As I have grown in press credentials and professional affiliations nationally, I have found myself landing in circles with other film critics of various levels. Recently, I was included in a poll for voting critics for Jordan Ruimy of World of Reel, a fellow Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. His survey was to collect picks for the best films of the 2020s so far from over 120 critics and other industry folk. I was honored to chime in with my top five selections to be included with some very high professional company.
Read MoreAs I have grown in press credentials and professional affiliations nationally, I have found myself landing in circles with other film critics of various levels. Recently, I was included in a poll for voting critics for Jordan Ruimy of World of Reel, a fellow Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. His survey was to collect picks for the best film to date by Christopher Nolan from over 120 critics and other industry folk. I was honored to chime in with my top selection of Memento to be included with some very high professional company.
Read MoreLet it be known that Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel is the “ghost with the most” among his assembly of Earth’s Mightiest Critics. He earns that nickname because, unlike many general audiences plopping money down at the box office, Ian would rather ghost screenings for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Watch and listen to Ian, myself, Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions, and David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel go back and forth from the land of living to the dark and murky afterlife to talk about this legacy cycle.
Read MoreBoth Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel are on the press list to receive promotional products from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. He and I have teamed up in the past on his show to review some 4K releases of classic films, especially during 2023’s centennial anniversary of the studio. This time around, Ian and I were treated to advance copies of the new Rocky Ultimate Knockout Collection boxed set containing all of the original films of the Sylvester Stallone franchise. For this episode, Ian, myself, and guest Bryan Martinez talk about the bust that was Rocky V and the superior legacy sequel of Rocky Balboa.
Read MoreBoth Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel are on the press list to receive promotional products from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. He and I have teamed up in the past on his show to review some 4K releases of classic films, especially during 2023’s centennial anniversary of the studio. This time around, Ian and I were treated to advance copies of the new Rocky Ultimate Knockout Collection boxed set containing all of the original films of the Sylvester Stallone franchise. For the episode, Ian, myself, and guest Bryan Martinez talk about the middle pair of Rocky III and Rocky IV, including the recent Rocky vs. Drago Ultimate Fight director’s cut. Enjoy the show and be sure to subscribe to his podcast.
Read MoreBoth Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel are on the press list to receive promotional products from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. He and I have teamed up in the past on his show to review some 4K releases of classic films, especially during 2023’s centennial anniversary of the studio. This time around, Ian and I were treated to advance copies of the new Rocky Ultimate Knockout Collection boxed set containing all of the original films of the Sylvester Stallone franchise. For the episode, Ian and I talk about the Best Picture-winning original and its immediate sequel Rocky II. Enjoy the show and be sure to subscribe to his podcast.
Read MoreThe Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel hosted by Ian Simmons had the makings of a Fight Night this week with its livestream show for the hotly anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine. The smash hit is the kind of thing that has been right up the alley of Ian’s dais of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics.” But, we didn’t account for Ian himself. For those of you who follow the show, Ian’s had a moratorium for comic book movies before and, even in returning to the genre, he has not been moved or impressed. I was there for the possible brawl alongside Annie Banks of We’ve Got This Covered, Mike Crowley of You’ll Probably Agree, Cati Glidewell of The Blonde in Front, and Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions. Could we slash and stab some sense into him?
Read MoreI met William Eguizabal of FilmSnobReviews years ago and we hit it off with or similar clashing styles of expertise mixed with saltiness when necessary. William recently invited me back as a guest for his “Snob Chat” podcast with his multi-talented co-host Chai Simone. This time it was time to “Party Like It’s 1999,” where the panel looked back at the greatest movie year of many generations and offered some of our favorites
Read MoreThe Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel hosted by Ian Simmons returned from a contentious show last week with “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” on Godzilla: Minus One to a movie that is even more universally loved in a shorter amount of time. Celebrating all the feelings and emotions hopping around our noodles, the spotlight movie was Pixar’s instant smash Inside Out 2. Joining Ian and me were Annie Banks of We’ve Got This Covered, Mike Crowley of You’ll Probably Agree, and Cati Glidewell of The Blonde in Front.
Read MoreThis week, the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel hosted by Ian Simmons got me excited because he finally caught up to what stands as my personal favorite movie of 2023, namely Godzilla: Minus One now available to stream on Netflix. Ian and I were joined by Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions, special guest and kaiju modelmaker Bill Gudmundson, and a returning Annie Banks from We’ve Got This Covered and The Mary Sue.
Read MoreDuring the COVID pandemic, the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel hosted by Ian Simmons spurred a pair of talks about where the history of cinema and movie theaters would be during a time of social distancing, essential workers, and an in-person shutdown of movies. We’ve made it through that era only to land in a 2024 year that is landing under either expectations, corporate bottom lines, or both. Ian invited myself, Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions, and Jeff York of The Establishing Shot to diagnose the present and future of the business.
Read MoreThe Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel hosted by Ian Simmons grabbed the “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” as passengers back to the “Wasteland” world of George Miller’s Mad Max universe with a talk on the new prequel Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. As always, it was a hoot to Ian, Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions, and Jeff York of The Establishing Shot to discuss how much gas and how many bullets we have for this movie.
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