by Kevin Gardner

For fans of Tom Hanks in Castaway, the film Finch is an easy sell. Set on a post-apocalyptic Earth that's too hot and severe for any human to thrive, the movie stars Tom Hanks as Finch, a robotics engineer, alongside his faithful dog, Goodyear, and two robot buddies. Hanks's performance shines and grounds the film in realistic emotions even as the pacing sputters and the plot loses steam. As any good sci-fi film should, Finch packages deeper lessons about humanity inside of a story that highlights the power of technology.

2022, Column, EditorialDon ShanahanSeptember 3, 2022Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Behind the Scenes of "Legally Blonde"

by Kevin Gardner

Legally Blonde is a movie that is considered an absolute icon, and virtually everyone who has been around for the past 21 years has heard of it. However, there are some things that you may not know about the movie that may surprise you more than Elle learning that Warner wanted to break the engagement. Keep reading for some behind-the-scenes action from Legally Blonde.

2022, Column, EditorialDon ShanahanSeptember 3, 2022Comment

GUEST COLUMN: What "Silver Linings Playbook" Teaches Us About Mental Health

by Kevin Gardner

Silver Linings Playbook has been revered as a groundbreaker in terms of how mental illness is portrayed on the silver screen, and even won an Oscar. However, if you were watching the movie for the main story and did not catch any of the nuances, you may have missed a lot that went into making sure that the character's disorders were depicted as accurately as possible. Keep reading to learn what this movie teaches us about mental health.

2022, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanSeptember 3, 2022Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Michael Mann Fans Can Appreciate 2006’s "Miami Vice"

by Kevin Gardner

“Miami Vice'' is one of the least noteworthy installations in Michael Mann’s filmography, but it’s still an excellent selection for any movie night when you want to watch a well-directed action thriller. In traditional Mann style, the film is visually striking and atmospheric. It shows viewers a modern Miami and compelling re-imaginings of iconic characters. Most of Mann’s filmography consists of adaptations, and this is his first film adapting his own work.

2022, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanSeptember 3, 2022Comment

GUEST COLUMN: What Technology Was Used in Your Favorite Movies?

by Lewis Robinson

Movies are the perfect escape. We can suspend disbelief and enter into entire new worlds, whether they be filled with superheroes, space adventures, or heartwarming tales. But how do filmmakers make these imaginary places seem so real?

2022, Column, EditorialDon ShanahanSeptember 3, 2022Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Five Important Technologies that are Used While Filming Some of Your Favorite Movies

by Lewis Robinson

Some of your favorite movies use a variety of different technologies in order to create realistic and engaging scenes. Here are five examples of such technology at work:

2022, GUEST EDITORIAL, EditorialDon ShanahanSeptember 3, 2022Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul

Through impressive performances from Support the Girls star Regina Hall and This is Us Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown, Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul has caricatures so believable that they transcend the winking-at-the-camera trope with vivid potency. There’s another level of “commitment to the bit.” We, the audience are not normally supposed to believe what we see from the characters but, with these two, we buy it.

2022, 4 STARS, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanSeptember 2, 2022Honk For Jesus Save Your Soul, Sterling K. Brown, Regina HallComment

PODCAST: Episode 79 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 79th episode, our two divided film critics, force-sensitive dads, and working school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan present the second of two special in-person collaboration episodes coming from Will's recent visit to Chicago. He and Don assembled a group of Chicago film critic friends to put some content together. Mike Crowley of 25YL and "You'll Probably Agree" again set up recordings at The Laugh Factory with us, himself, Cati Glidewell of "The Blonde in Front" and Collider freelancer Hayden Mears. For this show, the dais goes to battle on the much-debated merit of "Star Wars: The Last Jedi."

How to Choose the Perfect TV Show for You

When you are trying to choose the perfect TV show, there are so many things that you need to try to make the most of moving forward. It is important to try to make sure you focus on the best ways of being able to find the best new TV for you, and this means that you need to try to come up with some of the key ideas that are going to allow you to improve this as much as possible.

Don ShanahanSeptember 1, 2022Comment

GUEST COLUMN: 3 Things To Know Before Going To a Theater

by Lewis Robinson

Seeing a movie in theaters can be a magical experience. In order to ensure you have a good time, it's important to come prepared. Here are three things to know before going to a movie theater.

2022, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanSeptember 1, 2022Comment

What Is Cannabis Tolerance?

Cannabis tolerance is the process by which an individual becomes less sensitive to the effects of cannabis over time. This can happen for various reasons, including extended use, changes in body composition, or simply because of how cannabis interacts with our physiology. Whatever the reason, it's essential to be aware of the possibility of developing tolerance to adjust your use accordingly.

2022, Column, EditorialDon ShanahanAugust 31, 2022Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Best Movies That Take Place in Texas

by Lewis Robinson

Texas is one of the most notable states in the whole United States of America, and there are plenty of good reasons for this. When it comes to the realm of cinematic excellence, there are plenty of movies that take place in the Longhorn State, showcasing its landscapes and unique marvels. In this article, you'll learn about some of the best movies that take place in the great state of Texas.

2022, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanAugust 31, 2022Comment