For their 206th episode, two invisible film critics, two rocky dads, and two stretchy teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, visit Marvel's next summer blockbuster, the hotly anticipated The Fantastic Four: First Steps. They are not along, either. The hosts welcome back frequent guest, Cati Glidewell of The Blonde in Front and Film Obsessive, to weigh in on all of the family dynamics and kitschy period-era style. They were ready for a no-homework Marvel movie
Read MoreLast weekend, I watched a youth basketball game where three different parents were frantically trying to record their kids while simultaneously cheering from the sidelines. One dad missed his son's game-winning shot because he was fumbling with his phone's zoom. Another mom's footage was so shaky it looked like an earthquake documentary. Sound familiar?
Read MoreNew study reveals which Disney icons dominate online searches, social media, and YouTube views globally. From childhood movie nights to theme park visits, Disney characters hold a special place in hearts across generations. Whether it's humming "Let It Go" or spotting Mickey Mouse ears, these animated icons capture imaginations at every age. But which Disney characters actually rule the internet?
Read MoreThe research team at Casino Context analyzed America’s most visited beaches over the past year. They ranked them based on five risk factors: shark attacks, rescue incidents, drowning deaths, non-drowning deaths, and lost and found cases to reveal the most dangerous beaches.
Read MoreFor 44% of LGBTQ+ people, the virtual worlds designed for entertainment have become essential tools for survival, offering acceptance that often remains elusive in their schools, communities, and even their homes. It's a phenomenon that reveals both the depth of the mental health crisis facing queer youth and the surprising capacity of digital spaces to fill voids left by failing real-world support systems.
Read MoreNetflix character fashion has been gaining major traction online, with styles from hit shows going viral on TikTok, trending on Instagram, and showing up in real-world shopping habits. A recent study by Kaiia analyzed online behavior to see which Netflix characters generate the most interest when it comes to style and outfits.
Read MoreIf you haven't heard of the "9-9-9 Challenge" yet, go ahead and do a quick Google search because it's going viral. It's a simple challenge: Drink nine beers and eat nine hot dogs within the first nine innings of an MLB game.
Read MoreFor 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.
Read MoreTwo 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.
Read MoreSomething 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.
Read MoreI’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!
Read MoreIn 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.
Read More
