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!

PODCAST: Episode 202 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 202nd episode, two sneak-attacking film critics, two camoflauged dads, and two warrior teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, draw their swords and pistols on the frequently-mentioned Predator franchise on the podcast. In June, Hulu released the stunningly animated Predator: Killer of Killers, which continues the new stewardship of writer-director Dan Trachtenberg, who put Predator back in the intimating and scary side of cinema with Prey a few years ago.

PODCAST: Episode 201 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 201st episode, two mask-pulling film critics, two special agent dads, and two stuntman teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, begin a group of retrospective episodes reflecting on the recently finalized Mission: Impossible franchise. Taking them a pair at a time, this first episode covers Brian De Palma's Mission: Impossible from 1996 and its wild 2000 sequel M:I-2 from director John Woo. Will and Don are united in praising these two standalone adventures that flaunted what made Tom Cruise and this series interesting and cool before the larger and increasingly overinflated arc would take over later.

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.

PODCAST: Episode 200 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their historic 200th episode, two detective-minded film critics, two dream theory dads, and two noir-loving teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, welcome Chicago-based film critic and artist Jeff York of The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists to compare two examples of poisonous Hollywood settings separated by decades and mere blocks of postal addresses. Our trio compares the dangerous and pervasive themes to be found in David Lynch's revered 2001 fever dream Mulholland Drive versus Billy Wilder's salaciously seminal 1950 dark comedy Sunset Boulevard.

PODCAST: Episode 199 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 199th episode, two altruistic film critics, two anagram-loving dads, and two hacker school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, tuck themselves into the warm sheets of the 1990s with the steady 1992 hit, Sneakers. Directed by Field of Dreams director Phil Alden Robinson and top-lined by the Oscar-winning duo of Robert Redford and Sidney Poitier, this little pre-internet cyber caper has charm for days, topics that have held up in 30+ years, and perfect ensemble cast.

PODCAST: Episode 198 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 198th episode, two avenging film critics, two reject dads, and two asterisk-owning school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, arrive at the opening big hitter of the summer of the 2025. As usual, Marvel Studios staked claim the first week of May release slot for Thunderbolts. The self-described "lapsed" Marvel shill and the Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic who graded the movie to a minority "rotten" rating couldn't be farther apart on this one.

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

PODCAST: Episode 197 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 197th episode, two non-musical film critics, two vampiric dads, and two enthralled school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, turn their gaze and their microphones to the big April hit of Ryan Coogler's Sinners starring Michael B. Jordan. Our two fellas walked away very impressive with every aspect of this wild genre mashup. They see myth and relevance with every pluck of the movie's dobro.

PODCAST: Episode 196 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their first Pateon exclusive episode, two lovestruck film critics, two "Crazy for Swayze" dads, and two ditto-making school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, check off a few delightful and dreamy boxes with an opposite on the 1990 smash hit Ghost. The movie has been in Don's all-time Top 10 for decades, and Will---coming off a 1990 binge with his recent first-time viewing of Pretty Woman---finally caved to curiosity and pressure to check off the Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg vehicle from his list of blind spots. Say ditto with them as they expound long-held and newfound praise for one of the romantic greats

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.

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