MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on October 1, 2018

Notable and notorious IndieWire film critic David Ehrlich recently put out a social media call for film critic peers to join a weekly survey to discuss movie topics, answer questions, and highlight their work. Representing Every Movie Has a Lesson, I, along with over 50 other emerging and established film critics including some of my fellow Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle members, accepted the invitation to participate. I'm honored by the opportunity, and I hope my responses are chosen each week.

2018, Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 3, 2018David Ehrlich, Ethan HawkeComment

EDITORIAL: Four modern movies begging for the MST3K treatment

Watching quality cinema is all well and good, but sometimes a bad movie is even better. Giving a movie the full Mystery Science Theater 3000 treatment can be a blast. Now that actually good projectors cost under $500 and are affordable enough for anyone, you can even do it on a big screen right in your home (since heckling in the theater is generally frowned upon). Old movies make great fodder for mockery, but there are movies coming out all the time that strike that perfect balance of patently ridiculous and super fun.

2018, Column, Editorial, LIST, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 1, 2018Comment

EDITORIAL: Know Your Numbers: Lessons from movies

If you run a business, you need to understand how to calculate a profit; if you’re redecorating your house, you need to be able to work out the area and perimeter of your room to calculate how much paint and carpet you need. Movies have provided us with a number of great examples of when maths skills can help you become successful.

2018, Column, Editorial, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 27, 2018Comment

CAPSULE REVIEWS: The 4th Irish American Movie Hooley

For the fourth year, the proud national and international efforts of Irish flair and flavor grace the Gene Siskel Film Center in downtown Chicago. With sponsorship led by Slane Irish Whiskey, the Irish American Movie Hooley is a three-night trio of films gracing Chicago screens as a special program. The “party” translation of its title at the forefront. Here are my capsule reviews!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on September 24, 2018

Notable and notorious IndieWire film critic David Ehrlich recently put out a social media call for film critic peers to join a weekly survey to discuss movie topics, answer questions, and highlight their work. Representing Every Movie Has a Lesson, I, along with over 60 other emerging and established film critics including some of my fellow Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle members, accepted the invitation to participate. I'm honored by the opportunity, and I hope my responses are chosen each week.

2018, Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 26, 2018David Ehrlich, Ethan Hawke Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: The films of Nicolas Cage

Meet John Rooney. He is an illustrator from Ireland. John recently embarked upon a project in which he watched every single Nicolas Cage film for 89 days and did a caricature sketch for each role. The results of range and variety are striking. The project really gave Mr. Rooney a new found respect for Nicolas Cage’s acting abilities and craft, never mind the many fascinating films.

2018, Infographic, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 20, 2018Comment

EDITORIAL: Movies and the 9/11 effect

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 11, 2018: In an update to my annual editorial (after the original post on the 10th anniversary in 2011), I’ve got new movie inclusions in several sections, including the most recent section of faded and relaxed sensitivity in films. I plan to make this an annual post and study for at least until the 20th anniversary in 2021.

2018, Column, Editorial, LIST, Retrospective, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 11, 2018Comment

SHORT FILM REVIEW: Friends and Other Spooky Things

The same cadence of thinking can be extended to the upcoming short film Friends and Other Spooky Things by local Chicagoland filmmaker George Sourile. He chose the right adjective to include in that title because spooky is the proper wavelength of charm that makes something small and DIY like this work. It’s a nudge of an easy stroll that tip-toes rather than stomps and a worthy notch of greenhorn accomplishment, and that’s all it needs to be.

EDITORIAL: Best casino movies of the 21st century so far

Flashy casino settings have long been inviting destinations for eager tourists and lavish film productions. The twinkling lights and allure of scoring a life-changing payday is a shared dream of both the customer and the moviemakers looking for artistic and commercial successes. Nowadays, a taste of that lucky escapism for thrill seekers can come online through eclectic sites like Casino Billions or continue at their local movie theater or the cushions of their couch with a good flick.

2018, Column, Editorial, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 5, 2018Comment

EDITORIAL: Movies that will help make good students

Ask any teacher or tutor out there worth their salt from anywhere in the world, myself included, and they’ll trade all the flashy material things and gadgets off that school supply list for students prepared with a kind heart, a willing mind, and a positive attitude. Those three traits aren’t found in the store aisles. However, there are a few movies out there that can inspire future good students and spark conversations for a family movie night at home.

2018, Editorial, Independent Film, LIST, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 3, 2018 Comments

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on August 27, 2018

Notable and notorious IndieWire film critic David Ehrlich recently put out a social media call for film critic peers to join a weekly survey to discuss movie topics, answer questions, and highlight their work. Representing Every Movie Has a Lesson, I, along with over 60 other emerging and established film critics including some of my fellow Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle members, accepted the invitation to participate. I'm honored by the opportunity, and I hope my responses are chosen each week.

2018, Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanAugust 31, 2018David Ehrlich, Ethan HawkeComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: "Connecting With Classics" Episode 8: "Lawrence of Arabia"

Closing out the main summer months with the August pick of the Feelin' Film Podcast "Connecting With Classics" series, host Aaron White and I needed to carve out some serious committed time to absorb and appreciate the longest film ever to win the Best Picture Oscar. That revered classic and victor is the 56-year-old Lawrence of Arabia from director David Lean and it has a lengthy resume of accolades, rankings, and awards Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the definition of a true Hollywood epic.