DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: 42 Grams

Through 42 Grams, documentary director Jack C. Newell muddles away the self-importance and crafts his own dish laced with affinity and rapport. Following the trials and tribulations of gifted chef Chicago chef Jake Bickelhaupt and his wife Alexa, Newell’s film looks beyond the culinary decadence to reveal a core essence of ambition as relatable as any other version of the American Dream. The captive fascination swelling from that gathers attention and an audience where it normally would not.

INFOGRAPHIC: Vaping on Screen

We all know that Vaping is taking over the world, but did you know that due to its popularity, Vaping devices are being introduced into movies, TV shows, and even Video Games? It’s true! This infographic piece from Grey Haze takes a look at where vaping has popped up on the big and little screen and see which Vaping device each character is using and what that tells us about them. Enjoy!

2018, Infographic, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanJanuary 25, 2018Infographic, vaping, Grey Haze, social media, special, Every Movie Has a LessonComment

INFOGRAPHIC: How to Make a Blockbuster on a Budget

Nowadays, just about anyone can make a blockbuster movie. You don’t need crazy budgets or a wealthy backer, you can do it yourself with relatively little expenditure. This guide and infographic from MoneyPod shows you how. Enjoy!

COLUMN: Five snubs and five surprises from the 90th Academy Award nominations

As with any year, there are hot topics being debated immediately stemming from snubs and surprises. Here are my takeaways consisting of five snubs and five surprises, coming out of this morning's nominations for the upcoming 90th Academy Awards happening on March 4th. Stick with me and I will win you your Oscar pool! Let the predictions begin!

2018, Column, Editorial, SPECIALDon ShanahanJanuary 23, 2018Comment

SPECIAL: Winners of the second annual CIFCC Awards!

The 26 film critics, myself included, and voting members of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle completed their final ballots in 21 categories for their second annual CIFCC Awards. Leading all films with four awards is Get Out from Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions, including three awards for Jordan Peele and his many hats. A24 and Focus Feature’s Lady Bird from director Greta Gerwig follows with three wins, including Best Independent Film.

2017, Column, Editorial, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanJanuary 5, 2018Comment

COLUMN: New Year's Resolutions for the Movie Industry in 2018

Plenty of regular everyday people make New Year's Resolutions, but I think bigger entities, namely movie makers and movie moguls, need to make them too. Annually, including this seventh edition, this is my absolute favorite editorial to write every year. I have fun taking the movie industry to task for things they need to change. You would hope Hollywood would learn from those lessons going forward. Alas, here we go again! Enjoy!

CAPSULE REVIEWS: Playing catch-up on December awards contenders

Though the day job work was no longer in the way, good times with family and friends was the better thing to do than lock myself in a room on a laptop and write. Three of these films are cracking my Top 20 of 2017 and possibly even my final “10 Best” list. A year-end bang like that deserves to be talked about, and I couldn’t keep sitting on them without getting something out to you. To get the good word out there, here are some quick hot take capsules of the films with full reviews in the works.

COLUMN: The 10 best sports betting films

For an elevated feeling, combine the buzz of a gambling win with the real-life thrill of victory that comes from spectator sports. Betting on sports is like double the juice when you combine fandom with fun. Over in the arena of movies, my specialty, sports betting has been a popular plot point within the genre of gambling movies. Here’s my list of the top ten best sports betting films, peppered with little salutes and recommendations.

SPECIAL: Fan ballot for the second annual CIFCC Awards

The ballot nominations have been tallied and here are the finalists in every category. Our 25 critics will be voting on these awards between December 24-30. If you were in our shoes, who would you pick? The Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle has opened up a FAN BALLOT on Google Forms found here in this post.

2017, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 24, 2017Comment

SPECIAL: Second annual CIFCC Awards nominations

Capping off their second year as a recognized awards-voting body, the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle, a group which I helped found and participate as a proud member, has announced their nominees for the second annual CIFCC Awards. The 26 voting members completed ballots with the goal of three final nominees in 21 categories. They will commence a final round of voting ending on December 29, 2017 with winners announced on December 30, 2017.

2017, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 23, 2017Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on "E-Man's Movie Reviews" podcast for "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"

Minutes after stepping out of an advance press screening of the most-anticipated movie of the year, Emmanuel Noisette of E-Man's Movie Reviews summoned his recording equipment and a brake-pumping exhale session for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The SPOILER ALERT neon light is on for the two of us breaking down our impressions, reservations, likes, dislikes, hopes, and dreams for this middle chapter of a new trilogy.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the 100th "Kicking the Seat" podcast of 2017 talking "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"

For the second time in a month, the hard-working host of the "Kicking the Seat" podcast, Ian Simmons, invited Every Movie Has a Lesson to join the barstool daius for his 100th show of 2017. Fitting for the milestone century number is the central film of the discussion: Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Ian was joined by his regular partner-in-crime David J. Fowlie of Keeping it Reel and Emmanuel Noisette of E-Man's Movie Reviews. The four us go deeply into SPOILERS, so buyer beware.

EVERY MOVIE HAS A LESSON

by Don Shanahan

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