DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: Music by John Williams

With every chapter, Music by John Williams defines and stamps the maestro’s brilliance, even if the running time could be doubled or tripled to peel back even more “how does he do it” storytelling and clinical breakdowns from film to film and era to era. Plenty of cinephiles would love to see all that, but only so many nuanced moments fit alongside the big ones in one feature-length documentary. Even comprised as the parade it is, the Disney+ film is a fitting biographical tribute to the artist who could have rested on his laurels a quarter-century ago and still been an all-timer worthy of nonfiction hero worship.

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story reinforces that the coda of Christopher Reeve and Dana Reeve’s stories deserves to be their tireless charitable efforts. The millions of dollars raised for research and pieces of government legislation written in their names create a legacy that will last as long as any blockbuster one. This impactful work is proudly carried on by Matthew, Alexandra, and Will to this day. For them to bring this poignant and heart-rending story to us is one more measure of their own new heroism for a future made better by their past.

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: War Game

Sometimes documentaries require homework, where a deeper dive into sources and background information is needed to grasp the chosen subject. On other occasions, the documentaries are precisely the curated homework one needs to get a fuller picture of a topic at hand. Springboarding from the alarming and infamous historical events of January 6, 2021 with an eye towards improvement, the new documentary film War Game can fit both of those inquires characterizing homework.

2024, 4 STARS, DOCUMENTARY REVIEW, Documentary, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanAugust 8, 2024War Game, documentaryComment

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: Deep Sky

Much like the scientifically wondrous notion of us forged by recycled dust of past celestial bodies, the documentary’s powerful implications and posed questions give Deep Sky viewers immense swell and pause. Even though Deep Sky is an abrupt shorthand version of a continuing story, it is exactly the type of presentation and ponderous point that will rightfully and fruitfully inspire the next generation of innovators and explorers. Somebody somewhere is going to watch Deep Sky, hear Williams’ lush poeticism, and plot their future.

2024, 4 STARS, DOCUMENTARY REVIEW, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanApril 18, 2024Deep Sky, Nathaniel Kahn, Michelle WilliamsComment

MOVIE REVIEW: My Old School

Combining Cumming’s lifting presence, snippets of archival TV coverage, and the animated sequences, My Old School has beguiling charm mirroring the fascinating central figure and the wry smiles on the faces of the Bearsden alumni telling their yarns. Viewers will absorb this tall tale and ask how much fraudulence is either acceptable or too much in a true-life “fake it until you make it” story. There is an irreverent delight to be had measuring that scale person-to-person and case-by-case.

Must-Watch Documentaries for Cannabis Enthusiasts

More and more people are now delving into the use of cannabis not only for medicinal intent but for recreational purposes as well. While some simply jump in without testing the waters, some exert the extra effort to research and know more about cannabis usage before finally trying it out. If you are one of those who need a little more push, or if you are already using cannabis but you need a bit more motivation, then below are some of the documentaries that you need to watch.

2020, Column, DOCUMENTARY REVIEW, Editorial, Home Media, StreamingDon ShanahanAugust 28, 2020Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Best Films to Watch for Students of Music Faculty

by Kelly Pethick

Pursuing your professional goals at college is an engaging process. Academic life is intricate, however: from academic writing, which prompts students to look for a good essay writer, to hated finals that distress them! And it gets especially thrilling when you study at a music faculty, which is much more than just an academic field – it’s an educational, entertaining experience that gives you valuable skills and knowledge while making your life brighter and more enjoyable. And, as a student and fan of music, you must love watching films that reflect your vocational and academic preferences!

2020, Column, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, DOCUMENTARY REVIEWDon ShanahanAugust 28, 2020Comment

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: No Small Matter

Documentaries often carry a sharp specificity by design. The backers and filmmakers have zeroed in on a pointed topic or singular issue they feel needs a spotlight or, even stronger, a public wake up call. Sometimes, they downright demand it. The challenge of an exemplary documentary is to convince next to its natural aim to inform. Their demands need worth, especially if the subject is too narrow to the point that it is inconsequential. That’s where the documentary No Small Matter lives up to its title. The demand matches the worth.

2020, 4 STARS, DOCUMENTARY REVIEW, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, Video on Demand, StreamingDon ShanahanJune 30, 2020No Small MatterComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "You'll Probably Agree" podcast talking the future for movie theaters

Back in March, I joined Mike Crowley’s You’ll Probably Agree podcast with Ian Simmons of Kicking the Seat and Pat McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com in listing and recommending movies to cope with the COVID-19 quarantine. Now, two months later, society is starting to loosen. Ian, and I return to YPA to look at the damage done to the movie theater business with a prognosticating curiosity towards their possible future. Enjoy this heady and rich conversation of our fears, wonders, and predictions for what could be the new normal or the broad future. Give Mike’s YouTube channel a new subscriber, his Facebook page a like, and his Twitter a follow!

Social Media, SPECIAL, Podcast, Media Appearance, 2020, Home Media, DOCUMENTARY REVIEW, Independent FilmDon ShanahanMay 23, 2020Comment

GUEST POST: "The Greatest Movie Never Made" by Creative Principles

By Hannah Thomas
The YouTube creator Creative Principles showcases new ideas on popular films and television. We wanted to share one of their latest videos that had a movie spin to it": What is “the greatest movie NEVER made?” Would-be projects include missteps from Pixar, Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott, David Fincher and various other icons of cinema... Some of these rumors, failures, and shelved projects are considered sequels or prequels, while many are adaptations, or just promises made when a writer or director was at the top of their game. So, what is "the greatest movie never made?" You be the judge..

2019, DOCUMENTARY REVIEW, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanNovember 23, 2019Comment

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable

The light produced by this documentary matches the inspirational shine of the subject herself. Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable is an admirable and impressive chronicle of its sunlit sporting world of “calculated chaos.” Over and over, with every step she takes forward as a woman and as a competitor, Bethany Hamilton remains undefined by the famous shark attack incident that claimed her left arm. Instead, her actions and stature make her the pillar very worth celebrating.

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: The Biggest Little Farm

Sometimes the craziest ideas become the most fulfilling ones when they come to fruition. In 2010, wildlife cameraman John Chester and his private chef wife Molly decided to merge their interests and turn their lives upside-down. Combining his respect for nature with her excitement for food, the Chesters gave up city living in Los Angeles to move an hour north and start a true traditional farm that exists harmoniously with nature. In the hands of an artist and filmmaker, The Biggest Little Farm takes would look like a capricious and half-hearted whim fit for a green reality show on basic cable and turns the the documented endeavor something ambitious, important, and miraculous.

2019, 4 STARS, DOCUMENTARY REVIEW, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanMay 30, 2019AMC River East 21Comment