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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.

Ep1026: ROCKY V (Theatrical and Workprint) and ROCKY BALBOA Director's Cut - Movie Reviews

Ep1026: ROCKY V (Theatrical and Workprint) and ROCKY BALBOA Director's Cut - Movie Reviews

Ian Simmons

This is it! The final fight!

Ian and Don drag Bryan back into the ring for one last look at the Rocky franchise. In this surprise-studded episode, the guys look at the universally maligned Rocky V and the Director's Cut of the beloved legacy sequel, Rocky Balboa!

Plus, Bryan tossed the group a sharp left hook by recommending they check out the mythical Rocky V workprint, which--in his estimation, raises the 1990 flop from a 4-out-of-10, to an 8-out-of-10! Did everyone do the assignment?

Take your corners, wait for the bell, and join us as we give the legend his due one last time!

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

  • Watch the Rocky V (1990) trailer.

  • Watch the Rocky Balboa (2006) trailer.

  • As mentioned in the show, here's a link to the (very rough) Rocky V workprint.

  • Note: The Rocky V workprint is not part of the new WB collection, as it has never been officially released (or even finished!).

  • Pick up the Rocky Ultimate Knockout Collection on 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros!

  • Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…

  • Be sure to stalk Bryan over at The Giallo Room on Instagram!

  • As mentioned in the show, check out the 500th episode of Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's Spoiler Room Podcast, where Ian joined in a hearty defense of Paul Verhoeven's Showgirls!

  • Finally, catch up on our entire Rocky retrospective in the "Yo, Rocky!" playlist!

Ep1027: Accademia Giallo: THE CASE OF THE BLOODY IRIS (1972)

Ep1027: Accademia Giallo: THE CASE OF THE BLOODY IRIS (1972)
Ep1025: DUCHESS (2024) - Movie Review

Ep1025: DUCHESS (2024) - Movie Review