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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.

Madmen, Madams, and Misfits

Fear the 2011 Crypticon/Chateau Grrr Celebrity Dinner!*

UPDATE! Due to a scheduling conflict, Sid Haig will no longer be joining us for dinner [Sad Clown Face]. On the bright side, the fine folks at Crypticon have opened a portal to the dark realms beyond and summoned Pinhead himself, Doug Bradley, to attend this fabulous meal!

I've also learned that tickets will only be available at the show. But if you plan to be in the Minneapolis area Saturday night and would like to attend, message me on Facebook or via Twitter and I'll set some aside for you!

It's that time of year again, kids! On Saturday, November 5th, Chateau Grrr will host the 3rd-annual Crypticon Celebrity Dinner in Minneapolis, Minnesota! This year, we'll be joined by an ecclectic quartet of guests from the horror scene, including:

Tom Towles, star of Henry: Portrait of a Serial KillerThe Devil's Rejects, and Grindhouse

Doug Bradley, star of Hellraiser, Nightbreed, and Book of Blood

Barbara Nedeljakova, star of Hostel, Children of the Corn: Genesis, and the upcoming Strippers vs. Werewolves

Michale Graves, Blitzkrieg frontman, formerly of The Misfits

If past dinners are any indication, this should be one hell of a night!

Note: I've just confirmed that I'll be interviewing writer/directory Cory Udler at the show. If you have any burning questions for the creator of the Incest Death Squad films, drop me a line and wonder no more!

*Yes, this is the reason that, despite having been warned away from reviewing so many horror movies, I've been reviewing so many horror movies lately. It's called "research", people! Seriously, though, this weekend I'll have a few not-so-scary films for your consideration. But on Monday, it's back to all guts, all the time!

Queue Ball!

Critic Schism