MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Channel Talking the History of "The Fantastic Four"

Two weeks after a combative Superman discussion on the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel hosted by Ian Simmons, cooler heads prevailed with an extended retrospective on the history of “The Fantastic Four” comic book property on the big screen. The assemblage of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” went back to 1994, 2005, 2007, and 2015 before finishing with the brand spanking new The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Enjoy Ian, myself, Jeff York of The Establishing Shot, Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions, and Cati Glidewell of The Blonde in Front sharing our experience and critiques.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Channel Talking "Superman"

Something I’ve learned in the past few weeks basking in the success of James Gunn’s universal starter Superman is that something the “S” on that costume can stand for more things than the name of the hero or some Kryptonian translation of hope. On a recent livesteam joining “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” led by Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel, the “S” stands for SPICY. With supporters and contrarians clashing, this roundtable got heated.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Channel Talking "Jurassic World: Rebirth"

I’ll go right ahead and admit. Summer has been busy. I’m a school teacher on summer vacation where every day is a Saturday and the memories blend together. I forgot about one of the opportunities I had this past month to joing Ian Simmons on his Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel. A few weeks back, Ian, myself, and Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions talked about the thrills and spills of Jurassic World: Rebirth. Enjoy this recorded live chat!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Channel Talking "F1"

Movies are communal experiences. While us film critics are spoiled by mostly closed press screenings, we still get to sit with familiar friends in our circle. When the big and loud F1 came around, I had the pleasure of sharing an armrest with Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel. We shared the IMAX energy of the Brad Pitt film and were revved up plenty to talk about it on his weekly live show. Enjoy Ian, myself, David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel, and Jeff York of The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists on camera waving our own checkered flags!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Channel Talking "The Life of Chuck"

Every now and then you run into a movie that carries a level of profundity that it’s genuinely beautiful to get the chance to talk to other people who see the same importance and impact. Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel saw one of those such movies, and it was one that I—and many others—have become over the moon for. The movie in question is The Life of Chuck, the latest Stephen King adaptation from filmmaker Mike Flanagan.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "You'll Probably Agree" YouTube show talking about 20th Anniversary of "Revenge of the Sith"

With the 20th anniversary re-release of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Mike Crowley of the You’ll Probably Agree website was very eager to talk about the blockbuster’s legacy. He, David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel, and I ignite our lightsabers and reminisce about the best George Lucas’s prequel finale had to offer. Time has been kind to the movie and so were we. May The Force Be With You!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Mentioned on Film Threat YouTube Channel for "Thunderbolts"

I don’t mind being part of “game recognizing game.” Film Threat editor-in-chief (and fellow Critics Choice Association member) Alan Ng and his friend Chris Gore held an episode of “Alan’s Corner” on the publication’s YouTube channel discussing the Rotten Tomatoes reviews for Thunderbolts and the backlash to Alan’s own negative-skewing review. At around the 5:16 mark, Film Obsessive any my blurb get a namedrop and mention.

2025, Media Appearance, Social MediaDon ShanahanMay 4, 2025Film Threat, Alan Ng, Thunderbolts, Rotten TomatoesComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Channel Talking "Sinners"

Director Ryan Coogler is on to something. That man is a hot streak, not only as an artist, but as an innovator of storytelling and filmcraft. Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel is on to something too with his own genius to assmble, as always, Earth’s Mightiest Critics. Last week, he brought on-camera guests to talk about the big spring hit Sinners. I pleased as punch to join Ian, Jeff York of The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists, Mark Krawczyk of the Spoiler Room, and Cati Glidewell of The Blonde in Front, to talk about it.

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.

Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, LIST, Best Films, 2024Don ShanahanApril 8, 2025World of Reel, Jordan Ruimy, 1950sComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Let's Talk About Flix" podcast chatting about "The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then The Bigfoot"

Mike Osborn and Curtis Menke of the irreverent and laugh-filled podcast “Let’s Talk About Flix are weekly appointment laughs for me and pod I support on Patreon. Mike and Curtis have become two full members of the Chicago Indie Critics group that I co-direct. For the second year in a row, I was honored to be asked on as the return guest during their “Patreon Picks” month. For that guest’s choice theme, I brought them 2018’s The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then The Bigfoot starring Sam Elliot. Enjoy our chat! Follow their show on podcast platforms and YouTube!

INFOGRAPHIC: Harley Quinn Co-Creator Dean Lorey Reveals Why to Watch DC’s Unhinged Animated Hit

JustWatch spoke to hit showrunner, producer, and writer Dean Lorey on his must watch list of movies and TV shows. Check out his take on different versions of Harley Quinn, James Gunn’s Create Commado’s and more.

2025, Column, Infographic, Social Media, Streaming, EditorialDon ShanahanFebruary 24, 2025Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Channel Talking "The Brutalist"

Every year, there seems to be one (or more) big Oscar contender that completely misses my heart, mind, and understanding. I see them and I don’t understand their universal acclaim and often-overinflated hype. For 2024, the highest of those movies is The Brutalist, starring Best Actor Oscar frontrunner Adrien Brody. He is excellent, but the rest of the movie is not. I was chuffed enough to go on the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel hosted by Ian Simmons to speak on it.

EVERY MOVIE HAS A LESSON

by Don Shanahan

BRINGING YOU MOVIE REVIEWS AND MORE SINCE 2010

CRYPTOCASINOS

TheVore.com Streaming options

Brilliantly

Content & Links