Episode 397: Major League

In this second of our final five episodes, we stay in the 80s and locked into the sports world to revisit a baseball comedy classic, just as the college baseball season is getting started and with MLB in Spring Training.

* Note – full spoilers in effect for entire episode *

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Mean Girls – Movie Review

Though unlikely to supplant any super fan’s love of the original film, this theatrical retelling of a familiar story is a worthy companion piece, bringing a new energy with its musical numbers and vocal performances, a fresh take on body positivity, and expanded view of what it means to accept each other in a diverse school setting today.

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Music: Upbeat Party – Scott Holmes Music

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Episode 387: Killers of the Flower Moon

Scorsese’s impressive (and long) adaptation of Grann’s non-fiction account is an engaging crime story that highlights an insidious historical injustice and encourages reflection. A stronger focus on the Osage people as something other than victims and some toned down cameo performances would be welcome, but this is still a fantastic epic drama.

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FF+ Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese’s impressive adaptation of Grann’s non-fiction account feels very much in line with the director’s family crime stories of the past while highlighting an insidious historical injustice that encourages reflection. A+ acting work from Lily, Leo, and Bob carry this complex character drama and Prieto’s photography is mesmerizing. The length and patient pacing will be a challenge for some and it’s a shame that the Osage characters weren’t established a little more deeply, but despite some nit picks this is still upper tier work from the legendary director.

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Music: Upbeat Party – Scott Holmes Music

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Episode 379: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

It’s new turtles for a new generation, with some twists on origin stories as well for both friends and foe. These teenagers act, talk, and look their age more than they ever have before and a dynamic but raw sketch-like art style makes for a visually interesting cinematic experience. There’s plenty of action and jokes to go around and we’re glad to report that this is one reboot we’re completely onboard for.

* Note – full spoilers in effect for entire episode *

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Episode 376: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

Rounding out three weeks in a row of mission madness, we dig into the newest entry in Tom Cruise’s blockbuster action spy series. Narratively, this time around we’ve got some notes, and overall feel it missed the depth that some of franchise’s most chilling human villains provided. But even with some issues, the spectacle in incredibly entertaining and the pacing absolutely perfect, resulting in such an exciting and fun experience that we can find ourselves able to forgive this for not quite reaching the Ethan Hunt Hall of Fame.

* Note – full spoilers in effect for entire episode *

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Episode 375: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

Continuing our immersion in the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE franchise over a few weeks, we have a conversation about the franchise’s sixth entry, one that shines for its overall balance of high quality elements. We talk about the addition of Ilsa Faust as a mysterious friend/foe and subtle love interest, how great of an antagonist Solomon Lane and The Syndicate are, and why Ethan’s relationship with his teammates will always make this series special. Plus more, of course, because there are always crazy stunts and intricate set pieces to ooh and aah over, as well.

* Note – full spoilers in effect for entire episode *

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Episode 374: Mission: Impossible

We’re going back to the beginning (of the movies at least) to start off three weeks of celebrating this outstanding spy series. Tom Cruise instantly becomes the iconic IMF agent Ethan Hunt, we learn about the power of masks, get to see exploding gum, and kick-off a world in which practically everyone goes rogue at some point. This is a very 90s and very De Palma entry in the franchise, but remains one of our most favorites.

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Episode 371: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal, together, fighting to keep Earth safe along some unlikely human heroes. We dug Steven Caple Jr.’s transportation of the franchise into the 90s for the first time and thought the action, the humor, and the heart were all very solid and helped deliver one of the better films featuring the robots in disguise so far. We question whether there was enough use of the Maximals, discuss the surprise at the end, and try to think through what a perfect Transformers movie would even look like, plus so much more.

