MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on "Snob Chat" Episode 41 hosted by William Eguizabal and Chai Simone

As so often has happened for me, critics meet other critics in virtual places creating a little network of acquaintances and cheerleaders for fellow creative people. I met William Eguizabal of FilmSnobReviews years ago and we hit it off with or similar clashing styles of expertise mixed with saltiness when necessary. William recently invited me back as a guest for his “Snob Cast” podcast with his multi-talented co-host Chai Simone. This time the topic was gangster and organized crime movies where the panel chose many diverse favorites.

PODCAST: Episode 185 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 185th episode, two futuristic film critics, two mutant dads, and two socially-consicous teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, begin a new sub-series for 2025 called "The Anniversary Parade." A host of key classics are celebrating benchmark anniversaries this year and our show will gradually crack into that list all year long. First up is Bryan Singer's X-Men. Debuting in 2000, the movie turns 25 in 2025. Our guys chop it up and spin into an editorial on "Unknown-to-Icon Mount Rushmore" when the topic shifted to the phenomenon of Hugh Jackman.

PODCAST: Episode 184 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 184th episode, two horse-riding film critics, two horn-blowing dads, and two sieging teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, celebrated a new year with a conversation on the recent spin-off The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. The anime-style film is a deep prequel to the War of the Ring from the Peter Jackson cradle. It impressed us and we're bummed it's flopping at the box office.

PODCAST: Episode 183 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 183rd episode, two Romanesque film critics, two dirt-rubbing dads, and two non-emperor teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, came together for a recent new release they both had circled on their calendars for a long time even before 2024. Celebrated film director Ridley Scott stepped back into the Gladiator arena to make the long-distance sequel Gladiator II. This highly anticipated blockbuster did not go well with one of our hosts, causing them to live up to the pod's name with different perspectives.

PODCAST: Episode 182 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 182nd episode, two suspicious film critics, two Corvette-driving dads, and two sheriff-wannabe teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, dipped their toes into the wellspring that is the movie resume of the Oscar-nominated Willem Dafoe. This week's show covers 1992's White Sands, directed by Roger Donaldson and starring Dafore alongside Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Mickey Rourke. Will has long been a huge admirer of Willem Dafore, but, much to our mutual surprise, he had never heard of or seen White Sands until Don recommended it

Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Media Appearance, 2023Don ShanahanJanuary 31, 2025Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Will Johnson, Film Obsessive, White SandsComment

PODCAST: Episode 181 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 181st episode, two science officer film critics, two brave dads, and two assimilated teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, welcomed back Neil Shurley and Ben Cahlamer for their second consecutive episode guest spot. Their challenge was to boldly go where no show had gone before. The four set their phasers on stun to cover 1996's beloved Star Trek: First Contact, the first solo film for the central cast and crew of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The memories are fond and the shared insight is fonder.

Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Media Appearance, 2023Don ShanahanDecember 31, 2024Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Will Johnson, Film ObsessiveComment

PODCAST: Episode 180 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 180th episode, two golden film critics, two secret agent dads, and two laser-wielding teachers, Will and Don, brought in a pair of special guests for the first of two "guest's choice" episodes. The podcast welcomed prolific creator Neil Shurley and returning guest and Phoenix-based film critic Ben Cahlamer to put their best pretend foot forward as a secret agent. Their mission was to hop back 62 years to honor 1962's Goldfinger, Sean Connery's third film as the iconic James Bond. Each man on the podcast dais speaks highly of this big hit that would be come the template spawning many other action flicks.

Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Media Appearance, 2023Don ShanahanDecember 31, 2024Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Will Johnson, Film ObsessiveComment

PODCAST: Episode 179 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 179th episode, two nostalgic film critics, two surround sound dads, and two crowd-ready teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, take a special episode to spell out an editorial they have in mind for a while. Will and Don carry on a conversation ranking the best theatrical experiences of their lives so far. From formative moments and cheers to memorable emotions, their very different lists will surprise and impress. Get to know our hosts some more with this one.

Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Media Appearance, 2023Don ShanahanDecember 31, 2024Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Will Johnson, Film ObsessiveComment

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

Debuting in the darkest recesses of multiplexes and arthouse theaters this week is Robert Eggers’s monochromatic remake of Nosferatu, paying homage to the 1922 German silent film he and many others love dearly. Ian was ready to talk about it. So, for the special holiday, yours truly appeared as “Santa Critic” from “The North Pole of Elmwood Park” and joined Ian, Jeff York of The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists, Annie Banks of The Mary Sue, The Blonde in Front’s Cati Glidewell, and Mike Crowley of You’ll Probably Agree for the dais.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Live Talking "North by Northwest"

After months (and maybe years) of souring tastes and more-than-occasional red-assed disdain, Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel found a movie that actually knocked his socks off and entered his pantheon of all-time favorites. The hard part was he had to go back 65 years to a blind spot to find it. Hey, that counts as better late than never. The movie is question and celebration is Alfred Hitchcock’s mistaken identity thriller North by Northwest from 1959. The Cary Grant vehicle drew an assembly of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” in the form of Ian, myself, Jeff York of The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists, Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions, and the KTS on-camera debut of The Last Drive-In’s Joe Randazzo. Enjoy this talkative manhunt flick!

PODCAST: Episode 178 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 178th episode, two non-Austrian film critics, two log-carrying dads, and two rocket-launching teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, kick off the beginning of a recurring side series of films described as a "Tight 90." In today's era of exhausting epics and effusive directors' cuts, Will and Don celebrate movies that nailed their purpose and entertainment value in 90 minutes or less. Their first feature is the Arnold Schwarzenegger action favorite Commando from 1985, a movie that packs punches, explosions, and montages, all in a tidy time.

PODCAST: Episode 177 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 177th episode, two racket-tightening film critics, two titillated dads, and two sweaty teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, circle back to earlier in 2024 to watch more than just tennis balls being hit back and forth in the Luca Guadagnino's mainstream breakout hit Challengers. Our guys debate trying to say great things about a very good movie and whether or not the love triangle between Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor was hot enough to warrant the hype.

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