GUEST CRITIC #31: Clemency

by Lafronda Stumn

As busy I get from time to time, I find that I can't see every movie under the sun, leaving my friends and colleagues to fill in the blanks for me. As poetically as I think I wax about movies on this website as a wannabe critic, there are other experts out there. Sometimes, it inspires me to see the movie too and get back to being my circle's go-to movie guy. Sometimes, they save me $9 and you 800+ words of blathering. In a new review series, I'm opening my site to friend submissions for guest movie reviews.

2019, 2020, 3 STARS, GUEST CRITIC, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, Social MediaDon ShanahanSeptember 5, 2020ClemencyComment

GUEST COLUMN: 17 Inspirational Quotes from Oscar-Winning Movies

by Ashley Simmons

Movies are a beautiful way of getting out of your daily routine and enjoy some time for yourself. They could also be your personal marketing method of escaping reality for some time and becoming absorbed in a different Universe. A study conducted at the University of Maryland looked at the causal effect of laughing on people’s long-term well-being. The results suggested that watching comedies can release stress and lower blood pressure.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, Social MediaDon ShanahanAugust 27, 2020Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Feelin' Film" FF+ podcast for "The One and Only Ivan" and "Desert One"

Friend of the page Aaron White, co-host of the Feelin’ Film podcast and member of the Seattle Film Critics Society, has reignited his FF+ brand of smaller plate podcast episodes. His goal is to collect spoiler-free discussions of several current movies combined into one show. Rather than fly solo, he’s using his FF+ platform to invite other critics to share in the chat. For this episode, Aaron invited me to help cover the stunning documentary Desert One and the new Disney+ entry The One and Only Ivan. Enjoy!

INFOGRAPHIC: Disney Originals vs. Live-Action Remakes

by Chantel Buchi

What’s the first Disney original and remake that comes to your mind? Would you agree the classic version is the best? No one can deny our love for the talking candlestick, portly Gus-Gus, and the Hundred Acre Wood. (If you can’t name the movies, are you even a Disney fan?) We have to say we love the animated, magical movies that take you to another world. The wonderful, nostalgic movies take us back to simpler times. One reason Disney keeps doing remakes? They make enough money to pay for a lot more than “The Bare Necessities.”

2020, Column, Editorial, Home Media, Infographic, GUEST EDITORIAL, LIST, Social Media, SPECIAL, StreamingDon ShanahanAugust 19, 2020Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: Basement Management Tips to Take From Movies and TV Shows

If you’re looking for tips and tricks to make your basement a little more manageable, chances are you’re not going to think about movies and TV shows immediately. They’re not exactly known for their realism — that’s one of the reasons people love movies and TV shows so much. However, there are actually some interesting tips you can take from certain iconic moments in film. Here are some of the more interesting issues with famous basements.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, Social Media, SPECIAL, InfographicDon ShanahanAugust 19, 2020Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking "Project Power"

Twice now in the same month since a multi-month hiatus of scheduling, Ian Simmons was able to assemble the fabled “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” on his Kicking the Seat podcast for a brand new superhero film: Netflix’s Project Power. Myself, David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel, and Emmanuel Noisette of E-Man’s Movie Reviews popped our pills with Ian to put our buzz into the exploits of Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Dominique Fishback. Enjoy our thorough podcast chat linked below via Stitcher!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanAugust 15, 2020AMC River East 21Kicking the SeatComment

COLUMN: Using Followers on Instagram to Promote Your Short Film Online

by Andrew Thompson

It’s 2020 and promotions have acquired a new way, including movies. Gone are the days when actors, directors, writers, and the film crew attended only a press conference to share the necessary details. Your audience today has become more critical than ever! For every movie maker and artist, their audience is their social currency, which they should earn and maintain well. Are you planning to promote your short film? If yes, you need to think of an intelligent social media marketing campaign and add Instagram as an integral social media platform for promotions.

2020, Column, Editorial, Social MediaDon ShanahanAugust 8, 2020 Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: Alternative Pop Culture Car History

Unlike today’s productions with mammoth budgets and product placing, many movie cars of the past were chosen purely because that was all the movie producers could get their hands on at the time. There was often no particular car that was planned for the role. From Bristol Street Motors, scroll below to find out why some of your favorite cars from TV and film almost never made it onto the big screen.

2020, Column, Editorial, Infographic, Social MediaDon ShanahanAugust 4, 2020Comment

4 Casino-Related Movies That Are Based on Real-Life Events

It’s hard not to find yourself suddenly fixated on a movie once you know that it’s based on real-life events. While there may be some extra dramatization for production purposes, the fact that the events transpired in real-life adds a rich realistic layer to the movie. Gambling happens to be one interesting real-life topic that has been made into countless movies. From crime overlords to mathematical geniuses, we’ll be listing the top 4 casino-related movies that have true stories behind them.

2020, Column, Editorial, Home Media, SPECIAL, Social MediaDon ShanahanJuly 30, 2020Comment

Top 6 Documentaries About Cryptocurrency You Need to Watch

If you want to learn more about cryptocurrency trading, you should choose the right platform that is characterized by innovative technology. As seen on the bitcoin loophole, there are trading platforms that designed both automated and manual cryptocurrency for different types of users. If you choose a trading platform that uses the right software, you can easily make money by investing in the minimum amount of funds, time, and effort. However, some people still do not know how cryptocurrency functions. Luckily, there are dozens of documentaries and films specifically produced to enlighten people about cryptocurrency.

2020, Column, Editorial, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanJuly 26, 2020Comment

4 Surprising Casino Facts Found in Famous Movies

The movies offer wonderful food for thought and huge doses of much-needed escapism. However, some of the realities they claim to depict are heightened or straight up glossed over for the benefit of entertainment. Of course, you knew that. But, as a casino aficionado, you perhaps did not realize the extent to which the beloved games are twisted for the storyline to work. Here are a few correctives to common misconceptions about casinos and gambling promulgated by cinema.

2020, Column, Editorial, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanJuly 25, 2020Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Strange Celebrity Addictions

by Daniel Korolija

We are all addicted to something, and usually, we’re not even aware of it. Some of us enjoy watching the same TV show every day, while others compulsively coil locks of hair around their fingers. Celebrities have the same obsessions and compulsions as the rest of us. They’re people too. The phrase “celebrity addictions” brings drugs and alcohol to mind, but the truth is that famous people face a full spectrum of obsessions and fixations. From celebrity gamblers to shopping addicts, here’s what the rich like to fixate on.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, SPECIAL, Social MediaDon ShanahanJuly 21, 2020Comment