GUEST EDITORIAL: Best Tips and Tricks to Promote Hollywood Movies Using Instagram

by Josh Mathew

Filmmaking has evolved much down the years, primarily when it comes to the personal branding of Hollywood movies. The photo-sharing app Instagram is more than just posting selfies today and more about promoting your movies on the platform to garner more likes, comments, and boost user engagement. The social media experts say that Instagram is the perfect channel to promote feature films for directors, cinematographers, or for that matter, any professional related to visual arts.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Social MediaDon ShanahanMarch 24, 2021Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Highlighted on Rotten Tomatoes for "Nobody"

When a big new film drops, the Rotten Tomatoes news and editorial staff collects thoughts, lines, and sentiments from the early-arriving reviews and features them in a quick collection piece. I was timely and noticed for my recent Nobody review. It's a long way from a pull quote in a trailer or printed on a disc release (and not the quote I would have used from my review), but I won't pass up the spotlight and love from Rotten Tomatoes. It’s very cool to included with the top national critics. Much appreciated, RT! Check out your boy!

2021, Media AppearanceDon ShanahanMarch 24, 2021Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "CinemaJaw" podcast #508

This past week, I was stoked to join my critic peers as a guest on the CinemaJaw podcast, hosted by fellow Chicago Indie Critic members Matt Kubinski and Ryan Jagiello. This was my fourth appearance on their show. CinemaJaw remains one of the best and entertaining movie podcasts in this or any city. Give their work a like and a follow!

CIC, SPECIAL, Podcast, MOVIE REVIEW, Media Appearance, 2021, Home MediaDon ShanahanMarch 22, 2021Cards Against HumanityNobodyComment

MOVIE REVIEW: Nobody

Our former schlub begins punching, shooting, stabbing, plotting, huffing, and puffing through an escalating network of Russian mobsters. Bob Odenkirk puts his 53-year-old self through two years of training in the hands to become a polo-shirted wraith of wanton violence. In between fights, Odenkirk’s graveled voice and line delivery pushes the severity of his morals and mindset to match his fists and trigger finger. He’s simply awesome and owns this movie.

2021, 4 STARS, Home Media, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanMarch 22, 2021Nobody, Bob OdenkirkComment

GUEST CRITIC #62: Pieces of a Woman

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.

GUEST CRITIC, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, Social Media, Foreign Film, 2021Don ShanahanMarch 20, 2021Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Why "The Interview" Was Almost Cancelled Before Its Scheduled Release

by Kevin Gardner

Even a major movie studio can be vulnerable to a major hack. Sony learned that the hard way in 2014. Before the Sony hack, some in Hollywood may not have asked "What is network security?" or "Why is it important?". Yet this incident, which took place prior to the planned release of the comedy The Interview, showed studios that they needed to better protect their data.

2014, 2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanMarch 18, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Best Movies To Show in Your Home Theater

by Lewis Robinson

Many movies are at least as much about spectacle as about story. You can, of course, show any movie in your home theater, but you'll get a lot more out of the experience if you choose those with lush special effects and booming sound. The following are films that can allow you to enjoy what your home theater has to offer to the fullest extent.

2021, Column, Editorial, Home MediaDon ShanahanMarch 17, 2021Comment

How To Make Your Dream Of Becoming An Actor Come True

Some people want to become doctors. Some want to become engineers. And some want to become actors. Contrary to popular belief, becoming a Hollywood actor isn’t as simple as having good looks and being discovered by an agent unexpectedly. What most people don’t recognize is that there is a ton of heart and dedication on the path to becoming an actor. If you want to kickstart your acting career then you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few things you might need to do to make your dream a reality.

2021, Column, EditorialDon ShanahanMarch 16, 2021Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: Zack Snyder's Justice League

Give the determined and reinvigorated 300 and Watchmen director four-hours, extra millions, and full creative control and you get this kind of beefy result. Zack Snyder’s Justice League builds the saga both the audiences and characters deserved four years ago. Nearly every artistic and technical layer moves with a different beat and flourish. Even with the problematic precedent this whole odyssey set into motion from a fan outrage/support standpoint, this new result is a positive testament to what this second attempt means for and earns both the creators and the consumers.

4 STARS, 2021, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, Home Media, MOVIE REVIEW, StreamingDon ShanahanMarch 15, 2021Justice League, Zack SnyderComment

GUEST EDITORIAL: How Do Movies Portray Casino Gambling?

The movie business is a big business. And many great and popular movies have been made on the silver screen. There are some really bad ones, too, but that's just part of the appeal. Casino gambling is big business, as well, and it's easy to see why.

2021, Column, Editorial, Social MediaDon ShanahanMarch 15, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: "A Leaf of Faith": What You Can Learn About Kratom From the Documentary

by Crystal M. Wilson

The film A Leaf of Faith by Chris Bell revolves around the American Opioid crisis and how an alternative substance, Kratom, can address the issue. In 2019, 49,860 people died from an opioid overdose, according to the National Institute of drug abuse. Opioids include prescription painkillers, methadone, fentanyl, heroin, natural, synthetic, and quasi-synthetic opioids.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Documentary, Home MediaDon ShanahanMarch 15, 2021Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: The Most-Filmed Movie Locations in Every Country

by Barbara Davidson

New study reveals the most popular filming locations in each country around the world You know that feeling when you’re watching a movie and you see old-what’s-his-name appear in a supporting role? Ever had that feeling about a movie location? You turn to your viewing buddy (or to Google) to ask “what have I seen that guy/building/monument in before?” Your buddy probably shrugs. Some locations, like some actors, are just there. Again and again. Doing their thing in every movie ever made, apparently. NetCredit has stepped in to help your inner movie-nerd. We’ve identified the “that guy” locations of every country in the world: the landmarks and buildings that have the most movie credits on IMDb.

2021, Column, Editorial, Infographic, SPECIALDon ShanahanMarch 15, 2021Comment