School teacher and 🍅-approved film critic for Film Obsessive and Every Movie Has a Lesson. Member of CCA, HCA, Chicago Indie Critics, OFCS, and morehttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mk6ebs35mc2iMy review of Michael as it appears published on @filmobsessive.com : https://filmobsessive.com/film/new-releases/michael-chooses-the-concert-party-over-larger-conflicts/23 Apr 2026 15:47 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6ebs35mc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mk2vkmube22tNEW REVIEW: Here's my take on the big hitter, professing there's a time and a place to remember the prime and another to dwell on the sordid stuff. It's perfectly fine for this to do the former and choose entertainment over tabloid. https://everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2026/4/movie-review-michael22 Apr 2026 06:45 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk2vkmube22thttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mj4cpdqrqs2mNice work, @projecthailmary.bsky.social #projecthailmary @criticschoice.bsky.social10 Apr 2026 02:48 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj4cpdqrqs2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mh5jxjqu722mNEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: Professional movie villain Stephen Lang surprised the heck out of me with this performance as a pillar of empathy for healing and guilt. Right there with him is Eighth Grade's Elsie Fisher, continuing to impress. https://everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2026/3/movie-review-the-optimist16 Mar 2026 03:40 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh5jxjqu722mhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mgpmyw5xhs2uNEW on @filmobsessive.com : PROJECT HAIL MARY is the kind of special movie that will make you fall in love with science and science fiction. What a gem, and the leader in the clubhouse for the best of the year so far. https://filmobsessive.com/film/new-releases/project-hail-mary-energizes-our-escapism-loving-hearts/10 Mar 2026 14:57 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgpmyw5xhs2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mgoeiojnxk2zNEW on @filmobsessive.com : Making lore from scratch is harder than it looks, yet easy to mess up. I'm happy to report this little indie, while it could loosen up a bit, does not embarrass itself. https://filmobsessive.com/film/new-releases/storm-rider-legend-of-hammerhead-makes-lore-from-scratch/10 Mar 2026 02:52 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgoeiojnxk2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mgoegmvfxc2zNEW on @filmobsessive.com : I joined the fine staff at Film Obsessive to champion some Oscar predictions. My spot was Teyana Taylor from One Battle After Another for Best Supporting Actress. Enjoy! https://filmobsessive.com/film/film-news/film-awards/film-obsessive-predicts-the-98th-oscar-winners/10 Mar 2026 02:51 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgoegmvfxc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mgipnwru2c2hNEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: Amy Landecker writes, directs, and stars in a so-so rom-com with a host of Chicago connections. https://everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2026/3/movie-review-for-worse07 Mar 2026 20:56 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgipnwru2c2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mf6w6x6boc2jNEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: I know it's probably supposed to point more fingers or bite a little harder, but all I was looking for was a good time, and I sure got it. https://everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2026/2/movie-review-how-to-make-a-killing19 Feb 2026 06:01 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mf6w6x6boc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3meuyghki3s22NEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: I know it counts as original and fun and I love me some Sam Rockwell speed of riffing, but damn if this wasn't random for randomness's sake too often. https://everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2026/2/movie-review-good-luck-have-fun-dont-die15 Feb 2026 07:15 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3meuyghki3s22https://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3meq2tq56p22cREVIEW REPOST on @filmobsessive.com : For those of you seeing the big hitter this weekend, enjoy a movie that, as I wrote in here, “soaks more white shirts than a college spring break in Panama City Beach.” https://filmobsessive.com/film/new-releases/wuthering-heights-finds-the-rapturous-in-the-ruinous/13 Feb 2026 08:14 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3meq2tq56p22chttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mcpmx5nkgk2xNEW @cinephilehissyfit.bsky.social PODCAST EPISODE: Will Johnson and I cover this year's critical darling MARTY SUPREME, and we find ourselves fairly far apart about it. Come listen to the hissy fit! https://open.spotify.com/episode/2zeFXZAeQLIaRI2RdbyVNY?si=sLxE4_k6QrSm-48NfTIfkQ18 Jan 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcpmx5nkgk2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mcitgroxxs2dWatch me and a bunch of good folks and fellow cinephiles open some envelopes tonight! https://www.youtube.com/live/tmumX-4Cwv8?si=eo8TTVepwA3JA31t16 Jan 2026 00:23 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcitgroxxs2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mcdpa5wv5c2cNEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: I appreciate the effort and the uniqueness of the low-frills fantasy, but the levels of style and tone are all over the place, diluting the contagious wonder. Something, something cups of tea. https://everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2026/1/movie-review-obex13 Jan 2026 23:24 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcdpa5wv5c2chttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mbfg2a5xm22pNEW EDITORIAL on @filmobsessive.com : Every year, I write an op-ed in the guise of declaring New Year's resolutions for the movie industry with a crystal ball and a hopeful heart. Here's my