardwalk Empire was. So thankful to have "met" him there, a fan ever since

[@mmayer1558]

Fantastic shirt. And his first pick is a movie I like. No wonder I love him

[@emersonpinto1802]

Michael Shannon is just a presence that we can´t ignore, for our good! God bless him.

[@richarddicarlo3389]

Such a talented actor, Take Shelter is an excellent movie of his. His portrayal of General Zod was intimidating, I can’t believe he was in Groundhog Day

[@blaisetelfer8499]

Dear Criterion Collection, please allow Mr Shannon to stay there permanently by adding Take Shelter to the collection

[@bobs192]

Plays the most intense people on screen, is the most chill man in the world.

[@reddalchemy5970]

Excellent eclectic taste in movies. Love Mr. Shannon's work too. ❤

[@angelam.4670]

It will take artistry the height of which Michael Shannon possesses to get us through these dark times.

[@Jtylerdixon]

Favorite one in a while! Guess he had to direct a movie to get in the club 😂

[@whatwouldbrianwilson]

Shannon is a wonderful fella.

[@keithkoenig5320]

Michael Shannon is always a fascinating actor. Great picks, sir!

[@gnalkhere]

A legend on all fronts

[@richardsemuta1089]

Michael is such an underrated actor.

[@joeystrain8298]

I love this man so much

[@SleezeJest]

This is the millionth rec for Being There and I still haven't seen it. Thanks to my fiancé for getting me Criterion streaming!!!

[@cinemacola6398]

Man, so many actors have picked 'Being there'. I haven't seen it yet, but I will put it in my watchlist.

[@juanvillicana816]

Great comedy and feel good film. I'm pretty sure Zemeckis took inspiration from Being There to make Forrest Gump.

[@TechnicJunglist]

Being There is one of the greatest films of all time. All of Michael's picks are my faves. Awesome actor and down to earth guy. One day I hope another actor will say, "Thank God for making Michael Shannon."

[@zacharyweinberger4659]

"I'm such a lucky boy" I love Michael Shannon lol