COLUMN: 5 Great Movies you need to Watch Before Going to College

Before you join college, it would be nice to get an idea of how it would be like. Not to say that you should live your life according to what you see in movies. Movies are not only a good source of entertainment, but they also teach you a thing or two. There are countless movies out there you will enjoy as a student looking forward to join college. Before you can get to the life of always asking who will solve my homework, why not indulge in a little entertainment. Here are five incredible movies you should check out.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanMarch 10, 2020Comment

GUEST COLUMN: 6 Finnish Movies You Need to Watch

by Anna Nilsen

Finland has a rich cinematic history, although it is not as widely talked about on the international scene as many other nations. To fix that and get more people into Finnish film culture, here are just a few of the top movies that the country has produced.

2020, Column, Editorial, Foreign Film, GUEST EDITORIAL, Independent Film, Home MediaDon ShanahanFebruary 27, 2020Comment

EDITORIAL: We Should Be Careful with What We Put in Movies

Well, it's pretty much evident by now what this place is all about. But one thing that we rarely talk about is how lessons in movies work. You think that every one of them is excellent and intentional. Well, it sort of isn't. Sometimes, movie makers will put a point unintentionally, or they'll teach you about something terrible as well. So, we should talk about being careful when it comes to movies. If you're interested in that, then stick around and read this full article. Maybe you'll even learn something, or you just might gain some insight into movie making. Either way, let's begin!

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanFebruary 14, 2020Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Lessons Found in "The Fast and Furious" Movies

by Kevin Gardner

Movies are a great way to escape the real world and place yourself in the middle of a new life. Films that extend from one to a series are some of the most exciting to watch because the storyline continues. “The Fast and Furious” set is no exception. Many watch it for its thrills and action scenes, but if you pay close attention, you can find some important life lessons. Here are nine messages these movies teach.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanFebruary 11, 2020Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Why Old Movies are More Useful than Modern Ones?

by Susan Saurel

When it comes to movie reviews, everyone has his or her opinion. Some people struggle to watch modern movies while others can’t finish watching an old movie without dozing off. Some people consider old movies to be outdated due to the mannerisms of the actors or the graphics. And this is quite true. However, old movies have valuable lessons that you can’t easily find in modern ones. And these lessons can be used in our modern world. Let’s discuss why old movies are better than modern ones.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, SPECIALDon ShanahanFebruary 11, 2020Comment

CHECKLIST: 21 films to watch for the 2021 Oscars

In what has become an annual Monday morning Oscar hangover, this website looks down the calendar and into the crystal ball to prognosticate which 2020 films could be contenders for the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021. Who could possible top the history that was Parasite? Many will try and they may very well come from this scouting report. No sooner than the sun rises and coffee pots turn on, the next Oscar season starts now! Here’s your eighth year of advance scouting courtesy of Every Movie Has a Lesson.

2019, Column, Editorial, LIST, SPECIALDon ShanahanFebruary 10, 2020Comment

FEATURE: Final 2020 Awards Tracker

Welcome to the ninth year of Every Movie Has a Lesson's "Awards Tracker." My goal every year is simple: Help each and every one of you win your Oscar pools. As a member of three recognized awards-voting bodies of film critics (OFCS, OFTA, and Chicago Indie Critics), it’s a pleasure and honor to see my own picks made it into the award season discussion. Here's how this little page of my personal interest works. I find value in tracking the trends and following the tea leaves of the all the minor lead-up awards before the Oscars. I chart the winners of each category with listed winners and comments on the surrounding buzz.

FINAL TAKE: Prediction-wise, I was a so-so 16 of 24. Not great, but not bad. I’ll take being wrong to watch a night of history honoring women and international film!

2020, 2019, Best Films, Column, Editorial, SPECIALDon ShanahanFebruary 9, 2020Comment

CHECKLIST: My full predictions for the 92nd Academy Awards

All of the tea leaves on my 2020 Awards Tracker have been seeped in the cups of buzz. The analysis and breakdown from my seven editorial columns of detailed picks are complete using my head more than my heart. These aren’t my personal choices of what “should” win. It’s what I think “will” win because you and I have got Oscar pools to dominate! Here are my complete and official predictions for the 92nd Academy Awards. Feel free to use this as your cut-to-the-chase checklist and cheat sheet of choice!

2019, Column, Editorial, LIST, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanFebruary 7, 2020Comment

OSCAR PREDICTIONS 2020: The race for Best Picture

The short turnaround 92nd Academy Awards arrive host-free for the second consecutive year on Sunday, February 9th, barely a month after nominations were announced. The pace has added excitement and urgency right on down to my website’s 2020 Awards Tracker. Let’s start calling some winners. You have made it until the end. This last chapter column examines the Best Picture race. As I say every year, stick with me and I will win you your Oscar pool!

2019, Column, Editorial, Foreign Film, Independent Film, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanFebruary 6, 2020Comment

OSCAR PREDICTIONS 2020: The male acting awards

It’s time to breakdown each category and put some stone cold predictions into digital ink. Throughout the busy awards season, this website’s 2019 Awards Tracker has been my workspace to tally all the early award winners. That prognostication data is cited in these predictions. This column examines the races for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. As I say every year, stick with me and I will win you your Oscar pool!

Column, Editorial, SPECIAL, 2019, 2020Don ShanahanFebruary 6, 2020Comment

OSCAR PREDICTIONS 2020: The female acting awards

It’s time to breakdown each category and put some stone cold predictions into digital ink. Throughout the busy awards season, this website’s 2019 Awards Tracker has been my workspace to tally all the early award winners. That prognostication data is cited in these predictions. This column examines the races for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. As I say every year, stick with me and I will win you your Oscar pool!

2019, Column, Editorial, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanFebruary 6, 2020Comment

OSCAR PREDICTIONS 2020: The writing and directing awards

It’s time to breakdown each category and put some stone cold predictions into digital ink. Throughout the busy awards season, this website’s 2019 Awards Tracker has been my workspace to tally all the early award winners. That prognostication data is cited in these predictions. This column examines the screenplay and directing awards. As I say every year, stick with me and I will win you your Oscar pool!

Column, Editorial, SPECIAL, 2019, 2020Don ShanahanFebruary 6, 2020Comment