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 Some people consider old movies to be outdated due to the mannerisms of the actors or the graphics.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

OSCAR PREDICTIONS 2020: The visual and artistic categories

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. This column examines the visual and artistic categories of designs, editing, effects, and more. As I say every year, stick with me and I will win you your Oscar pool!

Column, Editorial, 2020Don ShanahanFebruary 5, 2020Comment

OSCAR PREDICTIONS 2020: The minor film categories

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. This column examines the minor film categories of international, animated, and documentary films. As I say every year, stick with me and I will win you your Oscar pool!

2019, Column, Editorial, Foreign Film, Independent Film, SPECIAL, SHORT FILMSDon ShanahanFebruary 5, 2020Comment

OSCAR PREDICTIONS 2020: The music and sound categories

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. This column examines the music and sound categories of score, song, sound mixing, and sound editing. As I say every year, stick with me and I will win you your Oscar pool.

Column, Editorial, 2020Don ShanahanFebruary 5, 2020Comment

EDITORIAL: Who the odds favor for the 92nd Academy Awards

Even if we feel very sure about which name is going to come out of an Oscar envelope on the stage of Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, there is still a frozen moment of anticipation. The outcome could elicit two results of satisfaction. First, we are either rooting for a personal favorite that carried our hopes. Alternatively and second, we want to have our predictions come true to validate our opinions. With the awards season coming to an end, there are many potential Academy Award winners for its upcoming 92nd annual ceremony that feel like foregone conclusions or leadpipe locks. Why? Well, there are odds and trends to examine in many directions.

2020, Editorial, SPECIALDon ShanahanFebruary 3, 2020Comment