GUEST COLUMN: Tips for Creating the Ultimate Home Cinema

by Mike Cahill

Colder weather is approaching, and the average American’s options for outdoor activities are beginning to dwindle. While winter recreation can be a blast, there’s truly no better time to hunker down and enjoy the comfort of your own home. What better way to do that than building your own home theater? From cables and sound to projectors and comfy seats, we’re delivering the best tips on creating your perfect home theater from the professionals who know best. Whether you’re in Bedford or Portland, read on and learn how to create the best home theater experience on the block.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 11, 2020Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: A Rainy Day in New York

Appealing as it may be swinging from the affable to the morose, that mismatch is the glaring irregularity found in Allen’s new film A Rainy Day in New York debuting on Amazon Prime October 9th. The flow of uptown affluence and worldly whims spoken by the central figures of the film is perky and magnetizing. The words enchant to no end, yet are staggeringly uncharacteristic when you watch them coming from a cast of 20-somethings, even if they are played by talents like Timothée Chalamet, Elle Fanning, and Selena Gomez.

2020, 3 STARS, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, Home Media, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, StreamingDon ShanahanOctober 9, 2020Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: "Feelin' Film" FF+ 1999 Fantasy Movie Draft

Friend of the page Aaron White, co-host of the Feelin’ Film podcast and member of the Seattle Film Critics Society, has reignited his FF+ brand of smaller plate podcast episodes. His goal is to collect spoiler-free discussions of several current movies combined into one show. Rather than fly solo, he’s using his FF+ platform to invite other critics to share in the chat. For this episode, Aaron invited me with his usual co-host Patrick Hicks to fawn over Disney+’s Mulan. He sure didn’t have to twist my arm.

MOVIE REVIEW: On the Rocks

There are certain notable people who have created an aura where they can get by on charm alone. Their mere presence elevates and enlivens any occasion. The doyan of deadpan Bill Murray is one of those treasures. His ageless appeal can forgive a few bad traits or flaws. The movies Murray occupies can also often get by on charm. On the Rocks is most certainly one of them. It is playing on a limited theatrical release before debuting on Apple TV+ on October 23rd.

2020, 3 STARS, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, Home Media, MOVIE REVIEW, Streaming, Video on DemandDon ShanahanOctober 4, 2020Comment

GUEST COLUMN: 10 Car Makes and Models in Classic Films That Can Be Bought

by Kevin Gardiner

For many movie-goers, timeless films are remembered for two things - the plot and the style. Particularly, the style of the cars that are driven. Cars are an iconic staple of a time period, and owning a well-known one is a dream come true. Here are ten car makes and models from classic films that can be purchased (even if it's only in an auction).

2020, Column, Editorial, Home Media, GUEST EDITORIAL, LISTDon ShanahanOctober 3, 2020Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: The Glorias

Unfiltered regrets, debated wisdom, and long-held dreams replace the microphone soundbites and the picket signs. Those scenes carry genuinely serene and affecting moments of reflection. They may be shot to look whimsical, but they reach to gild exposed and admitted personal flaws within the central figure. Call this respectful hero worship and the most traditional or packaged film Taymor’s ever made if you must. However, what’s left (political pun intended) is well-earned pride.

GUEST COLUMN: Checklist of 90s Movies You Should Definitely Watch

by Henry Thompson

The 90s was definitely the decade of the film. I mean, what other era spawned hits across several genres? Who can ever forget classics like Titanic? Or powerful romance films like Pretty Women and Clueless, ideal for the idealists and romantic (at heart). Mystery, thrillers, and even Disney animations were also not left out. The 90s produced movies that catered to every taste, leaving a lasting impression even so many years after. As an avid movie fan, you may yearn to relive the moments in these movies. It might even be that you’ve not had the pleasure to watch them for the first time. We’ve got you covered. In this article, we bring to you some of the evergreen movies from the 90s.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, LISTDon ShanahanSeptember 28, 2020 Comment

COLUMN: Football Film Culture: "Invincible" to "Leatherheads"

Americans love football. Anyone hailing from the rural regions of the US knows that football is often regarded as an important part of life: it teaches discipline, provides an outlet for grueling competition, and is one way to become a local or national hero. Football in film delivers on a few key components of the American associations with the sport. Films that feature the NFL or NCAAF as a focal point of the plot often depict hard-fought battles where the odds are stacked against a rag-tag team. Whether through comedic mishaps, determined work ethic, or the powerful bonds of community, football squads always prevail in the end.

2020, Column, Editorial, Home Media, LISTDon ShanahanSeptember 26, 2020Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Great Movies to Create a Retro Mood at Home

by Theresa Cofield

Whether you are a classic movie enthusiast or you simply enjoy retro style in movies, there are some movies for you to enjoy. Sometimes it is just needed, you want to stay at home and feel cozy. It’s also a great idea to enjoy retro settings with your friends or family members. Below you may find some interesting movies with descriptions. Check out these options, some of these movies are modern but create an unforgettable retro atmosphere. Others are retro movies considered to be the best masterpieces of all time.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 26, 2020 Comments

MOVIE REVIEW: The Trial of the Chicago 7

Not if, but when, you watch The Trial of the Chicago 7 on Netflix, know that, like all movies based on historical events, what you’re watching is a cherry-picked and tidy two-hour dramatization of legal proceedings that lasted just short of 150 days. Normally when that happens, the dramatic license to make an entertaining product has added any number of embellishments for showmanship’s sake. Folks love the challenge, especially in a courtroom movie, of sniffing out the sugarcoating to wonder “did that really happen?” up and down every narrative peak and valley. The crazy thing is the exact opposite is happening here from Aaron Sorkin.

2020, 5 STARS, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, Home Media, MOVIE REVIEW, Streaming, Video on DemandDon ShanahanSeptember 24, 2020Netflix, The Trial of the Chicago 7Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Unbelievable Movies Based On True Stories That Deserve Documentary Status

by Kurt Waller

There are times when you search for great documentaries, but in the end, what you find are movies based on true stories that have enough in them to be called a documentary or be recorded as one but aren’t. These movies re-live those things that happened in real life over someone’s life. It could also be a global catastrophe or some other event, and they are amazing to watch.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, LIST, Social Media, SPECIAL, Video on DemandDon ShanahanSeptember 23, 2020 Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Top 10 Best College Movies

by Lewis Robinson

Whether you're in college, thinking about going to college soon, or just enjoy a good college flic, you may enjoy watching some of the movies on this list. Below are some of the top ten best college movies made in the last fifty years. Watch one tonight!