4 Iconic Female Characters in Gambling Movies

It’s a common misconception that gambling is more of a male pastime, whereas in reality there are just as many women who love games of chance. This is a fact that’s reflected on the silver screen as well, with many great movies inspired by gambling also having strong female characters at their core. To prove just how influential the women of the cinema can be in gambling movies, here are just a few of the most impressive and enduring examples of characters that have caught our imagination over the years.

2022, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanApril 27, 2022Comment

How The Arts Can Help With Mental Health

In order to address the rising number of persons suffering from long-term ailments, as well as an ageing population that may experience high levels of physical inactivity and social isolation, it is now more necessary than ever that fresh and effective therapies are created. According to the evidence available, the arts play a crucial part in this process – by offering aid, enhancing well-being, and providing a space for social connection, to mention a few examples.

2022, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanApril 27, 2022Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: That Night

That Night may buzz around the living spaces and late-night haunts of the Windy City on a path to sunrises, but every pitfall or bit of good luck comes back to our main leads with karma and consequence. Through the boozy haze, Stacey and Lily confronting their uncertain futures is the locked core of the movie. Montenegro and Gester demonstrate excellent chemistry in their shared conversations where will-they/won’t-they cliches are challenged every step of the way.

2022, 3 STARS, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, Film Festival, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, EVENTDon ShanahanApril 26, 2022That Night, The Logan TheatreComment

Casinos in the Movies: Are They True to Real Life?

Throughout the history of cinema, casinos have often found their way into the movies. There’s something particularly glamorous about casino locations, so it’s no wonder so many directors and writers have chosen to film scenes (or sometimes entire movies!) there. Films such as the classic James Bond movie Dr. No and the more recent Casino Royale have very intense casino scenes that appear very glamorous to those watching. On top of that, we see films such as 21 that are almost entirely about casino games. But are they like real life or are they fantasy?

Don ShanahanApril 26, 2022Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: The Founder: Where it Was Filmed and Why

by Lewis Robinson

The 2016 hit movie, "The Founder," tells the story of the founding of McDonald's. The film is set primarily in Minnesota, where Ray Kroc got his start. However, the locations that you see on screen can't actually be found anywhere in the gopher state. Instead, Atlanta and several surrounding cities stood in for the various locations in the film. Here's a look at which places may have stood in for your favorite scenes.

2022, Column, Editorial, GUEST CRITIC, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanApril 25, 2022Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Feelings in Technicolor: A Movie Review of 2015's "Inside Out"

by Lewis Robinson

Emotions drive human behavior, at least according to the 2015 film Inside Out from Pixar Studios. The lively and heartfelt collaboration between longtime Pixar director Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc, Up) and story artist Ronnie del Carmen (Wall-E, Brave) adroitly balances the sense of internal tumult of adolescence with the perspective of parents watching it all unfold.

2022, Column, GUEST EDITORIAL, GUEST CRITIC, EditorialDon ShanahanApril 25, 2022Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Participant in "World of Reel" Critics Poll for Best Films of the 1970s

As I have grown in press credentials and professional affiliations nationally, I have found myself landing in circles with other film critics of various levels. Recently, I was included in my fourth call for voting critics for Jordan Ruimy of World of Reel. He is a fellow Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic who also has contributed to The Young Folks, The Playlist, We Got This Covered, and The Film Stage. His poll was to collect the Top Films of the 1970s from over 150 critics and other industry folk. I was honored to chime in with my 15 unranked selections to be included with some very high professional company.

Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2022, LISTDon ShanahanApril 22, 2022Comment

PODCAST: Episode 60 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 60th episode, two calmly-pulsed film critics, non-absentee dads, and astronomical school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan welcomed back previous guest Aaron White, one of the hosts of the successful Feelin' Film Podcast. Like last time with Passengers, we stay in space, but in a solar system far closer to home and with way, way, way less pissing and moaning across the three opinions. It's the recent and ruminative Brad Pitt vehicle Ad Astra that calms our combined civility to talk about quieter science fiction and father-son dynamics.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube "Wednesday Knight Live" roundtable for "Moon Knight" Episode 4

If last week’s “Wednesday Knight Live” hosted by Ian Simmons on his Kicking the Seat YouTube Channel was any indication, the Moon Knight show and all of us at “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” are off the rails. Twist be damned in the fourth episode, most of us are checked out and the comedy that ensues because of that and the listener comments really made the show very entertaining this week, gutter humor and all! Enjoy myself, Ian, “King of Geeks” personality Elliott Serrano, Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions, and Annie Banks of Chuck Load of Comics for all the laughs!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanApril 22, 2022AMC River East 21Kicking the Seat, Marvel, Moon KnightComment

GUEST COLUMN: 3 Films With Unrealistic Hospital Portrayals

by Lewis Robinson

Hospitals are a popular setting for production studios everywhere. While this is definitely understandable, it's resulted in several inaccurate portrayals of medical facilities. So, in order to set the record straight, here are three films with unrealistic hospital portrayals.

2022, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanApril 22, 2022Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Considering the 4 Coolest Movie Restaurants To Have a Meal

by Lewis Robinson

Have you ever been watching a movie and thought to yourself how cool it would be to go to the restaurants that are part of the movie? Maybe you enjoy seeing the early 20th-century prices at diners like those shown in Road To Perdition. Perhaps you like the busy, weekday morning ambiance of the coffee shop shown at the beginning of Training Day, or the strict decorum of the steakhouse where Denzel tracked the three wise men down and told Ethan Hawke to order a baseball steak. Celluloid seating doesn't exist for folks who aren't actually part of the movies, but if there was a way to break down that fourth wall, there are loads of eateries that might be fun places to people-watch or take a meal.

2022, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanApril 22, 2022Comment

GUEST COLUMN: The Best Cybersecurity Movies

by Lewis Robinson

Since the internet was invented, we have always been susceptible to computer hackers. Some people and companies are more vulnerable than others. These days, you can prevent this type of activity if you educate yourself on how it happens in the first place. Hacking can also be prevented by keeping your computer up to date and avoiding opening fishy emails. You can learn a lot about cyber security by watching or reading about the following movies.

2022, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanApril 22, 2022Comment