MEDIA APPEARANCE: Participant in "World of Reel" Critics Poll for Best Films of the 1990s

As I grow with press credentials and professional affiliation locally and nationally, I find myself more and more landing and conversing in circles with other film critics of various levels. Much like the David Ehrlich survey I participate in, I answered an open social media call from Jordan Ruimy of World of Reel. He is a fellow Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic who also has contributed to The Young Folks, The Playlist, We Got This Covered, and The Film Stage. His poll was to collect the Top 5 films of the 2010s from critics and other industry folk. I was honored to chime in with my quintet.

2020, CIC, Media Appearance, LIST, Retrospective, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanJune 8, 2020Comment

COLUMN: The History of Prince Adam and Grayskull

Too many of us, our favorite childhood memories surround the fantasy world that we saw in comic books and cartoons. They ignited our curiosity and made us feel like we could be like them. It was the great things that they could achieve and their humble origins that made us look beyond the everyday troubles of being a kid. One of the most beloved and popular cartoons of the 80s and 90s is He-Man and the Masters of the universe. It is a fan favorite and continues to be a part of the hall of fame in terms of pop culture masterpieces. They’re even making a new movie with a fresh, all new cast. As much as we love the characters, how much do we really know? Do we really know the origins of Prince Adam? What exactly is Grayskull? Here we will explore the character of prince Adam from He-Man and the Masters of the universe, as well as the origins of Grayskull.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, Social MediaDon ShanahanJune 8, 2020Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Sports Films to Look Out for in 2020

by Thomas Glare

Everyone can agree that 2020 has been a tough year for the movie industry. Since going to the cinema wasn’t possible for a long period, the plans of big movie producers got affected, and many titles that were announced for 2020 were either postponed or canceled altogether. However, there are still some top sports films that were already launched or are coming to movie theaters later this year. So, if you’re looking for some good sports films, we made a list of the most promising productions launched this year. The offer isn’t exactly rich. However, it will take it’s no flash lightning either.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, LIST, SPECIAL, Social MediaDon ShanahanJune 5, 2020Comment

SHORT FILM REVIEW: Cherish

For swift storytelling in the artistic medium of short films, every word counts. The time to both make an impression and speak the desired narrative is scarce. One must say a great deal with little. To that end, go ahead and count body language as double or even triple the value to dialogue. Cherish, the new Chicago-set short film from the Splatter Brothers filmmaking team of Lionel Chapman and Ira Childs earns strong merit from both the said and unsaid on a multitude of levels.

2020, 3 STARS, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, SHORT FILMSDon ShanahanJune 3, 2020Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: Becky

The tale-of-the-tape of Becky is as preposterous as the promised twisted violence that follows. In one corner, you have the middle-aged comedian Kevin James taking a dare for his first “dramatic role” as the escaped Neo-Nazi criminal Dominick. He’s hulking, tatted-up, bearded, and armed with stern rhetoric and an itchy trigger finger. In the other corner, you have the titular Millennial 13-year-old played by Lulu Wilson of The Haunting of Hill House. She’s angry, mournful over the passing of her mother, and, due to the home invasion circumstances than transpire, motivated for every hell-raising level of vindication possible. Before Bruce Buffer screams into a microphone, who do you got in this cutthroat clash that hits VOD June 5th?

MOVIE REVIEW: The Vast of Night

There exists a wide range of adjectives between the pleasurable place of “thrill” and unpleasant extreme of “terrify” that one could apply to stimulating movie experiences. Just like the films themselves from indies to blockbusters, joys or jitters come in all shapes and sizes. For the festival darling The Vast of Night being streamed on Amazon Prime, the proverbial needle of its excitement amplification lands on a very nifty word: TINGLES.

2020, 5 STARS, Independent Film, Home Media, MOVIE REVIEW, Streaming, Video on DemandDon ShanahanJune 1, 2020The Vast of NightComment

MOVIE REVIEW: End of Sentence

Gosh, that is such a smooth and stirring way to express something profound. Rarely veering to hardest of hard or the ugliest of ugly, there is much more of that homely wisdom to be had in Elfar Adalsteins’ debut feature film. Identifying the “rebels” from the “kind-hearted” is relatively easy. The challenges become to what degree agitation within the malcontent can be healed and where strength can develop next to grace in the kindly. End of Sentence is available on VOD from Gravitas Ventures and it is a worthy dramatic experience.

2020, 4 STARS, Home Media, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, Streaming, Video on DemandDon ShanahanMay 30, 2020End of SentenceComment

COLUMN: 5 Tips For Taking Family Film Photographs

Pictures are a way to capture the moment into a frame. If it is for any special occasion or just randomly, people love to take photographs. Most of us love to take pictures of our family to cherish the moments in the future. Nowadays, we prefer to take pictures using our smartphones. But to get the best capture, it is ideal to use a DSLR camera. These cameras tend to cost a lot of money, so you can use the BecexTech promo code to get fantastic offers. People can also avail extra discounts if they are students. When purchasing the cameras online, you will get the option to show your student ID. This will help you get a student discount.

2020, Column, Editorial, Social MediaDon ShanahanMay 29, 2020 Comments

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking the politics of "Election"

As a teacher (pants optional during this current work landscape), it was a pleasure to discuss Alexander Payne’s 1999 film Election with Ian Simmons on his Kicking the Seat YouTube channel. It was my second spin for his “Reelpolitik” series after a previous appearance discussing All the President’s Men. The setting and scope is far different and far more fictional here. Election is as much a teacher movie as it was a political one. Enjoy our video conversation on the movie and be sure to follow Ian Simmons on his YouTube channel this week!

MOVIE REVIEW: The High Note

Each time Maggie’s employers, the fictional world-renowned recording artist Grace Davis played by Blackish’s Tracee Ellis Ross and her manager Jack Robertson played by Ice Cube, summarily dismiss her to stay in her lane or fetch some inconsequential thing, The High Note gets better because the real talent is allowed to emerge. To love underdog moxie, or any moxie for that matter, you have to have it. The flimsy Dakota Johnson doesn’t. She, and the movie, would be better served by her getting out of the way just like her shunned Maggie.

COLUMN: 7 Features of the Perfect Date Night Movie

by Kevin Gardner

Of course you can have too much of a good thing. Date night movies probably shouldn't be too long, and you probably don't want to watch a movie with an unsatisfying or frustrating ending. The end of a movie is what's going to influence the rest of your evening, after all. The swelling music and a romantic kiss is probably going to create a better date night impression than a sad ending and a death. Ideally, you want an ending that's going to leave you and your partner in a good mood, ready to get on with your romantic evening and enjoy the rest of your date.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanMay 24, 2020Comment

COLUMN: 10 Best Movies for Career Inspiration

Pursuing career goals may be a daunting experience, especially when you get repeated disappointments in the process. During such times, one may need intriguing successful stories about careers for encouragement. In most cases, when people face challenges in their career paths, they usually turn to TED talks and motivational writings. However, you cannot overlook the power of films in inspiring career objectives; there are various storylines on career success in film form. A good fascinating success story may be what you need to churn ideas and push you to reach your career goals. Here are some movies to inspire you career-wise.