edition for 2026. https://filmobsessive.com/film/film-news/op-ed/new-years-resolutions-for-the-movie-industry-for-2026/01 Jan 2026 22:20 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbfg2a5xm22phttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mb5gdyjd4c2x10 BEST LIST OF 2025: Closing out the 15th year of Every Movie Has a Lesson, here's annual recap where I attempt to put a scoreboard to all of it. Enjoy, list-a-holics! https://everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/12/column-my-10-best-movies-of-202529 Dec 2025 18:04 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mb5gdyjd4c2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mapkpkxylc2gREVIEW REPOST on @filmobsessive.com : This the crowdpleasing and heartwarming movie you need over the holiday break. https://filmobsessive.com/film/new-releases/song-sung-blue-turns-a-tribute-into-its-own-legend/24 Dec 2025 05:45 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mapkpkxylc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mapkghyxhc2rREVIEW REPOST from @filmobsessive.com : For those of you heading out to see the wunderkind continue his hot streak, this one is for the adults and not the teens. https://filmobsessive.com/film/new-releases/marty-supreme-goads-us-to-root-for-the-asshole/24 Dec 2025 05:40 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mapkghyxhc2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3mamhfkyk2k23My latest comfy contribution my local online newspaper, The Elmwood Park Advocate: https://www.elmwoodparkadvocate.org/p/the-best-christmas-scenes-in-non https://www.elmwoodparkadvocate.org/p/the-best-christmas-scenes-in-non?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web&fbclid=IwY2xjawO2vH9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeOVv3md2VIsaLmTOmT07iUoLd6y8Wm6MD38aUS0rfvtmhiaL92gwcv4oxohQ_aem_cM5Dxiu5n4xEE7jzgyo8Qw&triedRedirect=true23 Dec 2025 00:08 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mamhfkyk2k23https://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3makiewoo322iNEW REVIEW on @filmobsessive.com: Paul Feig knows how to pace the jaw drops caused by the adapted bestseller playing for sleazy and sweaty fun. https://filmobsessive.com/film/new-releases/the-housemaid-cleans-our-clocks-with-swerves/22 Dec 2025 05:20 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3makiewoo322ihttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3ma6zh64muc24I am downright giddy for ANACONDA tonight and clockwatching at work. The 1997 original came out when I was a senior in HS, hitting me at the right age. It’s become my benchmark for guilty pleasures, where I’m stoked to see it parodied. 7pm can’t get here fast enough. https://media.tenor.com/sFBKzPrMt7oAAAAC/bad-movies-rule-bmr.gif?hh=498&ww=49817 Dec 2025 15:53 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3ma6zh64muc24https://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3m7f3huah6c2bNEW EDITORIAL on @filmobsessive.com : I felt creative and inspired for an op-ed. While everyone else with a social media handle is declaring warranted doom and disdain with the pending Netflix/WB deal, I attempt to postulate positive outcomes instead: https://filmobsessive.com/film/film-news/op-ed/could-any-good-come-from-netflix-buying-warner-bros-discovery/07 Dec 2025 08:20 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7f3huah6c2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3m7f37jkm622bNEW PODCAST from @cinephilehissyfit.bsky.social: Will and I relish in our Star Trek appreciation by highlighting all the things to love and respect about STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN. Enjoy our show! https://open.spotify.com/episode/0TYqwyrGJaDRSGgPmO06GC?si=jeTZRitiSwaYEFF5FJU2mg07 Dec 2025 08:16 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7f37jkm622bhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3m74o2z4ljs27I could copy the review I wrote a few years ago for “Avatar: The Way of Water,” use the strikethrough font feature to update a name or label here and there, and republish the updated review as “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”03 Dec 2025 23:59 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3m74o2z4ljs27https://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3m6t5d3sy2c2qNEW REVIEW on @filmobsessive.com : Bradley Cooper has not missed for me as a director, and this one has an honesty and a zest that is uniquely special. https://filmobsessive.com/film/new-releases/is-this-thing-on-exceeds-by-conversations/30 Nov 2025 05:06 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6t5d3sy2c2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3m6qvyfu6mk2eNEW at @filmobsessive.com The writing staff and myself put a few gift ideas out there for the movie lover in your life. Happy shopping! https://filmobsessive.com/film/film-features/film-lists-rankings/film-obsessives-2025-holiday-gift-guide/29 Nov 2025 07:49 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6qvyfu6mk2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3m6jcfqfnus2uNEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: While I'm always down for a good cry, the naturalistic journey of HAMNET is not normally my pace. By golly, does it still swell to the best ending act of a film this year and hooked me to match its catharsis. https://everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/11/movie-review-hamnet26 Nov 2025 07:10 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6jcfqfnus2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3m6ie3nuee22hNEW REVIEW on Every Movie Has a Lesson: You could wait until it drops on Netflix, but if you're lucky enough to find a theater, there's a delicious good time of murder as comfort food coming your way. https://everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2025/11/movie-review-wake-up-dead-man25 Nov 2025 22:07 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6ie3nuee22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/casablancadon.bsky.social/post/3m6idy43tbs2h@criticschoice.bsky.social #CriticsChoice #SOFEE #hamnet25 Nov 2025 22:05 +0000at://did:plc:dbcbdy2rzmcnoqdxu7bep6rh/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6idy43tbs2h