Posts in CAPSULE REVIEW
GUEST CRITIC #16: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
GUEST CRITIC #16: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

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.  My latest "Guest Critic" is a high school classmate of mine, Kelly Meents.

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2016, CAPSULE REVIEW, GUEST CRITIC, SPECIALDon Shanahan2016, Guest Critic, Guest Critic series, Kelly Meents, Meents Illustrated, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Eddie Redmayne, David Yates, J.K. Rowling, Dan Fogler, Harry Potter, film review, guest review, guest critic, movie review, film commentary, movie commentary, Peotone, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Donald Shanahan, Don ShanahanComment
MEDIA APPEARANCE: Panel participant on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking "Doctor Strange"
MEDIA APPEARANCE: Panel participant on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking "Doctor Strange"

After an advance screening of "Doctor Strange," I was invited to participate in a post-film round table podcast hosted by Ian Simmons of Kicking the Seat.  After a brief eulogy for deceased comic book artist Steve Dillon, I was one of four Chicago film critics chatting about our feelings, opinions, and reactions to "Doctor Strange" with tangents on other Marvel Cinematic Universe entries, tropes, and tendencies.  

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GUEST CRITIC, Media Appearance, MOVIE REVIEW, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, CAPSULE REVIEWDon ShanahanThe Golden NuggetMedia, Media Appearance, social media, social media platform, Podcast, Kicking the Seat, David Fowlie, Keeping it Reel, Donald Shanahan, Don Shanahan, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Emmanuel Noisette, Eman's Movie Reviews, CFCA, CIFCC, Doctor Strange, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Phase 3, Chicago, film critics, Post-movie roundtable, Post-movie reactions, Post-film reactions, Post-film roundtable, The Golden Nuggest, Shambala, movie spoilers, Disney, Marvel Films, Marvel Entertainment, film commentary, movie commentary, Benedict CumberbatchComment
CAPSULE REVIEWS: The 52nd Chicago International Film Festival
CAPSULE REVIEWS: The 52nd Chicago International Film Festival

For the third year in a row, this website has been granted press credentials to cover the many facets of the 52nd CIFF.  I am targeting the U.S. Indies slate and will add selections from the Special Presentations, Black Perspectives, and World Cinema programs.  Most of these films are appearing either before or without distribution dates, meaning my reviews here will stay brief capsule form.  Come back to this page often and I will add films as I go!

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2016, CAPSULE REVIEW, Chicago Film Festival, Film Festival, Social MediaDon ShanahanAMC River East 21Capsule reviews, movie reviews, film review, film festival, festival preview, Festival coverage, Festival review, Chicago International Film Festival, 52nd Chicago International Film Festival, Chicago, Jackie, Middle Men, Pablo Larrain, Ned Crowley, Natalie Portman, Jim O'Heir, movie commentary, film commentary, AMC River East 21, Movie musicals, U.S. Indies, Special Presentations, Moonlight, Barry Jenkins, Black Perspectives, Denis Villeneuve, Arrival, Lion, Dev PatelComment
CAPSULE REVIEWS: The 2nd Annual Irish American Movie Hooley
CAPSULE REVIEWS: The 2nd Annual Irish American Movie Hooley

The second annual Irish American Movie Hooley at the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Arts Institute of Chicago.  Presented by 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey and produced by Hibernian Transmedia, the spirited mini-festival has a slate of three films, two making their Chicago premieres between September 30 and October 2.  This very writer and website was privy to viewing and reviewing this year’s Irish American Movie Hooley selections in advance.  Here are my capsule reviews and recommendations.