* Note – full spoilers in effect for entire episode *

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What We Learned This Week: March 16-22

LESSON #1: THIS IS WHAT CUTTING ONE’S LOSSES LOOKS LIKE— This sweeping social distancing (and so to be full sheltering orders) due to the COVID-19 virus has studios buckling on what to do with their current and upcoming movie releases. Most that were slated for theaters are “delayed” or “postponed” for the time being, but the question becomes how long can they wait or hold. Rumor has it Warner Bros. is considering a streaming release for Wonder Woman 1984. Could Black Widow be far behind from Disney? As for the current movies that have been frozen by closed theaters, studios are dropping them on streaming and VOD platforms early, as is the case with Onward, The Invisible Man, Emma, and The Hunt. Being released already, trying to squeeze some VOD rental money is their best chance. Price point will be the challenge, but you know those families of four would likely be OK spending $20 for a night at home versus the full theater trip for $9+ tickets and concessions. We’ll see how these tests of marketing and head honcho hubris patience turn out.

LESSON #2: LEARN WHAT THE PARAMOUNT DECREES WERE— I’ll put my school teacher hat on since I’m stuck at home without a classroom for the foreseeable future. Here’s a quick dose of movie history that faded in November with implications that could loom large with a shuttered theater system right now. There was something called the Paramount Decrees. Back in 1948 in the case of United States v. Paramount Pictures, a decision was made that “studios couldn’t withhold films from certain theaters while granting exclusive rights to others or outright buy theaters of their own.” That has kept top-to-bottom control away from studios. Far forward to now with the AMCs and Regals of the world closing their doors indefinitely without business. I hinted at this last week in WWLTW. Imagine a scenario where Disney buys/builds their own movie theaters to exclusively release their products. That would create an outlet arms race and likely kill indie cinema getting theater space. With weakened theater chains, this kind of turn is possible. Stay tuned to how we recover or don’t from this time period.

LESSON #3: BRING BACK DRIVE-INS– In an effort to avoid the possible bacteria cesspools that are crowded and sticky movie theater seats (don’t lie, we’ve all had our “ewww” moments at a movie theater), could old school drive-in movie theaters (and the dirtiness of our own cars, again, don’t lie) be a new alternative in the post-social distancing era? I think so and it’s a lovely thought. There was a great optimistic read this week published by The Los Angeles Times on the topic that talks optimism and relief. Build some big screens, bring your own concessions, fill the seats, and pipe the sound through the Bose-powered infotainment systems in some of our modern cars and you’ve got a renewed and joyous movie experience.

LESSON #4: EXPAND YOUR HOME VIEWING TO SHARE WITH OTHERS— I love the news of Netflix’s new Netflix Party extension. Turning shared movies into chat room opportunities with friends you’re separated from sounds like a blast. I think we need a Netflix Party with our Feelers ASAP. Let’s get on that, fellow admins.

LESSON #5: SOME STARS END UP BEING GENUINELY NICE PEOPLE— As a school teacher, I can speak to this new hurdler of at-home “e-learning” and the challenges of not just planning it, but delivering it to my students and also my own children as a parent. Everyone I see in my professional community is doing their part, and I’m loving those outside of it that are coming to help. And it’s as easy as reading a book for others to hear. What started with Frozen star Josh Gad nightly on Twitter has expanded to dozens of celebrities chipping in to connect and entertain. Grab a device, bring the kids together on the couch or at bedtime, and enjoy a hearty tale from a familiar and kind face.


DON SHANAHAN is a Chicago-based and Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic writing on his website Every Movie Has a Lesson. His movie review work is also published on 25YL (25 Years Later) and also on Medium.com for the MovieTime Guru publication.  As an educator by day, Don writes his movie reviews with life lessons in mind, from the serious to the farcical. He is a proud director and one of the founders of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle and a member of the nationally-recognized Online Film Critics Society.  As a contributor here on Feelin’ Film now for over two years, he’s going to expand those lessons to current movie news and trends while chipping in with guest spots and co-hosting duties, including the previous “Connecting with Classics” podcasts.  Find “Every Movie Has a Lesson” on Facebook, Twitter, and Medium to follow his work.  (#126)