Podcast appearances and mentions of don shanahan

For their 242nd episode, two warrior film critics, two poetic dads, and two wise school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, present the second of two parts of a thorough discussion on Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey," branching through and laying bare the casting, politics, and controversies that have tried to swallow this movie like a whirlpool. Cati Glidewell of The Blonde in Front returns and leads this excellent conversation. You made it through Part 1. Now stay for Part 2 as you celebrate the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

For their 241st episode, two godly film critics, two bow-stringing dads, and two myth-teaching school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, present the first of two parts of a lengthy discussion on Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey." For this meaty and manly deconstruction, the pod welcomes back frequent and favored guest, Cati Glidewell of The Blonde in Front. This talk really covers the wide gamut between the internal impact and external stresses of the movie event. Try Part 1, and come back for Part 2 as you celebrate the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

For their 240th episode, two meticulous film critics, two decision-heavy dads, and two L.A.-loving school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, complete a quick two-episode arc on films inspired by recent summer vacation travel. Last week, Will's trip to Japan brought forth a reassessment of "Lost in Translation." This week, it's Don's turn as he returns from the City of Angels with Michael Mann's "Heat" burning brightly on his mind. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

For their 239th episode, two jet-set film critics, two midlife crisis dads, and two culturally open school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, begin a two-episode arc on films that inspired recent travel from our two hosts. This month, Will got back from a transformative solo trip to the nation of Japan, meaning Sofia Coppola's "Lost in Translation" became the immediate reflection point for an episode. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

