MOVIE REVIEW: Plus One

Here in June, our 2019 calendar has reached the peak of the annual wedding season. Some love it. Some hate it. Some are even participating. No matter where you sit, it’s a roller coaster for all ages. The traditions of nuptials and romantic comedies are keenly and boisterously observed and challenged by Plus One, the feature film debut of the writing and directing team of Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer that premiered at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Every moment to cringe and every moment to cherish swirl together with very appealing zest. Plus One plays locally in the Chicagoland area exclusively at the AMC Barrington 24 location starting on June 14th.

INFOGRAPHIC: The films of Bill Murray

Folks, let me introduce you again to John Rooney. He is an illustrator from Ireland. Last year, John complete a project in which he watched every single Nicolas Cage film for 89 days and did a caricature sketch for each role. The results of range and variety are striking and I was happy to promote his work with a post here on Every Movie Has a Lesson. He is back again with a new piece on Bill Murray, right in time for The Dead Don’t Die. His phenomenal work is worth sharing below and a his art is available for sale on Etsy!

Infographic, LIST, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanJune 11, 2019Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on June 10, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the best movie ever about TV?

This week’s pick for me was an instant no-brainer. Sidney Lumet’s masterpiece satire has evolved from being a sarcastic time capsule to a modern-day cautionary tale we’re nearly living. I do have to love these other picks included this week and I most especially need to clear out that blind spot for Broadcast News. Summer break can’t get her soon enough.

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

SHORT FILM REVIEW: How Does It Start

In the provocative short film How Does it Start, a young teen girl in 1983 named Rain, played by Lola Wayne Villa, has been introduced to topic of sex without such positive elder counsel. The wheels have turned. The curiosities have sparked. The peers have stoked the fire. The triggers have all gone off and this girl wants the mystery of what has been made out to be so taboo and important to growing up as a real woman.

Independent Film, SHORT FILMS, 2019, 4 STARS, MOVIE REVIEW, Video on DemandDon ShanahanJune 9, 2019Comment

REWIND REVIEW: Captain Marvel

Arriving on home media this week from Disney is their glowing smash hit Captain Marvel starring Academy Award winner Brie Larson and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. The film itself is a forthright winner for introducing this powerful and important new character and the disc release gives us a little peek as to how it all came to be. Keep an eye out on store shelves Tuesday, June 11th to pick up your copy in 4K, Blu-ray, or both. Here’s a quick advance look at what the home edition has to offer, just as long as you can wait through a quick period-accurate Windows 95 loading screening (nice touch).

2019, 4 STARS, Home Media, MOVIE REVIEW, Video on Demand, VIDEO REVIEW, DISC REVIEWDon ShanahanJune 9, 2019Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking "Dark Phoenix"

The “comic counsel” dais of Ian' Simmons’ Kicking the Seat podcast was burnt to the ground and resurrected from the ashes at the ShowPlace ICON X theater after watching the culminating send-off that was supposed to be Dark Phoenix, the final Fox X-Men film. David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel, Emmanuel Noisette of E-Man’s Movie Reviews, myself, and four hot new microphones makes this post-film discussion sizzle. Come and enjoy our back-and-forth. Critic and proud!

MOVIE REVIEW: Dark Phoenix

Whereas Days of Future Past was a face-lifting and jump-starting franchise savior, Dark Phoenix following X-Men: Apocalypse has become the moment of collapse. And it’s not solely because Fox was bought by Disney. Simon Kinberg and company have run out of juice to tell an interesting story sufficiently after multiple chances. When you watch this new movie and actually miss the gaudy theatrics of X-Men: The Last Stand because it at least tried, that’s a very surprising and telling thing.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on June 3, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the best movie cameo ever?

Keanu Reeves just got done dropping jaws and metaphysical truths in Netflix’s Always Be My Maybe this past weekend. It got David Ehrlich to wonder was was the best cameo ever. I was heartset on Alec Baldwin from Glengarry Glen Ross, but he’s technically a billed member of the cast. After that, it came down to Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder or Christopher Walken in Pulp Fiction. You can read my pick and criteria below from the survey article. Many great picks from the other critics boost the list!

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanJune 3, 2019David EhrlichComment

EDITORIAL: 5 Marvel superheroes who could beat any slot machine

Slot machines are a few hundred parts of circuits and machinery, a million parts mathematical odds, and at least one part entertainment. With the razzle-dazzle of thematic presentation, the ease of use, and the big jackpots, these lines of sit-down entertainment are endlessly popular. There are many movie-themed slots with free online spins for your enjoyment. Casual gamblers drop those coins in hopes of scoring more in return. With the superhero movies being the biggest movie trend of the moment thanks to Avengers: Endgame, one has to wonder if their advanced abilities and powers could make them better and more successful winners. In an exercise of fun brainstorming, here are five Marvel movie superhero characters we think could beat any slot machine.

2019, Column, Editorial, Home Media, LIST, SPECIALDon ShanahanJune 3, 2019Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: Always Be My Maybe

Far rarer than they used to be twenty-plus years ago, easy and breezy flicks like Always Be My Maybe from Netflix remind us the traditional romantic comedy is alive and well. Best of all, the nostalgia present in today’s artists from growing up during that 1990s heyday are now making their own movies with their own lens. Smash hit stand-up comedienne Ali Wong and the ever-affable Randall Park of Fresh Off the Boat fame are clearly two of those people. Affectionately blending their own societal zest from their place in America’s Melting Pot, Wong and Park bring new voices as a genius comic pairing. Much of the method of Always Be My Maybe may be routine, but the resulting charm is unfailingly welcome.

2019, 3 STARS, Independent Film, Home Media, MOVIE REVIEW, StreamingDon ShanahanJune 1, 2019Netflix, Always Be My MaybeComment

INFOGRAPHIC: 10 Famous Places You Can Stay From the Movies

We’ve all used movies to escape. But what if you could take that escape and make it real? Often movie scenes are set in real places that you can do more than visit, you can even spend an entire night. Take a trip beyond the confines of your living room or local theater and spend a night in a place you thought you could only visit on-screen. Courtesy of Reservations.com, here are those hot spots!

2019, Column, Editorial, Infographic, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanMay 31, 2019InfographicComment

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: The Biggest Little Farm

Sometimes the craziest ideas become the most fulfilling ones when they come to fruition. In 2010, wildlife cameraman John Chester and his private chef wife Molly decided to merge their interests and turn their lives upside-down. Combining his respect for nature with her excitement for food, the Chesters gave up city living in Los Angeles to move an hour north and start a true traditional farm that exists harmoniously with nature. In the hands of an artist and filmmaker, The Biggest Little Farm takes would look like a capricious and half-hearted whim fit for a green reality show on basic cable and turns the the documented endeavor something ambitious, important, and miraculous.

2019, 4 STARS, DOCUMENTARY REVIEW, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanMay 30, 2019AMC River East 21Comment