Posts in SPECIAL
SPECIAL: Now listed as one of "The Top 100 Movie Critics" on Screench

This week, I was approached by a representative from Screench, a movie recommendation engine website. They were impressed with Every Movie Has a Lesson and wanted to include me in their list of “The Top 100 Movie Critics” and sites to follow on their Critic Ratings page. I was happy to oblige and honored to be included among other top-shelf sites. Check Every Movie Has a Lesson out at #6 on the Top 100!

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Cinematic Underdogs" podcast talking "Slap Shot"

Through mutual social circles within the Facebook group of the Feelin’ Film Podcast, I was approached by Paul Keelan, one of the hosts of the Cinematic Underdogs podcast, to be a guest on their program. Joined by Jordan Puga, they’ve been targeting sports films for extended conversations. They pitched me to talk about Bennett Miller’s 2011 gem Moneyball, continuing a streak of behind-the-scenes sports movies. Talking with Paul as the “bonus episode” following the main show, our conversation went on to cover film criticism tropes, my hot take of The Tree of Life, and eventually, as planned, our impressions and musings on Moneyball.

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" Mission Report for Episode 5 of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"

Led by Ian Simmons, host of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel, I sit vitually alongside David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel, Mike Crowley of YPA Reviews, and Mark Krawczyk of The Spoiler Room Podcast. This past week was the penultimate episode of the first season of Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+. Rather than hitting the gas pedal, the episode pumped the brakes to really let the stakes build and sink in. The character work was very strong. Enjoy our drinks and a lively episode!

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INFOGRAPHIC: The most stunning buildings found in James Bond films

Few franchises have influenced American culture like “James Bond” has—and that includes architecture. Manicured estates, Prairie-style house plans and well-furnished lodges provide more than incredible film sets and backdrops for the movies. They have inspired millions of fans over the years and have served as travel inspiration for every corner of the world. To pay tribute to these structures, HomeAdvisor compiled a comprehensive list of beautiful architecture from every Bond film to create a series of posters – immortalized by artist Leonie Wharton. These minimalist posters explore Bond’s architectural history and remind viewers of key scenes ahead of the release of No Time to Die later in 2021.

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" Mission Report for Episode 4 of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"

Anyone who thought the third episode was sidebar or filler last week, they’re not saying it now. The stakes keep going up on Disney+’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Enjoy a group of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” heading straight to spoilers to hash out Episode #4. Led by Ian Simmons, host of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel, I sit vitually alongside David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel, and Mark Krawczyk of The Spoiler Room Podcast. Enjoy our drinks and a lively episode!

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" Mission Report for Episode 3 of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"

Anyone who thought the third episode was sidebar or filler last week, they’re not saying it now. The stakes keep going up on Disney+’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Enjoy a group of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” heading straight to spoilers to hash out Episode #4. Led by Ian Simmons, host of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel, I sit vitually alongside David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel, and Mark Krawczyk of The Spoiler Room Podcast. Enjoy our drinks and a lively episode!

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Seven Basic Tips to Create a Professional Short Film

Whether it’s a short documentary, funny clip, or an advertisement, filmmaking requires attention to every minute detail. You have to be creative and punctilious with your work. Although most of your viewers won’t have a background in production, they can easily spot the difference between good and bad work. Experienced filmmakers understand the field and their audience and usually have no trouble, but it’s great pressure on beginners. This article has some fundamental but useful tips to help you create a professional short film.

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" Mission Report for Episode 2 of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

It sure didn’t take long for this Disney+ series to get going. “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” led by Ian Simmons, host of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel led our second “Mission Report” for this squad covering The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series on Disney+. Enjoy Ian, myself, David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel, and Mark Krawczyk of The Spoiler Room Podcast. David Fowlie said it best with this episode talking about the “dimensions” showing up in all places.

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "CinemaJaw" podcast #508

This past week, I was stoked to join my critic peers as a guest on the CinemaJaw podcast, hosted by fellow Chicago Indie Critic members Matt Kubinski and Ryan Jagiello. This was my fourth appearance on their show. CinemaJaw remains one of the best and entertaining movie podcasts in this or any city. Give their work a like and a follow!

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" Mission Report for Episode 1 of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

The gravy train of creative offerings from Marvel Studios shows no signs of stopping and neither win the efforts of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” led by Ian Simmons, host of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel. Welcome to the first “Mission Report” for this squad covering The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series on Disney+. Enjoy Ian, myself, David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel, and Mark Krawczyk of The Spoiler Room Podcast. The new team-up of Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan had us all very impressed to see where this is going.

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" YouTube podcast "Zack Synder's Justice League"

Smashed between Marvel TV shows came the hotly anticipated Zack Snyder’s Justice League from the DC side of comic books and movies. The outpouring of fan ranting masked as support made this happen and the resulting four-hour new take makes a great deal of capital improvements that won over some of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” and missed for others. Enjoy host Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast on his YouTube channel bringing together myself, David Fowle of Keeping It Reel, and Mike Crowley of You’ll Probably Agree to talk all about his new HBO Max epic. Sorry for my late arrival!

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INFOGRAPHIC: The Most-Filmed Movie Locations in Every Country

by Barbara Davidson

New study reveals the most popular filming locations in each country around the world You know that feeling when you’re watching a movie and you see old-what’s-his-name appear in a supporting role? Ever had that feeling about a movie location? You turn to your viewing buddy (or to Google) to ask “what have I seen that guy/building/monument in before?” Your buddy probably shrugs. Some locations, like some actors, are just there. Again and again. Doing their thing in every movie ever made, apparently. NetCredit has stepped in to help your inner movie-nerd. We’ve identified the “that guy” locations of every country in the world: the landmarks and buildings that have the most movie credits on IMDb.

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