GUEST CRITIC #36: Just Mercy

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 ShanahanOctober 3, 2020ClemencyComment

GUEST CRITIC #35: Waking Ned Devine

by Juergen Strenger

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 ShanahanOctober 3, 2020ClemencyComment

MOVIE REVIEW: The Glorias

Unfiltered regrets, debated wisdom, and long-held dreams replace the microphone soundbites and the picket signs. Those scenes carry genuinely serene and affecting moments of reflection. They may be shot to look whimsical, but they reach to gild exposed and admitted personal flaws within the central figure. Call this respectful hero worship and the most traditional or packaged film Taymor’s ever made if you must. However, what’s left (political pun intended) is well-earned pride.

GUEST CRITIC #34: Me Before You

by Adrian Johansen

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 28, 2020ClemencyComment

GUEST COLUMN: Checklist of 90s Movies You Should Definitely Watch

by Henry Thompson

The 90s was definitely the decade of the film. I mean, what other era spawned hits across several genres? Who can ever forget classics like Titanic? Or powerful romance films like Pretty Women and Clueless, ideal for the idealists and romantic (at heart). Mystery, thrillers, and even Disney animations were also not left out. The 90s produced movies that catered to every taste, leaving a lasting impression even so many years after. As an avid movie fan, you may yearn to relive the moments in these movies. It might even be that you’ve not had the pleasure to watch them for the first time. We’ve got you covered. In this article, we bring to you some of the evergreen movies from the 90s.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, LISTDon ShanahanSeptember 28, 2020 Comment

COLUMN: Football Film Culture: "Invincible" to "Leatherheads"

Americans love football. Anyone hailing from the rural regions of the US knows that football is often regarded as an important part of life: it teaches discipline, provides an outlet for grueling competition, and is one way to become a local or national hero. Football in film delivers on a few key components of the American associations with the sport. Films that feature the NFL or NCAAF as a focal point of the plot often depict hard-fought battles where the odds are stacked against a rag-tag team. Whether through comedic mishaps, determined work ethic, or the powerful bonds of community, football squads always prevail in the end.

2020, Column, Editorial, Home Media, LISTDon ShanahanSeptember 26, 2020Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Great Movies to Create a Retro Mood at Home

by Theresa Cofield

Whether you are a classic movie enthusiast or you simply enjoy retro style in movies, there are some movies for you to enjoy. Sometimes it is just needed, you want to stay at home and feel cozy. It’s also a great idea to enjoy retro settings with your friends or family members. Below you may find some interesting movies with descriptions. Check out these options, some of these movies are modern but create an unforgettable retro atmosphere. Others are retro movies considered to be the best masterpieces of all time.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 26, 2020 Comments

MOVIE REVIEW: The Trial of the Chicago 7

Not if, but when, you watch The Trial of the Chicago 7 on Netflix, know that, like all movies based on historical events, what you’re watching is a cherry-picked and tidy two-hour dramatization of legal proceedings that lasted just short of 150 days. Normally when that happens, the dramatic license to make an entertaining product has added any number of embellishments for showmanship’s sake. Folks love the challenge, especially in a courtroom movie, of sniffing out the sugarcoating to wonder “did that really happen?” up and down every narrative peak and valley. The crazy thing is the exact opposite is happening here from Aaron Sorkin.

2020, 5 STARS, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, Home Media, MOVIE REVIEW, Streaming, Video on DemandDon ShanahanSeptember 24, 2020Netflix, The Trial of the Chicago 7Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast and YouTube channel talking "A Face in the Crowd" for the ReelPolitik series

Throughout 2020, I’ve had the pleasure of being invited on Ian Simmons’ website “Kicking the Seat” to contribute to his year-long “Reelpolitik” series. Leading up to the hotly anticipated national election this November, Ian has been pulling aside classic films that exemplify politics with possible parallels to our present state today. This school teacher loves to talk on that kind of level. For my fourth appearance, Ian and I dive deep into Elia Kazan’s A Face in the Crowd from 1957, a punchy political satire starring a then-little known Andy Griffith in a shocking role far different than his future career peaks. Enjoy our discussion in podcast and video forms below!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanSeptember 23, 2020AMC River East 21Kicking the SeatComment

GUEST COLUMN: Unbelievable Movies Based On True Stories That Deserve Documentary Status

by Kurt Waller

There are times when you search for great documentaries, but in the end, what you find are movies based on true stories that have enough in them to be called a documentary or be recorded as one but aren’t. These movies re-live those things that happened in real life over someone’s life. It could also be a global catastrophe or some other event, and they are amazing to watch.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, LIST, Social Media, SPECIAL, Video on DemandDon ShanahanSeptember 23, 2020 Comment

GUEST CRITIC #33: A Star is Born

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.

2020, GUEST CRITIC, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, Social MediaDon ShanahanSeptember 19, 2020Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: Antebellum

On so many levels, Antebellum and its premise were not anywhere close to good ideas. With every pendulum swinging between power and abuse and between dominance and defiance, this wannabe mindf--k movie does not achieve enough of that aforementioned justification. Even with a determined performance from Janelle Monáe, this is a distressing and unnecessary inquisition with no solid answers.