MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on April 8, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What film has most defied your expectations, either for better or for worse?

I harp often about unreasonable expectations. Between giving up trailers and really trying to bring a little more objective grading into subjective criticism, I’ve come to hate the term “expectations.” I really stretch to stay neutral at all times. That said, having zero expectations is impossible, which means, like this week’s question, plenty of movies will surprise me from what they were billed to be. For my answer this week, I dug back to 1999 and picked out a silly movie that really won my over, cheese and all.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanApril 10, 2019David EhrlichComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking "Shazam!"

Look! It’s the other Captain Marvel movie! In a quick turnaround after Marvel took it’s turn in March, the “comic council” of film critics united again to say our own magic words. Kicking the Seat’s Ian Simmons crossed the Skype-streams to put the wizardry of Ian, David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel, Emmanuel Noisette of Eman's Movie Reviews and myself together for a heck of a super-spirited podcast. Enjoy!

COLUMN: What Does a Video Producer Do?

Just like the director, the video producer is a valuable asset on the set. But why are they so important? Here are a few facts to help you figure out the basics of the video producer’s job and how you’ll benefit from hiring one. Every project, from a Hollywood movie to a short commercial video, requires a video producer. This person makes the whole production process go smoothly, preventing and eliminating all the mishaps along the way. Sounds pretty serious, but this doesn’t explain much. What does a video producer do?

SPECIAL, Editorial, ColumnDon ShanahanMarch 26, 2019Comment

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

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Is “elevated horror” a real thing"?

I’m not a horror film regular or connoisseur, but I know and appreciate a good horror film when I see one. I know “elevated horror” has become a buzz term, as evidenced by David Ehrlich’s survey this week, but I think the unlabeled idea of it has been around since the beginning of the genre. I consider it’s a compliment, which puts me in the slim minority this week on the dais.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanMarch 25, 2019David EhrlichComment

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

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the best documentary about the American political system?

Documentaries are not my strong suit. I’m a big An Inconvenient Truth mark, but I wouldn’t call that a documentary about the American political system just because of the presence and olive branch policies of former Vice President Al Gore. Ava DuVernay’s 13th also has scope beyond the business and posturing of D.C., but the political threads run farther and deeper, making it my worthy pick this week.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanMarch 19, 2019David EhrlichComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on March 11, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who is the greatest movie cat of all-time?

Eschewing the rest of the trollish buzz surrounding Captain Marvel, I really appreciated that David Ehrlich picked a lighter question this week. In honor of the scene-stealing “Goose” from that new Marvel entry, we critics were asked to elect a top feline. Honestly, it was hard not to just picked the marmalade-colored Flerken. It took a little soul-searching (and Google searching) to remind myself of the toilet-flusher himself.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanMarch 11, 2019David EhrlichComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking "Captain Marvel"

Not waiting for any S.H.I.E.L.D. clearance of sign from Thanos, Kicking the Seat’s Ian Simmons convened the “comic council” of film critics for the new Captain Marvel starring Brie Larson. Our Skype-tied dais puts their cosmic, warped, and warped cosmic thoughts on the record. Enjoy myself, Ian, David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel, and Emmanuel Noisette of Eman's Movie Reviews as we celebrate and critique the latest Marvel dynamo.. Enjoy our extremely entertaining back-and-forth chat!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanMarch 11, 2019AMC RIver East 21Captain Marvel, Kicking the SeatComment

EDITORIAL: The top martial art movies of all-time

If energy and entertainment entice you, you must watch martial art films! There are just a few things in the world which are as delectably enjoyable as this type of movies. When you can turn most on halfway through while watching martial art movies, you will still be glued to your seat. Chances are there, you will coast along with the plot while eagerly expecting the next action scene. If you’ve not watched such a movie for a while, make a move soon. Above that, you can buy the DVDs that you want at an affordable price.

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST CRITIC, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanMarch 6, 2019Comment

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

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who is the best villain so far this century?

Gosh, this one was a hard one. For every obvious Heath Ledger Joker from The Dark Knight or Javier Bardem’s Anton Chigurh from No Country For Old Men, you could site anything Philip Seymour Hoffman in from Mission: Impossible III to Rachel McAdams in Mean Girls and still land on a good pick. I emphasized the dastardly and went smaller with J.K. Simmons’ Oscar-winning antagonist from the masterful Whiplash.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanMarch 6, 2019David EhrlichComment

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

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who should play James Bond after Daniel Craig is done?

Between Connery, Moore, Dalton, and especially Brosnan, I credit my mother for making me a James Bond fan. Though the Mission: Impossible franchise is on quite a run, I still consider Ian Fleming’s character king of the spy game. With Daniel Craig north of 50 and rumored to be done, the decadent tuxedo will be open to a new actor soon. I think I know just the guy and it’s an eclectic choice.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanFebruary 25, 2019David EhrlichComment

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

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is one silver lining of this year's awards season, and why?

The 2018-2019 awards season has been a contentious and challenging up-and-down chore. Unpredictable one moment and inflexible the next, it was hard to find what David Ehrlich was looking for. Then I remembered the stature and history of Spike Lee and what a win for him would mean. I found my answer right there.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanFebruary 25, 2019David EhrlichComment

CHECKLIST: 20 films to watch for the 2020 Oscars

In what has become an annual Monday morning Oscar hangover, this website looks down the calendar and into the crystal ball to prognosticate which 2019 films could be contenders for the 92nd Academy Awards in 2020. Gosh, that year sounds like the absolute future. No sooner than the sun rises and coffee pots turn on, the next Oscar season starts now! Here’s your seventh year of advance scouting courtesy of Every Movie Has a Lesson. Release dates are listed if known.

2019, Column, Editorial, LIST, SPECIALDon ShanahanFebruary 25, 2019Comment