MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Live Talking "Rocky V" and "Rocky Balboa"

Both Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel are on the press list to receive promotional products from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. He and I have teamed up in the past on his show to review some 4K releases of classic films, especially during 2023’s centennial anniversary of the studio. This time around, Ian and I were treated to advance copies of the new Rocky Ultimate Knockout Collection boxed set containing all of the original films of the Sylvester Stallone franchise. For this episode, Ian, myself, and guest Bryan Martinez talk about the bust that was Rocky V and the superior legacy sequel of Rocky Balboa.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Live Talking "Rocky III" and "Rocky IV"

Both Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel are on the press list to receive promotional products from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. He and I have teamed up in the past on his show to review some 4K releases of classic films, especially during 2023’s centennial anniversary of the studio. This time around, Ian and I were treated to advance copies of the new Rocky Ultimate Knockout Collection boxed set containing all of the original films of the Sylvester Stallone franchise. For the episode, Ian, myself, and guest Bryan Martinez talk about the middle pair of Rocky III and Rocky IV, including the recent Rocky vs. Drago Ultimate Fight director’s cut. Enjoy the show and be sure to subscribe to his podcast.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Live Talking "Rocky" and "Rocky II"

Both Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel are on the press list to receive promotional products from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. He and I have teamed up in the past on his show to review some 4K releases of classic films, especially during 2023’s centennial anniversary of the studio. This time around, Ian and I were treated to advance copies of the new Rocky Ultimate Knockout Collection boxed set containing all of the original films of the Sylvester Stallone franchise. For the episode, Ian and I talk about the Best Picture-winning original and its immediate sequel Rocky II. Enjoy the show and be sure to subscribe to his podcast.

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanAugust 13, 2024AMC River East 21Kicking the Seat, Ian Simmons, Pixar, Rocky, Rocky II, Sylvester Stallone, Burgess Meredith, Carl Weathers, Talia Shire, Burt YoungComment

PODCAST: Episode 87 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 87th episode, two grizzled film critics, two mad-bomber dads, and two disco-dancing school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan welcome back Lauren Knight of L.A. Knight Consulting for a back-to-back Sylvester Stallone love fest. Last time, it was new Sly for Samaritan. This time, they dig back to 1981's Nighthawks where a Stallone beard and Rutger Hauer, in his American debut, steal the show. Listen to wear this terrorist thriller ranks for our gathered talkers.

Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, 25YL, Media AppearanceDon ShanahanNovember 4, 2022Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Will Johnson, 25YL, Lauren Knight, Sylvester Stallone, Nighthawks, Rutger HauerComment

PODCAST: Episode 86 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 86th episode, two heroic film critics, two tinkering dads, and two gravel-voiced school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan welcome back previous guest Lauren Knight of Phoenix's L.A. Knight Consulting for the first of a Sylvester Stallone double. This week, the ardent Sly fan encourages Will and Don to see the merits of his new streaming superhero vehicle "Samaritan." Lauren has the unique experience of seeing the film more than once for early test screenings and compares the final product with our hosts.

Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, 25YL, Media AppearanceDon ShanahanOctober 29, 2022Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Will Johnson, 25YL, Lauren Knight, Sylvester Stallone, SamaritanComment

PODCAST: Episode 85 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 85th episode, two grizzled film critics, two stunt-performing dads, and two subtitle-reading teachers Will and Don Shanahan welcome you to the recording from a special in-person event. Will and videographer Aaron Hudson recently hosted a screening and talkback for the classic Jackie Chan vehicle “Police Story” at the Majestic Theatre in Phoenix. Forgive the low volume audience participation gaps for the hearty appreciation for “Police Story” and its do-it-all actor, director, and co-writer.

Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, 25YL, Media AppearanceDon ShanahanOctober 28, 2022Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, Will Johnson, 25YL, Lauren Knight, Sylvester Stallone, SamaritanComment

MOVIE REVIEW: Samaritan

Even now at 76 years old, long past his own peaks and valleys, Sly remains a proven talent and beloved favorite. Nothing will probably break that or ever take that away. Nonetheless, this writer feels like “You still got it!” respect towards Stallone, as a complete performer, is still worth acknowledgment. Thanks to the Rocky and Rambo series, most go straight to the muscles. The special thing is Samaritan shows how much Sylvester Stallone still offers as an actor that has nothing to do with the ripped physicality that made him famous.

