GUEST EDITORIAL: How Theaters Can Win Back Customers During COVID-19

by Kevin Gardiner

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of people to change their daily routine and activities, particularly recreational activities. Nevertheless, nightly news broadcasts continually show large gatherings of people who refuse to take social distancing seriously. Matters have been made much worse by poor leadership at the highest level of government. The businesses that have been battered as a result of federal and state governments’ failure to take reasonable preventative measures have needed to take matters into their own hands. Movie theaters find themselves at a particularly great disadvantage as so many people have become apprehensive about entering a closed-air environment where they’ll be in close proximity to other people.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, SPECIALDon ShanahanNovember 6, 2020 Comments

GUEST COLUMN: The Best American Baseball Movies

by Devin Caldwell

Ever since Americans began to fall in love with the game of baseball in the early 20th century, filmmakers have brought the sport to life on the big screen. Most baseball films have focused on the sport’s legendary athletes, historical games or scandalous events. Although several fine films have been produced on the subject, a few excellent baseball movies stand apart from the rest and are considered more than just sports films. With the exception of 42, the following iconic films are not based on factual events or players, but they personify why Americans love baseball.

2020, Column, Editorial, Home Media, LIST, GUEST EDITORIAL, SPECIALDon ShanahanNovember 6, 2020Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast and YouTube channel talking "Rebecca"

In my social circles, I tend to be the “movie guy” that offer suggestions on what to see, both new and old, when it comes to movies. It’s a fun rarity when I get to do that with a fellow movie critic. With the arrival of the new Rebecca starring Lily James and Armie Hammer, it created an opportunity for friend Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast to watch both Netflix’s remake and the revered Alfred Hitchcock classic. I nudged him into this one and it made for a good conversation. We cover a bit of both of them here on his podcast and YouTube channel. Enjoy!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanOctober 30, 2020AMC River East 21Kicking the SeatComment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Importance of Soundtracks in Movies

It is not easy to find a good soundtrack, so much so that if you investigate in search of something original you find those that already exist. There are many movies that their OST is an incredible and memorable subject, since it is 100% identifiable and fits perfectly with the time and the scenes. You can say that this soundtrack is an inseparable part of the film, since it gives it a more than necessary essence.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 26, 2020Comment

COLUMN: Five Most Impactful Movie Speeches of All-Time

For years, magnificent movie speeches stand-and-delivered by top actors have been making their way from the movie screen right to the hearts of the viewers, inspiring people for real changes, accomplishments, and acts of bravery. Indeed, they have gained a legacy status and have been carved in human minds for many years to come. Many movie speeches are worth mentioning, but these five are the most memorable and affecting ones.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 20, 2020Comment

GUEST COLUMN: 17 Best Relationship Lessons We Learned From Retro Movies

by Bethany Langston

Every film can provide us with some food for thoughts, especially those classic films with a simple plot and a natural range of emotions. Owing to the film plot, which represents any aspect of the relationship between people, we might not only get invaluable experience of acting in a certain situation but also collect plenty of powerful life lessons. So, let’s discover what are those relationship lessons we learned through watching old-fashioned films of the last century.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 20, 2020Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Tips for Creating the Ultimate Home Cinema

by Mike Cahill

Colder weather is approaching, and the average American’s options for outdoor activities are beginning to dwindle. While winter recreation can be a blast, there’s truly no better time to hunker down and enjoy the comfort of your own home. What better way to do that than building your own home theater? From cables and sound to projectors and comfy seats, we’re delivering the best tips on creating your perfect home theater from the professionals who know best. Whether you’re in Bedford or Portland, read on and learn how to create the best home theater experience on the block.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 11, 2020Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Quoted on Redfin Blog Talking Home Theaters

My website was approached recently by the home buying website Redfin and their blogging area through writer Mike Cahill. They were looking for contributors to offer some insights on home theater setups to be included in a collected piece. Funny thing is, I’m not fancy. I don’t own a single 4K device or even a big screen TV either. What I do have is a 1080p-enabled DLP projector and a big blank white wall. That setup makes a 120-inch picture that costs half as much as a super-nice TV half that screen size. Call me a home cinema MacGyver because I’ll take that kind of look and savings. I impart a little of that recommendation in Redfin.

2019, Chicago Film Festival, EVENT, Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 11, 2020Quality ComixComment

FESTIVAL COVERAGE: Drive-In features come to the 56th Chicago International Film Festival

The 2020 edition of the Chicago International Film Festival will bring several of their Gala and World Premiere presentations to socially distant audiences from the comfort of their automobiles. The Chi-Town Movies Drive-In location in the trendy Pilsen neighborhood hosts the Opening Night documentary Belushi, the Closing Night Nomadland, and six more films in-between. Tickets are available only through online advance sales. The full festival runs from October 14-25.

GUEST COLUMN: Great Movies to Create a Retro Mood at Home

by Theresa Cofield

Whether you are a classic movie enthusiast or you simply enjoy retro style in movies, there are some movies for you to enjoy. Sometimes it is just needed, you want to stay at home and feel cozy. It’s also a great idea to enjoy retro settings with your friends or family members. Below you may find some interesting movies with descriptions. Check out these options, some of these movies are modern but create an unforgettable retro atmosphere. Others are retro movies considered to be the best masterpieces of all time.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 26, 2020 Comments

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast and YouTube channel talking "A Face in the Crowd" for the ReelPolitik series

Throughout 2020, I’ve had the pleasure of being invited on Ian Simmons’ website “Kicking the Seat” to contribute to his year-long “Reelpolitik” series. Leading up to the hotly anticipated national election this November, Ian has been pulling aside classic films that exemplify politics with possible parallels to our present state today. This school teacher loves to talk on that kind of level. For my fourth appearance, Ian and I dive deep into Elia Kazan’s A Face in the Crowd from 1957, a punchy political satire starring a then-little known Andy Griffith in a shocking role far different than his future career peaks. Enjoy our discussion in podcast and video forms below!

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

GUEST COLUMN: Unbelievable Movies Based On True Stories That Deserve Documentary Status

by Kurt Waller

There are times when you search for great documentaries, but in the end, what you find are movies based on true stories that have enough in them to be called a documentary or be recorded as one but aren’t. These movies re-live those things that happened in real life over someone’s life. It could also be a global catastrophe or some other event, and they are amazing to watch.