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2016, CAPSULE REVIEW, Film Festival, Foreign Film, DOCUMENTARY REVIEW, Independent Film, SPECIALDon ShanahanGene Siskel Film Center2016, Documentary filmmaking, documentary, documentary commentary, documentary review, Capsule reviews, Irish American Movie Hooley, 2nd Annual Irish American Movie Hooley, Gene Siskel Film Center, film review, film commentary, movie review, movie commentary, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Chicago, film festival, festival preview, Festival coverage, Festival review, Beneath Disheveled Stars, Kevin Baggott, Premiere, Chicago premiere, Kilocrohane, County Cork, Brooklyn, Colin Martin, A Doctor's Sword, Aidan MacCarthy, Bob Jackson, Castletownbere, Beara Peninsula, Battle of Dunkirk, Nagasaki bombing, POW, A Doctor's Wars, Nicola MacCarthy, Adrienne MacCarthy, Ronan Coyle, Gary Lennon, The Lark's View, Fis na Fuiseoige, Aodh O CoileainComment
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Sully"
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Sully"

Three top-notch film critics of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle survived the miracle flight recreations and Clint Eastwood's soft touch of "Sully," starring Tom Hanks. Hear the mixed reactions after an advance screening from Jon Espino, Emmanuel Noisette, and myself!

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2016, CAPSULE REVIEW, Media Appearance, Social Media, VIDEO REVIEWDon ShanahanShowPlace ICON X at Roosevelt Collections2016, 2016 Fall Movies, Sully, Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, Laura Linney, Aaron Eckhardt, Oscar contenders, Oscar bait, Oscar hopefuls, American Sniper, Post-film roundtable, Post-film reactions, post-m, Post-movie reactions, Post-movie roundtable, Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle, CIFCC, video review, video commentary, Capsule reviews, movie critics, critics reactions, film critics, movie commentary, Video, historical drama, Films based on actual events, Donald Shanahan, Don Shanahan, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Eman's Movie Reviews, Emmanuel Noisette, Jon Espino, HollywoodChicago.com, Hollywood Chicago, The Young FolksComment
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "The Light Between the Oceans"
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "The Light Between the Oceans"

Two founders and directors of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle felt the romantic power of "The Light Between Oceans" from director Derek Cianfrance and starring Oscar contenders Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Rachel Weisz.  Enjoy the first impressions of myself andJim Alexander of The Movie Blog and The Young Folks!

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2016, CAPSULE REVIEW, Media Appearance, Social Media, VIDEO REVIEWDon Shanahan2016, Capsule reviews, The Light Between Oceans, Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Derek Cianfrance, Oscar hopefuls, Oscar race, Oscar bait, The Place Beyond the Pines, Post-movie reactions, Post-movie roundtable, Post-film roundtable, Post-film reactions, critics reactions, film critics, movie critics, Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle, Jim Alexander, The Movie Blog, The Young Folks, Donald Shanahan, CIFCC, Don Shanahan, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Video, video review, video commentary, film commentary, movie commentary, social media, YouTubeComment
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Hands of Stone"
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Hands of Stone"

Three critics of Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle, including your truly, answer the bell to share their punches and counter-punches on the Roberto Duran biopic "Hands of Stone." Enjoy the hot takes of Emmanuel Noisette, Jim Alexander, and myself!

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2016, CAPSULE REVIEW, Media Appearance, Social Media, VIDEO REVIEWDon ShanahanAMC River East 212016, 2016 Summer Movies, Hands of Stone, Edgar Ramirez, Robert De Niro, Southpaw, Roberto Duran, Boxing movies, boxing films, Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle, CIFCC, Post-film roundtable, Post-film reactions, Post-movie reactions, Post-movie roundtable, critics reactions, film critics, film commentary, movie critics, movie commentary, video commentary, Video, video review, Donald Shanahan, Don Shanahan, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Emmanuel Noisette, Eman's Movie Reviews, Jim Alexander, The Young Folks, The Movie BlogComment
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Hell or High Water"
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Hell or High Water"

Five top-light film critics of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle went down to the seedy parts of West Texas and lived to tell about it after an advance screening of the crime thriller "Hell or High Water." Enjoy the hot takes and breakdowns of Leo Brady, Pamela Powell, myslef, Emmanuel Noisette, and Jim Alexander!

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2016, CAPSULE REVIEW, Editorial, Media Appearance, Social Media, VIDEO REVIEWDon ShanahanAMC River East 212016, Post-film roundtable, Post-film reactions, Post-movie reactions, Post-movie roundtable, CIFCC, Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle, Hell or High Water, Leo Brady, Pamela Powell, Don Shanahan, Emmanuel Noisette, Jim Alexander, A Movie Guy, Reel Honest Reviews, The Daily Journal, The Kankakee Daily Journal, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Eman's Movie Reviews, The Movie Blog, YouTube, film critics, movie critics, critics reactionsComment
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Suicide Squad"
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Suicide Squad"

Four comic fans and film critics of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle wrestle with the villainy and quality of the hotly anticipated "Suicide Squad" after a recent advance screening for the press. Enjoy the heroic work of myself, Emmanuel Noisette, Jon Espino, and Jim Alexander!

