Several aspects read as off-key between the real story of Ross Ulbricht and Silk Road’s movie adaptation. Don’t get me wrong. Filmmakers grab two crude tools for…… Read more “New from Don Shanahan on 25YL: Silk Road Squanders Its Topical History”

To borrow a term from the great Stan Lee, there are casual comic book fans and then there are “true believers.” The latter never miss an issue…… Read more “New from Don Shanahan on 25YL: Flora & Ulysses Keeps The Capes Away and Heart in the Right Place”

When the two central lively teens in The Map of Tiny Perfect Things finish a walk-and-talk day around their hometown that might as well be an unofficial…… Read more “New from Don Shanahan on 25YL: The Map of Tiny Perfect Things Loops a Breezy Romance”

The ex-convict narrative is a well-worn path of familiar small stories. Every variant builds its drama on most of the same precarious tipping points. There’s the “you…… Read more “New from Don Shanahan on 25YL: Palmer Walks The Ex-Con Path with Heartfelt Stability”

The terrorist attacks of 9/11 stirred a national unity in America with elements that were both better and worse. The good has been the lionization of first…… Read more “New from Don Shanahan on 25YL: The Mauritanian Makes a Compelling Case of Righting Wrongs”

Love triangles in the movies are the stuff of Hollywood legend. Their appeal is undeniably strong, especially when the right romantic choice isn’t always black-and-white. The tremendous…… Read more “New from Don Shanahan on 25YL: The Love Triangle of Brooklyn is An Appealing Delight”

The very accomplished Denzel Washington is and has been many superlative things throughout his illustrious career. His signature intensity and ardent commitment to character have filled trophy…… Read more “New from Don Shanahan on 25YL: Dullness is the Chief Culprit of The Little Things”

It’s rare, as rare as the ancient treasure trove shown in the movie at hand, but sometimes you encounter a “based on a true story” movie that…… Read more “New from Don Shanahan on 25YL: The Dig Would Be a Better Treasure As a Documentary Than a Drama”

There is a small delight many viewers may share with Marcus, the main character of Hulu’s The Ultimate Playlist of Noise played by emerging actor Keean Johnson…… Read more “New from Don Shanahan on 25YL: Heart Over Cliche Fills The Ultimate Playlist of Noise”

After six appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Sam “Falcon” Wilson, Anthony Mackie didn’t need an audition tape for becoming the next Captain America for Disney+’s…… Read more “New from Don Shanahan on 25YL: Anthony Mackie Dominates Outside the Wire”