MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Live Talking "North by Northwest"

After months (and maybe years) of souring tastes and more-than-occasional red-assed disdain, Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel found a movie that actually knocked his socks off and entered his pantheon of all-time favorites. The hard part was he had to go back 65 years to a blind spot to find it. Hey, that counts as better late than never. The movie is question and celebration is Alfred Hitchcock’s mistaken identity thriller North by Northwest from 1959. The Cary Grant vehicle drew an assembly of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” in the form of Ian, myself, Jeff York of The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists, Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions, and the KTS on-camera debut of The Last Drive-In’s Joe Randazzo. Enjoy this talkative manhunt flick!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Participant in "World of Reel" Critics Poll for Best Film of the 2020s So Far

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.

Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, LIST, Best Films, 2024Don ShanahanNovember 18, 2024World of Reel, Jordan Ruimy, 2020sComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Participant in "World of Reel" Critics Poll for Best Christopher Nolan Film

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 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.

Media Appearance, Social Media, SPECIAL, LIST, Best Films, 2024Don ShanahanNovember 18, 2024World of Reel, Jordan Ruimy, Christopher NolanComment

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

Let 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.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Live Talking "Rocky V" and "Rocky Balboa"

Both 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.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Live Talking "Rocky III" and "Rocky IV"

Both 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.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Live Talking "Rocky" and "Rocky II"

Both 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.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Live Talking "Deadpool and Wolverine"

The 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?

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on May "Snob Chat" podcast episode hosted by William Eguizabal and Chai Simone

I 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

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Live Talking "Inside Out 2"

The 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.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Live Talking "Godzilla: Minus One"

This 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.

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.

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