For their 166th episode, two critics, dads, and school teachers who bow to no one, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, continue with the second of a three-episode series discussing Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This second episode is the beginning half of a split recording that centered on the epic conclusions cemented by The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and its finale crescendos. Next week will be the final portion talking about the legacy and impact of the trilogy as a whole.
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 MoreFor their 165th episode, two Middle Earth critics, two hobbit-footed dads, and two heroic teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, begin the first of a three-episode series discussing Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Will recently devoured the recent three-night Fathom Event anniversary showings of the Extended Editions of all three films on the big screen. This first episode covers their thoughts on how they first encountered the trilogy back in the 2000s and their analysis of The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers.
Read MoreFor their 164th episode, two saltwater critics, two tentacled dads, and two skin-melted teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, hit the way back machine to 1998 to enjoy the creature-feature highs and lows of Deep Rising from future The Mummy breakout director Stephen Sommers and starring the late Treat Williams doing his best Harrison Ford stand-in job. This cult classic found qualities that both impressed and rolled the eyes of our hosts to join our "Trippin' on Cinema" series. Hop in, light up, drink up, and don't get caught by the monster!
Read MoreFor their 163rd episode, two leather jacket film critics, two un-helmeted dads, and two wild one teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, come together for a new release of the summer 2024 movie season. The guys rev themselves up to welcome back writer-director Jeff Nichols with The Bikeriders starring Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, and Tom Hardy. Neither of our hosts rides motorcycles, but they came to this movie with their own gassy exhausts and asphalt-rattling rumbling.
Read MoreFor their 162nd episode, two high-as-a-kite film critics, two gummy-chugging dads, and two pec-popping teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, turn back the time machine to the 1980s were star-driven fighting films were a holiday staple coming out of the public hits of Rocky and The Karate Kid. Our guys aim much cheesier and much lower with 1988's Bloodsport starring the "Muscles from Brussells" Jean-Claude Van Damme. When tuned up mentally and physically, our hosts will tell you this movie is a trip!
Read MoreFor their 161st episode, two egocentric film critics, two professional killer dads, and two un-hot teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, stay in the summer sun of 2024 to discuss the Netflix headliner Hit Man, starring Glen Powell and directed by Richard Linklater. Does this fit the buzz of being a star-making fireworks show for Powell and his sultry co-star Ardria Arjona or does this assasin's gun misfire among our hosts?
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
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