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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 NoéRachel BrosnahanAmy 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.

Ep1224: The Phantom (1996) - Live 30th Anniversary Review

Ep1224: The Phantom (1996) - Live 30th Anniversary Review

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!

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Show Links:

Ep1224: The Phantom (1996) - Live 30th Anniversary Review
Kicking the Seat
Ep1225: IndieSeen: Bread Machine (2026) - Movie Review

Ep1225: IndieSeen: Bread Machine (2026) - Movie Review

Ep1222: Target Audience: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)

Ep1222: Target Audience: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)