Episode 69 : SLING BLADE / Top 3 Movie Characters who “Had it Coming”

Summary: French fried Pa-tay-ters, biscuits, and lawnmower blades...That definitely sets the stage for where we're heading this week as we begin our first ever "Walk of Shame" round, where we each take a turn Queuing up a film that for some reason we've never seen! This week it's on Hoodie as we discuss the well received (1996) film    SLING BLADE   This independent turn marked the directorial debut of country singer turned actor Billy Bob Thornton, who also authored the script. Thornton plays Karl Childers, a mildly retarded man who spent most of his life in a mental institution. When Karl was a boy, he was severely mistreated by his abusive father (Robert Duvall). At age 12, Karl found his mother having intercourse with a man who tormented him endlessly; he snapped, flew into a homicidal rage, and killed both individuals by decapitating them with a Sling blade – Well, SOME FOLKS call it a Sling Blade, I call it a Kieser Blade! Years later, as a middle-aged man, Karl is deemed harmless to society and released from the mental institution where he resides. Karl says he has learned his lesson and adds, "I reckon I got no reason to kill no one." He returns home, where he's befriended by Frank (Lucas Black), the son of a widowed mother who sees the eccentric but open-hearted Karl as a kindred spirit. Karl also gets a job at a fix-it shop and resides in the backroom, until Frank's mother, Linda, takes a liking to Karl and lets him stay with them. However, Karl also meets Doyle (Dwight Yoakam), Linda's boyfriend, a sadistically cruel, narrow-minded drunk who tosses casual abuse at Frank, treats Linda like dirt, and mocks Karl endlessly. Before long, Karl begins to question for what purpose he is best served and whether or not he should sacrifice himself for what he see’s as a higher good.. The Film also stars the late John Ritter, one of Thornton’s real life best friend as the mild mannered homosexual who works at the neighborhood dollar store, often giving Karl a great deal on potted meat!... Inspired by Doyle, we round it out with our Top 3 Movie Characters who "Had it coming!"