PODCAST: Episode 205 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 205th episode, two mask-pulling film critics, two special agent dads, and two stuntman teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, return for their second of four retrospective episodes discussing the Mission: Impossible franchise. Covering the next two, this episode breaks down the J.J. Abrams entry, Mission: Impossible III from 2006 and the Brad Bird live-action graduation of Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol from 2011.

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Channel Talking the History of "The Fantastic Four"

Two weeks after a combative Superman discussion on the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel hosted by Ian Simmons, cooler heads prevailed with an extended retrospective on the history of “The Fantastic Four” comic book property on the big screen. The assemblage of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” went back to 1994, 2005, 2007, and 2015 before finishing with the brand spanking new The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Enjoy Ian, myself, Jeff York of The Establishing Shot, Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions, and Cati Glidewell of The Blonde in Front sharing our experience and critiques.

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Channel Talking "Superman"

Something I’ve learned in the past few weeks basking in the success of James Gunn’s universal starter Superman is that something the “S” on that costume can stand for more things than the name of the hero or some Kryptonian translation of hope. On a recent livesteam joining “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” led by Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel, the “S” stands for SPICY. With supporters and contrarians clashing, this roundtable got heated.

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the Kicking the Seat's YouTube Channel Talking "Jurassic World: Rebirth"

I’ll go right ahead and admit. Summer has been busy. I’m a school teacher on summer vacation where every day is a Saturday and the memories blend together. I forgot about one of the opportunities I had this past month to joing Ian Simmons on his Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel. A few weeks back, Ian, myself, and Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions talked about the thrills and spills of Jurassic World: Rebirth. Enjoy this recorded live chat!

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Storytelling in Motion: Exploring Culture Through Film and Travel

In a world brimming with stories, two of the most powerful vehicles for cultural expression are film and travel. While film allows us to experience lives and landscapes from the comfort of our homes, travel places us inside those stories—letting us breathe the air, walk the streets, and connect with the people who inhabit them. When these two forces combine, something magical happens: storytelling in motion. It’s a dynamic, immersive journey where culture is not just observed but felt, lived, and remembered.

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MOVIE REVIEW: She Rides Shotgun

She Rides Shotgun puts these two through hell with slivers of hope pushing them to carry on. The connection built through the close quarters performances of Ana Sophia Heger and Taron Egerton to lift that sense of drama is exceptional. The camera rarely leaves Heger, making the point of view one of fragility, callousing over with experiences of toughness.

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MOVIE REVIEW: The Bad Guys 2

Based on the popular juvenile graphic novels written and illustrated by Aaron Blabey, which have now spanned 20 episodes in nine years, this series of books and movies is a perfect place to start a future cinephile’s love affair with a good caper flick. Give yourself due credit and earn your cool points, moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and family buddies.

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MOVIE REVIEW: The Naked Gun

The true crispness in The Naked Gun, ensured with no hesitation, relies on the actors hitting their marks. Verbal choreography becomes just as important as the physical variety. Director Akiva Schaeffer found two fantastic lead vessels for this type of precision in Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson.

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Lessons in Loyalty: What Pets in Films Teach About Companionship

Loyalty is a common theme in pet-centered films, and for good reason. Pets tend to be incredibly loyal to their owners, sometimes doing incredible things to get back to their family or to see their owner again. They provide the companionship needed for the owners while just asking for care and love in return. Some of the films that highlight the loyalty pets offer include the following. 

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An Inside Look at Online Psychedelic Shopping for Wellness Seekers

As wellness trends keep changing, people are looking for new ways to feel better and learn about themselves. One way that is becoming more popular is taking psychedelics, often in small doses or for therapy under advisability. Because of digital changes, online platforms help people get psychedelics in a way that is easy, private, and made for those in the wellness community.

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