Posts in 2024
Law and Movie Production: Understanding the Connection 
Law and Movie Production: Understanding the Connection 

by Nancy Fernandez

The intersection of law and movie production is a complex area that covers a range of issues from copyright and intellectual property rights to contracts and liability. Legal considerations are integral to every stage of filmmaking, ensuring that productions comply with the law while protecting the creative and financial investments involved. Among these legal concerns, one lesser-discussed area is med mal statute of limitations in PA, particularly how it relates to the health and safety of the cast and crew during a film's production.

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2024, Column, EditorialDon ShanahanComment
Do You Need Roofing Company Help During Movie Production?
Do You Need Roofing Company Help During Movie Production?

by Nancy Fernandez

When it comes to film production, the devil is often in the details—especially when it comes to creating realistic and safe sets. One of the aspects that might not immediately come to mind is the necessity of a roofing company’s expertise. While it might seem specific, there are several scenarios in film production where the skills and knowledge of professional roofers could be essential.

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2024, Column, EditorialDon ShanahanComment
Movie Shooting and Injury: How to Handle Cases
Movie Shooting and Injury: How to Handle Cases

by Nancy Fernandez

Injuries on movie sets are a serious concern for filmmakers, actors, and production crews. With the nature of filmmaking often requiring complex stunts, demanding physical performances, and challenging environments, the risk of accidents is significantly heightened. This blog discusses the crucial steps and strategies necessary to handle cases of injury during movie production, ensuring both the safety of personnel and the continuity of the project.

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2024, Column, EditorialDon ShanahanComment
MOVIE REVIEW: Challengers
MOVIE REVIEW: Challengers

Challengers roars forth to use the invasive scrutiny found in tennis as a mimicking reflection of personal hostilities and exposed intimacies. Keeping with that idea of body language, Guadagnino’s blistering athletic love triangle is a ballet of sweat and a battle of three beautifully furrowed brows set atop the lithe bodies of Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist. For two hours-plus mirroring the length of a full set tennis match, this film cuts years deep and rips off scabs to show you why those brows are furrowed and towards whom.

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2024, 4 STARS, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanZendaya, Challengers, Mike Faist, Josh O'Connor, Luca Guadagnino, tennis, sports movies, Trent Reznor, Atticus RossComment
MOVIE REVIEW: The Absence of Eden
MOVIE REVIEW: The Absence of Eden

When it comes to the contentious social and political conflicts surrounding the immigration issues between Mexico and the United States, it’s very easy to create “us vs. them” measurements and scenarios. On many occasions, each side has called out opposing irregularities and hostilities to declare themselves in the right while labeling the other the enemy. The Absence of Eden, the debut directorial effort from Marco Perego, attempts to address this balance while carrying a burdensome “us vs. them” dual narrative.

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2 STARS, 2024, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, StreamingDon ShanahanThe Absence of Eden, Zoe Saldana, Garrett Hedlund, Marco PeregoComment
MOVIE REVIEW: Civil War
MOVIE REVIEW: Civil War

No one wins in a civil war. Apathy exists and wins instead through a constant mood of nearly callous disillusionment. On the other hand, if you don’t need the spoon-feeding and welcome your own search for the rational or irrational that could be dirty or delicate at any moment, Civil War may be the ideal type of havoc to dissect. 

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2024, 3 STARS, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanCivil War, Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Alex Garland, A24Comment
MOVIE REVIEW: Wicked Little Letters
MOVIE REVIEW: Wicked Little Letters

The sentiment and pattern of the letters morphs from targeted malice to liberated venting, and begins to float as both. And, it’s all likely coming from marginalized female citizens who never have the stump or permissive opportunity to speak their mind or exorcize their frustrations in an honest way, let alone a shamelessly crude one. Wicked Little Letters develops enough expressive clout with its mystery to be more about the voices being found than the rumors being circulated. 

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2023, 2024, 4 STARS, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanWicked Little Letters, Thea Sharrock, Jessie Buckley, Olivia ColmanComment
MOVIE REVIEW: Monkey Man
MOVIE REVIEW: Monkey Man

Most will come away from Monkey Man going on and on like that last paragraph to praise the carnality of this movie, and rightfully so. That strapping and blood-soaked athleticism is what is going to draw the hoots and hollers at public screenings and fire up future YouTube fight breakdowns. Sometimes action for action’s sake can come up empty for greater meaning and audience investment. Without anchors to care about, the fun of it all can be meaningless. This movie does not make that mistake. That’s why Monkey Man’s passionate heart should be praised as highly as its physicality.

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2024, 4 STARS, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanMonkey Man, Dev PatelComment
The Five Most Shocking Films For Their Time
The Five Most Shocking Films For Their Time

In the grand tapestry of cinematic history, certain films emerge that challenge, provoke, and sometimes disturb, leaving an indelible mark on audiences and industry alike. These films dare to venture into uncharted territories of narrative and moral complexity, igniting debates and often facing censorship. Here, Empire delves into five of the most controversial films of all time, including the groundbreaking "Midnight Cowboy."

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2024, Column, EditorialDon ShanahanComment