by Lafronda Stumn

As busy I get from time to time, I find that I can't see every movie under the sun, leaving my friends and colleagues to fill in the blanks for me. As poetically as I think I wax about movies on this website as a wannabe critic, there are other experts out there. Sometimes, it inspires me to see the movie too and get back to being my circle's go-to movie guy. Sometimes, they save me $9 and you 800+ words of blathering. In a new review series, I'm opening my site to friend submissions for guest movie reviews.

2019, 2020, 3 STARS, GUEST CRITIC, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, Social MediaDon ShanahanSeptember 12, 2020ClemencyComment

The Uniqueness of "Rain Man"

In this story a lot of complicated stories are raised, sometimes they are able to touch to the core of the soul, but it is necessary to gain courage and watch the film to the end, because together with the main characters we go through a long, complex, thorny path. This applies to the director, actors, and spectators, who have revealed in front of themselves completely unusual facets of human society. And I want to believe that the example shown by the creators in Rain Man and inspiration by the biography of Kim Peek, will be interesting and useful for more than one generation.

2020, Editorial, Essay, Home MediaDon ShanahanSeptember 12, 2020Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Top Five Movies the Kids Will Love... (and Parents Too!)

by Devin Caldwell

Fall Time is always a special time of the year. It is the time of year where the weather begins to change and you are no longer able to play outside all of the time. This is the perfect time for you to grab a blanket, a bowl of popcorn, and snuggle up for a great movie. Here are some of the best movies for you and your family to watch this fall!

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 9, 2020Comment

GUEST COLUMN: 6 Life Lessons We Learned From High School Movies

by Lucy Miranda

Many of us watch movies for entertainment but they are capable of much more. Movies can inspire us to be a better person. They can comfort us with a positive outlook and restore our faith in humanity and everything beautiful. Most importantly, they are an assurance that everything will make sense in the end. High school movies are one such genre that is delicate, engaging, fun, relatable and entertaining, all at the same time. For years many high school or teen-movies have been made with characters that closely represent how teenagers are in real life. These movies not only connect with us but also teach us some valuable lessons that can help us shape ourselves for better.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, LIST, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 8, 2020Comment

When Female Protagonists Take Over: The New Black Panther & More

Recently, rumours and murmurs throughout Hollywood have made the rounds, discussing certain roles that should be taken over by a female actor, yet this is nothing new. From the possibility of a female Bond to a questionable decision to recast all of Ghostbusters as women, the thought of playing with gender roles is nothing new, yet films like Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel and shows like Fleabag and Stranger Things have showcased just how well the choice to have female leads as showstoppers can be.

2020, Column, Editorial, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 6, 2020Comment

Understanding the Success of the "Rocky" Series

Since the first installment released in 1976, the Rocky series has developed into a global phenomenon that has been enjoyed throughout the generations. It has spawned a further seven films, inspired millions to whack a punching bag, and it even saw creator and Rocky Balboa himself, Sylvester Stallone, being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

2020, Column, Editorial, Home Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 5, 2020Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" YouTube channel talking the new "Mulan"

Way back in March, Ian Simmons and I put some Skype video time on his “Kicking the Seat” channel to talk about the 1998 Disney animated film Mulan. The two of us thought we’d be seeing the new live-action re-imagining on the big screen in a matter of weeks. Well, then came the COVID pandemic. Niki Caro’s Mulan stood to be delayed indefinitely only to magically get tabbed as an extended PVOD option for this September. Ian and I jumped at the chance to finish the circle and we brought David Fowlie of “Keeping it Reel” to chime in as a third. Enjoy this YouTube presentation!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanSeptember 5, 2020AMC River East 21Kicking the SeatComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on "Feelin Film'" FF+ podcast for "Mulan"

Friend of the page Aaron White, co-host of the Feelin’ Film podcast and member of the Seattle Film Critics Society, has reignited his FF+ brand of smaller plate podcast episodes. His goal is to collect spoiler-free discussions of several current movies combined into one show. Rather than fly solo, he’s using his FF+ platform to invite other critics to share in the chat. For this episode, Aaron invited me with his usual co-host Patrick Hicks to fawn over Disney+’s Mulan. He sure didn’t have to twist my arm.

GUEST CRITIC #31: Clemency

by Lafronda Stumn

As busy I get from time to time, I find that I can't see every movie under the sun, leaving my friends and colleagues to fill in the blanks for me. As poetically as I think I wax about movies on this website as a wannabe critic, there are other experts out there. Sometimes, it inspires me to see the movie too and get back to being my circle's go-to movie guy. Sometimes, they save me $9 and you 800+ words of blathering. In a new review series, I'm opening my site to friend submissions for guest movie reviews.

2019, 2020, 3 STARS, GUEST CRITIC, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, Social MediaDon ShanahanSeptember 5, 2020ClemencyComment

MOVIE REVIEW: I'm Thinking of Ending Things

Is there brilliance in the indecipherable within this adaptation of Iain Reed’s horror fiction? That’s both the knock and modus operandi of Charlie Kaufman. That’s where peculiarity pisses on a good piece of art. His abstract creations are wholly unique, yet aimless and tedious to the nth degree. For every poetic word, cinematic moment, or striking idea that ignites a challenging neuron in I’m Thinking of Ending Things, a triple helping of something obscure destroys momentum and snuffs any flicker. When he’s right, lucidity outshines the oddity, but that is not this film.

2 STARS, 2020, Independent Film, Streaming, Video on DemandDon ShanahanSeptember 5, 2020 Comments

MOVIE REVIEW: Mulan

It all goes back to encapsulating deeper virtues over surface-thin traits. Women are beyond capable of such independence and profundity, if not more so, than their male counterparts. The women, young and old, who stand to be inspired by Mulan are the true “girls worth fighting for.” No song is required. Noble commitment accomplishes far more.

2020, 4 STARS, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, Home Media, MOVIE REVIEW, StreamingDon ShanahanSeptember 3, 2020MulanComment

GUEST COLUMN: Top Horse Racing Movies

by Daniel Korolija

Over the years, horse racing has been a big inspiration for both writers and Hollywood directors. From gritty stories about gamblers, grooms, and trainers, to inspiring and heartbreaking tales of man and horse achieving the impossible - it’s all been done. We carefully selected four inspiring horse-racing movies that stand out from the crowd. All four movies are set in different time periods and have a unique storyline. But there’s one thing they each have in common - an underdog who beats unbelievable odds.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, LISTDon ShanahanSeptember 1, 2020Comment