MOVIE REVIEW: Belfast

All of these lessons centered on Buddy’s experiences speak to the greater hopeful streak of generational bonds at the heart of the film. Backed by a soundtrack of reminiscent Van Morrison songs, the exit emotions of Belfast strike terrific chords for the power of home beyond brick and mortar. Branagh’s movie closes with a three-pronged tribute of “For the ones who stayed,” “For the ones who left,” and “For all the ones who were lost” as it transitions back to a current Northern Ireland where the healing has regenerated a viable city and region.

2021, 5 STARS, Chicago Film Festival, Film Festival, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanNovember 23, 2021Belfast, Kenneth BranaghComment

MOVIE REVIEW: Spencer

Try as she may, though, I look at the woman playing Princess Diana, even with all the clear personal commitment, and all I see is Kristen Stewart. Thanks to her own natural twitches under her blonde helmet of hair, Stewart’s same agape expressions and same exasperating line deliveries land a lip bite or two away from showing us it’s more her than who’s she playing.

2021, 3 STARS, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, Chicago Film Festival, Film Festival, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanNovember 4, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: 4 Positive Messages From the "Dumplin'"

by Devin Caldwell

Dumplin' is a 2018 film from Netflix based on the 2015 novel of the same name. It tells the story of a plus-size teenage girl from Texas named Willowdean Dickson, Will for short, who has a strained relationship with her beauty-queen mother. The mother is disappointed in Will's size and only refers to her by the nickname "Dumplin'." Lucy is Will's aunt and kindred spirit who encourages her niece in a love for Dolly Parton music.

2021, GUEST EDITORIAL, Editorial, Column, Independent FilmDon ShanahanOctober 31, 2021Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: Last Night in Soho

All of the nimbleness from swimming in time-bending nightmares gets washed away by a present with little mystery to match. It’s odd to call an Edgar Wright film somewhat slow in pacing, yet here we are feeling drag when the pizazz is either turned off or soured by the ickiness. A level of extra oomph and shock is missing for the viewer. What was sensationally painted to linger doesn’t get the fullest chance to stain and sear more than just pretty clothes.

2021, 3 STARS, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanOctober 28, 2021AMC River East 21Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: The Harder They Fall

Readying its eager and loose dramatic license, the opening message of The Harder They Fall begins with “While the events of this story are fictional…” and changes to proclaim “These. People. Existed.” fading in one word at a time with those table-slamming periods. Consider that an emphatic shout to be heard that is louder than any broken bone or gunshot that follows in this Netflix release. The indignation seething from this movie is warranted and gladly received.

MOVIE REVIEW: South of Heaven

Anyone who’s watched Sudeikis knows the Everyman archetype suits his charm and talent. The independent film South of Heaven from Big Bad Wolves director Aharon Keshales challenges Jason to take a podunk pariah that has been pushed into a corner and unravel him to commit violence to defend himself and the honor of the woman he loves against his better judgment and softhearted morals. It is indeed a very valiant turn within a movie that tailspins wide of the mark behind him.

2 STARS, 2021, Independent Film, Home Media, MOVIE REVIEW, StreamingDon ShanahanOctober 18, 2021Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: Surge

The answers to those measured questions are what makes Surge starring the award-winning Ben Whishaw so alarming and downright terrifying. Set over the course of just under two days in London and shot guerilla-style with handheld cameras that weave through the crowds and shifting locations, Surge careens through one man’s unpredictable downward spiral and the isolated damage it causes. These kinds of movies are certainly not for everyone, but this one is a fascinating test of stamina and understanding.

2021, 4 STARS, Film Festival, Home Media, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, StreamingDon ShanahanSeptember 24, 2021Comment

PREVIEW: 7th Annual Irish American Movie Hooley

Folks, it’s been a year, but fortunes and health are looking up enough to maybe get back to some good old fun. As the Irish say, when a party gets rowdy, they call it a “hooley.” For movie fans, I think it’s high time we mix a little whiskey with our night out. As the Irish like to say, when a party gets rowdy, they call it a “hooley.” With that vibrancy in mind, the 7th annual Irish American Movie Hooley returns to the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago this weekend. This resident Chicagoan with Irish roots has you covered.

2021, Column, Chicago Film Festival, Documentary, Foreign Film, Independent Film, Film Festival, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 22, 2021Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: The Eyes of Tammy Faye

WebMD will tell you that selective listening involves “consciously or unconsciously choosing to listen to what is relevant to you and ignore what isn’t.” Marinate on that for a moment, especially the second part, and then apply that notion to the talking heads and one-track minds of the spiritually devout you see leading cameras and congregations of people with loose wallets and even looser gullibility. That’s the misplaced morality at the center of Michael Showalters’ The Eyes of Tammy Faye.

2021, 3 STARS, Film Festival, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanSeptember 19, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Low-Budget Films: 10 Shooting Tips to Make Your Mark

by Jean Hartley

Low-budget films don't mean bad films. Many cult films were shot for little money, and that hasn't stopped them from becoming classics. We live in a time where anyone can pick up a camera, make a movie, and make a big name out of it. If you're confident and you have something to say to the world - go for it. The tips below will help you organize the process and succeed.

2021, Column, Editorial, Independent FilmDon ShanahanSeptember 4, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Scary Movies You Probably Haven't Seen Before

by Lewis Robinson

Since the silent era, Hollywood has been producing horror films, and moviegoers love seeing pictures that make them jump out of their seats. Although early horror movies did not appeal to the general public as much as other genres, successful movies like Psycho convinced producers to focus more attention and resources on disturbing scripts once considered “pulp” stories. Soon, scary films became more lucrative and accessible to a growing audience. With dozens of horror films produced every year, it’s challenging to find the exceptional ones that are less well-known. Here is a list of horror movies you’ve never heard of.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Independent Film, Home MediaDon ShanahanAugust 31, 2021Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: The Green Knight

The Green Knight states all good myths are brave and bold. At some point, that profundity has to go beyond aesthetics. The screen titles also announce that what is presented is not that kind of legend. Yeah, and that’s the problem when considering the source material built with magical bedrock. Never has chivalric romance and so-called adventure been treated so pensively.