Don Shanahan
@casablancadon.bsky.social
School teacher and 🍅-approved film critic for Film Obsessive and Every Movie Has a Lesson. Member of CCA, HCA, Chicago Indie Critics, OFCS, and more
NEW at @filmobsessive.com The writing staff and myself put a few gift ideas out there for the movie lover in your life. Happy shopping! filmobsessive.com/film/film-fe...
Film Obsessive's 2025 Holiday Gift Guide
In our 2025 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE, the Film Obsessive staff shares staff picks for gifts for the cinephile in your life.
filmobsessive.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:49 AM
NEW at @filmobsessive.com The writing staff and myself put a few gift ideas out there for the movie lover in your life. Happy shopping! filmobsessive.com/film/film-fe...
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: While I'm always down for a good cry, the naturalistic journey of HAMNET is not normally my pace. By golly, does it still swell to the best ending act of a film this year and hooked me to match its catharsis. everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/11...
MOVIE REVIEW: Hamnet — Every Movie Has a Lesson
Hamnet postulates that the epic tragedy of Hamlet was William’s deeply personal response to the death of his son. Now, that crescendo of catharsis is merely the final third of Farrell’s novel and C...
everymoviehasalesson.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 AM
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: While I'm always down for a good cry, the naturalistic journey of HAMNET is not normally my pace. By golly, does it still swell to the best ending act of a film this year and hooked me to match its catharsis. everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/11...
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: You could wait until it drops on Netflix, but if you're lucky enough to find a theater, there's a delicious good time of murder as comfort food coming your way. everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/11...
MOVIE REVIEW: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery — Every Movie Has a Lesson
Make a movie or show about a real-life serial killer with an actual body count of documented victims that used to live among us, and you’re frosting spines, locking your doors, and doom-scrolling the ...
everymoviehasalesson.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:08 PM
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: You could wait until it drops on Netflix, but if you're lucky enough to find a theater, there's a delicious good time of murder as comfort food coming your way. everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/11...
November 25, 2025 at 10:06 PM
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: For those of you who ordered the heartwarming crowd-please for this upcoming holiday movie season, your winner is right here and it's a nice one. everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/11...
MOVIE REVIEW: Rental Family — Every Movie Has a Lesson
To fully accept the societal and emotional terrains of Hikari’s outstanding dramedy Rental Family , one is required not so much to make an enormous leap into a lurid scenario, but rather, let’s say, ...
everymoviehasalesson.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:05 PM
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: For those of you who ordered the heartwarming crowd-please for this upcoming holiday movie season, your winner is right here and it's a nice one. everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/11...
NEW REVIEW on @filmobsessive.com: With all the Hogwarts-ish origin stories done and the Orwellian whiffs in place, this one gets right to business as the serious and often somber conclusion that trades showstopping numbers for high drama. filmobsessive.com/film/new-rel...
Wicked: For Good Reduces Showstoppers for High Drama
WICKED FOR GOOD, with its inherent prequel challenges and revisionist alterations, brings dire closure to the blockbuster drama.
filmobsessive.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:07 PM
NEW REVIEW on @filmobsessive.com: With all the Hogwarts-ish origin stories done and the Orwellian whiffs in place, this one gets right to business as the serious and often somber conclusion that trades showstopping numbers for high drama. filmobsessive.com/film/new-rel...
It was a big virtual press conference with five featured guests (Erivo, Grande, Chu, and Platt) and many attendees, but I did get a question picked and answered by WICKED: FOR GOOD producer Marc Platt representing @filmobsessive.com and @criticschoice.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzsI...
Wicked Press Conference: Producer Marc Platt
YouTube video by Film Obsessive
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:54 PM
It was a big virtual press conference with five featured guests (Erivo, Grande, Chu, and Platt) and many attendees, but I did get a question picked and answered by WICKED: FOR GOOD producer Marc Platt representing @filmobsessive.com and @criticschoice.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzsI...
NEW @cinephilehissyfit.bsky.social EPISODE: Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon is prettier than the paintings it emulates, and it’s also as boring as watching those paintings dry. Come argue with Will and me! open.spotify.com/episode/0mXe...
