MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on October 7, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the most “dangerous” movie of this century?

I’m not a believer that movies can incite violence, but I am a big believer that they can incite stupidity. Just like the poor fitness and health that comes from when all you eat is garbage, a mind can be trashed the same way. I put the school teacher hat on for my response to this week’s survey question and I don’t care if I get laughed at. Danger to me is seeing the youth of America in my classrooms accepting the Minions as high quality entertainment worth their screen time.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanOctober 9, 2019David EhrlichComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking "Joker"

The movie that had everyone talking before its release had four film critics filled with words after its advance press screening. The comic council convened to be dared to love or hate Joker. As always, Ian Simmons leads the Kicking the Seat podcast as myself, David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel and Emmanuel Noisette of E-Man’s Movie Reviews hop into this clown car. The surprise and heat in voices was palpable coming out of that screening. Enjoy this podcast episode!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanOctober 6, 2019AMC River East 21Kicking the Seat, JokerComment

INFOGRAPHIC: 9 Lessons We Can Learn on Risk-Taking From Stunt Drivers

The average moviegoer may not know that even stunt drivers have their limits when it comes to risk. For some, this threshold is fire, while for others it could be heights. Knowing when to take risks and when to play it safe is all about knowing your limits. While these fascinating car stunts look great on the big screen, risky driving has serious consequences in the real world. However, taking measured risks in other life situations — like your career — may lead to personal growth and success. We looked to famous stunt drivers and action films to find examples of how risk-taking can be rewarding in the right situation — but never on the road.

2019, Column, Editorial, Infographic, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 5, 2019Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: Landmarks Destroyed by Movie Monsters

There’s something so visceral and alluring about the spectacle of it. And it’s that spectacle that Hollywood loves to create for the silver screen over and over again. These monumental destructions then most likely feature in all of the marketing materials too, as there is such an appeal to it. On this theme, Vibrant Doors made these travel posters from landmarks destroyed by movie monsters in a vintage, retro style and I’ve featured them here for you to check out!

2019, Column, Editorial, Home Media, Infographic, Social MediaDon ShanahanOctober 5, 2019Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: 7 Movies You Might Not Know Were Based on Books

There are so many great movies out there that we all know and love that you’re often sat there at the end wondering where on earth the director go their ideas. Well, to give you some food for thought we’ve tracked down a whole host of timeless classics that were available in book form years before they ever made it to the big screen. Here are a few that will surprise you.

2019, Column, Editorial, Home Media, Social MediaDon ShanahanOctober 4, 2019 Comment

EDITORIAL: 5 Lessons from Movie Gamblers

“You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em …” Yeah, you’re welcome for the earworm. Who would have thought that a Kenny Rogers song, later turned into a movie, would really provide life lessons? It is just one of many movies about “gamblers” that offer messages beyond laying bets. Of course, those lessons still apply when visiting online sportsbooks and making decisions on wagers. Here are 5 lessons from the top movie gamblers that you can apply to your life in ways that fit you:

2019, Column, Editorial, Social MediaDon ShanahanOctober 4, 2019Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on September 30, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the best biopic performance of all-time?

After a month off to accomodate the heart of festival season for David Ehrlich, the IndieWire Critics Survey returned this week to point at Renee Zellweger’s raved performance in Judy. The question was posed of what is the best biopic performance of all-time. A year ago, the question of the best biopic movie has been done on this survey (where I picked Raging Bull). For single performance, I went more musical.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanOctober 1, 2019David EhrlichComment

GUEST EDITORIAL: 7 Best Films About the World of Translation

Nowadays, in today’s globalized world, translators are more important than ever before. The experts from The Word Point explain that” Translators are the ones that enhance communication by conveying information accurately from one language to another, thus, eliminating any language barriers that exist across the world. And, unlike computer-generated translations, professional interpreters can provide 100% accurate language translation”. Although there are very few movies who revolve around this profession, those who do, succeed to perfectly capture the challenges the translators and interpreters face. Here are the 7 best movies about the world of translation and its importance:

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, LIST, Social MediaDon ShanahanSeptember 26, 2019Comment

REVIEW COLLECTION: 5th annual Irish American Movie Hooley

As an Chicagoan of strong Irish descent myself, let me step in and play the part of “good authority.” I have it on good authority that the annual Irish American Movie Hooley is a boisterous event with a trio of buried treasure movies that normally wouldn’t grace American screens. Just as the event’s name translates: “When a party gets rowdy, the Irish call it a ‘hooley.’” You need to join the 5th edition of this artistic autumnal party at The Gene Siskel Film Center over the weekend of September 27–29. Come for the scene. Consume some friendly and fascinating culture. Here are my capsule reviews!

2019, Chicago Film Festival, EVENT, Foreign Film, Independent Film, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanSeptember 25, 2019Gene Siskel Film CenterComment

VINTAGE REVIEW: The Untouchables

History and popularity have been kind to Brian De Palma’s crime movie achievement. The American Film Institute nominated the movie in five categories (Movies, Thrills, Hero, Villain, Film Score, and Gangster Film) during its “100 Years” series last decade. Then and now, The Untouchables earned a city’s pride and spurred new popularity to the Capone legend. Its success also fueled a star’s rise (Costner), secured another’s lasting legacy (Connery), and reminded audiences just how sharply talented its steward was. Once the end credits hit and Morricone plays us all out, you can also feel Brian De Palma channeling tough-guy Jimmy Malone with a “here endeth the lesson.” The hitmaker never lost his edge.

2019, 4 STARS, Home Media, MOVIE REVIEW, Social Media, RetrospectiveDon ShanahanSeptember 22, 2019The RookeryComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Quoted in Reel Chicago for the short film "A Sisterhood of Signatures"

I’ve know film critic and now filmmaker Okema “Seven” Gunn for a few years now. She is someone I recruited into the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle for a time. When she tabled her review writing to work on her passion project of making a film, I told her I would first in line to give her work a proper review. Her film, A Sisterhood of Signatures, premiered at the Black Harvest Film Festival and recently had another showing at the Oak Park International Film Festival. I’m happy it’s getting itself out there, and I’m glad the words of my positive review could be a benefit for the film, as seen in recent coverage featured in Reel Chicago written by Daniel Patton:

GUEST EDITORIAL: The Best Movies with the Most Unpredictable Denouement

The movie industry is flourishing. New movies are created every day and more and more young people get involved in the industry. But, making a movie that will be first in the box office is not that easy. It must have a great plot. It must have strong characters and an interesting story. It must have an eye-appealing graphic and mesmerizing effects. But, one of the things that contribute the most to the success of a movie is the denouement. In the digital era, everyone has access to the internet and information. And it often happens to read the spoilers. But if you are not concerned about them, here is a list of the best movies with the most unpredictable denouement that you should watch.

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, LIST, Social MediaDon ShanahanSeptember 19, 2019 Comments