Those who have read Jack London’s 117-year-old short novel The Call of the Wild know the truth of its content. Continuously mushing through a gauntlet of abuse and arduous conditions, the story of Buck is not a cuddly one fit for a bedtime story or fireside chat. Any uplifting spirit present does not swell like your typical dog story. The spectre of a truly violent world is inescapable. Each film adaptation over the many decades, from Clark Gable and Charlton Heston to Snoopy and anime, has made their attempt to soften what cannot entirely be softened. This year’s Disney-acquired 20th Century Studios take from animation veteran Chris Sanders, producer James Mangold, and star Harrison Ford adds to that repetitive history of unremarkable failures.

2 STARS, 2020, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanFebruary 18, 2020AMC River East 21Comment

EDITORIAL: We Should Be Careful with What We Put in Movies

Well, it's pretty much evident by now what this place is all about. But one thing that we rarely talk about is how lessons in movies work. You think that every one of them is excellent and intentional. Well, it sort of isn't. Sometimes, movie makers will put a point unintentionally, or they'll teach you about something terrible as well. So, we should talk about being careful when it comes to movies. If you're interested in that, then stick around and read this full article. Maybe you'll even learn something, or you just might gain some insight into movie making. Either way, let's begin!

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanFebruary 14, 2020Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "The Cinescope Podcast" reflecting on "John Carter"

This past week, I was invited and welcomed back to The Cinescope Podcast, hosted by Chad Hopkins. With appreciation for its zest and its history, Chad and I shared our love for Andrew Stanton’s 2012 Disney adventure John Carter. It was an excellent chat. This was my third time on Cinescope after previous episodes on E.T the Extra Terrestrial and The Karate Kid. I look forward to the next chance to join Chad. Enjoy the podcast! Listen or download below!

Media Appearance, MOVIE REVIEW, Podcast, Retrospective, Social Media, SPECIAL, Vintage Review, 2020, Home MediaDon ShanahanFebruary 14, 2020John CarterComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast and YouTube talking "Birds of Prey"

One thing that doesn’t need a title change is Ian Simmons’ Kicking the Seat podcast. The same cannot be said of Birds of Prey (and the Emancipation of One Harley Quinn. That movie was the discussion subject of the recent 499th episode of Ian’s program. He, David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel, Emmanuel Noisette of E-Man’s Movie Reviews, and I passed around the hair tie to talk about the colorful and not-to-soft Suicide Squid sequel and spin off. Enjoy us comic fans putting forth some insight and regret!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanFebruary 14, 2020AMC River East 21Kicking the SeatComment

MOVIE REVIEW: The Photograph

This is going to sound like a spoiler, but no pining suitor or their smitten match says “I love you” in The Photograph. Canadian filmmaker Stella Meghie weaves two passionate romances connected yet separated across a generation within her film and those magic words don’t come out. Know immediately and imploringly how this is far from a dealbreaker. If anything, the restraint away from such a plain statement becomes more stimulating and resounding than ever thought possible.

2020, 5 STARS, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanFebruary 13, 2020AMC River East 21Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Lessons Found in "The Fast and Furious" Movies

by Kevin Gardner

Movies are a great way to escape the real world and place yourself in the middle of a new life. Films that extend from one to a series are some of the most exciting to watch because the storyline continues. “The Fast and Furious” set is no exception. Many watch it for its thrills and action scenes, but if you pay close attention, you can find some important life lessons. Here are nine messages these movies teach.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home Media, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanFebruary 11, 2020Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Why Old Movies are More Useful than Modern Ones?

by Susan Saurel

When it comes to movie reviews, everyone has his or her opinion. Some people struggle to watch modern movies while others can’t finish watching an old movie without dozing off. Some people consider old movies to be outdated due to the mannerisms of the actors or the graphics. And this is quite true. However, old movies have valuable lessons that you can’t easily find in modern ones. And these lessons can be used in our modern world. Let’s discuss why old movies are better than modern ones.

2020, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, SPECIALDon ShanahanFebruary 11, 2020Comment

FEATURE: Final 2020 Awards Tracker

Welcome to the ninth year of Every Movie Has a Lesson's "Awards Tracker." My goal every year is simple: Help each and every one of you win your Oscar pools. As a member of three recognized awards-voting bodies of film critics (OFCS, OFTA, and Chicago Indie Critics), it’s a pleasure and honor to see my own picks made it into the award season discussion. Here's how this little page of my personal interest works. I find value in tracking the trends and following the tea leaves of the all the minor lead-up awards before the Oscars. I chart the winners of each category with listed winners and comments on the surrounding buzz.

FINAL TAKE: Prediction-wise, I was a so-so 16 of 24. Not great, but not bad. I’ll take being wrong to watch a night of history honoring women and international film!

2020, 2019, Best Films, Column, Editorial, SPECIALDon ShanahanFebruary 9, 2020Comment

MOVIE REVIEW: Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)

Yowzers, that’s one long subtitle. What an interesting choice of terms too. There’s emancipation signaling “the act of being freed.” And then you have fantabulous as its adjective slinging its slang of “remarkably good.” That extra announcement goes from silly to proper in consecutive words. When it comes to the movie being sold, ahem, excuse me, presented, proper is nowhere to be found when the silly is everywhere. There is certainly fun to be had, but to shoot to fantabulous is going to count as overselling and the liberation most desired will be to escape this fever dream.

2020, 2 STARS, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanFebruary 7, 2020AMC Navy Pier IMAXComment

CHECKLIST: My full predictions for the 92nd Academy Awards

All of the tea leaves on my 2020 Awards Tracker have been seeped in the cups of buzz. The analysis and breakdown from my seven editorial columns of detailed picks are complete using my head more than my heart. These aren’t my personal choices of what “should” win. It’s what I think “will” win because you and I have got Oscar pools to dominate! Here are my complete and official predictions for the 92nd Academy Awards. Feel free to use this as your cut-to-the-chase checklist and cheat sheet of choice!

2019, Column, Editorial, LIST, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanFebruary 7, 2020Comment

OSCAR PREDICTIONS 2020: The race for Best Picture

The short turnaround 92nd Academy Awards arrive host-free for the second consecutive year on Sunday, February 9th, barely a month after nominations were announced. The pace has added excitement and urgency right on down to my website’s 2020 Awards Tracker. Let’s start calling some winners. You have made it until the end. This last chapter column examines the Best Picture race. As I say every year, stick with me and I will win you your Oscar pool!

2019, Column, Editorial, Foreign Film, Independent Film, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanFebruary 6, 2020Comment

OSCAR PREDICTIONS 2020: The male acting awards

It’s time to breakdown each category and put some stone cold predictions into digital ink. Throughout the busy awards season, this website’s 2019 Awards Tracker has been my workspace to tally all the early award winners. That prognostication data is cited in these predictions. This column examines the races for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. As I say every year, stick with me and I will win you your Oscar pool!

Column, Editorial, SPECIAL, 2019, 2020Don ShanahanFebruary 6, 2020Comment