Barry Lyndon
open.spotify.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:56 AM
NEW @cinephilehissyfit.bsky.social EPISODE: Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon is prettier than the paintings it emulates, and it’s also as boring as watching those paintings dry. Come argue with Will and me! open.spotify.com/episode/0mXe...
NEW REVIEW on @filmobsessive.com : Russell Crowe gives off shades of Welles and Greenstreey dominating each of his scenes in NUREMBERG. filmobsessive.com/film/new-rel...
Nuremberg Pumps up History for Performance
NUREMBERG is pumped with gripping aura thanks to star Russell Crowe and the action chops of director James Vanderbilt.
filmobsessive.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:53 AM
NEW REVIEW on @filmobsessive.com : Russell Crowe gives off shades of Welles and Greenstreey dominating each of his scenes in NUREMBERG. filmobsessive.com/film/new-rel...
NEW PODCAST EPISODE: After an October haitus to get our school stuff in order, Will Johnson and I bring back the @cinephilehissyfit.bsky.social for an episode celebrating the white-knuckle greatness of WARFARE from @a24movies.bsky.social. open.spotify.com/episode/3Xrr...
Warfare (2025)
open.spotify.com
November 1, 2025 at 9:43 PM
NEW PODCAST EPISODE: After an October haitus to get our school stuff in order, Will Johnson and I bring back the @cinephilehissyfit.bsky.social for an episode celebrating the white-knuckle greatness of WARFARE from @a24movies.bsky.social. open.spotify.com/episode/3Xrr...
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: Catching up on my viewings during the 61st Chicago International Film Festival, the unyielding performance of Rose Byrne impressed me enough to make up for the tough hang of A24's IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU. everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/11...
MOVIE REVIEW: If I Had Legs I'd Kick You — Every Movie Has a Lesson
What strengthens this viewing experience is the unyielding performance from Rose Byrne. Her expressive interpretation of both physical and mental fatigue is beyond anything she’s ever done and is one ...
everymoviehasalesson.com
November 1, 2025 at 9:41 PM
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: Catching up on my viewings during the 61st Chicago International Film Festival, the unyielding performance of Rose Byrne impressed me enough to make up for the tough hang of A24's IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU. everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/11...
Reposted by Don Shanahan
Solidarity is the only way
October 14, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Solidarity is the only way
NEW REVIEW on @filmobsessive.com: I've been a TRON stan since the beginning, so enough of this neon mess still dazzled by eyeballs and tingled my eardrums to enjoy. filmobsessive.com/film/new-rel...
Tron: Ares Tries to Push New Momentum
TRON: ARES has the inenviable task of trying to reignite excitement in a potential movie franchise 15 years later.
filmobsessive.com
October 11, 2025 at 7:18 PM
NEW REVIEW on @filmobsessive.com: I've been a TRON stan since the beginning, so enough of this neon mess still dazzled by eyeballs and tingled my eardrums to enjoy. filmobsessive.com/film/new-rel...
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: Channing Tatum gives arguably his best complete performance to date as a charming rogue in a story ripped from the headlines so wild it could only be true. everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/10...
MOVIE REVIEW: Roofman — Every Movie Has a Lesson
You couldn’t make this stuff up if you tried, and even if you could, how many people would believe you? Better yet, how many folks would offer the classic exclamatory reaction of “They need to make a ...
everymoviehasalesson.com
October 11, 2025 at 7:14 PM
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: Channing Tatum gives arguably his best complete performance to date as a charming rogue in a story ripped from the headlines so wild it could only be true. everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/10...
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: This documentary justifies its idolization and will make you see every movie, clip, skit, or scene with John Candy in a whole new light. everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/10...
DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: John Candy: I Like Me — Every Movie Has a Lesson
The film’s energy comes from how Candy’s co-stars and collaborators talk about him. Leaning heavily on his old SCTV mates Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Aykroyd, and the continuing ...
everymoviehasalesson.com
October 8, 2025 at 6:15 AM
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: This documentary justifies its idolization and will make you see every movie, clip, skit, or scene with John Candy in a whole new light. everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/10...
