DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM REVIEW: Donald in Mathmagic Land

Frees’s voiceover goal is to change Donald’s mind about math, to ruffle his feathers of antiquated ideas, false concepts, superstitions, confusion, and general bungling (all revealed in pseudo-analog-Inside Out fashion). Whether the knowledge of these “boundless treasures of science” stick in his bird brain remains to be seen. Spirited and pristinely stylish animation, dancing shapes, and moveable manipulatives fill the screen backed by music from Buddy Baker, a veteran of 26 Disney films of the era.

2018, DOCUMENTARY REVIEW, MOVIE REVIEW, SHORT FILMS, Social Media, SPECIAL, 3 STARSDon ShanahanApril 25, 2018 Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: YouTube guest on YPA Reviews reflecting back on "The Social Network"

In light of Mark Zuckerberg's testimonies before Congress this past week, Mike Crowley, the excellent YouTube video creator of his You'll Probably Agree channel, hit me up with the idea of looking back at David Fincher's The Social Network. Fincher's film has evolved from a tell-all biopic of sorts to a cautionary tale with an impact that is still growing. Mike and I think the film holds up and we went the social media route to record a video chat of our conversation.

2018, 2010, Editorial, Media Appearance, Retrospective, VIDEO REVIEW, Vintage Review, SPECIAL, Social MediaDon ShanahanApril 17, 2018Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: 10 of the Most Memorable Cars from the Movies

I may not be a full-on gearhead, but I do love a great car in a film! Car leasing company OSV has created an interesting and engaging infographic detailing the 10 most memorable cars to have graced the silver screen in the last 50 years. From Steve McQueen’s Mustang GT390 in Bullitt to Vin Diesel’s Dodge Charger from The Fast and The Furious, these are mean machines that really stand out from the crowd.

2018, Editorial, Infographic, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanApril 13, 2018Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Wilmette Life and Chicago Tribune feature "Kids Klassics" series

On behalf of The Wilmette Theatre, I owe a big thank you to Wilmette Life, The Chicago Tribune, and freelance Pioneer Press reporter Dan Dorfman for the kind and positive coverage of our ongoing "Kids Klassics" series! We had our first screening of five covering Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Enjoy the news story and some pictures from the event.

2018, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanApril 11, 2018The Wilmette TheatreComment

INFOGRAPHIC: 99 Insanely Interesting Gambling Movie Facts

Do you want to kill at parties or learn to talk like a pro gambler at CasinoSites? Hollywood might help there! This little infographic below gives you 99 insane facts about some of the most popular gambling movies of all time. Like, the box office take for Casino Royale looked like the GDP of a small, developing country at around $599 million. Or that over 250 movies have been filmed in Las Vegas over the last seven decades.

2018, Editorial, Infographic, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanApril 11, 2018Comment

COLUMN: Sofy.tv emerges as an amazing new platform for short films

Every Movie Has a Lesson has gradually become more and more of an advocate and proponent of the buried treasure that is the short film scene. I'm excited to share this report of a promising new hub named Softy.tv for audiences to experience and enjoy more from this branch of the film medium. Enjoy and learn up on this great viewing opportunity!

2018, Column, Editorial, Film Festival, Independent Film, SHORT FILMS, Social Media, Video on DemandDon ShanahanApril 10, 2018Comment

SHORT FILM REVIEW: The Prince

n concisely thematic way, the award-winning short film The Prince, written and directed by Kyra Zagorsky, is a moving artistic interpretation of one of those such moments. It indeed has a thought-provoking story to tell, and the result creates a resonating effect in short order, the chief goal of a good short film. The Prince’s key to accomplishing its depth is the twin layers it uses to portray and describe its moment.

2018, 4 STARS, 2017, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, SHORT FILMS, Social Media, Video on DemandDon ShanahanApril 10, 2018Comment

EDITORIAL: 2018 March Madness Movie Bracket Challenges

Everything nowadays gets scored and ranked against everything. As an educator with accountability to assessment and achievement, I can respect that and gladly drink that Kool-Aid. With the annual NCAA March Madness tournament going on in full swing, a pair of movie-themed brackets have been surfing the Facebook waves and I couldn't help but be intrigued. One challenge is for the youthful casual fan and one is for the somewhat more serious cinephile.

2018, Column, Editorial, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanMarch 30, 2018Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: The Greatest Bets On Screen

I know I love a good gambling film. The anticipation and setup of a clever bet, con, or rouse can crack with cinematic excitement. If I had to add one to this list, it would the football skybox scene in 2015's Will Smith vehicle Focus. Here are some other winning moments. Enjoy this fun infographic from vegasslotsonline.com!

2018, Infographic, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanMarch 20, 2018Comment

COLUMN: 2018 Box Office Predictions

With Black Panther showing no signs of slowing down, what films coming in 2018 can make similar dents in our wallets? What blockbusters could put up big time numbers? Can anything catch Black Panther? I know the oddsmakers and informative websites like Sports Betting Dime can be a great resource for answering those questions and examining the field. In a quick list and editorial, let’s handicap and predict 10 contenders that could rule the 2018 box office.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Hosting new "Kids Klassics" series at The Wilmette Theatre!

The Wilmette Theatre is excited to announce a new, curated film series for children and families starting this spring. KIDS KLASSICS is a themed film series screening some of the most beloved classics. Each screening will be followed by a fun and educational talkback to engage young audiences to think about films in a new way. Hosted by Chicago film critic for Every Movie Has a Lesson and educator Don Shanahan, who will lead an interactive discussion.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking "A Wrinkle in Time"

Every Movie Has a Lesson joined Ian Simmons and his "Kicking the Seat Podcast" to travel nine billion miles across the universe in the blink of an eye alongside David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel! Our destination was Ava DuVernay's A Wrinkle in Time, the blockbuster adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's beloved children's science fiction novel. Ian continues in his show to talk about the Music Box Theatre's upcoming "Sci-Fi Spielberg" retrospective.

2018, Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanMarch 9, 2018AMC Navy Pier IMAXComment