MEDIA APPEARANCE: "Connecting With Classics" Episode 8: "Lawrence of Arabia"

Closing out the main summer months with the August pick of the Feelin' Film Podcast "Connecting With Classics" series, host Aaron White and I needed to carve out some serious committed time to absorb and appreciate the longest film ever to win the Best Picture Oscar. That revered classic and victor is the 56-year-old Lawrence of Arabia from director David Lean and it has a lengthy resume of accolades, rankings, and awards Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the definition of a true Hollywood epic.

2018, Media Appearance, MOVIE REVIEW, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanAugust 31, 2018VertigoComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Minisode podcast guest for "Feelin' Film" to review "Searching"

If you follow my social media shingles, you know I can't stop and won't stop stumping for this film. Searching is an incredible combination of innovative filmmaking, anxiety-inducing thrills, emotionally complex characters, and relevant commentary on the internet as both a danger and potential tool for good. Feelin' Film co-creator Aaron White and I were both floored by writer/director Aneesh Chaganty’s debut feature film and John Cho’s performance in it, so we sat down for a conversation about what makes the film so special. Enjoy this excellent conversation with all the feels and kudos!

2018, CAPSULE REVIEW, Film Festival, Independent Film, Media Appearance, MOVIE REVIEW, Podcast, Social MediaDon ShanahanAugust 31, 2018Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: Most destructive house parties on film

A free house, teens, alcohol, and music - what could possibly go wrong? Plenty! We’ve all seen the famous college party depicted in movies. There is almost always debauchery, spilt drinks, and general house trashing. These parties cause a lot more damage than your average house party. In a film, you’d be lucky if your house party cost $1000 in damages. As a matter of fact, none of the parties on this list cost less than $2000. Thankfully, your run-of-the-mill house party doesn’t cost as much. However, it wouldn’t be a cliché movie if it was an accurate representation, would it?

2018, Infographic, LIST, Social MediaDon ShanahanAugust 31, 2018Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: Searching

The entirety of this daring film is presented through the layers of screens across computer desktops, video streams, and a mouse pointer that moves like a scalpel over those pixelated surfaces. The effect is addictively scintillating to create harrowing emotional triggers. Call it a gimmick all you want, but be prepared to be dazzled and proven wrong by the astonishing narrative construction and visual storytelling conduits. True to both the lurid intensity and exceeding excellence of the dictionary definition, Searching is downright sensational

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on August 20, 2018

Notable and notorious IndieWire film critic David Ehrlich recently put out a social media call for film critic peers to join a weekly survey to discuss movie topics, answer questions, and highlight their work. Representing Every Movie Has a Lesson, I, along with over 60 other emerging and established film critics including some of my fellow Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle members, accepted the invitation to participate. I'm honored by the opportunity, and I hope my responses are chosen each week.

2018, Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanAugust 24, 2018David Ehrlich, Ethan HawkeComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Interview in the "Forest Park Review"

Recently, I pitched my local suburban newspaper, The Forest Park Review, to volunteer my film reviews as a potential worthy addition to their publication. Its editor declined citing space is at a premium for focusing on local topics and issues, but he liked my journey as a school teacher, film critic, and co-founder of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle. He wanted to know if I would interested in being interviewed for a citizen's spotlight. I was glad and honored to oblige.

SPECIAL, 2018, Media Appearance, Social MediaDon ShanahanAugust 20, 2018Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on August 13, 2018

Notable and notorious IndieWire film critic David Ehrlich recently put out a social media call for film critic peers to join a weekly survey to discuss movie topics, answer questions, and highlight their work. Representing Every Movie Has a Lesson, I, along with over 60 other emerging and established film critics including some of my fellow Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle members, accepted the invitation to participate. I'm honored by the opportunity, and I hope my responses are chosen each week.

2018, Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanAugust 15, 2018David EhrlichComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: David Ehrlich's IndieWire Critics Survey on August 6, 2018

Notable and notorious IndieWire film critic David Ehrlich recently put out a social media call for film critic peers to join a weekly survey to discuss movie topics, answer questions, and highlight their work. Representing Every Movie Has a Lesson, I, along with over 60 other emerging and established film critics including some of my fellow Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle members, accepted the invitation to participate. I'm honored by the opportunity, and I hope my responses are chosen each week.

2018, Independent Film, Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanAugust 8, 2018David EhrlichComment

INFOGRAPHIC: America and Canada's favorite Disney classics

With so many incredible Disney films over the years, it can be hard to choose a favorite. Would you go for a Golden Age film like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs or a Disney Renaissance flick like Hercules? While we might not know your personal Disney favorite (or maybe we do—we’re pretty mysterious), our team of analysts discovered which Disney classic each US state prefers above the rest. Check it out!

2018, Column, Editorial, Infographic, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanAugust 8, 2018 Comments

EDITORIAL: Lesser-known sports and betting movies worth checking out

Some sports films depict acts of triumph over adversity, where mavericks and underdogs are the heroes, while others tell the story of sustained greatness over many years. There have been sporting dramas, sporting comedies, sporting romances and even animated sporting films and while most critics agree on the best of all time, there are always a few that slip under the radar. So here are a few sports films that you may not have seen but should definitely check out.

2018, Column, Editorial, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanAugust 8, 2018Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: Iconic movie sleepwear for your favorite characters

Do you think you know everything about your favorite movie characters? From their personality, to their…pajamas? Aside from the action and drama, there are many iconic movie moments where we see characters in their most vulnerable outfits. Would you have been able to guess these characters by their pajamas? Check out this infographic to quiz yourself!

Infographic, Editorial, 2018, LIST, Social Media, SPECIAL, ColumnDon ShanahanJuly 30, 2018Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: Box office magic and the wizarding world of Harry Potter

The careers of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint skyrocketed when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone premiered in November 2001. The film was a major success and made $32.3 million on its opening day, breaking the United States' single day record previously held by Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Though this was only the beginning! The subsequent films continued to be record breakers and collectively generated $7.2 billion at the box office. Read for more fun facts in this infographic!