MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel talking Free Blockbuster

Recently, Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel and I were talking about the anniversary Warner Bros. 4K release of East of Eden. At the end of the episode, he wanted to know more about my FreeBlockbuster.org project. For those who don’t know, my family and I updated a retired Little Library in Elmwood Park, Illinois into a “Take a Movie/Leave a Movie” franchise location for a Free Blockbuster. Our box is the fourth in the Chicagoland area, and it’s been a fun civic experiment. I told Ian all about it. Follow the Free Blockbuster Elmwood Park Instagram page!

PODCAST: Episode 123 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 123rd episode, two tall-ish film critics, two lengthy dads, and two long-winded teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, stay on the editorial track with this open discussion posing the question "Are movies too long?" From blockbusters to prestige pictures, including the recent Oppenheimer the number of movies flying further than a tidy 90 minutes or two hours seems to be growing. Our guys try to dissect how and why this is happening and share how they feel about it.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel for "East of Eden"

Recently, Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel and I were on the receiving end of a pair of promotional 4K-UHD disc copies from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Throughout 2023, the studio has been celebrating their 100th anniversary. Fresh physical media copies of classic titles have been hitting store shelves all year. Last tiome, it was the classic western Rio Bravo. This time around, we have Elia Kazan’s still-evocative East of Eden. Enjoy the show and be sure to subscribe to Ian’s channel!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanAugust 17, 2023AMC River East 21Kicking the Seat, Ian Simmons, East of EdenComment

PODCAST: Episode 122 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 122nd episode, two drunk film critics, two plastered dads, and two lampshade-wearing teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan kept the collaboration microphones going from Will's visit to Chicago for a second editorial episode. This time around, the topic is the notion of studios and blockbusters that are "too big to fail." This live recording session comes from the Galway Bay tavern in Chicago and the panel was filled with host Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree, Cati Glidewell of The Blonde in Front, and Hayden Mears of IGN.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel for "Rio Bravo"

Recently, Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel and I were on the receiving end of a pair of promotional 4K-UHD disc copies from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Throughout 2023, the studio has been celebrating their 100th anniversary. Fresh physical media copies of classic titles have been hitting store shelves all year. The first of the most recent pair is Howard Hawks’ seminal western Rio Bravo.

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanAugust 8, 2023AMC River East 21Kicking the Seat, Ian Simmons, Rio BravoComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat roundtable for "Barbie"

Last week on the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel with Ian Simmons was Oppenheimer, one half of 2023 cinema “Barbenheimer” event of the summer. This week, it was Barbie’s turn. First up was Christopher Nolan’s massive Oppenheimer. Things took quite a turn late in the show when the social commentary reared its ugly head between Ian, myself, Jeff York of The Establishing Shot, David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel, and Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions. Enjoy the show and be sure to subscribe to Ian’s channel!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Included in Hollywood Critics Association Gradebook for "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One"

Upon being accepted into the Hollywood Critics Association, their fine site-runners and admins assemble “Gradebooks” collecting early reviews and grades from their critics on popular releases. When I can get more work completed and a review submitted early enough, my take and connected quotes have the chance to make these shout-out posts. My newest was being included for Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Included in Hollywood Critics Association Gradebook for "Joy Ride"

Upon being accepted into the Hollywood Critics Association, their fine site-runners and admins assemble “Gradebooks” collecting early reviews and grades from their critics on popular releases. When I can get more work completed and a review submitted early enough, my take and connected quotes have the chance to make these shout-out posts. My newest was being included for Joy Ride.

Media Appearance, 2023Don ShanahanAugust 4, 2023Hollywood Critics Association, HCA Gradebooks, Joy RideComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Included in Hollywood Critics Association Gradebook for "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny"

Upon being accepted into the Hollywood Critics Association, their fine site-runners and admins assemble “Gradebooks” collecting early reviews and grades from their critics on popular releases. When I can get more work completed and a review submitted early enough, my take and connected quotes have the chance to make these shout-out posts. My newest was being included for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

PODCAST: Episode 121 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 121st episode, two tipsy film critics, two sloshed dads, and two inebriated teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan offer the first of two collaboration episodes with Chicago film critic peers from Will's recent visit. Enjoy host Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree, Ian Simmons of Kicking the Seat, Cati Glidewell of The Blonde in Front, and Hayden Mears of IGN in a broad conversation on everyone's past-and-present feelings about summer blockbusters. This was recorded at the Galway Bay tavern in Chicago, so enjoy the live show ambiance!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Included in Hollywood Critics Association Gradebook for "Oppenheimer"

Upon being accepted into the Hollywood Critics Association, their fine site-runners and admins assemble “Gradebooks” collecting early reviews and grades from their critics on popular releases. When I can get more work completed and a review submitted early enough, my take and connected quotes have the chance to make these shout-out posts. My newest was being included for Oppenheimer. Check out your boy!

Media Appearance, 2023Don ShanahanAugust 2, 2023Hollywood Critics Association, HCA Gradebooks, OppenheimerComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Included in Hollywood Critics Association Gradebook for "Barbie"

Upon being accepted into the Hollywood Critics Association, their fine site-runners and admins assemble “Gradebooks” collecting early reviews and grades from their critics on popular releases. When I can get more work completed and a review submitted early enough, my take and connected quotes have the chance to make these shout-out posts. My newest was being included for Barbie. Check out your boy!

Media Appearance, 2023Don ShanahanAugust 2, 2023Hollywood Critics Association, HCA Gradebooks, BarbieComment