GUEST COLUMN: Actors Who Transformed Their Bodies For Their Roles

by Kevin Gardner

Most actors sink deep into their characters to appear more convincing on screen, but some go to extreme lengths to transform their bodies for a role. Rapidly losing or gaining weight isn’t a recommended activity for anyone, but actors have a high-paid team of personal trainers, dieticians and medical experts to monitor their progress and offer assistance. Even with a group of experts, you’re risking your health when you participate in unusual diets. However, most professional actors accept the risks and are happy with the results.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanJuly 20, 2021Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Do Actors Eat Real Food in Movies?

by Kevin Gardner

When food is displayed in movies, it often makes your mouth water and signals your brain to browse the kitchen for snacks. Set designers and culinary artists spend countless hours creating food scenes. For large productions, filmmakers may spend several thousand dollars on culinary props and professional chefs. Although much of the food you see on screen is real, some of it is unsuitable for human consumption. Real food does not always appear appetizing on film, and artists use various techniques to improve the food’s look when filming under bright lights.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanJuly 20, 2021Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice: The Real Way Movie Theatres Make a Profit

by Lewis Robinson

Everyone loves going to the movies! Even in the midst of a booming digital age when you can watch pretty much anything you want on your phone, people still throng to the movie theatre. Why? There are a lot of complicated psychological explanations for this behavior, but basically, people want a group event. Human beings are communal creatures after all. Your local movie theatre is in no danger of going out of business. People will always want to share the opening of the next big blockbuster with a crowd. But if you think all those ticket sales are what translates to big money for a theatre, you'd be wrong.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanJuly 20, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: 5 Movies That Blend Business and Heart

by Kevin Gardner

The business world is a popular choice for filmmakers and has been for decades. Often films about business deal with the cutthroat nature of the industry and frequently, the bad guy walks away with the spoils. But there are a few rare films that are set in the business world with a message that has more to do with heart and the importance of happiness. These movies teach you that money doesn't buy happiness but also that success doesn't have to darken your soul. According to these films, you just might be able to have it all. In no particular order, here are five great movies about business and the human spirit.

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

GUEST EDITORIAL: 3 Types of Humor That Comedy Movies Should Bring Back

by Kevin Gardner

Comedy in film has changed in the last several decades. Since the general public's sense of humor is constantly evolving, this is completely understandable. However, there are a few elements of classic comedy that shouldn't be ignored or forgotten. So, here are three types of humor that comedy movies should bring back.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanJuly 14, 2021Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: 7 Ways To Spice Up Movie Night

by Kevin Gardner

One of the things that society enjoys doing is watching movies. It's easy to see why: everyone enjoys seeing a good movie now and then. It's a technique for you to keep your brain occupied as you eat excellent cuisine. Instead of always being alone, going to a random movie theater, keeping a poker face, and doing little reactions the entire time, why not spice things up a little by adding some fun? Here are some options for adding a little extra flair to your personal or family movie night.

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

GUEST COLUMN: Amazing Documentaries Every Art Lover Should Watch

by Emma Wilson

Binge-watching your favorite TV shows on streaming channels might be your hobby for leisure time. But as an art lover, it is pretty significant to watch the documentaries that have won the hearts of millions of people worldwide. Both the storyline and the way of narration in such documentaries can be fascinating. So, here is a list that has been compiled by putting together the must-watch documentaries. Let’s see which ones are the most impressive masterpieces:

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, DocumentaryDon ShanahanJuly 14, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Honoring Real-Life Heroes in "Only the Brave"

by Kevin Gardner

In June 2013, 19 out of 20 members of an elite crew of firefighters lost their lives in the Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona. Only the Brave is a 2017 film based on a factual article about the ill-fated Granite Mountain Hotshots called No Exit, written by Sean Flynn and published in GQ Magazine. The film depicts the fire as well as the events leading up to it and the aftermath. It cost $38 million to make and only grossed $26.3 million, making it a box-office failure. However, it gained critical acclaim for the respect it paid to the real-life members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots and their families.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanJuly 12, 2021Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: 3 Advanced Film Technologies and the Movies that Use Them Best

by Kevin Gardner

Technological advances have shaped the way films are created, edited and viewed. This has resulted in amazing effects, captivating world-building and scenes most could not even dream up, further enhancing viewing pleasures for movie fans. Here are technologies reshaping the film industry and the movies most notably featuring these advances.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanJuly 12, 2021Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: The Best Movies About Business

by Kevin Gardner

America is a capitalist society fascinated with making money. Therefore, it probably comes as no surprise that so many movies center around starting businesses, making money, selling them off, and all the legal and ethical problems that can arise along the way. Business movies are good for people who like realistic drama and for those looking to learn something about the way the business world works, even if that means learning what not to do.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanJuly 12, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: The Twists and Turns of "Escape Room"

by Kevin Gardner

If you've ever tried out an escape room with friends, you know how much fun they can be. Have you ever thought about what would happen if the escape room experience went wrong, however? If you love escape rooms and enjoy horror movies, you may want to check out the movie Escape Room on Netflix. This psychological horror film will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you view escape rooms in a whole new way.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanJuly 12, 2021Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: The Twists and Turns of "Escape Room"

by Kevin Gardner

If you've ever tried out an escape room with friends, you know how much fun they can be. Have you ever thought about what would happen if the escape room experience went wrong, however? If you love escape rooms and enjoy horror movies, you may want to check out the movie Escape Room on Netflix. This psychological horror film will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you view escape rooms in a whole new way

2021, Column, Home MediaDon ShanahanJuly 11, 2021Comment