MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" YouTube channel talking "Jojo Rabbit"

When you see a fellow film critic love a movie you loved too, it’s like an invisible fist-bump or high-five. When I heard friend-of-the-page Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast adore Jojo Rabbit, I could not help but nag him to talk about it. He had already covered the film with critic Pat McDonald of Hollywood Chicago for his podcast, but wanted to bring me in for a video to balance the takes out after Pat was a little lukewarm on it compared to Ian and I. Enjoy Ian and I singing spoiler-free praise for Jojo Rabbit on his YouTube channel.

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanNovember 4, 2019AMC River East 21Kicking the SeatComment

INFOGRAPHIC: How Franchises Make Their Money

Casino Kings recently analyzed the world’s highest grossing media franchises that started out as cartoons, films, comic books, video games and other forms of media to find out how they make their money. Scroll through this gallery slideshow of infographics to find out which revenue streams generate the most money forthese famous franchises.

2019, Column, Editorial, Infographic, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanNovember 4, 2019Movie FranchisesComment

INFOGRAPHIC QUIZ: Reckon You Know Movie Cars?

The fine folks at Select Car Leasing have chosen 10 of the of the most iconic TV cars and put them through our unique virtual wind tunnel. When you’re first presented with one of our 10 cars, you’ll be asked which car you’re looking at. The catch? – the car will be invisible. Your clue to guess the car is the outline of the smoke sweeping across the screen. When you select your answer, the car in the wind tunnel will then appear to let you know if you have made the correct choice.

2019, Column, Editorial, Infographic, SPECIAL, Social MediaDon ShanahanNovember 4, 2019Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Top 10 Movies About Food, Restaurants, and Chefs

by Nellie Rodriguez

Movies are great for captivating your sense of sight and sound. If the bass is high enough, you can feel 'touch' in the film. But, it is harder for a movie to make you taste or smell something. Or is it?

Films that captivate your senses connect with us on all levels. But that feat is easier said than done. When we try to remember our most memorable moments of movies about cooking and food, we can almost experience the synesthetic power via images, sizzling sounds, etc. that make our mouths water.

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 24, 2019Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Top Ten College Movies

by Aimee Laurence

There are so many hundreds of movies based on the college experience, because it is such a transformational life event. This article sets out our top ten favorites.

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 24, 2019 Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on October 14, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the best 21st Century movie about capitalism and class anxiety?

I gotta say, this topic was much tamer and quite the switch from the dangerous inquiry last week. Every generation and decade has their bumper crop of movies about our American capitalizm. In my lifetime, I point to Wall Street in the 80s and Boiler Room in the 90s. For this century, I went sentimental more than combative. The Big Short was a tempting second place choice.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanOctober 15, 2019David EhrlichComment

FESTIVAL PREVIEW: The 10 best special presentations at the upcoming 55th Chicago International Film Festival

For the 55th year, the excellent and eclectic of national and international cinematic art descends on the Windy City for a fall conclave. The 55th Chicago International Film Festival begins on Wednesday, October 16th with the Opening Night bow of Edward Norton’s period crime drama Motherless Child and continues until October 27th with the Closing Night documentary premiere of The Torch chronicling the life of blues legend Buddy Guy. Norton’s film leads an eleven-day showcase of 21 different themed programs containing over 120 films.

2019, Chicago Film Festival, Column, EVENT, Film Festival, Foreign Film, NEWS, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 14, 2019Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: 7 Biographical Movies About Scientists

People find the reading of biographies of some of the most notable individuals in the world interesting. You cannot see what it changes in them until you have sat and read one. The film industry has not fallen short of the same approach to its greatest movie creations. One common category is that of biographies of individuals such as scientists. If you find biographies of scientists interesting, then you cannot miss looking out this list of biographical movies about scientists.

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 9, 2019Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on October 7, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the most “dangerous” movie of this century?

I’m not a believer that movies can incite violence, but I am a big believer that they can incite stupidity. Just like the poor fitness and health that comes from when all you eat is garbage, a mind can be trashed the same way. I put the school teacher hat on for my response to this week’s survey question and I don’t care if I get laughed at. Danger to me is seeing the youth of America in my classrooms accepting the Minions as high quality entertainment worth their screen time.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanOctober 9, 2019David EhrlichComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking "Joker"

The movie that had everyone talking before its release had four film critics filled with words after its advance press screening. The comic council convened to be dared to love or hate Joker. As always, Ian Simmons leads the Kicking the Seat podcast as myself, David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel and Emmanuel Noisette of E-Man’s Movie Reviews hop into this clown car. The surprise and heat in voices was palpable coming out of that screening. Enjoy this podcast episode!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanOctober 6, 2019AMC River East 21Kicking the Seat, JokerComment

INFOGRAPHIC: 9 Lessons We Can Learn on Risk-Taking From Stunt Drivers

The average moviegoer may not know that even stunt drivers have their limits when it comes to risk. For some, this threshold is fire, while for others it could be heights. Knowing when to take risks and when to play it safe is all about knowing your limits. While these fascinating car stunts look great on the big screen, risky driving has serious consequences in the real world. However, taking measured risks in other life situations — like your career — may lead to personal growth and success. We looked to famous stunt drivers and action films to find examples of how risk-taking can be rewarding in the right situation — but never on the road.

2019, Column, Editorial, Infographic, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 5, 2019Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on September 30, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the best biopic performance of all-time?

After a month off to accomodate the heart of festival season for David Ehrlich, the IndieWire Critics Survey returned this week to point at Renee Zellweger’s raved performance in Judy. The question was posed of what is the best biopic performance of all-time. A year ago, the question of the best biopic movie has been done on this survey (where I picked Raging Bull). For single performance, I went more musical.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanOctober 1, 2019David EhrlichComment