MOVIE REVIEW: Hacksaw Ridge

It should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed the career path of Mel Gibson, either in front or behind the camera, that "Hacksaw Ridge" rings up the descriptor of "excessive" more than any film to date this year. "Hacksaw Ridge" is a war film of excessive violence operatically woven into a biopic screen story of excessive hero worship based on a true story of World War II Congressional Medal of Honor winner Desmond Doss. Both excesses are laid on very thick. Only half of one of them are worth it.

MOVIE REVIEW: Moonlight

I dare you to look into the painful eyes of the three ages of Chiron and their matching performers and not have your soul triple in weight. The arc in "Moonlight" from the innocence of the little boy to the uncomfortable vulnerability hiding underneath the muscles and gold fronts of the hardened resulting adult is arduously moving on multiple levels. Observing his difficulties forces you to absorb the conflict and inescapable trepidation that surrounds the shared character. Pressing his heart to your own makes for one of the most moving and rewarding film experiences this year.

2016, 5 STARS, Chicago Film Festival, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanNovember 6, 2016Landmark Century Centre Cinemas2016, Festival coverage, festival preview, Chicago International Film Festival, 52nd Chicago International Film Festival, Black Perspectives, Special Presentations, Moonlight, Barry Jenkins, Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, Alex Hibbert, Barbara Lewis, Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Brad Pitt, Plan B, #OscarsSoWhite, James Laxton, Nicholas Britell, Loving, Jeff Nichols, Andre Holland, Jharrel Jerome, Janelle Monae, Jaden Piner, Liberty City, Miami, LGBT, LGBTQ+, Boyhood, Richard Linklater, film review, movie review, film commentary, movie commentary, Life lessons from movies, life lessons from films, life lessons from movies, life lessons, life lessons from film, Life lessons, Audience Award, 2016 Fall Movues, 2016 Fall Movies, 2016 Holiday Movies, Oscar contenders, Donald Shanahan, Don Shanahan, Every Movie Has a Lesson, independent filmsComment

MOVIE REVIEW: Doctor Strange

Now in its third phase, Marvel continues to take C-level and D-list comic book characters and titles, breath cinematic life into them with top-notch talent in front of and behind the camera, and turn the obscure in newly minted household names and merchandising windfalls. "Doctor Strange" continues the studio's blueprint of Midas Touch success while jubilantly kicking down the door for magic and mysticism in the MCU. You may not know him yet, but Stephen Strange is a major player and huge addition to an already-loaded heroic panorama.

2016, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, MOVIE REVIEW, 3 STARSDon ShanahanNovember 1, 2016Regal City North Stadium 14 IMAX2016, 2016 Holiday Movies, 2016 Fall Movies, Doctor Strange, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scott Derrickson, Kevin Feige, C. Robert Cargill, Jon Spaihts, Steve Ditko, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benjamin Bratt, Scott Adkins, Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr., Marvel Comics, Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Films, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Phase 3, Marvel, Disney/Marvel, Disney, Sinister, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Ben Davis, Michael Giacchino, Kathmandu, Nepal, Kaecilius, The Ancient One, Stephen Strange, Christine Palmer, Karl Mordo, Mordo, Dormammu, Eye of Agamotto, Cloak of Levitation, film commentary, film review, movie commentary, movie review, comic book movie, comic book films, The Avengers, Infinity War, Thor, Thor: Ragonark, life lessons from films, life lessons from film, life lessons from movies, life lessons, life lesson, Life lessons, Donald Shanahan, Don Shanahan, Every Movie Has a LessonComment

MOVIE REVIEW: Middle Man

52nd Chicago International Film Festival U.S. Indies entry and presentation

“Middle Man” blends an acidic edge with showy panache that bleeds from every character, large and small. Credit the devious fun of Crowley for the snappy dialogue that pops from each character. The comedy is clever instead of coarse while maintaining its darkness. Nearly every speaking part of this colorful cast of funhouse mirrors nails a zinger or two that fits right into that line of taste.

MOVIE REVIEW: Certain Women

Spareness and simplicity can either be a fountain of nuance and austerity or it can be a vacuum of plainness and lethargy. Filmmaker Kelly Reichardt is a celebrated torchbearer of the minimalist film movement and her newest feature, “Certain Women,” boast three strong female leads in Laura Dern, Michelle Williams, and Kristen Stewart. Despite that base of acting forte and the patronage of Todd Haynes as an executive producer, the void outweighs any wellspring.

