PODCAST: Episode 181 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 181st episode, two science officer film critics, two brave dads, and two assimilated teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, welcomed back Neil Shurley and Ben Cahlamer for their second consecutive episode guest spot. Their challenge was to boldly go where no show had gone before. The four set their phasers on stun to cover 1996's beloved Star Trek: First Contact, the first solo film for the central cast and crew of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The memories are fond and the shared insight is fonder.

Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Media Appearance, 2023Don ShanahanDecember 31, 2024Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Will Johnson, Film ObsessiveComment

PODCAST: Episode 180 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 180th episode, two golden film critics, two secret agent dads, and two laser-wielding teachers, Will and Don, brought in a pair of special guests for the first of two "guest's choice" episodes. The podcast welcomed prolific creator Neil Shurley and returning guest and Phoenix-based film critic Ben Cahlamer to put their best pretend foot forward as a secret agent. Their mission was to hop back 62 years to honor 1962's Goldfinger, Sean Connery's third film as the iconic James Bond. Each man on the podcast dais speaks highly of this big hit that would be come the template spawning many other action flicks.

Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Media Appearance, 2023Don ShanahanDecember 31, 2024Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Will Johnson, Film ObsessiveComment

PODCAST: Episode 179 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 179th episode, two nostalgic film critics, two surround sound dads, and two crowd-ready teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, take a special episode to spell out an editorial they have in mind for a while. Will and Don carry on a conversation ranking the best theatrical experiences of their lives so far. From formative moments and cheers to memorable emotions, their very different lists will surprise and impress. Get to know our hosts some more with this one.

Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Media Appearance, 2023Don ShanahanDecember 31, 2024Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Will Johnson, Film ObsessiveComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Channel Talking "Nosferatu"

Debuting in the darkest recesses of multiplexes and arthouse theaters this week is Robert Eggers’s monochromatic remake of Nosferatu, paying homage to the 1922 German silent film he and many others love dearly. Ian was ready to talk about it. So, for the special holiday, yours truly appeared as “Santa Critic” from “The North Pole of Elmwood Park” and joined Ian, Jeff York of The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists, Annie Banks of The Mary Sue, The Blonde in Front’s Cati Glidewell, and Mike Crowley of You’ll Probably Agree for the dais.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Live Talking "North by Northwest"

After months (and maybe years) of souring tastes and more-than-occasional red-assed disdain, Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel found a movie that actually knocked his socks off and entered his pantheon of all-time favorites. The hard part was he had to go back 65 years to a blind spot to find it. Hey, that counts as better late than never. The movie is question and celebration is Alfred Hitchcock’s mistaken identity thriller North by Northwest from 1959. The Cary Grant vehicle drew an assembly of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” in the form of Ian, myself, Jeff York of The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists, Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions, and the KTS on-camera debut of The Last Drive-In’s Joe Randazzo. Enjoy this talkative manhunt flick!

PODCAST: Episode 178 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 178th episode, two non-Austrian film critics, two log-carrying dads, and two rocket-launching teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, kick off the beginning of a recurring side series of films described as a "Tight 90." In today's era of exhausting epics and effusive directors' cuts, Will and Don celebrate movies that nailed their purpose and entertainment value in 90 minutes or less. Their first feature is the Arnold Schwarzenegger action favorite Commando from 1985, a movie that packs punches, explosions, and montages, all in a tidy time.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Participant in "World of Reel" Critics Poll for Best Film of the 2020s So Far

As I have grown in press credentials and professional affiliations nationally, I have found myself landing in circles with other film critics of various levels. Recently, I was included in a poll for voting critics for Jordan Ruimy of World of Reel, a fellow Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. His survey was to collect picks for the best films of the 2020s so far from over 120 critics and other industry folk. I was honored to chime in with my top five selections to be included with some very high professional company.

Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, LIST, Best Films, 2024Don ShanahanNovember 18, 2024World of Reel, Jordan Ruimy, 2020sComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Participant in "World of Reel" Critics Poll for Best Christopher Nolan Film

As I have grown in press credentials and professional affiliations nationally, I have found myself landing in circles with other film critics of various levels. Recently, I was included in a poll for voting critics for Jordan Ruimy of World of Reel, a fellow Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. His survey was to collect picks for the best film to date by Christopher Nolan from over 120 critics and other industry folk. I was honored to chime in with my top selection of Memento to be included with some very high professional company.

Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, LIST, Best Films, 2024Don ShanahanNovember 18, 2024World of Reel, Jordan Ruimy, Christopher NolanComment

PODCAST: Episode 177 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 177th episode, two racket-tightening film critics, two titillated dads, and two sweaty teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, circle back to earlier in 2024 to watch more than just tennis balls being hit back and forth in the Luca Guadagnino's mainstream breakout hit Challengers. Our guys debate trying to say great things about a very good movie and whether or not the love triangle between Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor was hot enough to warrant the hype.

PODCAST: Episode 176 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 176th episode, two hungover film critics, two jug-filling dads, and two stuttering teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, pop a few aspirins and take it back to 1995 to talk about Die Hard with a Vengeance. Our hosts sing the praises of the addition of Samuel L. Jackson and debate the possible difference between "favorite" and "best" when it comes to ranking the Die Hard series.

PODCAST: Episode 175 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

or their 175th episode, two buff film critics, two gossipy dads, and two romantic teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, found themselves smitten recently with last year’s runaway hit Anyone But You. Many have called this Sydney Sweeney/Glen Powell vehicle the return of the big-screen rom-com. Our hosts have been doing their homework on that genre this year and are happy to weigh in.

PODCAST: Episode 174 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 174th episode, two roughneck film critics, two bioluminescent dads, and two teachers with the bends, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, venture below the waves to the deep trench of James Cameron hallmarks that compose The Abyss, starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Michael Biehn. They pull out all the oxygen tanks and “water weenies” out for a good show.