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.
The Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game (TCG) remains one of the world's most dominant card games as of 2026, prized for its high-speed gameplay and complex interactions while facing criticism for its steep learning curve and power creep.
A highly recommended starting point priced at approximately $30, containing three complete, ready-to-play decks and essential staple cards. yu-gi-oh card
Newcomers often find the thousands of cards and complex rules overwhelming. The Yu-Gi-Oh
A single player's turn can sometimes last 10–20 minutes, leading to "spectator" frustration for the opponent. Newcomers often find the thousands of cards and
High-end cards like "Starlight Rares" or "Quarter Century Secret Rares" drive the collector market, with some rare historical cards like "Tyler the Great Warrior" valued at over $300,000. Critical Review: Pros & Cons Pros Cons
Modern play relies heavily on "hand traps" and "board breakers"—cards that can be played from the hand during the opponent's turn to stop their strategy.