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 votes for the single best Christopher Nolan from over 110 critics and other industry folk. I was honored to chime in with my vote of Memento to be included with some very high professional company. Enjoy the article and list. Check out your boy!

Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, LIST, 2023, Best FilmsDon ShanahanJuly 27, 2023World of Reel, Jordan Ruimy, Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight, MementoComment

MOVIE REVIEW: Darkest Hour

Darkest Hour and Gary Oldman exhibit tremendous fight to match the vigor of the era. The film builds its mounting prospects of calamity and clashes of dissension with polish and gumption, avoiding many of the dull notes normally saddling most other behind-the-war-room yak-fest. The screenplay shrewdly skips laborious biographical notes and tautly fixates primarily on the two weeks of debate leading up to Operation Dynamo

2017, 4 STARS, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanDecember 5, 2017Landmark Century Centre CinemasWinston Churchill, Darkest Hour, Joe Wright, Lily James, Kristin Scott Thomas, World War II, Operation Dynamo, Dunkirk, Clementine Churchill, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Harry Potter, The Dark Knight, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actor Oscar, Gary Oldman, Dario Marianelli, Atonement, Pan, Stephen Frears, Valerio Bonelli, Bruno Delbonnel, Amelie, The Theory of Everything, Anthony McCarten, Ben Mendelsohn, Prime Minister, King Edward VI, film critic, movie critic, film review, movie review, film commentary, movie commentary, 2017 Holiday Films, Churchill, life lessons, life lessons from film, life lessons from movies, life lessons from films, Oscar contenders, Donald Shanahan, Don Shanahan, Every Movie Has a Lesson Comments

MOVIE REVIEW: The LEGO Batman Movie

Chock full of more jokes, puns, and references than there are virtual plastic bricks, “The LEGO Batman Movie” is a breezy blast of unabashed fun. Twirling with dazzling animation and saturated with endless character possibilities, these two hours of zippy entertainment offer exhilarating playful engagement for young audiences and many absolute belly laughs for the adults. Like “The LEGO Movie” before it, the biggest flaw will always be the manic pace.

2017, 4 STARS, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanFebruary 14, 2017Classic Cinemas North Riverside Luxury 62017, 2017 Winter Movies, The LEGO Batman Movie, The LEGO Movie, Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Bros. Pictures, Batman, Bob Kane, Bill Finger, Alfred, Robin, Barbara Gordon, Chimera, Bellerophon, The Joker, Will Arnett, Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, Adam West, Dark Knight, The Bright Knight, The Dark Knight, Superman, Jason Mantzoukas, Adam DeVine, Riki Lindhome, Ellie Kemper, Mariah Carey, Hector Elizondo, Jemaine Clement, Seth Green, Eddie Izzard, Conan O'Brien, DC Comics, Billy Dee Williams, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Seth Grahame-Smith, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Community, Chris McKenna, Emmet Brickowski, Rosario Dawson, Siri, Batcave, Ralph Fiennes, Jerry Maguire, life lessons from film, life lessons from films, life lessons from movies, life lessons, Life lessons, animated films, family films, computer animation, movie review, film review, movie commentary, film commentary, Donald Shanahan, Don Shanahan, Every Movie Has a LessonComment

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

EDITORIAL: My picks for the greatest movie scores

Here's my official list of my top 10 movie scores with three unbreakable ties. I can't call them the "greatest," but I'll put my list next to anyone's and defend my choices. My friends and followers kind of poked the bear and encouraged me to make and rank my own list. Well, I love a good challenge and I knew this one would be easy. Movie scores and I get along.