MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel talking "Civil War"

The newest live roundtable for the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel went to war to not talk about war, but to talk about anti-war in a journalistic war film that’s occaisional true to its vision. Ian, myself, and Mark Krawcyzk of Special Mark Productions drew the lines of the cinematic battlefield to discuss Cival War from Alex Garland. We three had plenty of questions to ask and discussion points to expound on trying to found reasons and implications in this dramatic thriller.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Participant in "World of Reel" Critics Poll for Best Modern Film of Francis Ford Coppola

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 a poll for voting critics for Jordan Ruimy of World of Reel, a fellow Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. His survey was to collect picks for the best film of famed director Francis Ford Copolla (The Godfather series, Apocalypse Now) from over 100 critics and other industry folk. I was honored to chime in with my vote for 1997’s The Rainmaker to be included with some very high professional company.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Participant in "World of Reel" Critics Poll for Best Films of the 1950s

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 a poll for voting critics for Jordan Ruimy of World of Reel, a fellow Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. His survey was to collect picks for the best films of the 1950s from over 120 critics and other industry folk. I was honored to chime in with my top five selections to be included with some very high professional company.

Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, LIST, Best Films, 2024Don ShanahanApril 12, 2024World of Reel, Jordan RuimyComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel talking "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom"

This live roundtable for the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel stood as the final gathering of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” for 2023. The release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom put a cap on the defunct DCEU and a pretty crappy overall year for comic book movies. Ian led a group of us to talk all about it and bury the dead. Watch Ian, myself, Mark Krawcyzk of Special Mark Productions, and new addition Cati Glidewell of The Blonde in Front on this stellar episode.

20 YEAR RETROSPECTIVE: The Best of the Rest of 2003

In an annual series, Every Movie Has a Lesson is going to look back twenty years to revisit, relearn, and reexamine a year of cinema history to share favorites, lists, and experiences from the films of that year.

2023, Editorial, LIST, Retrospective, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 29, 2023Best of 2003, 2003, 10 Best, 10 Best Films of 2003, Best of the RestComment

20 YEAR RETROSPECTIVE: The 10 Best Films of 2003

In an annual series, Every Movie Has a Lesson is going to look back twenty years to revisit, relearn, and reexamine a year of cinema history to share favorites, lists, and experiences from the films of that year. When measuring back as far as twenty years or more, I feel like “favorites” that have stood the test of time have aged to become some level of “best.” I feel like a bunch of those populate my reflective look back at the best of 2003.

2023, Editorial, LIST, Retrospective, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 29, 2023Best of 2003, 2003, 10 Best, 10 Best Films of 2003Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Interview in Bored Panda for Unrealistic Movie Moments

I was recently approached by Bored Panda for an interview opportunity to offer some expertise as a film critic for a piece they were doing on unrealistic movie moments. For the piece written by Adelaide Ross and Vikrorija Ošikaitė, the crux was identifying common movie moments and specific scenes that did not happen realistically and whether or not they took me out of the movie or if I had a hard time taking their seriously. Playing the school teacher card, my answers ended up being about the depiction of teachers and schools in movies.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel talking "Trolls Band Together"

Film critics are often parents too and, sometimes, one of the perks of the position is being about to bring your children as your guests to an advanced screening. Recently, Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel and I were two film critic parents of many who brought our kiddos for the viewing privilege and bragging rights of seeing the new sequel Trolls Band Together earlier. While our sons did not join the conversation as the “target demographic,” Ian and I had plenty to celebrate and compliment!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel talking "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Recently, I was invited by Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel to join a group conversation on Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Being one of the few critics giving the film a “Rotten” negative review on Rotten Tomatoes, I figured I would be bringing the piss and smoke to drop the would-be masterpiece down a few rungs. As it turns out, I wasn’t alone on the panel when it came to stern critiques on the movie

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Participant in "World of Reel" Critics Poll to rank the best of Martin Scorsese

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 a poll with over 110 voting critics by Jordan Ruimy of World of Reel, a fellow Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. His survey tallying votes for our choices for the best Martin Scorsese films. He asked for our Top 3 and did the math from there. It’s an honor to be invited and included!

Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, LIST, 2023, Best FilmsDon ShanahanOctober 13, 2023World of Reel, Jordan Ruimy, Martin Scorsese, Goodfellas, Hugo, CasinoComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel talking The Creator and Ex Machina

Recently, Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel started up a new series of pairing a new release with a catalog/classic title. He’s calling it “If You Like… You’ll Love…” I joined Ian and Jeff York of The Establishing Shot to connect the cinematic chromosomes between Alex Garland’s 2014 landmark debut of Ex Machina with the new Gareth Edwards blockbuster The Creator. Enjoy the double movie coverage and engaging show!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel talking Free Blockbuster

Recently, Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel and I were talking about the anniversary Warner Bros. 4K release of East of Eden. At the end of the episode, he wanted to know more about my FreeBlockbuster.org project. For those who don’t know, my family and I updated a retired Little Library in Elmwood Park, Illinois into a “Take a Movie/Leave a Movie” franchise location for a Free Blockbuster. Our box is the fourth in the Chicagoland area, and it’s been a fun civic experiment. I told Ian all about it. Follow the Free Blockbuster Elmwood Park Instagram page!

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by Don Shanahan

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