GUEST COLUMN: Movie Lessons in Pet Ownership

by Adrian Johansen

If you’ve ever loved an animal, you know that they’re not just an accessory to your life. They’re very often the centerpiece of your life story, your entire family history. And that’s probably the reason why pets aren’t just ubiquitous in American homes. They’re also the heroes of Hollywood, the stars of some of the greatest, most iconic, and highest-grossing films. But animals on screen aren’t just about entertainment. If you’re a pet owner, there’s a lot to be learned by turning to the silver screen. This article looks at some of the best and worst examples of pet ownership in movies — and what you and your furry companion might take away from them!

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanJanuary 21, 2021Comment

COLUMN: How to Make an On-Screen Outfit Shine

If you want to appear flattering while standing out on-screen, then you must take the time to think about each item of clothing. It’s not enough to choose an outfit that looks fantastic in the mirror; you must also consider how the camera will alter its appearance. If you are to appear on film, here are a few ways to make your outfit shine.

2021, Column, EditorialDon ShanahanJanuary 19, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: 3 Reasons Why You Should Start Watching Foreign Films

by Kevin Gardner

Each country or culture has a unique way it approaches filmmaking. Moviegoers worldwide enjoy settling in for lengthy mental escapes to unknown lands and new characters. It is a visual art form that can be drastically different from one country to the next. Watching a foreign film will immerse you into a microcosm in which you are highly unfamiliar. It allows you to experience new landscapes, food, and customs. Get away from the familiar and delve into the world of international film. Here are three good reasons to make an effort to see films from far-away lands.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, Independent Film, StreamingDon ShanahanJanuary 19, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: 5 Inspirational Films To Help You Take On 2021

by Devin Caldwell

By every measure, 2020 was a challenging year, from the COVID-19 pandemic to extreme weather and wild politics. The new year, luckily, provides everyone with a fresh start. But when many students are still learning from home, workers are spending their days in Zoom meetings and every day feels like “Groundhog Day,” how can we find inspiration to move forward? The answer? Watch a movie. Stories can inspire us and help us move forward when times are tough. For centuries, leaders have employed storytelling as a way to motivate teams. A teacher, for example, might explain to students how Albert Einstein had to fail in order to succeed.

2021, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Column, LIST, Home MediaDon ShanahanJanuary 14, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: 20 Best Winter Movies to Watch With a Warm Blanket and a Cup of Cocoa

by Sandra Manson

Movies that embrace you with coziness and warmth are exactly what is needed during cold snowy evenings. We have chosen 20 films that will create a winter mood and the feeling that magic is just around the corner. So wrap yourself up in a warm blanket, grab a cup of cacao, and enjoy watching

2021, Column, GUEST EDITORIAL, Editorial, Home MediaDon ShanahanJanuary 14, 2021Comment

COLUMN: The 10 Best Movies of 2020

Nothing seems to define 2020 like a long sigh and a deep breath. This past year likely makes the record books with all kinds of trivia nuggets and asterisks. Folks didn’t get to see all the movies they hoped for, but I’ve been telling people all year that “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” The last movie I saw in a theater was Onward on March 2nd, adding up to 304 days (and counting since) without a visit to the big screen. Sure, I miss it as a guy that used to go out 2-3 times a week, but movies can wait and so will I. After all, we’re surviving a pandemic and movies count as #firstworldproblems.

2020, Best Films, Column, Editorial, LIST, SPECIALDon ShanahanJanuary 13, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: An Ultimate Guide to Write Movie Scripts

by Jessica Fender

Writing a movie script may sound like a super-easy and fun thing to do. You’ve got an idea in your mind so, how hard can it be? But, talent and great ideas aren’t sufficient for writing a great movie script. It’s certainly an obligatory precondition, but it takes more than being super-creative and imaginative. Apart from that, you need to know how to develop the storyline and cover all the elements of writing a great movie script. That’s why we’ve put together this guide with all the steps you need to make. We’ll teach you what you need to do and what order to follow when creating brilliant movie scripts. Let’s take a closer look!

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Social MediaDon ShanahanJanuary 12, 2021Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: 6 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Netflix Subscription

by Kevin Gardner

Getting a Netflix account can be extremely exciting. It literally gives you access to thousands of items, thereby providing you with endless hours of entertainment. However, you may find the cost of your subscription a bit worrisome. In this case, it's important that you make the investment worthwhile. So, here are six tips for getting as much as possible out of your Netflix account.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, SPECIALDon ShanahanJanuary 8, 2021Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Perfecting the Art of the Binge

by Kevin Gardner

With the advent of online streaming services, a new kind of television experience became popular: the binge watch. More and more shows aren't just enjoyable to binge watch; they're built that way. Like the book you can't put down, there are some shows that you just know will have you saying "one more episode, just one more episode" until the wee hours of the morning. So whether the new season of your favorite streaming show just dropped or you're planning to marathon your favorite movie franchise, here are a few ways you can make sure that your next binge watch is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, SPECIALDon ShanahanJanuary 5, 2021Comment

COLUMN: Best Movies That Can Inspire Kids to Be More Active

by Sandra Manson

Kids are naturally fast learners, and they quickly grab information, especially when they are between the age of one to four. Training your kids has moved on from pointing out pictures to them on hardcopy books — you can now do more, thanks to the TV. Unlike in the past, when televisions were a symbol of luxury and not a necessity, you can actually afford a TV now, and what's more, is that you can use it to teach your kids several things.

2021, Column, Editorial, Home MediaDon ShanahanJanuary 5, 2021Comment

EDITORIAL: A Celebration of Tom Tykwer, Germany's Finest Renaissance Man

Perhaps best known for the terrifying, yet romantic film Perfume, Tom Tykwer has many other titles up his sleeve. There are few people in the world of blockbusters who do so much of the work themselves. However, there aren't so many people who have even heard of Tom Tykwer. Though he is most famous for his directing accolades, he's also a composer, editor and sits on the board of Berlin's International Film Festival. This is a celebration of Tom Tykwer, a true renaissance man, and a selection of his most brilliant films.

2021, Column, Editorial, Foreign Film, Home MediaDon ShanahanJanuary 5, 2021Comment

SPECIAL: Winners of the fifth annual Chicago Indie Critics Awards

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, directed by George C. Wolfe and adapted from August Wilson’s stage play, dominated this year’s CIC Awards, winning seven of its nine nominations. Topmost, the Netflix original film was named the Best Studio Film in a tie with another offering from the streaming leader, Best Director winner Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom also won awards for adapted screenplay, lead actor, lead actress, ensemble cast, costume design, and makeup.