MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on June 25, 2018

Notable and notorious IndieWire film critic David Ehrlich recently put out a social media call for film critic peers to join a weekly survey to discuss movie topics, answer questions, and highlight their work. Representing Every Movie Has a Lesson, I, along with over 60 other emerging and established film critics including some of my fellow Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle members, accepted the invitation to participate. I'm honored by the opportunity, and I hope my responses are chosen each week.

2018, Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanJune 29, 2018Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on June 18, 2018

Notable and notorious IndieWire film critic David Ehrlich recently put out a social media call for film critic peers to join a weekly survey to discuss movie topics, answer questions, and highlight their work. Representing Every Movie Has a Lesson, I, along with over 60 other emerging and established film critics including four of my fellow Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle members, accepted the invitation to participate. I'm honored by the opportunity, and I hope my responses are chosen each week.

Social Media, SPECIAL, Media Appearance, Editorial, 2018Don ShanahanJune 24, 2018Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: "Connecting With Classics" Episode 6: "Bringing Up Baby"

The Feelin’ Film Podcast and Every Movie Has a Lesson go back a little further and a little sillier than than Jurassic Park and Jurassic World with the loosest movie interpretation of a paleontologist possible. 1938’s Bringing Up Baby, directed by Howard Hawks and starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, may not be scary but it is a classic screwball comedy with plenty to enjoy. Here’s our latest “Connecting With Classics!”

2018, Media Appearance, MOVIE REVIEW, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanJune 16, 2018Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Minisode podcast guest for "Feelin' Film" to review "First Reformed"

Friend-of-the-page and always the supportive collaborator, Aaron White of the Feelin' Film podcast exited his advance screening of Paul Schrader's First Reformed in need of a therapy session to exhale and unpack the heavy film. I had the same challenge. Combining forces, we jump on the mic to talk through what we just saw. First Reformed hit us hard with its intellectually profound script regarding matters of faith and environmentalism, providing plenty of questions and few answers. One of the strengths of the film is its ability to be a powerful conversation-starter, and this episode is proof of that.

2018, CAPSULE REVIEW, Film Festival, Independent Film, Media Appearance, MOVIE REVIEW, Podcast, Social MediaDon ShanahanJune 2, 2018Comment

EDITORIAL: What current stories will make good films?

Once upon a time, it took a little while for Hollywood to take on modern stories. There was a sort of unofficial understood waiting period before a major, real life event could be turned into a film. These days, however, that period has evaporated, as evidenced by numerous recent examples like Patriots Day, Zero Dark Thirty, and Charlize Theron is set to play Megyn Kelly in a film about the Roger Ailes scandal. Basically, films about current events are coming out a lot closer to the actual events. That got me wondering about what current stories might make for good films.

2018, Column, Editorial, GUEST CRITIC, Social MediaDon ShanahanMay 29, 2018Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on "You'll Probably Agree" to recap the 6th Chicago Critics Film Festival

In the third and final part of a busy May collaboration, Mike Crowley of "You'll Probably Agree" leads a full-bodied recap of what he and I covered from the prestigious and successful 6th Chicago Critics Film Festival. We rundown a collection of 10 reviews that included The Guilty, First Reformed, On Chesil Beach, Eighth Grade, Bodied, Support The Girls, Revenge, We The Animals, and Abducted in Plain Sight. Enjoy this uncut back-and-forth shared discussion!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on "You'll Probably Agree" YouTube channel to review "Solo"

Paired up for the second of three segments, "You'll Probably Agree" YouTube video critic Mike Crowley invited me to his Star Wars lair to offer an advance review Solo after a recent press screening. Mike is a big fan and was very eager to hear the prequel lowdown. He lets me take the lead to frame, dispel, and clear up expectations, hype, and some pressing questions. This review and video is SPOILER-FREE!

2018, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, Media Appearance, MOVIE REVIEW, Social Media, VIDEO REVIEWDon ShanahanMay 21, 2018Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on "You'll Probably Agree" YouTube channel to review "Deadpool 2"

YouTube video critic Mike Crowley invited me on his "You'll Probably Agree" channel to review Deadpool 2 after a recent press screening. We pile the humor on this R-rated blockbuster which is bigger, loud, and more of the same from Ryan Reynolds and company. Grace this video your thumbs up and feedback. While you're at it, do give Mike and his channel a subscribe and a follow on YouTube and Facebook.

2018, Media Appearance, MOVIE REVIEW, Social Media, SPECIAL, VIDEO REVIEWDon ShanahanMay 21, 2018Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: "Kids Klassics" series featured in The Wilmette Beacon

On behalf of the Wilmette Theatre, I have to give a big thank you to the media coverage from Alexa Burnell of The Wilmette Beacon for giving some love to our "Kids Klassics" series. It was a pleasure to talk with her after our opening showing of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I'll always be that small-town kid who always takes it as a big deal when you get your picture in the paper. Much appreciated!

Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanMay 20, 2018The Wilmette TheatreComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "The Cinescope Podcast" reflecting on "E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial"

Every Movie Has a Lesson gives a hearty welcome back to The Cinescope Podcast, hosted by Chad Hopkins, after a brief winter sabbatical. After seeing me recently come out of hosting a screening of E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial through the "Kids Klassics" series at The Wilmette Theatre, Chad invited me to record a nostalgic retrospective on Spielberg's film as the return episode of The Cinescope Podcast. E.T. is a cherished favorite film for both of us and it made for lovely discussion.

2018, Media Appearance, MOVIE REVIEW, Podcast, Retrospective, Social Media, SPECIAL, Vintage ReviewDon ShanahanMay 6, 2018Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking "Avengers: Infinity War"

This week, I was cordially invited to re-team with the mainstays of the Kicking the Seat Podcast hosted by Ian Simmons. David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel, Emmanuel Noisette of Eman's Movie Reviews, Ian, and I consider ourselves Earth's Mightiest Critics to discuss Marvel's summer-movie megalith, Avengers: Infinity War! We decompressed and ranted after an early screening at the MacGuffins bar and lounge of the AMC River East location. Presented here is an evenly divided round table of opinions.

2018, Media Appearance, MOVIE REVIEW, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanMay 1, 2018AMC River East 21Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: "Connecting With Classics" Episode #4: "Shane"

For this departing month of April, Aaron White of the Feelin' Film podcast are pleased to present you a conversation about 1953’s Shane, just in time for its 65th anniversary. Newer or younger audiences may recognize this film as the allegorical pairing made in James Mangold’s Logan, but this classic western sits at #46 on the AFI Top 100 10th Anniversary list and #3 on the westerns list for good reasons.