For their 238th episode, two firefighting film critics, two propeller-driven dads, and two very much still alive school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, follow up last week's blockbuster episode about a couple of heroic pilots with another featuring the same profession. On the heels of a new Steven Spielberg film last month, the two pointed their compass to 1989's "Always," a Spielberg blind spot for Don that needed to be doused with fire extinguishing podcast time. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast! Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Movie of the Year: 2006Little Miss Sunshine (feat. Don Shanahan from Every Movie Has a Lesson!)Little Miss Sunshine Podcast: The Hoovers Hit the BracketThe Little Miss Sunshine podcast episode has arrived, and the Taste Buds are packing into the VW bus. This week, Movie of the Year puts one of 2006's biggest indie success stories through the tournament. Ryan, Mike, and Greg welcome film critic Don Shanahan to help judge the Hoover family's run at the crown. Together, the panel digs into the family dynamics, the unforgettable ending, the film's surprising philosophical streak, and the husband-and-wife directing team behind it all. Additionally, the crew squares off in a round of Trivia and builds a fashion-themed Rushmore. Can a sunny yellow bus carry this movie deep into the 2006 bracket? Push, hop in, and find out.About the FilmLittle Miss Sunshine follows the Hoover family on an 800-mile road trip from Albuquerque to Redondo Beach. Seven-year-old Olive has qualified for the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant, and the whole dysfunctional clan piles into a failing Volkswagen bus to get her there. The passenger list includes a failed motivational speaker, a suicidal Proust scholar, a Nietzsche-obsessed teen who refuses to speak, a heroin-snorting grandpa, and one very determined mom. Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris from Michael Arndt's screenplay, the film premiered at Sundance in January 2006. It became a box office sensation, grossing over $101 million on an $8 million budget. Moreover, it earned four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Alan Arkin won Best Supporting Actor, and Arndt took home Best Original Screenplay. RogerEbert.com called it a gentle family satire in the tradition of the countercultural comedies of the 1970s. Now the film faces its toughest challenge yet: the Movie of the Year 2006 bracket.Guest Panelist: Don ShanahanThe Taste Buds welcome film critic Don Shanahan to the panel. Don is a Chicago-based, Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic and the founder of the long-running review site Every Movie Has a Lesson. He also serves as Editor-in-Chief and Content Supervisor of the film department at Film Obsessive. Furthermore, Don co-hosts the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast on the Ruminations Radio Network. A school teacher by day, he writes his reviews with life lessons in mind, from the serious to the farcical. Don is a director and co-founder of the Chicago Indie Critics and a voting member of the Critics Choice Association and the Online Film Critics Society. Consequently, few guests arrive better equipped to grade a movie about winners, losers, and everything in between.The Hoover Family at the Heart of the Little Miss Sunshine PodcastEvery great road movie needs great passengers, and this one has six. The panel starts with the family itself. Richard preaches his nine-step winning program while his own career collapses. Sheryl holds everyone together with fried chicken and sheer will. Frank arrives fresh from a suicide attempt, and Dwayne has taken a vow of silence until he becomes a fighter pilot. Meanwhile, Grandpa coaches Olive's pageant routine with methods no pageant has ever approved. The Little Miss Sunshine podcast crew debates what makes this dysfunction feel so real. Notably, the film establishes the entire family in one legendary twenty-minute dinner scene. The Taste Buds and Don break down how each Hoover carries a private definition of failure. Ultimately, the group asks the big question: is this the best movie family of 2006?Breaking Down the Ending on the Little Miss Sunshine 2006 PodcastYou know the scene. Olive takes the stage at the pageant, "Super Freak" drops, and the movie explodes. The panel dedicates a full segment to one of the most famous endings of the decade. By contrast with the polished pageant contestants, Olive's routine is pure chaos, and the family's response is pure love. The Hoovers stop trying to win and start dancing. Don and the Taste Buds debate whether the finale earns its catharsis or leans on shock value. In addition, the crew discusses how the ending flips the film's winners-and-losers thesis on its head. Does the dance number seal the film's bracket run, or does it divide the panel? The episode holds nothing back.Nietzsche, Proust, and the Philosophy of LosingFew crowd-pleasers smuggle in this much philosophy. Dwayne worships Nietzsche and wears his contempt for conformity on his sleeve, or at least on his t-shirt. Frank, meanwhile, claims the title of preeminent Proust scholar in America. The panel unpacks why Michael Arndt built his comedy on these two thinkers. Frank's hospital-parking-lot speech about suffering becomes the film's secret thesis: the years of struggle are the years that make us. However, the movie never turns into a lecture. Instead, it hides its ideas inside gas station stops and highway breakdowns. The crew debates whether the philosophy holds up or simply decorates the road trip. Specifically, they ask what Nietzsche would think of a nine-step program for winning.The Directors: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie FarisHusband-and-wife team Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris spent decades directing music videos before this debut feature. Their work with bands like The Smashing Pumpkins and R.E.M. sharpened an eye for visual storytelling on tight budgets. As a result, Little Miss Sunshine looks sun-bleached, precise, and effortlessly funny. The panel examines how the duo directs comedy through reaction shots rather than punchlines. The famous bus-pushing sequence becomes a masterclass in physical comedy and ensemble blocking. Additionally, the group traces the pair's later career through Ruby Sparks and Battle of the Sexes. Why did two music video veterans wait so long for a second film? The panel has theories, and some of them are even kind.TriviaNo Movie of the Year episode is complete without Trivia. The Taste Buds and Don test each other on all things Little Miss Sunshine. Production history, casting near-misses, pageant facts, and VW bus mechanics are all fair game. The film's six-year development saga and its record-setting Sundance sale provide plenty of ammunition. Who takes the crown this week? Listen and find out.Rushmore: FashionThis week's Rushmore segment tackles fashion. Each panelist carves their personal Mount Rushmore of movie fashion into the mountainside. Little Miss Sunshine gives the category a strong starting point. Olive's oversized glasses and red cowboy boots, Dwayne's brutal statement tees, and Richard's aggressively beige wardrobe all deserve consideration. Nevertheless, the panel ranges across all of film history for their picks. Expect passionate defenses, questionable taste, and at least one choice that starts an argument.Why Little Miss Sunshine Still MattersTwenty years later, Little Miss Sunshine remains the gold standard for the crowd-pleasing indie. It proved a tiny comedy could outgross blockbusters and crash the Best Picture race. Furthermore, its skepticism about hustle culture and toxic winning has only grown more relevant. Richard's nine steps sound like half the internet in 2026. The film also launched Abigail Breslin, revived Alan Arkin, and showed the world Steve Carell could break hearts. Above all, it argues that losing together beats winning alone. That message keeps the Little Miss Sunshine podcast conversation alive two decades after the bus first rolled. For more from the season, check out the Movie of the Year 2006 intro episode and the 2006 Mixtape.Related Episodes from Movie of the Year: 2006Movie of the Year 2006: Intro Part 1Movies of 2006: Bracket Reveal and Sweet 16Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story2006 Mixtape Part IAll Movie of the Year EpisodesFAQ: Little Miss Sunshine Podcast and FilmWhat is the Little Miss Sunshine podcast episode about?The Taste Buds and guest critic Don Shanahan judge Little Miss Sunshine in the Movie of the Year 2006 bracket. Topics include the Hoover family, the ending, the film's philosophy, and directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.What is Little Miss Sunshine about?A dysfunctional family drives a broken-down VW bus from New Mexico to California so young Olive can compete in a beauty pageant. Along the way, every member confronts their own definition of failure.Who directed Little Miss Sunshine?Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris directed the film. The married duo made their feature debut after a celebrated career in music videos.Who wrote Little Miss...

For their 237th episode, two alien-punching film critics, two cropdusting dads, and two speechifying school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, saw it fit to celebrate our nation's 250th birthday with the 30th anniversary of Roland Emmerich's "Independence Day." Both hosts consider it one of the best pure summer blockbusters ever made and something that should be as annual a staple for the titular holiday as BBQs and fireworks. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast! Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

When Superman hit theaters last summer, Ian vowed to sit out the rest of James Gunn's run as head of DC Studios. Months later, he had a change of heart and decided to give Supergirl a chance.Director Craig Gillespie and writer Ana Nogueira's "adaptation" of Tom King's Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic is now upon us and failing spectacularly at the box office.But is this a case of bad press scaring potential audiences away from a good time at the multiplex? Or is Gunn's dour, sardonic vision of the DC superhero pantheon to blame?Earth's Mightiest Critics duke it out in a spoilerific bar brawl worthy of Lobo. Join us as we hurl this disaster into the nearest green sun! We also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow Links:Watch the Supergirl (2026) trailer.As mentioned in the show, you can watch Ian and Mark review 2006's Lord of War (starring Nicolas Cage)—recorded right after this episode!Check out Mike's review of the new Supergirl KFC Ultimate Meal!Watch Ian's official retraction regarding the Gunn-iverse (combined with a Supergirl trailer reaction).Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And read Rob Kojder's legendary reviews at Flickering Myth. Ep1237: Supergirl (2026) - Live Roundtable Review Kicking the Seat

