SPECIAL: Fourth annual CIC Award Winners

I was among the 20 prolific members of Chicago Indie Critics who cast their final ballots last week to declare the winners of 23 categories for their fourth annual film awards. At a special ceremony open to the public last evening at the Cards Against Humanity Theater in Chicago hosted by stand-up comedienne and former film critic Katie Baker, the CIC film critics, fans, and guests gathered to celebrate milestones, commiserate among peers and professionals, and honor the very best from 2019.

2019, CIC, EVENT, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanJanuary 6, 2020Cards Against Humanity TheaterCIC, CIFCC, Chicago Indie CriticsComment

SPECIAL: Fourth annual CIC Award Nominations

Leading all films with an impressive eight nominations is Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women. Two of those nominations highlight Gerwig’s work as a director and screenwriter. Following next with seven nominations each is the quartet of The Irishman, Marriage Story, 1917, and Parasite. On an individual level leading the field, Parasite’s Bong Joon-ho earned five personal nominations and Lulu Wang of The Farewell earned four across the 23 categories. In all, 43 films are represented with nominations for the 2019 CIC Awards.

2019, CIC, EVENT, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 29, 2019Cards Against Humanity TheaterCIC, CIFCC, Chicago Indie CriticsComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast and talking "All the President's Men" for the "ReelPolitk" series

If the two of us were paid for doing this stuff, Ian Simmons of Kicking the Seat and I would be following the money for All the President’s Men. For a little something different than our usual big roundtables for new movies, Ian and I put the recorders on to mix politics and movies together. The dark parking garage was optional. For nearly an hour, we build bridges between old brilliance and analog journalism to our 24-hour news cycle and current times with this masterpiece being the mold. Enjoy this very topical and jovial shared conversation!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanDecember 23, 2019AMC River East 21Kicking the Seat, JokerComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast and YouTube talking "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"

The dead speak! On an early morning in advance of its much ballyhooed release, Ian Simmons of Kicking the Seat assembled the clones of myself, David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel, Emmanuel Noisette of E-Man’s Movie Reviews, and Mike Crowley of You’ll Probably Agree to put all of our Midichlorians on the table to immediately react to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. There’s so much forceful spirit on this dais, you would think it’s the real versions of all of us. Enjoy this podcast episode!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanDecember 23, 2019AMC River East 21Kicking the Seat, JokerComment

GUEST COLUMN: Christmas Movies for Couples: Make Your Christmas Ideal

By Cheryl Hearts

When the weather outside is cold, the best way to enjoy your stay with your partner indoors is by watching a romantic Christmas movie with them. Nothing beats having a homemade dinner or a well-baked pizza, a bottle of quality wine, a dark room, and a huge TV for Christmas with your partner. This kind of romantic atmosphere helps you build a new level of intimacy that would strengthen your relationship and make you cherish the value of being with your partner.

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, Media Appearance, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 23, 2019Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: "Marriage Story" Spoiler Lounge content for "CinemaJaw" podcast #450

Here’s some newly-released follow-up bonus content my recent guest appearance on the CinemaJaw podcast, hosted by fellow Chicago Indie Critic members Matt Kubinski and Ryan Jagiello. When we recorded our reviews of Marriage Story a month before its Netflix debut, we entered spoiler territory for a segment to save for later. Well, later is now with Marriage Story going strong in its award season. In this new episode of CinemaJaw recorded at the glam headquarters of Cards Against Humanity, come for the Jumanji and Star Wars talk and stay for the Marriage Story “Spoiler Lounge!”

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Feelin' Film" podcast for "The Peanut Butter Falcon"

Twice in a month! On the heels of their monumental three-part 200th episode special (covering the true Indiana Jones trilogy), I returned to the Feelin' Film Podcast to close out the 100s with an underrated and underseen gem that all three of us loved. For Episode #199, Patrick Hicks, Aaron White, and me discussed the high values and movie merits of The Peanut Butter Falcon starring Zack Gottshagen, Shia LeBeouf, and Dakota Johnson. Earning five-stars from all three of us, this road movie stands as one of our favorites from 2019 that we hopes gains in appreciation and acclaim with time.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on November 25, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Which director are you most excited about watching in the next decade, and why are you excited for the potential of their future work?

Boy, it was hard to choose only one. From Damien Chazelle and Barry Jenkins to Denis Villeneuve and Christopher Nolan, we’ve seen so much maturation and growth from so many creative sources. However, I think it’s high time a woman to emerge to that next level. In just two films, the potential of Greta Gerwig is huge and only beginning.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanNovember 29, 2019David EhrlichComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on November 18, 2019

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: What movie defined the decade, and why?

Yowzers! Talk about a big question with a zillion angles. I know the interpretation of “defined” was open, but when I think of the 2010s, the boom of social media is too large to ignore. David Fincher’s The Social Network, while semi-historical before this decade, still feels like the lightening rod and torch bearer for this decade. If it wasn’t this, it was going to be The Avengers and what it did for its genre and the whole industry.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanNovember 29, 2019David EhrlichComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "CinemaJaw" podcast #447

This past week, I was pleased as punch to be a guest on the CinemaJaw podcast, hosted by fellow Chicago Indie Critic members Matt Kubinski and Ryan Jagiello. On Episode #447, all three of us just got out of Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story and, boy, did we have feelings. As per tradition, the Top 5 segment was for each of us to list our best break-up, separation, and divorce movies. An extended trivia segment followed later centered on Tom Hanks. Enjoy their excellent show!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on November 4, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What streaming platforms do you currently subscribe to, and why?

This was nice and informative question this week and I was glad to brag on finding free things. Folks, let me tell you the power of a regular library card. You can’t beat FREE. Look locally if your library or library system supports the Hoopla Digital and Kanopy streaming services. The wealth of content available is outstanding for something that doesn’t cost you a dime. If you’re a frugal working dad and cord-cutter like me, I cannot recommend them enough. I was the one person this week namedropping Hoopla and one of only three touting Kanopy. Seek them out.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanNovember 4, 2019David EhrlichComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Quoted on Quality Comix discussing "The Evolution of The Joker"

I was approached recently for a collaboration opportunity by Quality Comix, a successful comic sales website which puts out their own editorial content alongside their marketplace. They were working on a long-form article on the 80-year history of Batman’s greatest nemesis, The Joker. The writers there enjoyed my Joker review and I was thankful to be considered and included. The lead question for a short blurb was a character analysis outlining major actions, motivations, or character developments throughout the character’s film incarnations.