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Welcome to Kicking the Seat!

Ian Simmons launched Kicking the Seat in 2009, one week after seeing Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia. His wife proposed blogging as a healthier outlet for his anger than red-faced, twenty-minute tirades (Ian is no longer allowed to drive home from the movies).

The Kicking the Seat Podcast followed three years later and, despite its “undiscovered gem” status, Ian thoroughly enjoys hosting film critic discussions, creating themed shows, and interviewing such luminaries as Gaspar Noé, Rachel Brosnahan, Amy Seimetz, and Richard Dreyfuss.

Ian is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association. He also has a family, a day job, and conflicted feelings about referring to himself in the third person.

Ep1022: ROCKY and ROCKY II - Movie Reviews

Ep1022: ROCKY and ROCKY II - Movie Reviews

Ian Simmons

Following their raucous sparring on the Deadpool & Wolverine livestream, Ian and Don return to the ring to review Rocky and Rocky II!

Both films were recently released in a 4K box set from Warner Bros, and on the occasion of Rocky II's 45th anniversary, the guys decided to look at how this sequel stacks up to one of cinema's greatest sports movies.

Three years after the iconic underdog story of Philly boxer Rocky Balboa swept the Oscars and captured America's heart, writer/star Sylvester Stallone took over from director John G. Avildsen for the follow-up. The result is a movie whose gloss and high profile put it in stark contrast to the original--which works thematically in its favor.

In this review, the guys talk about Rocky as an institution dating back to their childhoods; how surprised they were to discover the richness of the characters surrounding the film's lead; and why many sports movies using the Rocky template fall short.

Plus: Find out if there'll be a sequel to this episode!

Subscribe to, like, and comment on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel, and check out kickseat.com for multiple movie podcasts each week!

Show Links

Ep1023: TRAP (2024) - LIVE Movie Review

Ep1023: TRAP (2024) - LIVE Movie Review
Ep1021: DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE (2024) - LIVE Round Table Review

Ep1021: DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE (2024) - LIVE Round Table Review