MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube roundtable for "DC League of Super-Pets"

Three months and change into a year-long commitment of abstaining from new comic book films and TV shows, Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel has arrived at moment of his one called-in-advanced exception. With Warner Bros.’s DC League of Super-Pets, he’s doing it for the kids. Ian earmarked this animated comedy to be his youngest son’s first ever trip to a movie theater and, boy, did he pick a winner. Ian’s enlisted buddies of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” gather to celebrate the film and future milestone.

PODCAST: Episode 74 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 74th episode, our two conspiracy theory film critics, alien dads, and perfect school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan are united together in person for the second time! Will was visiting family in Chicago and met up with Don to shoot the breeze and create some stellar content. A piece of that is a special shared microphone Cinephile Hissy Fit on Jordan Peele's Nope. It's one guy's middle film and another's new #1 of the year. Be listening here and be ready to watch a video version on YouTube!

Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, 25YL, Media AppearanceDon ShanahanJuly 29, 2022Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, NopeComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Contributor in "The Inspiring World of Horror: The Movies That Influenced Generations"

I've been overdue advertising this on behalf of my film critic peer Caillou Pettis. Earlier this year, he invited me to contribute to his new book "The Inspiring World of Horror: The Movies That Influenced Generations," collecting formative horror film experiences from writers, creators, and fellow critics. I was greatly honored by the invitation and did my best to give him a solid story. I've got a section in there celebrating the original Candyman. Horror movie afficionados, grab it for your Kindle and support a good author! It’s quickly become a best seller!

PODCAST: Episode 73 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 73rd episode, two elevated film critics, worried dads, and non-kidnapping school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan welcome back special guest Cati Glidewell of “The Blonde in Front” to the shows. She's back to talk about Scott Derrickson's successful horror comeback The Black Phone. Don didn't see this one, so he plays moderator while Will and Cati dial all the possible numbers for this Ethan Hawke vehicle. Come for the shared challenge and tirade and stay for the mutual love and respect for the fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Awesome Friday Podcast" Bonus Episode on Favorite Marvel Movies

Being part of the new Banana Meter has expanded my professional circle to meet new creators and people. I recently answered an open call to submit a recorded blurb for the “Awesome Friday” podcast, hosted by Matthew Simpson and Simon Best. They were collecting selections of people’s favorite Marvel Cinematic Universe films for special Bonus Episode. I was glad to chime in with my thoughts on my #1 favorite of the bunch, 2014’s Captain America: The First Avenger and represent my many outlets.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube roundtable for "Spider-Man 3"

While I fully support my friend Ian Simmons’ year-long moratorium on “new” comic book films and TV shows, I like the chances he’s chosen to reflect on old titles for his Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel. Ian requested “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” to revisit the 15-year-old Spider-Man 3 from director Sam Raimi with fresh eyes and an open heart. I tried my best with a rewatch, but the movie only got worse for me. With many absentees from the usual crew, it ended up being Ian hosting Will Johnson and myself representing the Cinephile Hissy Fit podcast for this lovely conversation on all the emotions of success and failure that came from Spider-Man 3. Enjoy!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanJuly 21, 2022AMC River East 21Kicking the Seat, Lightyear, Toy StoryComment

PODCAST: Episode 72 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 72nd episode, two fed-up film critics, explosive dads, and stuntman school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan got to have a full circle moment with the Russo brothers. Their follow-up to Cherry, on the first Cinephile Hissy Fit shows, is the new Netflix assassin action movie The Gray Man. Because both of our hosts like this movie against the norm, this episode spurred a detour into the current state of film criticism and whether or not critics can recognize or have fun anymore.

Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, 25YL, Media AppearanceDon ShanahanJuly 16, 2022Cinephile Hissy Fit, The Gray Man, Netflix, PodcastComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube roundtable for "Thor: Love and Thunder"

As he announced in May, Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel has begun a one-year moratorium on watching new comic book-based movies and TV shows (with DC League of Super Pets as his one caveat to take his young son to his first movie). While he may not be leading his usual YouTube roundtables, he still invited and welcomed participants for the team of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” to still get the good and bad words out there for Thor: Love and Thunder.

PODCAST: Episode 71 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 71st episode, two Nordic film critics, hammered dads, and Guns 'N Roses-jamming school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan go toe-to-toe with the gods and monsters of Thor: Love and Thunder. For the second Marvel Cinematic Universe movie in a row, our two hosts find themselves far apart. Expect different shouts of love and different shots of thunder in this rollicking episode.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest for "Feelin' Film" FF+ podcast on Most Anticipated Movies for July-December 2022

It’s great getting to talk to good friends! This week, I was invited to join fellow film critic and longtime collaborator Aaron White on an FF+ episode of the Feelin’ Film Podcast. This show opens with Aaron’s spot-on review of Thor: Love and Thunder and a disc release review of the 4K Edge of Tomorrow hitting store shelves July 5th. I join Aaron for the third and closing segment. With 2022 halfway over, he and I recapping our favorites from the first half of the year while gazing down the calendar to the upcoming releases we are looking forward to the most from July through December to close 2022.

Podcast, Social Media, Media Appearance, SPECIAL, 2022Don ShanahanJuly 5, 2022Media Appearance, Podcast, Feelin' Film PodcastComment

PODCAST: Episode 70 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 70th episode, two comprehensive film critics, activist dads, and summer-working school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan put away the usual delegated and timed movie brawl for a special episode marking the halfway point of 2022. Our guys go down their Letterboxd lists to share their Top 5 best films so far this year. Knowing their tastes, you can imagine their commonalities and differences.

PODCAST: Episode 69 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 69th episode, two stoic film critics, action figure dads, and time-traveling school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan race through time, space, innuendo, whiners, and controversies to defend Disney/Pixar's newest film Lightyear. Our two Space Rangers see and staunchly defend the veritable good that brims through this animated adventure while pushing away the nitpicky haters.

Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, 25YL, Media AppearanceDon ShanahanJune 24, 2022Cinephile Hissy Fit, LightyearComment