MOVIE REVIEW: Ad Astra

That throbbing level of staggering aura occurring parallel to poignant familial intimacy in Ad Astra is remarkably captivating. This is an accomplishment of contemplative science fiction that is felt in your core as much as it pours wonderment in your eyes. The high concept space opera vibes and the melancholic musings have been stretched and exploited further in other cinematic offerings within this fictional discipline. Nevertheless, the sharpness of execution here is something to behold with plenty of profundity to absorb and impress.

2019, 4 STARS, MOVIE REVIEW, Film FestivalDon ShanahanSeptember 18, 2019Kerasotes ShowPlace ICON X Comment

EDITORIAL: Top 5 Online Slot Games Based on Hollywood Films

Films have made their way into every facet of our lives — so much so that we live in a world where not one, but two Angry Birds movies have been made. The Angry Birds, if you aren't familiar with it, is a mobile game that requires you to fling birds to knock different structures over. This is all well and good, but this article explores how film is tied to a different kind of game, as the big screen has found its way to the world of online casinos. Of course, the iconic images of film are a great way to connect with casino fans across the globe. If you're curious how so, then read on to know about 5 of the best online slot games based on Hollywood films.

2019, Column, Editorial, Home MediaDon ShanahanSeptember 18, 2019Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: The Goldfinch

Normally, the book vs. movie argument centers around missed opportunities. The majority lament becomes about the necessary condensing and trimming executed by writers and filmmakers that shaves too much of the nuanced essence from the sprawling story of the written page. With The Goldfinch, a different effect occurs. Given a longer running time than most movies already and all the patience in the world, any additions of extra depth and detail to the film adaptation would not help. What is already present is bloated, sluggish, and ineffectual. That’s an odd circumstance to say the least. Talk about a movie that should have stayed a book.

2 STARS, 2019, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanSeptember 16, 2019AMC River East 21Comment

EVENT: The upcoming 5th annual Irish American Movie Hooley in Chicago

As an Chicagoan of strong Irish descent myself, let me step in and play the part of “good authority.” I have it on good authority that the annual Irish American Movie Hooley is a boisterous event with a trio of buried treasure movies that normally wouldn’t grace American screens. Just as the event’s name translates: “When a party gets rowdy, the Irish call it a ‘hooley.’” You need to join the 5th edition of this artistic autumnal party at The Gene Siskel Film Center over the weekend of September 27–29. Come for the scene. Consume some friendly and fascinating culture.

2019, Chicago Film Festival, EVENT, Foreign Film, Independent Film, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 14, 2019Gene Siskel Film CenterComment

EVENT: Season 9 of Asian Pop-Up Cinema in Chicago

Musicals, dramas, comedies, and thrillers are just some of the genres coming Chicago’s way from overseas during the ninth season of Asian Pop-Up Cinemas. For another month between September 10th to October 10th, the non-profit Sophie’s Choice film organization has brought another eclectic slate to the Windy City. Each season, Asian Pop-Up Cinema is the film series that cultivates American interest and understanding of Asian culture through movie storytelling.

2019, Chicago Film Festival, EVENT, Foreign Film, Film Festival, Independent Film, NEWS, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 14, 2019AMC River East 21Comment

EDITORIAL: 7 Great Movies for Students

School life is bittersweet. You get to make a lot of friends and create many good memories. It can also exert so much pressure on you considering the heavy academic work involved. You may lose motivation when you feel overwhelmed or when your performance is not as good as you want it to be. It is not always easy to stay motivated at school. However, considering the examples of others who have managed to overcome obstacles and be successful can help you. Watching inspiration movies is one way to do this. Here are the top students movies to help you stay motivated.

2019, Column, Editorial, LIST, SPECIAL, Video on DemandDon ShanahanSeptember 14, 2019 Comment

EDITORIAL: How Watching Movies the Right Way Can Revolutionize Your Writing

Most writers are not inclined to movies due to time management issues. The movie platform, however, equips individuals with the ability to develop articles that capture readers’ attention. People tend to respond actively to visual arts as opposed to reading since movies, paintings, and pictures create more profound imaginations in the minds of the readers. When writers apply the appropriate procedures in watching movies, they improve significantly on their artistic representation of scenarios into writing as discussed in the paper.

2019, Column, Editorial, Home Media, Infographic, SPECIAL, Social MediaDon ShanahanSeptember 13, 2019Comment

EDITORIAL: Movies and the 9/11 effect

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 11, 2019: In an update to my annual editorial (after the original post on the 10th anniversary in 2011), I’ve got new movie inclusions in several sections, including the most recent section of faded and relaxed sensitivity in films. I plan to make this an annual post and study for at least until the 20th anniversary in 2021.

Column, Editorial, LIST, Retrospective, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanSeptember 11, 2019Comment

EDITORIAL: Terminator: The Dark Fate of the Universe?

Now it's time for Cameron to return to the helm of the Terminator franchise - sort of. He wrote the story for the new movie which was turned into a screenplay by David S. Goyer, Justin Rhodes, and Billy Ray. The movie will be directed by Tim Miller of Deadpool fame. As expected, it will ignore everything that happened after T2 - sort of. The new Terminator, played by Gabriel Luna, is similar to the T-X played by Kristanna Loken in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, and judging by the trailers, Mackenzie Davis' character looks and feels a lot like the one played by Sam Worthington in Terminator: Salvation. While the movie is presented as a sequel, the many new elements make it feel like another reboot that Cameron hopes will start a trilogy.

2019, Column, Editorial, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 9, 2019 Comment

REWIND REVIEW: Aladdin

All the desired diversity in the world paled to who could possibly follow the late Robin Williams? The Genie is the ticket to more than just wishes when it comes to this reboot’s success. That laborious task was given to Will Smith. Folks, he is a hot, baking sun of swagger! Will has not been this loose and free since Men in Black 3 seven years ago. Aladdin reminds us how much of a consummate showman the 50-year-old is and always has been. Will has a style, energy, and stage presence all his own, and he saves this entire movie from sandy ruin.

2019, 2 STARS, DISC REVIEW, Home Media, MOVIE REVIEW, Video on DemandDon ShanahanSeptember 8, 2019 Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: Official Secrets

Most cinematic eras have their overuse of dramatic varnish in historical retellings as a means of painted shine for grabbing attention and producing supposedly heightened value. This writer will always contend that if a chosen story needs too much of that glitz, where it cannot compel or entertain with its own facts, it should not be made into a movie in the first place. Gavin Hood’s Official Secrets gives righteous treatment to such a worthy story and builds a stoic thriller by layering its merits with an eye for accuracy.

2019, 3 STARS, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanSeptember 6, 2019Arclight Chicago Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: 8 Great Films about Writers and the Writing Lifestyle

If you’re a writer, then you probably watch movies in a slightly different way than the average person. You can appreciate all the joys and pains that go into putting together a piece of writing worthy of becoming a film. There’s something fascinating about a film based around the life of a writer and the writing process. These films can give you some incredible insight into the mind of a writer and what it’s like to pour your life and energy out onto the page. These eight films all give a unique perspective into the life of a writer.