Posts tagged Mark Strong
MOVIE REVIEW: Miss Sloane
MOVIE REVIEW: Miss Sloane

In some political circles, “lobbyists” are the advocates that “get things done.”  In others, the job title is a dirty word than many are quick to refute or redefine.  When Hollywood screenwriters decide to lionize the role of the lobbyist, they hop on the #NastyWoman bandwagon, cast Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain, and give you “Miss Sloane.”  For all of the sound bite talk about “draining the swamp” to kill the metaphorical mosquitoes, doing so leaves the carnivores behind.  Make no mistake, “Miss Sloane” showcases a true apex predator.

Read More
2016, 4 STARS, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanAMC River East 212016, 2016 Holiday Movies, Miss Sloane, John Madden, Jessica Chastain, Jonathan Perera, Sun Tzu, Alexander Graham Bell, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Shakespeare in Love, Guga Mbatha-Raw, Sam Waterson, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mark Strong, John Lithgow, Alison Pill, #NastyWoman, draining the swamp, lobbyists, political thrillers, political movies, life lessons from movies, life lessons, life lessons from film, life lessons from films, Life lessons, movie review, movie commentary, film review, film commentary, Europa, Donald Shanahan, Don Shanahan, Every Movie Has a LessonComment
ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW: The Imitation Game
ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW: The Imitation Game

This year, the annual Weinstein push will be given to "The Imitation Game."  The film checks all of those boxes of "Oscar bait" qualities.  You have a war-time period story of great significance, a central biographical figure, and a top-notch cast of revered pedigree.  Most important of all, "The Imitation Game" checks the box about being worthy in the first place.  The film is tailor-made for awards season and borders on greatness.  "The Imitation Game" is better than "The King's Speech" from three years ago and deserves every single over-indulgent and self-glorifying piece of shameless Oscar campaigning that it is going to put out there.  This one is worth the hype, folks.

Read More
2014, 10 Best, 5 STARS, MOVIE REVIEWDon Shanahan50th Chicago International Film FestivalOscar bait, Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, The Imitation Game, Alan Turing, Benedict Cumberbatch, Matthew Goode, Keira Knightley, Mark Strong, Charles Dance, The King's Speech, Toronto International Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, 50th Chicago International Film Festival, Oscars, Oscar Predictions, Best Actor, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Don Shanahan, Donald Shanahan, life lessons, life lessons from movies, life lessons from film, life lessons from films, movie commentary, film reviewComment