MOVIE REVIEW: Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders

Batman has evolved, but the long-standing love for that old TV show has only sweetened. The new WB Animation entry “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders” unlocks a time capsule and reminds us why Batman can be just as fun when he’s not brooding and sulking. With the triumphant returns of original cast members Adam West, Burt Ward, and Julie Newmar reassuming their Batman, Robin, and Catwoman mantles as voice actors, this new film possess audible and visual treats to behold.

2016, 4 STARS, MOVIE REVIEW, Video on DemandDon ShanahanOctober 15, 20162016 Fall Movies, 2016, Batman, Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, Batman TV show, Batman '66, Adam West, Burt Ward, Julie Newmar, Robin, Catwoman, Bob Kane, Bill Finger, Neighbors, Batfleck, Frank Miller, Tim Burton, Christopher Nolan, 1966, Kristopher Carter, Michael McCuistion, Lolita Ritmans, The Joker, Penguin, The Riddler, Dynamic Duo, Caped Crusaders, Jeff Bergman, Wally Wingert, William Salyers, Cesar Romero, Frank Gorshin, Burgess Meredith, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, comic book movie, comic book films, comic book TV shows, Batman: The Killing Joke, The Dark Knight, The Bright Knight, DC Universe, DC Comics, WB Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, life lessons from film, life lessons from films, life lessons from movies, life lessons, Life lessons, movie review, film review, movie commentary, film commentary, animated films, WB, Donald Shanahan, Don Shanahan, Every Movie Has a LessonComment

MOVIE REVIEW: The Accountant

Full disclosure, my goal in this review is to use as many synonyms as possible for the words “ridiculous” and “entertaining.” The range between those two attributes comprises the pendulum swing of “The Accountant,” the latest Ben Affleck-led actioner from “Warrior” director Gavin O’Connor. The film has a dual personality between the entertaining and ridiculous that weaves through every component and cuts to its core.

VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Sully"

Three top-notch film critics of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle survived the miracle flight recreations and Clint Eastwood's soft touch of "Sully," starring Tom Hanks. Hear the mixed reactions after an advance screening from Jon Espino, Emmanuel Noisette, and myself!

MOVIE REVIEW: Snowden

There was a time Oliver Stone took risks and punched harder with his filmmaking style and history-challenging investigation efforts through compelling dramatization. The 70-year-old self-described dramatist used to stir provocative emotions and drop jaws with grand revelations. Those days feel like a distant memory with "Snowden."

MOVIE REVIEW: Bridget Jones's Baby

Tongues are inserted into cheeks at a rapid-fire pace in “Bridget Jones’s Baby. The euphemisms, drollery, puns, wild physical gags, and self-deprecating farce originate from all directions and target anyone with eyes and a smile. The writing is harebrained in the most smart and witty ways possible and, trust me, that is a compliment. Better yet, when it needs to, the movie turns off the jokes and hits you with the necessary heart to make all the silly stuff enormously endearing.

2016, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, MOVIE REVIEW, 3 STARSDon ShanahanSeptember 14, 2016Kerasotes ShowPlace ICON X at Roosevelt Collections2016, 2016 Fall Movies, Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason, Bridget Jones's Baby, Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Patrick Dempsey, Colin Firth, Tim Beven, Eric Fellner, Sharon Maguire, Helen Fielding, Emma Thompson, Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones, Women over 40, Romantic comedies, life lesson, life lessons from films, life lessons from film, life lessons from movies, Life lessons, movie review, film review, movie commentary, film commentary, sequels, movie sequels, Donald Shanahan, Don Shanahan, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Bridget Jones, Dan Mazar, Dan Mazer, Sarah Solemani, Sally Phillips, James Callis, Shirley Richardson, Neil Pearson, Kate O'Flynn, Gangnam StyleComment

MOVIE REVIEW: Sully

Celebrated director Clint Eastwood is no stranger to biopics based on historical figures, making him an ardent practitioner of hero worship. Because the 86-year-old, four-time Oscar winner classically directs with a soft hand and a comely tone, his brand of adoration consistently lands on the veneration half of the definition. Combining forces for the first time with another hero worship professional in All-American leading man Tom Hanks on “Sully,” you have double the cinematic potential of cherished devotion.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Light Between Oceans

One could say melodramas take preposterous human mistakes and play them for dramatic effect. They challenge the audience to interpret how you would act defiantly or morally differently in the same situation. These films do so while still compelling you watch in hope for any semblance of a happy ending. To understand “The Light Between Oceans” is to understand melodrama. The themes of melodramatic journeys are meant to be arduous. In the medium of film, the clinchers that aid in the ability to embrace and appreciate a melodrama are its tone and the acting performances. “The Light Between Oceans” flourishes to accomplish both benchmarks.