Just like the first film that crescendo-ed with the Oscar-nominated “Can’t Stop The Feeling,” the high point of Trolls Band Together arrives with its signature song “Better Place.” It’s sung first by the combined cast during the plot while *NSYNC takes over for the full version over the closing credits. It’s an earworm of a pop ditty and siren’s song for the moms and dads. If “Better Place” were any catchier, it would be made of Velcro, require a multi-stage emergency vaccine, and required to be gloved by MLB All-Star J.T. Realmuto.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking the politics of "Irresistible"

The VOD debut of Jon Stewart’s new comedy Irresistible starring Steve Carell and Rose Byrne set off an impromptu new release edition of Ian Simmons’s “Reelpolitik” series on his Kicking the Seat podcast. The two of us looked into all of the leg pulls and the rug pulls to find and enjoy all the ways Stewart pointed fingers at parties to blame and mirrors at those that need to see those mentalities. Ian and I found this one to be a hoot and we hope it finds the right open minds and welcome audiences. Enjoy our thorough podcast chat linked below!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking the politics of "Election"

As a teacher (pants optional during this current work landscape), it was a pleasure to discuss Alexander Payne’s 1999 film Election with Ian Simmons on his Kicking the Seat YouTube channel. It was my second spin for his “Reelpolitik” series after a previous appearance discussing All the President’s Men. The setting and scope is far different and far more fictional here. Election is as much a teacher movie as it was a political one. Enjoy our video conversation on the movie and be sure to follow Ian Simmons on his YouTube channel this week!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" YouTube channel talking "The Lovebirds"

Right in the same vein of Date Night and Game Night, one could do worse for a good COVID “Netflix and Chill” couch movie than The Lovebirds. Ian Simmons of Kicking the Seat and I agree that this one has some wit, heart, and fun worth your time at the low price of 86 minutes. Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani flow with fresh chemistry for a zany “one wild night” movie. Enjoy our video conversation on the movie and be sure to follow Ian Simmons on his YouTube channel this week!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking "Arkansas"

As I hope you have been following through this extended theater closure, Kicking the Seat’s Ian Simmons and I have found our share of streaming offerings to talk about. We move from his YouTube channel to his regular podcast platform to talk about the displace SXSW redneck crime entry Arkansas, the directorial debut of actor Clark Duke. Listen to us wax on about Vince Vaughn and The Flaming Lips for this indie available now on VOD platforms everywhere. Enjoy his show!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" YouTube channel talking "Extraction"

Continuing down the media side stream with the digital Netflix lifeboat during this time of theatrical shutdown, 3/4 of Kicking the Seat’s “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” panel assemble to talk about the latest from one of the beefiest and burliest Avengers stars. Chris Hemsworth toplines Extraction, the feature film directorial debut of frequent MCU stunt coordinator Sam Hargrave based on a indie graphic novel written by Avengers and Captain American trilogy stewards Anthony and Joe Russo. The men and the action are ballsy and brawny. It’s debatable whether the three of us are talking about it. Enjoy Emmanuel Noisette of E-Man Movie Reviews and I joining Ian Simmons on his YouTube channel this week!

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" YouTube channel talking "Trolls World Tour"

Well, movie fans, we’ve reached the point during this industry shutdown and pandemic where digital is the fallback lifeboat. With Universal Pictures caving to drop Trolls World Tour for day-and-date rental release on Amazon Prime, we are welcoming our first mainstream studio film of consequence in years to take this streaming settlement. Ian Simmons of Kicking the Seat invited me to his YouTube channel to talk music references, sequels, and the state of VOD and movie privacy. Enjoy this new video podcast episode!

MOVIE REVIEW: Trolls World Tour

Adding more weight from the original movie’s message of finding internal happiness and not changing for others wouldn’t take much. With equal simplicity and symbolism, the felt of this dreamy universe for the sequel Trolls World Tour is upped to include heavy quilts, denim, leather, satin, velour, vinyl, and more. The multiplication of said textiles matches an appreciated boost in weightier themes. What is ready and primed to delight can also move body parts other than your hips and toes.