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2016, CAPSULE REVIEW, Editorial, Media Appearance, VIDEO REVIEW, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanShowPlace ICON X at Roosevelt Collections2016, Suicide Squad, Batman, DC Universe, DC Comics, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Don Shanahan, Donald Shanahan, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Emmanuel Noisette, Eman's Movie Reviews, Jon Espino, Geeks OUT, Jim Alexander, The Movie Blog, Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle, CIFCC, Post-film reactions, Post-movie roundtable, Post-movie reactions, Post-film roundtable, film critics, movie critics, Capsule reviews, video commentary, video review, YouTube, social mediaComment
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Jason Bourne"
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Jason Bourne"

Three critics of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle wake themselves up from the collective boredom and talk about "Jason Bourne" after an advance screening. Enjoy the popcorn throwing of Pamela Powell, myself, and Emmanuel Noisette.

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2016, CAPSULE REVIEW, Editorial, Media Appearance, Social Media, VIDEO REVIEWDon ShanahanShowPlace ICON X at Roosevelt Collections2016, Jason Bourne, The Bourne film franchise, Matt Damon, Paul Greengrass, video review, video commentary, Video, CIFCC, Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle, Emmanuel Lubezki, Eman's Movie Reviews, Pamela Powell, Reel Honest Reviews, Donald Shanahan, Don Shanahan, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Post-film roundtable, Post-film reactions, Post-movie roundtable, Post-movie reactions, film critics, movie critics, social media, YouTubeComment
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Wiener-Dog"
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Wiener-Dog"

Critics of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle, and a special guest, take off the leash and dish out the kibble on Todd Solondz's dark comedy "Wiener-Dog."  Hear from Gabrielle Bondi, Scott Pfeiffer, Leo and Christina Brady, special guest Brian Thompson, myself, Jim Alexander, and Emmanuel Noisette talking on the film. Enjoy!

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2016, CAPSULE REVIEW, Independent Film, Media Appearance, MOVIE REVIEW, VIDEO REVIEW, Social MediaDon ShanahanLandmark Century Centre Cinema2016, CIFC, Chicago Film Critics Association, Wiener-Dog, Todd Solondz, Gabrielle Bondi, Scott Pfeiffer, The Young Folks, The Moving World, Leo Brady, Christina Brady, A Movie Guy, Brian Thompson, Southern Film Critic, Don Shanahan, Donald Shanahan, Every Movie Has a Lesson, CIFCC, Jim Alexander, The Movie Blog, Eman's Movie Reviews, Emmanuel Noisette, Video, video review, Post-movie reactions, Post-movie roundtable, Post-film roundtable, Post-film reactions, YouTube, Greta Gerwig, Danny DeVito, Ellen BurstynComment
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "The Legend of Tarzan"
VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "The Legend of Tarzan"

The critics of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle have heard the call of the jungle!  Watch and enjoy the first takes of myself and my fellow CIFCC members including Jon Espino of "The Young Folks," Pamela Powell of The Kankakee Daily Journal and "Reel Honest Reviews," and, but not least, Emmanuel Noisette of "Eman's Movie Reviews" offering their hot-and-bothered impressions on "The Legend of Tarzan." Enjoy!

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2016, CAPSULE REVIEW, Editorial, MOVIE REVIEW, SPECIAL, VIDEO REVIEW, Social MediaDon ShanahanNavy Pier IMAX2016, The Legend of Tarzan, IMAX, 3D, IMAX 3D, Alexander Skarsgard, Margot Robbie, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson, summer blockbusters, Don Shanahan, Donald Shanahan, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Jon Espino, The Young Folks, Pamela Powell, The Daily Journal, Reel Honest Reviews, Emmanuel Noisette, Eman, Eman's Movie ReviewsComment