For their 236th episode, two sword-wielding film critics, two chainmail-wearing dads, and two gore-friendly school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, continue on a sword-and-sandal deep dive by pairing together a pair of remakes of some 1980s cult classics. Last year in 2025, streaming services (and too few theaters) were graced with reboots of "Red Sonja" and "Deathstalker." The former shot for a more serious route, while the latter offered as much ham-and-cheese as it did blood and dismemberment. Both, in their own way, understood their assignments, and casual moviegoing is better for having them. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast! Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The lesson of Disclosure Day is that the truth is out there...and no one cares!Steven Spielberg's return to sci-fi with a movie that's less close encounter than close call. Josh O'Connor and Emily Blunt star as two strangers who find themselves at the heart of a corporate conspiracy involving aliens who've been visiting Earth for decades.You've seen this story a thousand times, but never (unfortunately) like this!Join Earth's Mightiest Critics as we crack open some X-Files and solve the mystery of Disclosure Day's utter lack of...mystery! We also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow Links:Watch the Disclosure Day (2026) trailer.As mentioned in the show, next Wednesday (6/24) you can catch a bona fide Spielberg classic on the big screen: Chicago's Music Box Theatre will unleash 1975's Jaws on the Windy City! Get tickets here.Speaking of Jaws, Ian mentioned a recent episode of Robert Meyer Burnett's great Robservations podcast, in which Rob pushes back on a harsh Gen Z assessment of the film!Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And read Rob Kojder's legendary reviews at Flickering Myth. Ep1235: Disclosure Day (2026) - Live Roundtable Review Kicking the Seat

We. Have. THE POWERRRRRR!!!!Or do we?Many of Earth's Mightiest Critics really enjoyed Travis Knight's Masters of the Universe--then again, we were the select few who actually bothered to watch this spectacular box office flop.In this special Sunday night livestream, the gang will plunge headlong into a spoilerific defense of a movie that, while far from perfect, stands as an action-packed, heartfelt throwback that should have absolutely kickstarted a franchise. There may also be...other points of view!Join us as we wield the critical Sword of Power and save fans from ignoring a movie that was tailor-made for them! We also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow Links:Watch the Masters of the Universe (2026) trailer.Plus! As mentioned in the show, Ian and Mark immediately followed up this stream with a look at 1990's Lord of the Flies on the Spoiler Room Podcast!Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And read Rob Kojder's legendary reviews at Flickering Myth. Ep1234: Masters of the Universe (2026) - Live Roundtable Review Kicking the Seat

For their 235th episode, two film critics, two dads, and two school teachers who definitely have the power, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, are starting to scratch a sword-and-sandal itch. Semi-included in that subgenre, and just in time for the remake/reboot, is 1987's "Masters of the Universe" from Cannon Films. Starring the beloved and out-of-his element Dolph Lundgren, one of our hosts was absolutely the target audience for this nearly 40 years ago and the other is watching it for the first time in 2026.  Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast! Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, Earth's Mightiest Critics take on the film that killed Star Wars! Okay, technically, Obsession did that a few days ago, but we're talking about the number one film at the box office: Backrooms!Kane Parsons' eerie exploration of otherworldly liminal spaces began as a series of YouTube videos, and has expanded to feature length. The transition has proved quite the global sensation, with sell-out shows and deafening buzz for the 20-year-old horror wunderkind.But is there too much hype about a down-on-his-luck furniture store manger who discovers another dimension in the basement--or is Parsons' passion project the real deal?Join us as we talk Escher-esque sets, zoomer horror, and much, much more in spoilerific detail! We also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow Links:Watch the Backrooms (2026) trailer.Watch the creepy shorts that started the Backrooms phenomenon!Bonus! Mike worked his compositing magic to make Ian's meme dream come true!Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And read Rob Kojder's legendary reviews at Flickering Myth. Ep1233: The Backrooms (2026) - Live Roundtable Review Kicking the Seat

For their 234th episode, two wannabe TV critics, two resident dads, and two interning school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, enjoy the second week and episode pausing from cinema to spread some love to prestige television. Last week, they covered Season 1 of HBO Max's "The Pitt." For this episode, they recap and react to the recently completed second season. This show checks their pulse on whether the buzz and excitement from the first season could be advanced by the second. Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Star Wars is back! Kinda...This week, Earth's Mightiest Critics resurrect their Mandalorian review series, "What if He Doesn't Survive?", for a live roundtable review of Season 4. Officially, this is a "movie", but who're we kidding? This two-plus-hour Fett quest is writer's strike TV at best, and a case for leaving Star Wars the pop culture rearview at worst.But will a lone warrior emerge from the pack, willing to stand up for the serialized adventures of Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his wuvvable "Baby Yoda" sidekick? Join us as for a Beskar-bashin', spoiler-sprayin' sound-off--plus your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow Links:Watch the Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) trailer.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher". Ep1232: What if He Doesn't Survive: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) - Live Roundtable Review Kicking the Seat

