Posts in 2023
PODCAST: Episode 171 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 171st episode, two virile film critics, two amphibian dads, and two chastity-belted school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, return for another episode in their "Trippin' on Cinema" sub-series. This time around, they went with the late-night schlock of Hell Comes to Frogtown starring the late Hall of Fame professional wrestler "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Our guys will have their love move the Rotten Tomatoes needle on this one.

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PODCAST: Episode 170 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 170th episode, two primate film critics, two post-apocalyptic dads, and two tenet-loving school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, circle back to a film they missed together in the form of the early 2024 summer blockbuster Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. They circled the calendar for this one after their series on the reboot trilogy and made sure to see and talk about how this new trilogy starter played.

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PODCAST: Episode 169 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 169th episode, two volcanic film critics, two ash-covered dads, and two pyroclastic school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, welcome back film critic and “And The Winner Was…” podcast host Joel Winstead for his second consecutive guest spot. Turning back the clock to 1997, the trio dove into the hot lava that was the double feature of Dante's Peak and Volcano.  Cheese melts as hot as magma!

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PODCAST: Episode 168 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 169th episode, two volcanic film critics, two ash-covered dads, and two pyroclastic school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, welcome back film critic and “And The Winner Was…” podcast host Joel Winstead for his second consecutive guest spot. Turning back the clock to 1997, the trio dove into the hot lava that was the double feature of Dante's Peak and Volcano.  Cheese melts as hot as magma!

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PODCAST: Episode 167 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 167th episode, two reflective critics, two non-Dad Movie dads, and two thankful school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, conclude their three-episode arc discussing Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This final portion split from a long recording talking about The Return of the King goes on to measure the series's cinematic and cultural impact and whether or not we'll ever see a winning level of epic hubris like this again. Like The Return of the King itself, one "final question" climax for this podcast episode turns into four or five.

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PODCAST: Episode 166 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 166th episode, two critics, dads, and school teachers who bow to no one, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, continue with the second of a three-episode series discussing Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This second episode is the beginning half of a split recording that centered on the epic conclusions cemented by The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and its finale crescendos. Next week will be the final portion talking about the legacy and impact of the trilogy as a whole.

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MOVIE REVIEW: Good Bad Things

The lead actor of Good Bad Things making his feature film debut is Danny Kurtzman. He lives with muscular dystrophy which diminishes most of his physical capabilities. His weakened legs and limited arm strength calls for outside assistance and the required use of a motorized scooter to get around. To say this his and, by extension, his character’s life has challenges is an understatement. Rather than entirely dwell on or define a man by those debilitations, Good Bad Things pleasingly creates a narrative where success and vivacity are not only desirable, but deservedly attainable.

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PODCAST: Episode 165 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 165th episode, two Middle Earth critics, two hobbit-footed dads, and two heroic teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, begin the first of a three-episode series discussing Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Will recently devoured the recent three-night Fathom Event anniversary showings of the Extended Editions of all three films on the big screen. This first episode covers their thoughts on how they first encountered the trilogy back in the 2000s and their analysis of The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers.

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PODCAST: Episode 164 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 164th episode, two saltwater critics, two tentacled dads, and two skin-melted teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, hit the way back machine to 1998 to enjoy the creature-feature highs and lows of Deep Rising from future The Mummy breakout director Stephen Sommers and starring the late Treat Williams doing his best Harrison Ford stand-in job. This cult classic found qualities that both impressed and rolled the eyes of our hosts to join our "Trippin' on Cinema" series. Hop in, light up, drink up, and don't get caught by the monster!

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PODCAST: Episode 163 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 163rd episode, two leather jacket film critics, two un-helmeted dads, and two wild one teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, come together for a new release of the summer 2024 movie season. The guys rev themselves up to welcome back writer-director Jeff Nichols with The Bikeriders starring Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, and Tom Hardy. Neither of our hosts rides motorcycles, but they came to this movie with their own gassy exhausts and asphalt-rattling rumbling.

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MOVIE REVIEW: Dandelion

We feel that tingling levity as Dandelion’s audience and cannot help but be swept away all the same. Dandelion peaks and then teeters on the ramifications of this new union. More songs equals more potential to changes that artistic label from “starving” or “troubled” to “successful.” The bonding brings more sparks, and the increasing clashes of romantic entanglements add the risks of trust, reliance, and commitment.

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MOVIE REVIEW: Cottontail

With that domesticated and relatable-beyond-borders quality, Cottontail is creating a greater journey, one venturing beyond any map charting the route to Akiko’s destined lakeside. Completing one’s final wishes is a quest of closure. You are answering a soul beyond the grave to finish something they could not. Yet, that course has branching paths of unsettled grievances, corrected connection, overdue forgiveness, and fulfilled promises.

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