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

GUEST COLUMN: What To Keep In Mind About "Game Changers"

by Kevin Faber

The 2018 movie Game Changers introduced audiences to a behind-the-scenes look at the diets that a lot of noteworthy people follow to maintain their lifestyle as an injured martial artist interviewed them. While the documentary has inspired change, it may not have been as beneficial as it could have been. Keep reading to learn what you should keep in mind about the Game Changers movie.

2022, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, DocumentaryDon ShanahanSeptember 21, 2022Comment

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.

GUEST COLUMN: The 5 Vaping Documentaries That Are Sure to Delight Vapers

by Kathy D

Documentaries and films are not only tools for entertainment; they also play a significant role in awareness creation and information dissemination, and they also influence attitudes and behavior towards particular products. There is little truth about vaping, and many still confuse it with cigarettes. There are also many myths and disinformation about vaping hence the need for information on dealing with these hurdles. Documentaries are necessary for everyone to learn more about vaping since you will hardly get bored watching them.

2022, Column, Documentary, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, EditorialDon ShanahanApril 29, 2022Comment

Movies to Watch When High on Cannabis

If you're looking for movies to watch while high on cannabis, look no further. We've rounded up some of the best options in this article, from Comedy Central's "Broad City" to Netflix's "Cooked With Cannabis." There's even a sensational scene starring Sonu Nigam. But if you're looking for something a little bit more serious, consider "Dude, Where's My Car?"

2022, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, DocumentaryDon ShanahanApril 22, 2022Comment

GUEST COLUMN: What 2016's "A Plastic Ocean" Teaches Us

by Lewis Robinson

Journalist Craig Leeson couldn't have prepared himself for what he was about to find when he went on a seemingly straightforward mission to make a documentary on the blue whale in 2011. He thought he had arrived at a beautiful, pristine area of the Indian Ocean. However, the reality could not have been more different. After accomplishing the original goal of capturing stunning footage of the blue whale, the camera panned right to reveal a horrifying scene of oil and garbage floating along the surface of the water.

2022, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, DocumentaryDon ShanahanMarch 10, 2022Comment

GUEST COLUMN: The Best Health Documentaries to Watch In 2022

by Devin Caldwell

If you're looking to improve your health in 2022, health documentaries can be a great place to start. Not only can they educate you on the human body and nutrition, but they can also motivate you to live a healthier lifestyle. Here are six of the best health documentaries to watch this year.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, DocumentaryDon ShanahanJanuary 13, 2022Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Two Types of Modern Movies That Use Hemp

by Kevin Gardner

In the modern age of film, hemp is being depicted more often. After all, it's no longer the taboo subject that it used to be. Generally, hemp tends to be referred to by the umbrella name "cannabis". The way it's used varies greatly. There are many different types of films that portray this drug. If you'd like to learn more, here are two types of modern movies that use hemp.

2022, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, DocumentaryDon ShanahanJanuary 7, 2022Comment

GUEST COLUMN: All About the Documentary "You Don't Know Nicotine"

by Emma Wilson

In a world where smoking tobacco is becoming a significant trend, a large percentage of the population is also interested in delving deep into the real insights of the mechanism. Not only is medical science making efforts in such endeavors, but also the entertainment industry is chasing the truth behind the addictive chemicals. 'You Don't Know Nicotine' is one such documentary that has been making prominent impacts in people's mindsets about the smoking component' nicotine.'

2021, Column, Documentary, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanNovember 29, 2021Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: 6 Reasons Why You Should Watch the 2005 Film "Unfiltered"

by Lewis Robinson

The 2005 film Unfiltered provides viewers with an intimate look into the lives and storied rivalry of Michael Phelps and Ian Crocker. This film is a must-watch for fans of Olympic swimming for a variety of reasons.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, DocumentaryDon ShanahanNovember 27, 2021Comment