2022, 3 STARS, MOVIE REVIEW, StreamingDon ShanahanAugust 28, 2022Samaritan, Sylvester StalloneComment

MOVIE CLASSROOM: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

THEY'RE BACK! I've been meaning to fire up my "Movie Classroom" series again after a few years off. Enjoy my YouTube review of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2! I've improved the tech/apps used to build them. Give me a few films and tries to get my voice and cadence together!

MOVIE REVIEW: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2” is an brazen explosion of Crayola-sheened special effects wonder mixed with invisible grays of magnetic character growth and depth. Just as with the first film, Marvel and company have taken a D-list roster of obscure also-rans and created new superstars and household names that you actually care about. True to the unwritten rules of sequels, the core is bolstered and improvements have been made.

4 STARS, 2017, ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanMay 4, 2017AMC River East 212017 Summer Movies, Disney/Marvel, Visual Effects, life lessons from movies, comic book films, Bradley Cooper, movie commentary, Groot, film commentary, James Gunn, The Avengers: Infinity War, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Dave Bautista, life lessons from films, Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, 2017, Don Shanahan, Donald Shanahan, movie review, 2017 Summer Movie Challenge, Marvel Entertainment, life lessons, comic book movie, Zoe Saldana, Star Lord, Marvel Comics, Karen Gillan, film review, Guardians of the Galaxy, Thanos, Kurt Russell, The Avengers, Nebula, Glenn Close, soundtrack, Michael Rooker, Chris Pratt, Rocket Raccoon, Drax, Thor: Ragonark, Marvel Films, Peter Quill, life lessons from film, Dave Jordan, Sean Gunn, Star Trek Into Darkness, Elizabeth Debicki, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Sylvester Stallone, Starhawk, Stakar Ogord, Taserface, Chris Sullivan, Star-Lord, Yondo, MTV Pop-Up Video, Wham Bam, Silver, Father & Son, Cat Stevens, Oprah Winfrey, Oprah Comment

OSCAR PREDICTIONS 2016: The male acting awards

Through several editorial features, here is my analysis to formulate my official Academy Award predictions. In this sixth post, we look at the races for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. Stick with me and I will win you your Oscar pool!

COLUMN: Five snubs and five surprises from the 88th Academy Award nominations

As with any year, there are hot topics being debated immediately stemming from snubs and surprises. Here are my reaction and takeaways, consisting of five snubs and five surprises, coming out of this morning's nominations announcements.

2016, Column, Editorial, SPECIALDon ShanahanJanuary 14, 20162016, 2015 films, Oscar surprises, Oscar snubs, Oscar nominations, Oscar contenders, Oscar hopefuls, Oscar bait, Oscar Predictions, Oscar winners, Oscars, 88th Oscars, 88th Academy Awards, Academy Awards, Academy Award winner, 2016 Academy Awards, Academy Award, Academy Award nominations, Academy Award nominee, Academy Award nominees, film commentary, movie commentary, Awards Tracker, Awards Talk, Awards Predictions, Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Picture, The race for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, Best Directing, Don Shanahan, Donald Shanahan, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Minority performers, Michael B. Jordan, Creed, Mark Rylance, Sylvester Stallone, Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, The Revenant, The Big Short, Jacob Tremblay, Room, Benecio del Toro, Sicario, Paul Dano, Love and Mercy, Michael Shannon, 99 Homes, Michael Keaton, Spotlight, Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation, Inside Out, Anomalisa, Boy and the World, When Marnie Was There, The Good Dinosaur, The Peanuts Movie, Minions, Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Puth, Furious 7, See You Again, Lady Gaga, Quentin Tarantino, The Hateful Eight, Best Original Song, Best Original Score, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Titanic, Mad Max: Fury Road, Lenny Abrahamson, Todd Haynes, Carol, Ridley Scott, The Martian, Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl, Ex Machina, Straight Outta Compton, Bridge of Spies, Star Wars: The Force AwakensComment

COLUMN: Predicting the major 88th Academy Award nominations

The 88th Academy Award nominations will be announced tomorrow morning, January 14, 2016, hot off of the weekend's 73rd Golden Globe awards. I've been following the full awards season over on my Awards Tracker page. Using that data as the tea leaves and a truckload of hunches, I'm going to attempt to closely predict the Oscar nominations for the "Big 8" categories for the third year in a row.