Everybody's talking about Obsession, but the conversation doesn't truly begin until Earth's Mightiest Critics chime in!This week, the gang looks at Curry Barker's bold new horror film, which some are already hailing as a genre classic. When Bear (Michael Johnston) chickens out of professing his love for lifelong crush, Nikki (Inde Navarrette), he turns to a novelty wish-making toy to make his dream come true. Of course, things go horribly wrong, and Bear soon learns that unearned unconditional love can be literal Hell on Earth. Obsession has crazy word-of-mouth, a stellar opening-take (compared to its miniscule production budget), and enormous buzz around Navarrette. But is Curry Barker really the new face of horror? Or just a slick re-packager of the millennial genre fare he grew up with?If so, with a movie this effective--does it matter?Join us as we obsess over one of the year's wildest moviegoing experiences! We also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow Links:Watch the Obsession (2026) trailer.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher". Ep1231: Obsession (2026) - Live Roundtable Review Kicking the Seat

For their 233rd episode, two non-television critics, two emergency room dads, and two surgically precise school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, take a two-week/two-episode pause from the film scene to celebrate a little television. While they may be movie guys, popular water cooler chatter can get them to binge a show now and again. Recently, Will discovered "The Pitt" on HBO Max and was hooked instantly, binging the first season in a day and a half. Don's been there since Day 1, so he was more than happy to break down Season 1. Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

For their 232nd episode, two well-molded film critics, two non-Aussie dads, and two special effects school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, have secretly found a little sub-niche over the years for their show, where they find an obscure, forgotten film and get the chance to move its Rotten Tomatoes score with their podcast's submitted review. This week, 1986's "F/X" gets the treatment. The caper/thriller celebrating tired cops and practical special effects became Bryan Brown's headlining arrival from Australia. He may not be Hugh Jackman, but his slickness and the movie are a good time. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

All livestreams are equal, but some livestreams are more equal than others!Tonight, Earth's Mightiest Critics hog-tie Andy Serkis' "adaptation" of George Orwell's landmark, anti-Communist cautionary tale, Animal Farm!This 3D animated outing from Angel Studios features an all-star voice cast and a significant change in focus that entirely misses the point of Orwell's novel. Animal Farm '26 is flopping in theatres and with critics and audiences--but does this radical reinterpretation deserve all the hate?Join us on a spoilerific trip to the "Laughterhouse"! We also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow Links:Watch the Animal Farm (2026) trailer.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher". Ep1229: Animal Farm (2026) - Live Roundtable Review Kicking the Seat

For their 231st episode, two decadent film critics, two old sport dads, and partying school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, finally have, for what seems like the first time in a while, found a movie they truly feel opposite on to a nearly hate vs. love level, and it might not be from a place you typically expect. The loaded argument in question surrounds Baz Luhrmann's sparkly and loud blockbuster adaptation of "The Great Gatsby." Between these two guys, who've read this book as students and now teachers, find out who takes what side. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

For their 230th episode, two golden critics, two statuesque dads, and centrist school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, continue their return from a short sabbatical with a special editorial episode. The recent 98th Academy Awards came and went recently. While the two-horse battle between "One Battle After Another" and "Sinners," made for decent Oscar drama, our podcast hosts didn't watch the show and found themselves over what they used to love. They discuss what's wrong with the Oscars and ways to fix them. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcastSpeakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Brendan Fraser is back! And he's bringing his whole globe-trotting, evil-fighting crew with him!What? Oh... Sorry...Join Earth's Mightiest Critics for a spoilers-packed unwrapping of Lee Cronin's The Mummy--a film that's been savaged by critics and shrugged at by audiences.But is there more to this than a warmed-over Evil Dead Rise, wrapped in dusty gauze? Find out what we have to say!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow Links:Watch the Lee Cronin's The Mummy (2026) trailer.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher". Ep1227: Lee Cronin's The Mummy (2026) - Live Roundtable Review Kicking the Seat

For their 229th episode, two returning critics, two better-rested dads, and two science-loving teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, return from a brief sabbatical for a love-fest on the leader in the clubhouse for the movie of the year. They're talking about the instant sci-fi classic of "Project Hail Mary," starring Ryan Gosling, who's quietly becoming one our hosts' most dependable and favorite performers. For this big return, the haters stayed home. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast! Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The 1990s saw a string of 40s-themed flops--serial-inspired adventure movies that audiences roundly rejected.The nail in the coffin was Simon Wincer's The Phantom, in which Billy Zane plays (no joke) a "descendent of a line of African superheroes" who "travels to New York City to thwart a wealthy criminal genius from obtaining three magic skulls which would give him the secret to ultimate power."Did audiences at the time miss out on a fun and funny, mold-breaking adventure? Or were they right to give a razzberry to Zane's pulpy, purple-clad putz?Join Earth's Mightiest Critics for a spoilers-slamming superhero spectacular! We also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow Links:Watch the Phantom (1996) trailer.Pick up The Phantom on 4K, now available from Kino Lorber! Did you know that both Kicking the Seat and friend of the show Jon Kitley's Discover the Horror Podcast have been nominated for "Best Podcast" at the 2026 Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards (aka the Rondos)! If you enjoy what we do, please vote via the link below (our category is #20 on the list, which also includes nominees for "Best Magazine", "Best Movie", etc.). Thanks! For a full list of nominees and voting instructions, click here.As mentioned in the show, this weekend sees the debut of Sujewa Ekanayake's 3I/ATLAS Film Festival, taking place at Brooklyn's Rollin Studios! For tickets, showtimes, and more, click here.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher". Ep1224: The Phantom (1996) - Live 30th Anniversary Review Kicking the Seat

