Movie reviews of Don Shanahan

Scaling her signature fervor way down, Frances McDormand melds into the intensity and fragility of Fern. In her performance, there is a steadiness to bear burdens, give witness, and provide empathy to fill canyons and vistas. Review

The journey to that place here is fraught with passionate fights and haunting hope, a movie experience not soon forgotten. Review

As dippy as all of this in Superintelligence may sound and transpire, there are undeniable streaks of kindness bigger than terabytes. Review

Happiest Season, with its up and down inanity to veer a little Griswold-silly, slips more than stands at times and some of that comes from its safety net. Review

Cinematographer Hillary Spera plays coyly with the angles and perspective limitations of a wheelchair-bound lead to great effect. Composer Torin Borrowdale tunes up a creeper of a score that also shows matching moderation of when to prod and when to percolate. The edge of the atmosphere is all there. Review

In lesser hands, this would be a complete farce and disaster, but Gibson sells snow to an Eskimo in dealing out the guts and gravitas. Review

A movie like this is squeaky clean and classroom-ready for repeat enjoyment and pertinent talking points. Yoke its energy and foster that creativity! Review

This mashup of body swap comedy cliches and high school horror tropes turned out to be an artery-bursting romp. Review

Eva Green is still the proper focal point of Proxima, and the actress presents all of the poise necessary to play pioneer and matriarch. Review

Circle back to chuckles and cringes. Review

Rebecca tries unsuccessfully at times to sip a little bit of that poisonous mother! Lite brew mixed into Clint Mansell’s inconsistent musical score. Vibrant color doesn’t match a traditional gothic atmosphere, but it doesn’t lessen the aura entirely. Review

The words enchant to no end, yet are staggeringly uncharacteristic when you watch them coming from a cast of 20-somethings, even if they are played by talents like Timothée Chalamet, Elle Fanning, and Selena Gomez. Review

One the Rocks becomes another swirl for Sofia Coppola’s signature of defying expectations. While valuable for that level of challenging exploration to put dour on top of delight, that is a trajectory where charm exceeds its limits, and ours, to a degree. Review

Virtuoso director of stage and screen Julie Taymor pays homage to the 86-year-old feminist idol with an emblematic travelogue of a film. Review

From the most flippant to the most cantankerous, not a single cast member misses their mark or weakens any chain. Review

Even with a determined performance from Janelle Monáe, this is a distressing and unnecessary inquisition with no solid answers. Review

For a film that rarely leaves the shell-shocked and world-absorbing face of Youssouf, the increasing and desperate failures from her difficult situations and culture clash confusion flesh out a valuable and compelling tale of staunch social warnings. Review

That strength comes from Susan Sarandon. When given the right role, she reminds us of her unlimited appeal and talent. Review

For every poetic word, cinematic flourish, or striking idea that ignites a challenging neuron in I’m Thinking of Ending Things, a triple helping of something obscure destroys momentum and snuffs any flicker. When he’s right, lucidity outshines the oddity, but that is not this film. Review

Unlike so many of these “re-imaginings” from Disney, nearly every aspect of this live-action rendition is an enhancement from its predecessor. Review

Even if a movie like The One and Only Ivan applies a little extra pushed personification for audience appeal, still recognize the feelings present. They’re so very there. The movie can stand proud for doing its source inspiration justice in a softly affecting and entertaining way. Review

Endless has a clean and polished air about itself in taking on topics normally too sparkly or too saccharine to take seriously. Folks, it’s still ghosts. Melodrama is a given. Yet, proper care and portrayal is still given to the emotional toll of true loss for those still living and loving. Review

Like the chemical addiction on screen, you have at best, five-minute spurts here and there of those leaps from the concept. You’re likely left asking where all of the power goes. Review

Too much of The Tax Collector lacks the higher gravity beyond the flashy fronts. Review