Movie reviews of Don Shanahan

In the end, the boredom and dryness still dominate to blast away chances for connection like buckshot through a targeted pigeon’s feathers and flesh. Review

Viscerally and emotionally, this cinematic exercise of harrowing gratitude is a transcendent experience... Review

Each of the three story chapters glow with the many tints of diversity and affluence in Rogers Park. The vibes of every talk and every walk feel genuine and absorbing. Review

Their rising and falling tensions are shrewdly and sharply written by Möller and TV writer Emil Nygaard Albertsen. Their unforgiving suspense create an engrossing and choking mood of unknown and mounting dread. The Guilty is as smooth and taut of a 85-minute feature as you’ll see, no matter the language. Review

Soaked in pugilistic blood, fervent sweat, and warranted tears, Creed II is comfortably ingrained big screen entertainment. Review

Wields an effeminate brawn and sly intelligence working to stoke a masterful slow burn. The film’s bold gravity constricts us wonderfully for one of the most visceral crime films of recent memory and one of the best films of 2018. Review

A phenomenal and ferocious lead performance from Rosamund Pike... Review

Rami Malek and the film thrive when the volume is turned up and the microphones are on. It withers when it stifles that provocative heat. Allowing something this hot to go lukewarm is a cinematic crime. Review

Featuring a fabulous performance of floundering from Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me? is a cheeky yet contemplative biopic of a struggling artist... Review

You will be racking your brain on these notions. You will also end up valuing the time and challenge of this film. Review

A salaciously scathing and hilarious black comedy for the #NotMyPresident era of thumb-biting insults we Americans sling to choose sides around here. Review

Bracingly honest with its turns and barriers built by emotional wallop. The remarkable performances of Carell and Chalamet deserve the credit for that impact. Review

To its great credit, the merciless edge of Loving Pablo rejects forced cinematic sugar-coating overused in other crime films to romanticize its leviathans. Review

Never once do any hairs stand up in fright in the presence of what should be a complete badass. Those deficiencies shouldn’t happen with Venom. Review

Seizes viewers and thrusts them into these harrowing capsule cockpits and test modules. Review

You will find yourself captivated watching the expressive performances, both sung and unsung, no matter if it is for an audience of thousands or just merely one. Review

This solid result sure looks the part from horizon to horizon, once again making us American jealous of how good westerns can still look. Review

The splendid artistry behind the camera respectfully worships the film’s subjects and their portrayals... Review

Panos Cosmatos has fashioned a disgustingly gorgeous and frightfully unforgettable film. Review

There is, unfortunately, not a great deal of surprise in A Simple Favor... Review

An inflatable bounce house of pretend peril. Review

Bathed in these impeccable period details, the troupe of mostly TV actors comport themselves equally well. Review

Perfect for the times, it’s encouraging to see two female leads translate their personalities to play curious and capable females comfortable in their own uniqueness. Review

High praise is due to Zafar and his writing partner Daniel Kitrosser for wading through the acid and muck of this heavy material for We the Animals. Review