Movie reviews of Don Shanahan

Looking at the sum of all the parts and, to sound trendy, Akiva Schaeffer and this cast understood the assignment of The Naked Gun and passed with flying colors. Review

By playing in those cinematic clouds to wipe away virtually all sources of pain with gestures of creative expression, Four Letters of Love is too slight. Review

Even if there are some weaknesses in portrayal and dramatic execution, enough of the positive efforts shine bright. Review

To be intrigued by the possibilities of Finally Dawn, either some impressionability or glimmer of appeal needed to surface in the Mimosa character to merit her inclusion in this nighttime odyssey, or a deeper pull of allurement, be it beneficial or vile in purpose, had to come from Josephine or her tier of associates. Review

Eddington may take place in a fictional New Mexico desert hamlet of 2,435 people, but the film is drenched in temerity of every sort of viscosity and potency. Review

Y the time Eternal stops to show Nanna Øland Fabricius singing her own Deep Sleep ballad, the commendable draw of affection is very present. Something is missing, though, and one finger points to the blending of the contemplative science fiction stakes established by Eternal. Review

Daniela Forever has the empathy, drama, and draw to be a welcome new entry into that date night subgenre. Review

Even greater than his proficiency as a blockbuster filmmaker to make a movie that pops off an IMAX screen and surges through speakers, James Gunn genuflects prudently to show his respect for the Superman character and universe. Review

The swell stands as the closest thing to a rallying cry and moral victory in Jurassic World Rebirth, guided by enough enjoyment and grandeur to save the movie from complete disaster. Review

Stealing Pulp Fiction unravels too errantly and quickly to make it to a solid ending, making this comedic experiment more foolhardy than fun. Nothing is disrespectful, per se. It’s just incomplete. Review

The pulse-spiking thrills of F1’s IMAX-sized action sequences exemplify Kosinski’s high-quality filmmaking and will leave you gobsmacked and impressed. Review

Kathleen Chalfant’s creative and expressive character work in Familiar Touch is magnetic and appealing. Review

Elio carves a formative path with a more careful attitude for youths to observe and absorb that could not be more essential and relevant, especially with pre-teen boys. This is one for them, and the effort is welcome. Review

The inevitable comparisons will be divisive for some and a coin toss of preference for others. Either way, both movies are solid enough to stoke that fiery and spirit-stirring excitement for audiences new or old. Let’s show our own mercy and have both. Review

Chipping away at typical romantic comedy tropes and expectations, Celine Song dramatically examines the fragile emotions put in jeopardy during the quest for love and lasting relationships. Review

Underdog stories are indeed rich, inspiring, and a topical present-day dream of many, but Thirsty, longing to echo and honor recent female politicians—right down to the historical figures celebrated in the end credits—is aiming more than a shade too high to resonate fully. Review

Predator: Killer of Killers offers a four-part anthology that extends the What If…? comic book-style premise of historical hopscotch that made Prey so successful. It does so with a standout animation style that strikingly emulates painted art. Review

If you can reach this plane of empathetic understanding through the abnormal twists and turns of The Life of Chuck, you have found yourself one marvelous movie. Review

From these urges, Nora takes us into the protagonist’s psyche to a totally different realm of her personality. Nora breaks up its narrative with various song interludes, each pouring forth a different emoted feeling from her hopeful and ever-churning imagination. Review

With little consistent conviction of characters, tired tantrums, and very obvious twists, dumb brawn is taking away from brains at too many junctures. Review

Come to think of it, the challenge of The Kiss comes full circle back to pity; only this time it’s the pity held by the watchful film audience. Review

Just when you think this franchise couldn’t get any bigger with its ambition, just when you think more series-wide connections from its legacy couldn’t be squeezed into this culmination, and just when you think Tom Cruise can’t top himself in the daredevil department, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning answers. Review

With a marinade of humor and a dash of spiritual Catholic contrition, Chbosky and Maccie find the meaningful meat behind the fluff for a welcome crowd pleaser. Come hungry and leave full, with Billy Joel appropriately sending you out. Review

There’s a compelling playfulness in The Trouble with Jessica where viewers’ rooting interests are worked like a seesaw. Review