Reposted by Don Shanahan
While Leo and PTA are having their revolution through bloodshed, take a look at the power of the spoken word. 7pm CST. Tonight! #goodnightandgoodluck #EdwardRMurrow #georgeclooney @casablancadon.bsky.social @jeffyorkwriter.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1HE...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1HE...
Good Night and Good Luck-The Power of Peaceful Protest
YouTube video by YPA Reviews
www.youtube.com
October 2, 2025 at 11:36 PM
While Leo and PTA are having their revolution through bloodshed, take a look at the power of the spoken word. 7pm CST. Tonight! #goodnightandgoodluck #EdwardRMurrow #georgeclooney @casablancadon.bsky.social @jeffyorkwriter.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1HE...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1HE...
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: How many times have we collectively written off Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson? He established a hulking heap of new credibility with this one. everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/10...
MOVIE REVIEW: The Smashing Machine — Every Movie Has a Lesson
Still, how many times have we written Dwayne Johnson off? How many times have folks rolled their eyes at another beefy piece of blockbuster cheese with his name at the top of the poster? Well, those d...
everymoviehasalesson.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:50 PM
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: How many times have we collectively written off Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson? He established a hulking heap of new credibility with this one. everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/10...
See you tomorrow!
This Thursday at 7pm CST @casablancadon.bsky.social and @jeffyorkwriter.bsky.social look back at George Clooney's 2005 depiction of Edward R. Murrow's heroic fight against the government and network censors to try to stop the spread of tyrannical fear www.youtube.com/live/P1HEE-O...
Good Night and Good Luck-The Power of Peaceful Protest
YouTube video by YPA Reviews
www.youtube.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:48 PM
See you tomorrow!
October 1, 2025 at 6:55 AM
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: After THELMA last year, I'll watch anything the 94-year-old June Squibb wants to do. In this case, it's actress Scarlett Johanssons strong and emotional directorial debut: everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/9/...
MOVIE REVIEW: Eleanor the Great — Every Movie Has a Lesson
Thanks to a strong third act monologue from Ejiofor speaking on approaching loss as the “inevitable outcome of the love that unites us all,” we want what we he wants and have to remove cynicism to acc...
everymoviehasalesson.com
September 28, 2025 at 5:07 AM
NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: After THELMA last year, I'll watch anything the 94-year-old June Squibb wants to do. In this case, it's actress Scarlett Johanssons strong and emotional directorial debut: everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/9/...
NEW EPISODE of @cinephilefilm.bsky.social: Kubrick's 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY is one of those cornerstone films that demand required viewing. One of us was had it as a blind spot, and one of us is done trying to watch it and call it a necessary classic. open.spotify.com/episode/45uq...
2001: A Space Odyssey
open.spotify.com
September 28, 2025 at 5:04 AM
NEW EPISODE of @cinephilefilm.bsky.social: Kubrick's 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY is one of those cornerstone films that demand required viewing. One of us was had it as a blind spot, and one of us is done trying to watch it and call it a necessary classic. open.spotify.com/episode/45uq...
Shameless self-promotion: If there are any movie-loving families out there who might find themselves bored this coming weekend, I’m hosting a community movie talk this Sunday at 3pm at the Elmwood Park Library. Come on over!
September 26, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Shameless self-promotion: If there are any movie-loving families out there who might find themselves bored this coming weekend, I’m hosting a community movie talk this Sunday at 3pm at the Elmwood Park Library. Come on over!
I penned a tribute Robert Redford for the Elmwood Park Advocate and to the mother who introduced him to me. www.elmwoodparkadvocate.org/p/a-farewell...
A Farewell To 'Hollywood's Golden Boy'
Don Shanahan, the newsletter's resident movie critic, offers this tribute to heartthrob and screen legend Robert Redford, who died at the age of 89 on September 16.
www.elmwoodparkadvocate.org
September 18, 2025 at 6:32 AM
I penned a tribute Robert Redford for the Elmwood Park Advocate and to the mother who introduced him to me. www.elmwoodparkadvocate.org/p/a-farewell...
Reposted by Don Shanahan
wrote about robert redford bit.ly/redfordfamin...
a famine of beauty
Robert Redford represented all that was good—and fleeting—about America
bit.ly
September 17, 2025 at 1:39 AM
wrote about robert redford bit.ly/redfordfamin...