GUEST COLUMN: Review of "The Wolf of Wall Street"

by Lewis Robinson

Martin Scorsese’s film The Wolf of Wall Street is a tale of greed and excess in the pursuit of the American dream. Although it’s the most successful film Scorsese directed, it created a surge of controversy upon its release. Critics slammed the movie for its graphic sex, drug use, and carefree attitude on white-collar crime. It’s not for all tastes, and it’s not a movie that you sit down and watch with the entire family. However, the film is lifted above the disturbing material by its talented cast.

2022, Editorial, GUEST CRITIC, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanJanuary 30, 2022Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Four Movies You May Have Overlooked In 2021

by Lewis Robinson

All of these blockbusters have done so well at the box office that chances are, if you are reading this article, you have probably seen most of them. However, the past year also produced some incredible, strange and extraordinary films that may not have made the blockbuster list but definitely deserve your attention. The next time you're having a Netflix night, here is a list of movies that you should check out.

2022, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanJanuary 30, 2022Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: "Feelin' Film" FF+ Sports Movie Draft

This week, I could not have been more stoked to see the return of movie drafts from the Feelin’ Film Podcast! This one presented the massive challenge of selecting a collection of the best or most appealing sports movies in seven different categories. The four competitors were Feelin’ Film hosts Aaron White and Patrick Hicks, Cinematic Underdogs Podcast co-host Paul Keelan, and myself. As a veteran of two previous Feelin’ Film drafts, I came to win, and I think I crushed it. Listen for our banter and picks and vote for the winner in the Feelin’ Film Facebook Group and Twitter.

GUEST COLUMN: The Best Food From Movies That You’ll Want To Try

by Kevin Gardner

Movies often feature unforgettably delicious food. Here are a few of the best foods featured in the cinema, along with tips for preparing these items at home or ordering food from restaurants.

2022, Column, Editorial, Home Media, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanJanuary 18, 2022Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "You'll Probably Agree" YouTube show talking about "The Matrix Resurrections"

Mike Crowley of the You’ll Probably Agree website (and fellow 25YL film critic) was very eager to talk about The Matrix Resurrections. He and I rub our chins, scratch our heads, shake them too, and try to answer the hype of this blockbuster and how it came to be. Enjoy some excellent videogame play as the video while the two of us chat. We go deep enough to call it all regurgitation! Enjoy this energetic conversation and be sure to follow Mike’s work on 25YL.

Social Media, SPECIAL, Podcast, Media Appearance, Editorial, Home Media, 2022Don ShanahanJanuary 3, 2022Mike Crowley, You'll Probably AgreeComment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Disney's “Snow Dogs” Movie Review

By Lewis Robinson

Disney Plus is constantly adding new movies to its streaming service. One hidden gem that is sure to spark nostalgia for some is the Disney original Snow Dogs, which first came out in 2002. Since it's been so long since the movie was released, let's take a look at some of what made it such a memorable classic in the first place.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, GUEST CRITIC, Home Media, StreamingDon ShanahanDecember 27, 2021Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: The Tragedy of Macbeth

Better than that academic boost, you will find a zealous movie that stands with decisiveness as one of the finest films of the year. The Tragedy of Macbeth seizes that prominence with precisely those two aforementioned traits: an inspired look and fire within the performers. There is no shortness of acting brilliance or production value perfection in every corner and millisecond of this picture.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Tender Bar

George Clooney’s The Tender Bar has, above everything else, a crucial mentor character that wins over the entire film with everything he does. When regular dads are absent or inadequate, father-figures are incredibly important for an malleable kid. We’ve seen plenty of them in movies before, but Ben Affleck’s Charlie character feels more spot-on and special than usual. When he’s there putting an arm around a shoulder or mixing a martini, you’ll either wish for or recall your own Uncle Charlie from your life.

How "The Lord of the Rings" Voiceover Was Used to Craft the World of Middle Earth

How do you craft a world? In screenwriting and publishing terms, ‘world-building’ is the idea of creating a fictional location and making it seem real with specific techniques. Social structures, designing landscapes and visual differences from those on Earth build a rich history full of lore. Creating non-human races, the languages they speak, other-worldly creatures and fictional monarchies are world-building techniques of the fantasy genre specifically – breathing life into the idea of a world.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanDecember 17, 2021Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "You'll Probably Agree" podcast talking about "Spider-Man: No Way Home"

Mike Crowley of the You’ll Probably Agree website (and fellow 25YL film critic) collected a few movie friends in the exhaling wake of the Chicago press screening of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Still buzzing, Mike’s digital recorder and microphone array captured the rants and processing compliments of myself, David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel, and Annie Banks of Chuck Load of Comics. This was boozy, sweaty, and fun! Enjoy this energetic conversation and be sure to follow Mike’s work on 25YL.

Social Media, SPECIAL, Podcast, Media Appearance, Editorial, Home Media, 2021Don ShanahanDecember 16, 2021Mike Crowley, You'll Probably AgreeComment

GUEST COLUMN: All About the Documentary "You Don't Know Nicotine"

by Emma Wilson

In a world where smoking tobacco is becoming a significant trend, a large percentage of the population is also interested in delving deep into the real insights of the mechanism. Not only is medical science making efforts in such endeavors, but also the entertainment industry is chasing the truth behind the addictive chemicals. 'You Don't Know Nicotine' is one such documentary that has been making prominent impacts in people's mindsets about the smoking component' nicotine.'

2021, Column, Documentary, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanNovember 29, 2021Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: The Power of the Dog

Calling down the inspirational Biblical thunder of Psalm 22:20 that swings like a pendulum between beloved darlings delivering souls and the deadly teeth of sin, The Power of the Dog allows straight bitterness to build its texture of smoke. You have a western that doesn’t pull a trigger to make its points. It kills without blades or bullets. Call it a woman’s touch, if you must, but that would be dismissive when you consider the source material and its notable twists.