Until last weekend, Project Hail Mary was the number one movie in the world. Alas, it has been dethroned by a blockbuster of truly cosmic proportions: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie!Though the film has made a Bowser-load of cash, not everyone is bowled over by its charms. It's a classic rivalry between reviewers and regular Joes and Janes. And this week, Earth's Mightiest Critics bust out the fireballs and chain-chomps to settle the "Are the Mario movies good?" argument once and for all (or at least, for now...)!Join us for a spoilerific game of 1-UPsmanship! We also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow Links:Watch the Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) trailer. Check out the latest installment of "Target Audience", in which Ian and Luke discuss The Super Mario Galaxy Movie from a young fan's perspective!Did you know that both Kicking the Seat and friend of the show Jon Kitley's Discover the Horror Podcast have been nominated for "Best Podcast" at the 2026 Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards (aka the Rondos)! If you enjoy what we do, please vote via the link below (our category is #20 on the list, which also includes nominees for "Best Magazine", "Best Movie", etc.). Thanks! For a full list of nominees and voting instructions, click here.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher". Ep1223: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) - Live Roundtable Review Kicking the Seat

We close out the month with a discussion of this classic. Don Shanahan of the "Cinephile Hissy Fit" and "Film Obsessive" is back with the crew for a great time. We talk about the great animation, adorable characters, Pixar at its peak, and how sometimes you should not look too far below the surface of a film sometimes. Also find out whose first time watch this was. All this and more in The Spoiler Room.Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6G0dYEHovZsjHd2ItOuRL2 Film Obsessive: https://filmobsessive.com/Kicking The Seat: https://kickseat.com/ Classic Rondo Awards: https://rondoaward.com/rondoaward.com/blog/

Raiders of the Lost Ark turns 45 this year and, for Earth's Mightiest Critics, Steven Spielberg's globe-spanning archeological adventure is a foundational part of their love of movies! But after nearly half a century and countless viewings, there's still a lot to discover about Harrison Ford's fascist-fighting scoundrel--and his intriguing relationship with faith.Tonight, the EMC will pay tribute to a great film and dig into the character's decades-long struggle with various aspects of belief, non-belief, and everything in between.Join us as we unearth the secrets of Raiders's enduring legacy and the Indy franchise's spiritual thematic resonance! We also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow Links:Watch the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) trailer.As mentioned in the show, Ian recently saw Raiders of the Lost Ark at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre, as part of the "Auditorium Philms" series--in which attendees watch classic movies projected on the big screen, with live orchestral accompaniment! Check out the full 2026 lineup here!Also mentioned in the show was Ian's recent appearance on The Spoiler Room Podcast, discussing Wall-E. Give a listen!Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe, like, and comment on Kicking the Seat here on YouTube, and check us out at: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- kickseat.com: https://kickseat.com/ Patreon: patreon.com/u35249528 X: https://x.com/KICKSEAT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kickseat/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kickseat/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Show Links -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support ALL of Earth's Mightiest Critics at our various outlets: Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson: http://www.everymoviehasalesson.com/ ...And Film Obsessive: https://filmobsessive.com/ ...AND the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6G0dYEHovZsjHd2ItOuRL2 Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast: https://www.specialmarkproductions.com/spoilerroompdcs.html Get seated with Cati Glidewell, The Blonde in Front! https://www.youtube.com/@theblondeinfront Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel: https://keeping-it-reel.com/ Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot! https://theestablishingshot.org/ Keep up with Annie Banks at Comic Book Resources: https://www.cbr.com/author/annie-banks AND We Got This Covered: https://wegotthiscovered.com/ Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree: https://www.ypareviews.com/ And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher"! https://creaturefeaturepreacher.substack.com/ Ep1220: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - Live 45th Anniversary Roundtable Review Kicking the Seat

Project Hail Mary has enjoyed stratospheric success at the box office, providing Amazon Studios with its biggest hit to date. But does it work as an adaptation of Andy Weir's best-selling novel?Does it even work as a movie?Ryan Gosling stars as Ryland Grace, a junior high science teacher who is recruited to help develop a spacecraft that will investigate the gradually dimming sun. During his perilous journey, he encounters an unexpected fellow traveler; together they must find a way to save their worlds--and, hopefully, return to them.Critics and audiences have fallen in love with Project Hail Mary, but one crank is willing to go head-to-head against the prevailing wisdom (and you'll never guess who it is...).Join us as for a spoilerific space exploration, which will include your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow Links:Watch the Project Hail Mary (2026) trailer.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher". Ep1218: Ep1218: Project Hail Mary (2026) - Live Roundtable Review Kicking the Seat

