AS a general rule, I avoid rec ommending movies with brothers named Son, Boy and Kid. But I’ll make a qualified exception for “Shotgun Stories,” which pits the sibs against a set of younger half-brothers after the death of their shared father.

Yes, it’s a mite pretentious and on the slow side. But debuting director Jeff Nichols has an eye for small-town America and a sensibility that he shares with fellow North Carolina School of the Arts alumnus David Gordon Greene (“Undertow”), who served as executive producer.

“Shotgun Stories” also features a riveting performance by Michael Shannon as oldest son Son. He’s definitely an actor to watch.

Running time: 92 minutes. Rated PG-13 (violence, profanity). At the IFC Center, Sixth Avenue and Third Street.