DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: Apollo 11

There are about three levels of “how in the hell did they do that?” that come from watching the sterling documentary Apollo 11. That exasperating and jaw-dropping question comes out often when we watch fantastical cinematic tales of fiction. But it’s different with Apollo 11 because of the non-fiction nature. Dozens of brilliant-yet-unassuming scientists, engineers, and specialists poured their lives and livelihoods into this mission and the entire program. In their honor, the documentary team led by director/producer/editor Todd Douglas Miller, have now echoed that monumental achievement with an artistic one of their own.

2019, 5 STARS, DOCUMENTARY REVIEW, MOVIE REVIEW, Independent FilmDon ShanahanMarch 20, 2019Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on March 18, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the best documentary about the American political system?

Documentaries are not my strong suit. I’m a big An Inconvenient Truth mark, but I wouldn’t call that a documentary about the American political system just because of the presence and olive branch policies of former Vice President Al Gore. Ava DuVernay’s 13th also has scope beyond the business and posturing of D.C., but the political threads run farther and deeper, making it my worthy pick this week.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanMarch 19, 2019David EhrlichComment

MOVIE REVIEW: Finding Steve McQueen

Finding Steve McQueen carries the boasting superlatives of the detailing the “largest bank heist in U.S. history” and, according to director Mark Steven Johnson, one of “the greatest stories never told.” Don’t expect a film of that kind of scope and size. This is a big crime orchestrated by small people who think they are bigger than they really are. The year is 1972 and the illegal act is the United California Bank Robbery.

2019, 3 STARS, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanMarch 14, 2019AMC Streets of WoodfieldComment

MOVIE REVIEW: Wonder Park

The new animated family flick Wonder Park offers an imagined world of roller coasters and amusement built with as much love as they are creative engineering. The principles of STEM support the cinematic chain lift hills before the drops take audiences through inversions and turns of family feels. Like the railed, ridden inventions it depicts, Wonder Park has clever ideas and solid foundations, but too many trim brakes, suspensions, bumps, dead spots, and other hits of filmed friction slow the glee and weaken the poignant pillars attempted.

2 STARS, 2019Don ShanahanMarch 14, 2019Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on March 11, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who is the greatest movie cat of all-time?

Eschewing the rest of the trollish buzz surrounding Captain Marvel, I really appreciated that David Ehrlich picked a lighter question this week. In honor of the scene-stealing “Goose” from that new Marvel entry, we critics were asked to elect a top feline. Honestly, it was hard not to just picked the marmalade-colored Flerken. It took a little soul-searching (and Google searching) to remind myself of the toilet-flusher himself.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanMarch 11, 2019David EhrlichComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking "Captain Marvel"

Not waiting for any S.H.I.E.L.D. clearance of sign from Thanos, Kicking the Seat’s Ian Simmons convened the “comic council” of film critics for the new Captain Marvel starring Brie Larson. Our Skype-tied dais puts their cosmic, warped, and warped cosmic thoughts on the record. Enjoy myself, Ian, David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel, and Emmanuel Noisette of Eman's Movie Reviews as we celebrate and critique the latest Marvel dynamo.. Enjoy our extremely entertaining back-and-forth chat!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanMarch 11, 2019AMC RIver East 21Captain Marvel, Kicking the SeatComment

MOVIE REVIEW: Captain Marvel

As a filmgoer, follow Larson’s lead and ignore that limiting advisement entirely. There is excitement and euphoria to be had by witnessing and enjoying the wonders made possible by this soaring female protagonist. Let loose, as she does, and relish in the unbridled power of this new Marvel Cinematic Universe entry that wrinkles the blueprint with fantastic feminine wiles.

2019, 4 STARS, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanMarch 7, 2019Regal City North 14Comment

EDITORIAL: The top martial art movies of all-time

If energy and entertainment entice you, you must watch martial art films! There are just a few things in the world which are as delectably enjoyable as this type of movies. When you can turn most on halfway through while watching martial art movies, you will still be glued to your seat. Chances are there, you will coast along with the plot while eagerly expecting the next action scene. If you’ve not watched such a movie for a while, make a move soon. Above that, you can buy the DVDs that you want at an affordable price.

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST CRITIC, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanMarch 6, 2019Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on March 4, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who is the best villain so far this century?

Gosh, this one was a hard one. For every obvious Heath Ledger Joker from The Dark Knight or Javier Bardem’s Anton Chigurh from No Country For Old Men, you could site anything Philip Seymour Hoffman in from Mission: Impossible III to Rachel McAdams in Mean Girls and still land on a good pick. I emphasized the dastardly and went smaller with J.K. Simmons’ Oscar-winning antagonist from the masterful Whiplash.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanMarch 6, 2019David EhrlichComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on February 25, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who should play James Bond after Daniel Craig is done?

Between Connery, Moore, Dalton, and especially Brosnan, I credit my mother for making me a James Bond fan. Though the Mission: Impossible franchise is on quite a run, I still consider Ian Fleming’s character king of the spy game. With Daniel Craig north of 50 and rumored to be done, the decadent tuxedo will be open to a new actor soon. I think I know just the guy and it’s an eclectic choice.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanFebruary 25, 2019David EhrlichComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on February 18, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is one silver lining of this year's awards season, and why?

The 2018-2019 awards season has been a contentious and challenging up-and-down chore. Unpredictable one moment and inflexible the next, it was hard to find what David Ehrlich was looking for. Then I remembered the stature and history of Spike Lee and what a win for him would mean. I found my answer right there.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanFebruary 25, 2019David EhrlichComment

CHECKLIST: 20 films to watch for the 2020 Oscars

In what has become an annual Monday morning Oscar hangover, this website looks down the calendar and into the crystal ball to prognosticate which 2019 films could be contenders for the 92nd Academy Awards in 2020. Gosh, that year sounds like the absolute future. No sooner than the sun rises and coffee pots turn on, the next Oscar season starts now! Here’s your seventh year of advance scouting courtesy of Every Movie Has a Lesson. Release dates are listed if known.

2019, Column, Editorial, LIST, SPECIALDon ShanahanFebruary 25, 2019Comment