MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Live Talking the Future of Movies

During 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.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Live Talking "Furiosa"

The 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.

PODCAST: Episode 154 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 154th episode, two apolitical film critics, two American dads, and two special forces teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, stage their own divide for Civil War from the well-regarded director Alex Garland. To do so, they bring in a pair of critical combatants to double the talk and double the bloodshed. The podcast welcomes back frequent guest Cati Glidewell of The Blonde in Front and debuts for your listening pleasure Jeff York of The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists. The four draw out their battlelines of agreement and disagreement for a bombastic episode.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's 1000th Episode Talking "Pulp Fiction"

The Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel hosted by Ian Simmons reached a huge milestone this week: 1000 episodes! That is rarified air in this creativce community. To celebrate the occasion, Ian brought in a big collection of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” to discuss the movie he’s seen on the big screen more than any other. The topic was Quentin Tarantino’s seminal indie classic Pulp Fiction, turning 30 this year. It was an honor to join Ian, David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel, Cati Glidewell of The Blonde in Front, Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions, Jeff York of The Establishing Shot, and Mike Crowley of You’ll Probably Agree discuss how we like our cinematic burgers and massages.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel talking "Trolls Band Together"

Film critics are often parents too and, sometimes, one of the perks of the position is being about to bring your children as your guests to an advanced screening. Recently, Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel and I were two film critic parents of many who brought our kiddos for the viewing privilege and bragging rights of seeing the new sequel Trolls Band Together earlier. While our sons did not join the conversation as the “target demographic,” Ian and I had plenty to celebrate and compliment!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel talking "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Recently, I was invited by Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel to join a group conversation on Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Being one of the few critics giving the film a “Rotten” negative review on Rotten Tomatoes, I figured I would be bringing the piss and smoke to drop the would-be masterpiece down a few rungs. As it turns out, I wasn’t alone on the panel when it came to stern critiques on the movie

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat roundtable for "Barbie"

Last week on the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel with Ian Simmons was Oppenheimer, one half of 2023 cinema “Barbenheimer” event of the summer. This week, it was Barbie’s turn. First up was Christopher Nolan’s massive Oppenheimer. Things took quite a turn late in the show when the social commentary reared its ugly head between Ian, myself, Jeff York of The Establishing Shot, David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel, and Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions. Enjoy the show and be sure to subscribe to Ian’s channel!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat roundtable for "Oppenheimer"

An Indiana Jones movie counts as a special occasion. So is the chance to join Ian Simmons on the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel for one of his roundtables. Coming off the heels of its opening weekend, “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” got together to talk about Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Ian, myself, David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel, Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions, and Mike Crowley of You’ll Probably Agree reminisce on ups and downs of getting the chance to see Harrison Ford play one of his iconic characters again.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat roundtable for "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"

This latest YouTube roundtable for the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel counts as a special one. After a bold (and wise) self-imposed year-long moratorium, this is the return of host Ian Simmons to comic book movie discussions with “Earth’s Mightiest Critics.” See him tell his story and receive enthusiastic welcomes to talk about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Joining this special comeback with Ian and myself is a full half-dozen big talkers.

GUEST CRITIC #26: Murder on the Orient Express

Fellow Chicago critic Jeff York is a delight to talk to on any and all topics, but our movie chats have become truly special. Jeff was able to view and review Kenneth Branagh's remake of Murder on the Orient Express. He's a self-professed fan and cover-to-cover expert on the Agatha Christie source novel and the previously celebrated 1974 film adaptation. His review will do better informative service than mine ever would.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Page 2 Screen" podcast talking 20 years of "L.A. Confidential"

I joined Jeff York recently as his guest for a special 20th-anniversary 35mm screening of 1997's Oscar-winning L.A. Confidential at the storied Music Box Theatre as part of the Noir City Chicago Festival. As an added treat, author James Ellroy was in the house to kick things off with an expletive-laden bang. After the screening, he and I hunkered down in Frio Gelato near the theatre to share our admiration and examination of Curtis Hanson's masterpiece.

SPECIAL: A message from the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle

The CIFCC was founded on the pillar of diversity. It is a message that resonates in all that we do, both as a group and as critics. In our eyes and through our passion as film lovers and creative individuals, diversity means more than just demographics. Take a watch and a listen to this special trailer and message from the CIFCC, featuring yours truly.

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