COLUMN: The Portrayal of Health Professionals in Movies

by Adrian Johansen

Movies that show hospitals or features doctors and nurses are not uncommon. They are often used to add a sense of realism to a movie, especially drama and action films. But, like any other area of movie-making, it’s important to remember that films (and television shows!) are created for entertainment value. So, what you see on the screen might not always be an accurate portrayal of what would happen in a real-world situation. With that in mind, let’s talk about some of the realistic and unrealistic depictions of healthcare workers and the industry itself as showcased in movies and television shows. The more you understand about some of the “good” and the “bad” portrayals, the more you’ll be able to appreciate these projects for what they’re trying to do.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, SPECIAL, Social MediaDon ShanahanJuly 10, 2020Comment

COLUMN: 6 Tips to Write Great Movie Characters

by Dorian Martin

Writing a screenplay is one thing and creating the characters to carry it is another. We can all close our eyes and think of our favorite movies, but we’ll actually be thinking about our favorite movie characters. And this is exactly why writing a great movie character description can be crucial for a screenplay. But, what happens if you’re not good at writing movie character descriptions? Or you simply don’t know how to do it? Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Here's what you need to know about writing a character description that is effective, attention-grabbing, and memorable.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, SPECIALDon ShanahanJuly 10, 2020Comment

COLUMN: Top 10 Fascinating Netflix Movies and Documentaries about Business and Entrepreneurship

Many educationists have come to find increasingly innovative methods to deploy teaching methodologies. It is essential to know that education is basically defined as the process of facilitating the acquisition of viable knowledge and information which professionals and students can deploy and implement in their real situations. This opens a whole new avenue where popular forms of entertainment, such as educational movies and films, can be used to deliver a way of experiential learning that can help people to learn valuable lessons.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, LIST, SPECIAL, StreamingDon ShanahanJuly 2, 2020Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: 99 Insanely Interesting Gambling Movie Facts You Probably Didn't Know

It’s safe to say that a gambling movie falls under its own genre. The tension and thrill of gambling with real money transfers, carried over to the silver screen, generating a unique excitement and an emotional roller coaster. Gambling is a topic that covers a broad range of themes, from happiness and success to shock and sadness. The world of gambling and casinos brings many different and unique stories, presented by a variety of styles that will meet even the highest movie expectations. Some movies make use of the glam and sophistication of the gambling world, while others will take you to its dark and ‘action-packed' side.

Column, Editorial, Infographic, LIST, SPECIAL, Social MediaDon ShanahanJuly 1, 2020Comment

EDITORIAL: Lessons on the New Future of Movie Theaters

With several regions of America starting to re-open (including my own state of Illinois and city of Chicago), it was time to get on the stump and arm the cannons. I put some of what follows into spoken word recently on an episode of Mike Crowley’s “You’’ll Probably Agree” podcast, but the issue has grown since then. Click into the multitude of links in the lessons for the deeper referenced stories. They are well worth their reads and your attention. The theme of this all can be summarized as cautiously optimistic.

2020, Column, Editorial, SPECIAL, Streaming, Video on DemandDon ShanahanJune 27, 2020Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking the politics of "Irresistible"

The VOD debut of Jon Stewart’s new comedy Irresistible starring Steve Carell and Rose Byrne set off an impromptu new release edition of Ian Simmons’s “Reelpolitik” series on his Kicking the Seat podcast. The two of us looked into all of the leg pulls and the rug pulls to find and enjoy all the ways Stewart pointed fingers at parties to blame and mirrors at those that need to see those mentalities. Ian and I found this one to be a hoot and we hope it finds the right open minds and welcome audiences. Enjoy our thorough podcast chat linked below!

INFOGRAPHIC QUIZ: Junkyard Quiz of Iconic Film and TV Cars

Enjoy this game from our friends at LeasingOptionsUK! Click and drag with your mouse around the junkyard and find car parts from iconic film and TV cars. Click on a car part to select it and submit your answers. Press the “End Quiz” button at any time to view your final score. Hit the RULES button to learn more or press PLAY to begin the game.

2020, Column, Infographic, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanJune 25, 2020Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: 6 Classic Bond Car Chases: Where Was He Really Going?

In the early James Bond movies, a technique known as rear window projection, or “driving a desk” was used to show a scene in the background of a stationary car (normally in a studio) to make it appear as though the car is in the middle of a high-speed car chase. This was due to the fact there were many places that it was practically impossible to take a full film crew, such as Times Square or other busy urban areas, due to the costs and restrictions in place at the time.

2020, Column, Editorial, Home Media, Infographic, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanJune 24, 2020Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: The Evolution of Autonomous Cars On-Screen

Self-driving cars are becoming a more realistic prospect with each passing year as companies from the traditional (Toyota, Audi and BMW) to the more disruptive (Tesla, Google and Uber) race to be the first to produce an intelligent vehicle that can get you from A to B without you needing to lift a finger. There's a financial incentive for this urgency to be number one. The global market for autonomous vehicles is projected to be valued at $615 billion by 2026. So, it's no surprise this tech has captured the imagination of Hollywood since the swinging sixties. On-screen automation has been portrayed through predictions of future technology, supernatural forces, or partnerships with people working on the real deal. This has meant there's been no shortage of iconic self-driving cars on-screen.

2020, Column, Editorial, Essay, GUEST EDITORIAL, Infographic, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanJune 24, 2020Comment

GUEST COLUMN: 10 Rules to Follow While Attending Film Festivals

by Kathrin Garner

Film festivals are a wonderful opportunity to see what’s new in the movie industry, but also to connect with people and hang out. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the plans of many film festivals. Some of them pushed their dates, others got canceled, some got postponed, and so on. But, sooner or later they’re going to happen and when that time comes you’ll want to get the most out of the movie festival experience. We’re going to help you out with 10 rules worth following.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Film Festival, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanJune 24, 2020Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Five Best Movies for the First Date

by Sandra Manson

There is a well-known expression about how much depends on the first impression. Imagine this situation: you met a charming girl on the NaughtyDate website, and you find out that she is a pleasant and sweet companion. Now you need to invite her to a first date, but what is the best way to arrange a meeting? A great option would be a movie. This approach has important advantages - firstly, for about two hours, you practically do not have to talk. Of course, you will discuss the moments of the film, but this is an interesting topic for conversation. Moreover, after the end of the film, you will already have a reason to talk. Secondly, you can understand if your partner likes such a pastime. Thirdly, just enjoy a good movie and teach aesthetic pleasure.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanJune 19, 2020Comment

COLUMN: 5 Best College Movies Worth Watching

College life is surely interesting and very dynamic. However, sometimes you just need to sit and relax, watching some good movies. But what if you often fail to choose the best movies and are disappointed with the modern cinema? We are here to help! Discover the list of the best movies that will give you tons of unforgettable emotions.