MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "You'll Probably Agree" podcast talking feel-good movies in the time quarantine

During this COVID-19 quarantine, a portion of our easy-going lifestyle of going to communal theaters to catch a big screen spectacle has been dealt a body blow. For many, this isolation is not a very fun time. Turning to our favorite movies at home or discovering some motivating and engaging new ones can be great medicine for happiness against the cabin fever blues. I joined Mike Crowley’s You’ll Probably Agree podcast this week to talk comforting cinema in a group conversation with Ian Simmons of Kicking the Seat and the esteemed Pat McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com. Give Mike’s YouTube channel a new subscriber, his Facebook page a like, and his Twitter a follow!

Social Media, SPECIAL, Podcast, Media Appearance, 2020, Home Media, Independent Film, StreamingDon ShanahanMarch 28, 2020Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" YouTube channel talking 1998's "Mulan"

The present social distancing and near complete shutdown of the mainstream cinema calendar has led to many postponed spring tentpoles. One of those was Disney’s hotly anticipated and latest re-imagining project of Mulan from director Niki Caro. All of us, critic and public alike, will get to see that movie someday. For now, it’s a great time to revisit the 1998 animated original. On the week we would have watched the new one, Ian Simmons of Kicking the Seat and I did that very thing. I’ve been a long-time fan of animated one and Ian was a first-timer! Enjoy this new video podcast episode on his YouTube channel!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanMarch 28, 2020AMC River East 21Kicking the SeatComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on "PopCulture25YL" Podcast talking March 1995

Since last summer, I’ve been very proud to be a staff writer for 25 Years Later, a rapidly growing entertainment site. One of their specialties (their namesake as you can likely tell) is looking back and examining cultural moments across all mediums that occurred 25 years ago. The site has been dipping its toes into audio content, including a full-fledged podcast. When the call came across the inter-office communication looking for a movie contributor to talk about the 1995 Academy Awards, I was quick to throw my hat in the ring. Thank you to host Conor O’Donnell for having me on and cutting the whole thing together to make us sound great. Here us talk about Forrest Gump, The Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, and more. Give this new podcast a listen!

25YL, SPECIAL, Social Media, Podcast, Media Appearance, 2020Don ShanahanMarch 26, 2020Comment

EDITORIAL: After "Parasite and "Get Out": What to Expect of Thrillers

Movies are confidently taking up one of the top spots on the list of most common ways of entertainment. The industry itself is bringing in millions every month. It’s a unique form of art that uses a completely different approach to storytelling than books or video games. And just like any art, it has been evolving throughout its entire life span, discovering new genres and developing new techniques.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, Independent Film, Foreign Film, SPECIALDon ShanahanMarch 23, 2020 Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Top Five Movies the Kids Will Love... and Parents Too!

by Mia Morales

Summertime is always a special time of the year, especially for the kids. Outdoor activities, family get-togethers, vacation adventures - and no homework! It also provides the perfect opportunity to catch up on some terrific movies that may have been overlooked during the busy school year. With that in mind, round up the kids, get plenty of popcorn and snacks and check out these five entertaining films.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanMarch 23, 2020Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" YouTube channel talking movies in the time of quarantine

With all the multiplexes shut down and mainstream releases postponed for the foreseeable future, the #firstworldproblems life of your rank-and-file movie critic has become pretty rough in the time of the COVID-19 quarantine. A question was posed among us of what are we up to stuck in our pajamas with movies to dig through at home. Well, I was unshy about my beautifying bedtime ritual to get on camera in my bedroom attire with Emmanuel Noisette of E-Man’s Movie Reviews for Ian Simmons and his Kicking the Seat YouTube channel to talk movies being consumed during our social distancing time! Enjoy!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanMarch 23, 2020AMC River East 21Kicking the SeatComment

COLUMN: 5 Great Movies you need to Watch Before Going to College

Before you join college, it would be nice to get an idea of how it would be like. Not to say that you should live your life according to what you see in movies. Movies are not only a good source of entertainment, but they also teach you a thing or two. There are countless movies out there you will enjoy as a student looking forward to join college. Before you can get to the life of always asking who will solve my homework, why not indulge in a little entertainment. Here are five incredible movies you should check out.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanMarch 10, 2020Comment

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

Boy, I tell you. You get right three men together with the right movie and hearts overflow. That was Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast, David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel, and myself sharing our experiences with Pixar’s Onward. All three of us are dads. All three of us are brothers in our families. The movie’s hearty feels won each of us over and it was a blast, as always, to talk about it on Ian’s recorded airwaves. Enjoy a good film-loving session!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanMarch 8, 2020AMC River East 21Kicking the SeatComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "The Cinescope Podcast" reflecting on "John Carter"

This past week, I was invited and welcomed back to The Cinescope Podcast, hosted by Chad Hopkins. With appreciation for its zest and its history, Chad and I shared our love for Andrew Stanton’s 2012 Disney adventure John Carter. It was an excellent chat. This was my third time on Cinescope after previous episodes on E.T the Extra Terrestrial and The Karate Kid. I look forward to the next chance to join Chad. Enjoy the podcast! Listen or download below!

Media Appearance, MOVIE REVIEW, Podcast, Retrospective, Social Media, SPECIAL, Vintage Review, 2020, Home MediaDon ShanahanFebruary 14, 2020John CarterComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast and YouTube talking "Birds of Prey"

One thing that doesn’t need a title change is Ian Simmons’ Kicking the Seat podcast. The same cannot be said of Birds of Prey (and the Emancipation of One Harley Quinn. That movie was the discussion subject of the recent 499th episode of Ian’s program. He, David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel, Emmanuel Noisette of E-Man’s Movie Reviews, and I passed around the hair tie to talk about the colorful and not-to-soft Suicide Squid sequel and spin off. Enjoy us comic fans putting forth some insight and regret!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanFebruary 14, 2020AMC River East 21Kicking the SeatComment

GUEST COLUMN: Lessons Found in "The Fast and Furious" Movies

by Kevin Gardner

Movies are a great way to escape the real world and place yourself in the middle of a new life. Films that extend from one to a series are some of the most exciting to watch because the storyline continues. “The Fast and Furious” set is no exception. Many watch it for its thrills and action scenes, but if you pay close attention, you can find some important life lessons. Here are nine messages these movies teach.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanFebruary 11, 2020Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Why Old Movies are More Useful than Modern Ones?

by Susan Saurel

When it comes to movie reviews, everyone has his or her opinion. Some people struggle to watch modern movies while others can’t finish watching an old movie without dozing off. Some people consider old movies to be outdated due to the mannerisms of the actors or the graphics. And this is quite true. However, old movies have valuable lessons that you can’t easily find in modern ones. And these lessons can be used in our modern world. Let’s discuss why old movies are better than modern ones.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, SPECIALDon ShanahanFebruary 11, 2020Comment