GUEST CRITIC #63: The United States vs. Billie Holiday

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 ShanahanApril 17, 2021Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: The most stunning buildings found in James Bond films

Few franchises have influenced American culture like “James Bond” has—and that includes architecture. Manicured estates, Prairie-style house plans and well-furnished lodges provide more than incredible film sets and backdrops for the movies. They have inspired millions of fans over the years and have served as travel inspiration for every corner of the world. To pay tribute to these structures, HomeAdvisor compiled a comprehensive list of beautiful architecture from every Bond film to create a series of posters – immortalized by artist Leonie Wharton. These minimalist posters explore Bond’s architectural history and remind viewers of key scenes ahead of the release of No Time to Die later in 2021.

2021, Infographic, Home Media, Column, Editorial, SPECIALDon ShanahanApril 16, 2021Comment

EDITORIAL: The Impact of Technology in the World of Gambling‌

The impact of technology in our world today is unparalleled. Although the negative effects of technology are numerous, technology is a catalyst that has completely transformed the society we live in. For instance, in the telecommunication industry, the advancement of technology has led to the development of smartphones replacing the wire telephones used in the past. Also, the evolution of technology in the automobile industry has led to the development of electric cars that are gradually replacing the fuel engines. Hence, technology is changing the world positively.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanApril 16, 2021Comment

COLUMN: 8 Famous Movies Filmed in Greece and the Greek Islands

by Maria Barnes

The Greek islands have a well-deserved reputation for being among the most amazing places on the planet. They combine the warmth of the southern sun, the Mediterranean Sea's freshness, and the mountain rocks' beauty. Exotic fruits, delicious wine, cheeses, and seafood - a fantastic diversity of these delicacies add to Greek residents and travelers’ everyday life bright colors and flavors. It is no wonder that these lands have always attracted artists and, starting with the 20th century, filmmakers to live and create there. As a result, a lot of movies are connected to this area. These are mainly dramas, love stories, and comedies.

2021, Editorial, Column, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanApril 14, 2021Comment

EDITORIAL: What Is The Cultural Legacy Of The Lightsaber?

The narrative of the hero’s journey exerts such a powerful effect on people, whether it’s presented in literature or in movies. That’s why when the Star Wars saga was first released in 1977, it made such a huge impact. The saga became one of the biggest cultural icons for generations to come. Star Wars creator George Lucas credits Joseph Campbell’s monomyth theory for his inspiration in constructing the story of Luke Skywalker’s journey.

2021, Column, Editorial, EssayDon ShanahanApril 14, 2021Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: Most Nominated Films of All Time

The Oscars are fast approaching on April 25th. Once a film is nominated, it goes down in history. And if it wins? That’s a stamp of approval that increases viewership even more. In fact, a survey we conducted found that 46% of people are more likely to watch a film if it has been nominated. The team at USDish wanted to find out which were the most nominated films of all time. We analyzed every movie that has been nominated by five prestigious awarding bodies.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, InfographicDon ShanahanApril 13, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Best Business Movies of the Decade

by Kevin Gardner

The past decade has been an excellent one for movie lovers. Many films have been released that are sure to become classics that will be watched over and over for years to come. There have been movies in all genres that people have loved, from science fiction to superheroes. One category that has seen a number of great movies is business movies. In addition to being fun to watch, these movies can be instructive for business owners and students. Viewers can learn things to do (and not to do) and can come away with ideas to improve their businesses, like marketing strategy small business ideas.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, StreamingDon ShanahanApril 12, 2021Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: Voyagers

This is going to get confusing, but critiquing Voyagers calls upon several illustrative conflicts. First off, science fiction is the realm of high-minded concepts of fantasy, and yet organic humanity creates and drives each and every great idea in the genre. In the same regard, you have homage versus originality in applying prototypical themes to the luster of new settings. Lasty, you have an audience’s subjective aim to project any number of thoughts out of a movie while the work was created with certain objectives in mind that may not be seen or readily interpreted. All three of those dichotomies clash in Neil Burger’s new film with mixed results.

2 STARS, 2021, Home Media, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, StreamingDon ShanahanApril 9, 2021Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: Thunder Force

This is the fifth husband-and-wife/director-and-star collaboration between Ben Falcone and Melissa McCarthy. Sure, the Frank Sonnnenberg saying of “If work isn’t fun, you’re not playing on the right team” applies to this ensemble. Everyone’s clearly having fun but the “because I’m fun” lines aren’t enough this time. Once again, we’ve seen these “think before you act” and “don’t get carried away” manchild pleadings too much outside of superhero costumes to be duped into enjoying them just because they’re now clad in muscular leather and special effects.

1 STAR, 2021, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, Home Media, MOVIE REVIEW, StreamingDon ShanahanApril 9, 2021Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: The Tunnel

The genre of disaster movies loves to take the well-worn “Murphy’s Law” of “anything that can go wrong will go wrong" as pseudo-logical permission to get excessively creative with their hazards and menaces. There’s most certainly spectacle to be generated but also overindulgence. Just ask Roland Emmerich. The new Norwegian dramatic thriller The Tunnel from director Pål Øie is somewhere wisely in between.

2021, 3 STARS, Foreign Film, Home Media, MOVIE REVIEW, StreamingDon ShanahanApril 8, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: 7 Best Stoner Movies Of All Time

by Crystal M. Wilson

When you think of a stoner movie, what comes to your mind? Is it a bunch of potheads trying to look for a car, finding their perfect meal, or committing a crime? Stoner movies have all those elements and more. If you feel that stoner movies have nothing more to offer, you will miss the multiple experimental and noir options available to you. It does not matter how you like your weed. These top seven options will be your all-time favorite no matter what. So, here's starting the list without further delay.

2021, Column, Editorial, Home MediaDon ShanahanApril 8, 2021Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Why Do We Eat Popcorn in the Cinema?

by Esther Moe

Popcorn know we as a hefty tray popped corn kernels in the dark untidy in the mouth is crammed. It was the first corn variant in Central America in culture was introduced. Andrew Smith, author of 'Popped culture; a social history of popcorn, " says the popcorn from Central America, both to the south and to the north moved, but which the culture only in the south position held. Eventually brought the trade the hard grain of corn to North America, more specifically merchants of New England, the early 19th century in Chile with the granules in contact came and they especially funny thought.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanApril 6, 2021Comment