GUEST EDITORIAL: Top 10 Movies About Food, Restaurants, and Chefs

by Nellie Rodriguez

Movies are great for captivating your sense of sight and sound. If the bass is high enough, you can feel 'touch' in the film. But, it is harder for a movie to make you taste or smell something. Or is it?

Films that captivate your senses connect with us on all levels. But that feat is easier said than done. When we try to remember our most memorable moments of movies about cooking and food, we can almost experience the synesthetic power via images, sizzling sounds, etc. that make our mouths water.

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 24, 2019Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Top Ten College Movies

by Aimee Laurence

There are so many hundreds of movies based on the college experience, because it is such a transformational life event. This article sets out our top ten favorites.

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 24, 2019 Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on October 14, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the best 21st Century movie about capitalism and class anxiety?

I gotta say, this topic was much tamer and quite the switch from the dangerous inquiry last week. Every generation and decade has their bumper crop of movies about our American capitalizm. In my lifetime, I point to Wall Street in the 80s and Boiler Room in the 90s. For this century, I went sentimental more than combative. The Big Short was a tempting second place choice.

Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2019Don ShanahanOctober 15, 2019David EhrlichComment

SHORT FILM REVIEW: Loyalty

As a school teacher by day beyond this role as a film critic, let me say that there can never be enough messages sent about the troubling epidemic of bullying. All are necessary. All are helpful. We need every personal testimonial. We need every pamphlet. We need every artistic measure of expression that can gather attention, provoke thoughts, and change a few hearts. The Chicago-made short film Loyalty from filmmaker Ira Childs is one of those necessary contributions. The short recently played at the 25th Black Harvest Film Festival at the Siskel Center.

GUEST EDITORIAL: 7 Biographical Movies About Scientists

People find the reading of biographies of some of the most notable individuals in the world interesting. You cannot see what it changes in them until you have sat and read one. The film industry has not fallen short of the same approach to its greatest movie creations. One common category is that of biographies of individuals such as scientists. If you find biographies of scientists interesting, then you cannot miss looking out this list of biographical movies about scientists.

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanOctober 9, 2019Comment

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