Ian and Jeff can't hide their love for Ready or Not 2: Here I Come!This smashing sequel to 2019's splatter comedy finds Grace (Samara Weaving) in custody for the violent murder of the family she'd just married into. Turns out the cops don't believe her story about a cult of demon-worshiping billionaires who challenged her to a deadly game of...you guessed it! Grace finds herself at the mercy of the world's six ruling families, now vying for ultimate control via another round of Hide and Seek.This time, the weapons are deadlier, the stakes are higher, and Grace's younger sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton) has been roped into the outrageously bloody game of survival.This film is a welcome surprise, and a fine counterpoint to Maggie Gyllenhaal's The Bride!, which we reviewed on the show a few weeks back. We invite you on a leisurely, spoilerific walk down the aisle as Ready or Not 2 gets its due!From writing strong female characters, to shifting this movie away from the "horror" category, and a trend that slightly hurts this film and others--there's a lot to get into with this one.Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow LinksWatch the Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (2026) trailer.Enjoy this 2019 flashback, in which Ian and Emmanuel Noisette of Eman's Movie Reviews look at the original Ready or Not!Did you know that both Kicking the Seat and friend of the show Jon Kitley's Discover the Horror Podcast have been nominated for "Best Podcast" at the 2026 Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards (aka the Rondos)! If you enjoy what we do, please vote via the link below (our category is #20 on the list, which also includes nominees for "Best Magazine", "Best Movie", etc.). Thanks! For a full list of nominees and voting instructions, click here.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher". Ep1217: Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (2026) - Movie Review Kicking the Seat

The Oscars may be over, but the 2025 film discussion isn't finished until Kicking the Seat has a say!This is Ian's first "Best of" list since before the pandemic, and the first time he's discussed his picks publicly with Earth's Mightiest Critics! In this opinion-packed episode, our robust roundtable will talk about Kicking the Seat's official Top 10--as well as some of the other critics' choices that don't appear on the list!Join us for an award-worthy last look at a year bursting with memorable cinema! We also talk a little bit of Oscars and take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow Links:As mentioned in the show, Ian recently interviewed Oliver Laxe, the director of one his favorite 2025 films, Sirat. Check it out!For a sneak peak at how (or if) the panelists line up with Ian's picks, check out Earth's Mightiest Critics' individual "Best of 2025" lists!Jeff YorkDavid FowlieMike CrowleyDon ShanahanCati GlidewellSupport all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".

Maggie Gyllenhaal's The Bride! is one of the worst-reviewed, most financially disastrous films of the year. But is "Bonnie and Clyde Meets The Bride of Frankenstein" really that bad? Or, like the Monster in Mary Shelley's classic horror novel--has the hated beast simply been misunderstood?This week, Earth's Mightiest Critics take a long, spoilerific walk down the aisle to see if there is cause for celebration...or annulment! Join us as we renew our vows to confront escapism--even at its ugliest!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow Links:Watch the The Bride! (2026) trailer.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".

Scream 7 dominated its opening weekend's box office, despite an overwhelmingly negative reception from critics and a tepid audience response.Has Ghostface finally become a horror movie cliche--that of the exhausted (and exhausting) killer who doesn't know he's dead? Or is there actually something more to returning screenwriter-turned-director Kevin Williamson's film than people realize?This week, Earth's Mightiest Critics look at the return of Sydney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and the rest of the surviving Scream crew who, after 30 years, are still milking meta-horror for all it's worth.Join us for a sensational, spoilerific slash through the sixth Scream sequel! We also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow Links:Watch the Scream 7 (2026) trailer.Watch Ian's reaction to last year's Scream 7 trailer.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".

William Wyler's sweeping historical epic Ben-Hur is one of the OG blockbusters. It took home Best Picture for the 1959 Academy Awards, along with 12 other statues--making it one of the most awarded and beloved dramas of all time.This week, Earth's Mightiest Critics look at the story of Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston), a Jewish prince who is betrayed and forced into slavery. His winding journey of vengeance and redemption lands him front and center with the most significant event in human history.Join us for a spoilerific look at Charlton, chariots, and the changing nature of blockbusters. We also make a case for this being a perfect film, and take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow LinksWatch the Ben-Hur (1959) trailer.Pick up the new Ben-Hur 4K UHD from Warner Bros.As mentioned in the show, Warner Bros also released a new 4K of All the President's Men! Check the disc out here.And listen to Ian and Don Shanahan's "Reelpolitik" review of the film from few years ago.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".

This week, Earth's Mightiest critics bust out the fainting couches for a robust, rivalrous review of Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights!Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie star in the latest big-screen interpretation of Emily Brontë's 1847 novel, which unleashed relentless humiliation, misery, and revenge upon the literary world. Or, as the film's marketing calls it, "The Greatest Love Story of All Time"!The film topped its opening weekend's box office, despite mixed critics' reviews and scathing commentary by fans of the novel. But are audiences really past the point of caring if movies are faithful to their source material? And is this a more troubling sign of a lack of media literacy--and actual literacy?Both sides square off in a dynamic duel of defenders and detractors!Join us for a hot and bothered (mostly bothered) look at the latest IP smash-and-grab masquerading as an adaptation! We'll also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats! Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow LinksWatch the Wuthering Heights (2026) trailer.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".

