PODCAST: Episode 235 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 235th episode, two film critics, two dads, and two school teachers who definitely have the power, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, are starting to scratch a sword-and-sandal itch. Semi-included in that subgenre, and just in time for the remake/reboot, is 1987's Masters of the Universe from Cannon Films. Starring the beloved and out-of-his element Dolph Lundgren, one of our hosts was absolutely the target audience for this nearly 40 years ago, and the other is watching it for the first time in 2026.

PODCAST: Episode 234 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 234th episode, two wannabe TV critics, two resident dads, and two interning school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, enjoy the second week and episode pausing from cinema to spread some love to prestige television. Last week, they covered Season 1 of HBO Max's The Pitt. For this episode, they recap and react to the recently completed second season.

PODCAST: Episode 233 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 234th episode, two wannabe TV critics, two resident dads, and two interning school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, enjoy the second week and episode pausing from cinema to spread some love to prestige television. Last week, they covered Season 1 of HBO Max's The Pitt. For this episode, they recap and react to the recently completed second season.

PODCAST: Episode 232 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 232nd episode, two well-molded film critics, two non-Aussie dads, and two special effects school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, have secretly found a little sub-niche over the years for their show, where they find an obscure, forgotten film and get the chance to move its Rotten Tomatoes score with their podcast's submitted review. This week, 1986's "F/X" gets the treatment.

PODCAST: Episode 231 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 231st episode, two decadent film critics, two old sport dads, and partying school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, finally have, for what seems like the first time in a while, found a movie they truly feel opposite on to a nearly hate vs. love level, and it might not be from a place you typically expect. The loaded argument in question surrounds Baz Luhrmann's sparkly and loud blockbuster adaptation of The Great Gatsby

PODCAST: Episode 230 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 230th episode, two golden critics, two statuesque dads, and centrist school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, continue their return from a short sabbatical with a special editorial episode. The recent 98th Academy Awards came and went recently. While the two-horse battle between One Battle After Another and Sinners, made for decent Oscar drama, our podcast hosts didn't watch the show and found themselves over what they used to love

PODCAST: Episode 229 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 229th episode, two returning critics, two better-rested dads, and two science-loving teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, return from a two-month sabbatical for a love-fest on the leader in the clubhouse for the movie of the year. They're talking about the instant sci-fi classic of Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, who's quietly becoming one of our hosts' most dependable and favorite performers. For this big return, the haters stayed home

PODCAST: Episode 228 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 228th episode back in February, two underground revolution critics, two stoner dads, and two small beers teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, drive their podcast over the West Texas hills of the Oscar race to offer their praise and criticism of Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another. The movie is the current front-runner for Best Picture and PTA is more than due after 28 years of previous nominations in several categories.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Optimist

Unshy with its sorrow, the film finds lift in showing one person helping another see why they survived when others they care for did not. There’s an aim to making choices for how one can and should endure after hurtful losses, and it starts with forgiving yourself. Hopeful and reflective lessons like that—delivered with dignity and put to film for impressionable audiences—will always have a vital place for thoughtful entertainment.

2023, 2026, 4 STARS, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanMarch 15, 2026The Optimist, Elsie Fisher, Stephen Lang, Finn TaylorComment

MOVIE REVIEW: Last Ride

That positive togetherness among solid friends is your stamped answer to Lesson #2. The small yet serious life-and-death situation does not need an extra roller coaster. This is a keen balance in a film that is rightly not trying to create pitfalls to rattle cinematic seismometers for the action junkies because the wisening emotions displayed are more than enough.

PODCAST: Episode 227 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 227th episode, two third-string critics, two painkiller-addicted dads, and two steamin' teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, arrive at the weekend of the Super Bowl with one more football classic from a generation ago. As the complete opposite to the wholesome Remember the Titans from a recent episode, our hosts cover Oliver Stone's 1999 cinematic energy drink Any Given Sunday.

PODCAST: Episode 226 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 226th episode, two bank-robbing critics, two strutting dads, and two war veteran teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, make their way to a long-time queue hold and blindspot of Will that came from a recommendation of Don. Our guys enter the unique pre-, post-, and during Vietnam War perspectives shared by 1995's cult classic Dead Presidents, directed by the Hughes Brothers. Hear why Don calls it one of the best Vietnam films of all-time while Will shares his first-time impressions

EVERY MOVIE HAS A LESSON

by Don Shanahan

BRINGING YOU MOVIE REVIEWS AND MORE SINCE 2010

CRYPTOCASINOS

TheVore.com Streaming options

Brilliantly

Content & Links