GUEST EDITORIAL: How to Use Movies For Personal Growth

by Gregory V. Chapman

Movies are often just a hobby or a way to kill some time while procrastinating. However, it can be turned into a useful tool for personal growth. It would be especially useful for people who feel lost in heir daily routine, come home from work with a head full of numbers and stress. Movies are a work of art and by using them correctly, you can benefit from them a lot. Remember that we are the only ones to choose where and who to learn from and how to apply that knowledge to real life.

2020, Column, Editorial, Essay, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanMarch 31, 2020Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Memorable Romantic Quotes from Movies That You Will Love to Tell Your Date

Forgetting to send a bunch of long-stem red roses on Valentine’s Day to your lover can seem to be a disaster but it can help to make up with a gift and a romantic message. Thanks to the crafted performances and the lilting music, most of us tend to go weak at the knees and also shed a tear when seeing mushy romantic movies. Some of the most romantic lines from well-known movies that you can quote when you want to impress your loved one:

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanMarch 26, 2020Comment

EDITORIAL: After "Parasite and "Get Out": What to Expect of Thrillers

Movies are confidently taking up one of the top spots on the list of most common ways of entertainment. The industry itself is bringing in millions every month. It’s a unique form of art that uses a completely different approach to storytelling than books or video games. And just like any art, it has been evolving throughout its entire life span, discovering new genres and developing new techniques.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, Independent Film, Foreign Film, SPECIALDon ShanahanMarch 23, 2020 Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Top Five Movies the Kids Will Love... and Parents Too!

by Mia Morales

Summertime is always a special time of the year, especially for the kids. Outdoor activities, family get-togethers, vacation adventures - and no homework! It also provides the perfect opportunity to catch up on some terrific movies that may have been overlooked during the busy school year. With that in mind, round up the kids, get plenty of popcorn and snacks and check out these five entertaining films.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanMarch 23, 2020Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: The "Parasite" Oscar Win as a Foreign Film is a Game Changer

by Susan Saurel

The Oscar awards 2020 was different as it recorded a streak-breaking award to a South Korean movie which attracts various commentaries in the world scene when Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite took the big hit after 91 years of a streak of English movie wins. At the 92nd Oscars, Parasite took the world by surprise when it was announced for the Best Pictures award, being the first of foreign film announced as the winner of a highly-rated award from the beginning of the Hollywood Film Academy. Also, it is recorded as the first South Korean movie nomination for a competitive award in the international award category.

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