This Valentine's Day, Ian and Jeff explore the darker side of a comedy classic, His Girl Friday!Howard Hawks' uproarious and influential rom-com centers on Hildy Johnson (Rosalind Russell), a former newspaper reporter who clashes with her ex-publisher/ex-husband, Walter Burns (Cary Grant) over a breaking story. She's supposed to marry an insurance salesman (Ralph Bellamy), but gets tempted into covering a political conflict involving the pending execution of a cop killer (John Qualen).His Girl Friday takes place over a rapid-talking, action-packed 12 hours, during which Hildy and Walter re-evaluate their rocky relationship. The question is: should they be together?In this unusual look at a beloved, iconic film, the guys dig beneath the laughs to get at the heart of two characters who may not have one--caught in a business and a system too corrupt for anyone's good.They also compare His Girl Friday to Lewis Milestone's The Front Page, which came out in 1931 and was the inspiration for Hawks' gender-swapped comedy!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow LinksWatch the His Girl Friday (1940) trailer.Pick up Criterion's recent 4K release of His Girl Friday (which includes a newly restored version of 1931's The Front Page!).Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".

For their 228thepisode, two underground revolution critics, two stoner dads, and two small beers teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, drive their podcast over the West Texas hills of the Oscar race to offer their praise and criticism of Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another." The movie is the current front-runner for Best Picture and PTA is more than due after 28 years of previous nominations in several categories. Should this be the one 2025 movie that gets the tallest and shiniest crown? Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Count Dracula has survived such formidable filmmaking foes as Francis Ford Coppola, Dario Argento, and David Eggers. But will he shrink in fear at the might of...Luc Besson?Jacob Landry-Jones is the latest to don the cape and fangs in this umpteenth retelling of the debonair undead Drac. Could this be the definitive version--or a slightly different rehash with goofier looking makeup effects?Join us as we hang garlic and debate whether or not it's time to stake all future adaptations of Bram Stoker's classic novel!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow LinksWatch the Dracula (2026) trailer.As mentioned in the show, you can enjoy a half-decade of Hammer Films discussions, starting with our "Hammerland" Playlist.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".

For their 227th episode, two third-string critics, two painkiller-addicted dads, and two steamin' teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, arrive at the weekend of the Super Bowl with one more football classic from a generation ago. As the complete opposite to the wholesome "Remember the Titans" from a recent episode, our hosts cover Oliver Stone's 1999 cinematic energy drink "Any Given Sunday." They try to comprehend the amount of cocaine and creativity it took to make every aspect of that wild movie that turned out to be prophetic and ahead of its time. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Earth's Mightiest Critics are sending up smoke signals for Sam Raimi's latest horror/comedy, Send Help! Rachel McAdams stars as Linda, a corporate executive-in-waiting who finds herself trapped on a desert island with a wounded Brad (Dylan O'Brien), who was recently appointed to the position she'd been promised. During the next several weeks, the duo alternates between teaming up and terrorizing each other, as diminishing hopes for escape reduce them to a savage, primal state.Is this the second coming of Misery, or just gore-coated misandry?Join us as we look at the good, the bad, and the truly ugly from the director of The Evil Dead and Drag Me to Hell!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow LinksWatch the Send Help (2026) trailer.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".

For their 226th episode, two bank-robbing critics, two strutting dads, and two war veteran teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, make their way to a long-time queue hold and blindspot of Will that came from a recommendation of Don. Our guys enter the unique pre-, post-, and during Vietnam War perspectives shared by 1995's cult classic "Dead Presidents," directed by the Hughes Brothers. Hear why Don calls it one of the best Vietnam films of all-time while Will shares his first-time impressions. This movie is intense and hit strongly. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Earth's Mightiest Critics use their natural intelligence to review a movie about artificial intelligence--which is lacking in basic intelligence!In Mercy, Chris Pratt stars as Chris Raven (not making that up), a detective accused of killing his wife. He is put on trial by an AI judge (Rebecca Ferguson), and has 90 minutes to clear his name.Join us as we draft a minority report and prepare to prosecute this bizarre cinematic thought-crime!Also, Ian addresses an issue with the comments section.Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow LinksWatch the Mercy (2026) trailer.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".

For their 225th episode, two strong side critics, two weak side dads, and two coaching teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, embraced the excitement of football season still being in the air for a classic type of film Hollywood has stopped making on the regular. We're talking about 2000's "Remember the Titans," starring Denzel Washington. Our hosts sat down on their John Brown hindparts to tell you all about it and it's hight worth. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Believe it or not, Earth's Mightiest Critics aren't ready to rage at 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple!In contrast to Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later (which came out a mere six months ago) series newcomer Nia DaCosta provides the world's-end mania and weirdness promised by the previous film's trailer! It's hard to believe both movies were written by the same person (Alex Garland).We won't give anything away, story-wise, ahead of the roundtable--except to say that the track suit-wearing "Jimmy" gang is nowhere near as lame as they appeared to be at the end of the last film.Also, Ralph Fiennes deserves an Oscar nomination.Join us for a positively infectious look at one of 2026's best films so far (no joke). We'll also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow LinksWatch the 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) trailer.Catch up with our 28 Years Later roundtable from last June.Read David's review of The Bone Temple at Keeping it Reel.Check out Keeping It Reel's "Top Ten Films of 2025" list.And read Ian's debut as a Movies & TV freelance writer for CBR (talking about a possible path for Tales from the Crypt to return to TV)!Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".

For their 224th episode, two paddle-slapped critics, two ping ball-chasing dads, and two wildly arrogant teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, put a little effort in the 2025-2026 awards season with an episode on Josh Safdie's latest heart palpatation movie,"Marty Supreme," starring Best Actor frontrunner Timothee Chalamet. Contrary to the overflowing critical praise following this movie, our hosts are actually quite split on this one. Find out who's the lover and who's the hater. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Earth's Mightiest Critics walk into a bar...and raise it!This week we look at Bradley Cooper's latest dramedy, Is This Thing On?, in which a New Yorker named Alex (Will Arnette) stumbles into a new stand-up comedy career while navigating a complicated divorce.In addition to reviewing this critically acclaimed new film from Cooper (who's proving just as capable a writer/director as an actor), we'll also talk about some of our favorite stand-up comics and the serious effects their jokes had on our lives.Join us as we laugh 'til we cry and perfect our crowd work with your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow LinksWatch the Is This Thing On? (2025) trailer.As mentioned in the show, one of the panel's favorite modern standup comics is Jim Gaffigan. Here are a couple of flashbacks to Ian's interviews with the masterful observational comic:Being Frank InterviewAmerican DreamerSupport all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".

For their 223nd episode, two gun-totting critics, two bath-soaked dads, and two too-old-for-this teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, come out of the Christmas season with a special gift shared from them to all of you. They are in the camp that considers "Lethal Weapon" a Christmas movie. Well, this year, the podcast bestows to you a special episode that covers all four films of the "Lethal Weapon" series. They cover their heroes, villains, explosions, gags, and moments from what has become an action movie time capsule that will never be made the same way again. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Earth's Mightiest Critics ring in the New Year with the escapism of economic uncertainty!Park Chan-wook's latest film, No Other Choice centers on Man-su (Lee Byung-hun) who has been out of work for several years. In a desperate attempt to eliminate job market competition, he concocts a darkly brilliant plan. It's no secret that Ian is not the biggest Park fan (who else on planet Earth thinks the remake of Oldboy is better than the original?!).The question, then, is can this critically acclaimed new slice of dramatic social commentary--and the rest of the EMC's very best arguments--turn things around?Join us as we seek truth, gainful employment, and airtight alibis. We'll also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow LinksWatch the No Other Choice (2025) trailer.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".

For their 222nd episode, two Catholic-bred critics, two suspicious dads, and two investigative teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, let Netflix tell them what to love and enjoy for one week. Hopping to something current, our hosts watched and compared their examinations for "Wake Up Dean Man," the latest whodunit from Rian Johnson, who has very quickly mastered the murder mystery genre. Get a taste of this comfort food murder mayhem. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!Speakpipe - send us a voicemailhttps://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Lights! Camera! Diggler!Earth's Mightiest Critics close out 2025 with a look at Paul Thomas Anderson's classic 1997 drama, Boogie Nights! Mark Wahlberg stars as Eddie Adams, a young California dishwasher who gets lured into the glamorous, sinister world of 1970s adult entertainment. His found family includes legendary mogul Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds), Jack's matronly muse, Amber Waves (Julianne Moore), and fellow performer Reed Rothchild (John C. Reilly).Together, they build a new hard-core franchise while struggling against the unrelenting winds of drugs, video tape, and societal backlash.It's also a (really messed up) New Year's movie! AND a reminder of PTA's roots, as we prepare for the likely Awards sweep of his latest film, One Battle After Another.Join us for a free-wheeling Pre-NYE party, where we'll also take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow LinksWatch the Boogie Nights (1997) trailer.As mentioned in the show, Ian had a couple of run-ins with Boogie Nights star Thomas Jane at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con. Presented here is the two-part "The Thomas Jane Affair":Part OnePart TwoPick up Warner Bros' recently released 4K UHD of Boogie Nights.In case you missed it: check out EMC's roundtable review of One Battle After Another from earlier this year.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".

Christmas came early for Earth's Mightiest Critics, and we're here to share the love a roundtable preview review of Song Sung Blue!Craig Brewer's latest music-infused drama stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as a Milwaukee-based Neil Diamond tribute act called Lightning and Thunder. Based on a 2008 documentary of the same name, this narrative biopic centers on the married couple's rise and fall--and examines lives lived in a spotlight that is also, oddly, a shadow.Join us as we get in tune and establish a rhythm for discussing this Awards Season (ahem) diamond in the rough!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow LinksWatch the Song Sung Blue (2025) trailer.And catch up with our previous review of 2022's Avatar: The Way of Water.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".